Hysterectomy. What to take to hospital, how to recover at home ?

[TheDogsMother]

I'm having a hysterectomy next week (and admit I'm pretty scared). I found a really useful thread on here about what to take to hospital eg wipes, bottle of water etc but I can't seem to find it again. Does anyone have any advice on what I should take with me to help feel a bit better when I come round. Also any little changes at home to make recovery a bit easier ? I don't even know if it is even possible to walk upstairs to go to bed ?

Glad you're both on the mend. I was able to shower as had waterproof dressing and then staples came out after 6 days. I think maybe instructions differ depending on what sort of op you had. Seven weeks on and the scar is hardly visible. Lots of rest and lots of water xx

Just want check @Unex and @longtompot . How are you both getting on ?

I'm 11 days post op now and doing pretty well. I did get the shoulder pain after a few days and it was excruciating and easily the most painful aspect of it all. I've been out to the pub and for lunch, out for walks and doing a bit of work though I need to keep reminding to take it easy. Two more injections to go and I can finally take the compression socks off on Wednesday too !! Still bleeding a bit but I have a follow up on 7th Feb so hopefully they can reassure me all is well. I'm still waiting to hear about the extent of the cancerous cells but hopefully they managed to get them all. My biggest problem now is the trapped wind. I am fit to explode 😂 I really hope things have gone well for you both.

Hi @TheDogsMother I was having a look at this thread earlier wondering how you were doing.

Two weeks post op for me and honestly, things are going really well. I had my wound check last week at 10 days, and the nurse said they all looked good and that if the long ends of the stitches were bothering me I could have them snipped shorter. Also, if in a few more weeks they haven't started to come off to go back and they can removed them for me.
She told me to still takes things easy for the next few weeks, as I did say with things being ok I feel a bit frustrated not being able to do things, or forget and do them and then have a few twinges sore minding me to be careful.
I have joined my dh on some evening dog walks. I've really missed walking my dog. This weekend I am hoping to meet up with friends at a pub where there is some live music, but I'm a bit worried about getting bashed in the stomach.

I have had no bleeding, well, until today, but still just very faint pink. I have however managed to get thrush, which after looking it up, seems to be common after a hysterectomy. Also, one of the Bartholian (sp?) glands has got a bit bigger, but I am guessing with the area that has been messed around with, this is also not uncommon. It's going down so I don't think I need it checked out.

I'm sorry you've struggled with the shoulder pain and the wind. That wasn't an issue for me and I wonder if it's because mine was quite straightforward and yours needed a bit more investigation due to the reason you were having the op? I know my sister had some issues after she had to have an ovary removed due to a cyst causing problems. I am still having bowel problems, so still taking the liquid laxative which really does help. As does drinking a lot of water throughout the day. I'd maybe give your gp a call, just to see what they suggest. I'm not sure you should still be so bloated this long after, but I could be wrong.

I really hope you get some good news regarding the cancerous cells and that they have got them all💐

That is all so good to hear @longtompot it sounds like you are making good progress. Like you I was worried about getting bashed in the stomach so I've gone to places when it is a bit quieter. Its great to get out though and I'm loving the walks. In terms of the bloating this has come on in the last couple of days, it's really just stabbing wind pains and I understand it can happen as everything needs to settle back down again. I've always been a little bit that way but this is just a more extreme version. Peppermint capsules are my friend.

The incisions are incredibly neat. The one in the belly button is barely visible and two low on my abdomen, both about 2cm. They appear to be healing really well. It's fascinating that they can conduct these procedures through such tiny holes !

Wishing you well with your recovery and hopefully we will all be out and about again in time for spring. My garden will need me by then

Hi both
Just seen the updates!
I had the huge incision from belly button all the way down
Really sore and swollen but GP said to contact hospital, hospital said to contact GP 🙄.
I've got a nurse appointment tomorrow when they supposed to be taking the clips out, I'm dreading it coz it's so sore and I'm honestly not sure they'll be able to take them out.
I'm still quite limited mobility wise, definitely not taking dog out, or doing much at all really.
Glad you guys are doing better, I do appear to be making hard work of it

@Unex sorry to hear you are still in pain. I suspect as mine was keyhole and straightforward might be why I've not suffered as much. That said, last night I was awake from about 4am as I had pain from my hips going down my legs and one of my stitch sites hurt when I coughed. My bellybutton one is still a bit wet even though I keep cleaning it, and is a bit sore. I think if it's still like that by Monday I'll contact the gp again and see if it needs anything to help it heal.

Speaking of contacting the gp, I did yesterday just to check what I should be doing with my hrt as I'd read some women take it continuously, and I was still on daily gel and tablets days 15-28. I've been getting more and more severe pmt symptoms, craving chocolate like made and generally very hungry. That and my boobs feels really swollen and sore. Well, turns out I should have stopped the pills as I no longer have a womb! Wish the hospital staff had told me as they were aware of what meds I was on. Hopefully I'll feel a bit more normal on that front soon.

Hope everyone still making good progress and that movement and soreness etc is getting much better.