To Have a Hysterectomy or Not? - A Personal Journey Part 2 - Recovery Day 3.

Disclaimer: this article is not written to provide medical advice and does not advocate one medical procedure over another. It is a personal account and simply meant to be infomative. Always consult your physicain when making medical decisions of this caliber .

Today marks recovery day three of my Laposcopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy surgery and I have to say that I am in pretty good spirits.

The pain is at a minimum, there is very little vaginal discharge and I have been able to get up and walk around a bit longer than before.

I made the decision to have a LAVH a couple of weeks ago with the guidance of my gynecologist and my very supportive husband.

And though it was a tough decision to make, it seemed to be the right one for me and my family.

To read about how and why I came to this decision, see the hub, To have a Hysterectomy or not? - A Personal Journey Part 1.

Pre -Op Day.

Pre-op day was a breeze. It was a simple process of getting blood work and providing the staff with the basics such as my name, date of birth, contact and emergency contact information, etc…

Any and all of my allergies were listed, as well as my attending physicians name, what type of surgery I would be having, as well as ay procedure preferences I had.

How much I would be obligated to pay was addressed on this day and though I had the option to go ahead and take care of the bill, I choose to wait until surgery day. In my opinion, this is a better option in the event the surgery has to be postponed or you have a change of heart.

The day before surgery, a hospital representative contacted me to inform me of what time I needed to arrive.

Surgery Day.

I arrived at the hospital two hours before my surgery was due to take place. This allowed ample time to sign paperwork, get contact numbers, be outfitted with a hospital bracelet, and present my co pay. Then I was taken to a room where I would be prepped.

I was instructed by a nurse to remove all my street clothes, put on the hospital gown, the compression stockings (which are designed to increase blood circulation and prevent clotting), the bootie socks (to keep the feet warm while in the hospital) and the lightweight cap that were provided for me.

All of my valuables such as my purse, my shoes and clothing were placed in a hospital bag and would be placed in my husbands’ possession. Under instructions, I provided a urine sample and then lay in the hospital bed.

The aforementioned nurse returned and checked my bracelet; asked my name, my birth date, as well as the name of my attending physician. All the while another nurse took my vital signs - my blood pressure and my temperature.

My paperwork was reviewed once again such as what type of procedure was to be performed on me, who would be driving me home, as well my contact and emergency contact numbers.

An I.V. was set up and my attending physician came to discuss any changes in my health since he last saw me as well as how the procedure would be performed, the length of time it would take and how long I would be in the recovery room.

My family was then allowed to see me before I was to be taken to surgery. During this time, the anesthesiologist came and spoke with me concerning rather or not I had had any complications with general anesthesia before and to reconfirm my wishes regarding excepting only non-blood medical procedures in the event there were any complications.

I was then introduced to the physician that would be assisting my attending physician and she reconfirmed what would be going on during my surgery. Since my family is the type that loves to laugh and find humor in every situation, there were a lot of jokes and laughter flying around the room to ease the anxiety we were all facing.

It was now time to say my goodbyes to my family (actually we prefer saying “see you later” instead of “goodbye” since “goodbye” seems so final) and I was administered a drug through my I.V. to relax me.

On to the surgery room.

I've been in my share of surgery rooms and they are all alike. They are very cold, very sterile, filled with lights, instruments, masked physicians and assistants.

Surgery rooms can be very daunting but when you have a physician who is as caring and concerned as mine is, all the concerns and anxieties fade away - It helps too that you are given a sedative to calm your nerves.

As I they moved me from the hospital gurney to the operating table, I was immediately enveloped in a warm blanket and the soothing sound of my physician's voice as well as the voice of the anesthesiologist.

I was told that everything was going to be just fine and that I was going to be given something to put me to sleep. A mask was placed over my nose and mouth and I was instructed to count backwards from ten. I got to eight!

On to the recovery room.

I’m not sure how much time had passed once I came to. I woke up in the recovery room groggy, in a haze and with an extremely sore and raw throat (that’s one of the bad things about having an intubation tube down your throat).

The nurse asked for my name and my date of birth, I answered and immediately requested for some ice chips to soothe my sore throat. I went in and out of consciousness, not fully aware of how much time was passing by.

Once the drugs began wearing off, I could hear the attending nurse trying to contact my family. Unfortunately, they had no rooms ready for me or the five other patients in the recovery room and they wouldn't for some time.

Due to the circumstances, my husband and my sister-in-law were eventually allowed to come and see me in the recovery room even though that is not part of normal protocol.

By the time I was placed in a regular hospital room, I had been in the recovery room for over 6 hours! (out of the three operations I have had at this hospital, that had never happen to me before).

On to the Hospital Room.

Around 10:00 pm, I was finally placed in a hospital room. No one was hard-pressed to see that I was famished since I hadn't eaten anything since 12:00 a.m.

Unfortunately, the cafeteria was closed and when I thought I things could only get worse, a nurse located some food and juice to sustain me until breakfast the next morning.

Then I was transitioned from the hospital gurney to the hospital bed.

A nurse checked my vitals - my blood pressure and my temperature - while another checked my arm bracelet and asked me to confirm my name, birth date and inquired as to what procedure was just performed on me.

I was then fitted with Pneumatic Compression devices on both legs. These devices look like leg cuffs and are attached to a machine that is placed under the hospital bed.

At certain intervals, the machine squeezes your legs and then releases providing proper circulation while you are bedridden.

The idea is to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs and traveling to vital organs such as your heart or your lungs. They are reminiscent of blood pressure cuffs.

Specific instructions on how the hospital bed works and how to get in touch with the nurse was provided. A cot, extra pillows and a blanket were brought in for my mother who was staying overnight with me, and I was made comfortable in the hospital bed(well, as comfortable as you can be in a hospital bed) and eventually settled down for some much needed rest.

A nurse would come in to check my vitals at 15 minute intervals. And since a catheter had been inserted, the amount of urine collected by the urinal was checked at 30 minute intervals.

The volume of the Morphine drip was constantly noted and once it had been accessed that it was no longer needed, I was placed on Percocet pills (which is the commercial trade name for a drug which is a combination of Oxycodone/hydromorphone and acetaminophen).

*A side note/s: 1.) Any time a drug was administered or blood work was drawn, the attending nurse would scan my hospital bracelet to ensure accuracy at all times. 2.) Catheters can develop pinches when the patient sleeps with her legs closed. This in turn causes the urine to back up and in turn puts pressure on the patient's bladder. It is best to sleep with your legs slightly apart and in any event you feel pressure in your bladder or stomach, inform the attending nurse and he or she will insure that the catheter is not pinched.

Around 2:00 A.M. I was helped out of the hospital bed and encouraged sit up in one of the hospital chairs for as long as I was able. This would help me gradually regain my mobility since it was very hard to walk at that point.

In the event I was awake and alert, at least every 60 minutes I was instructed to breathe in from a breathing apparatus called a Volumetric Incentive Spirometer. Initially, these breathing apparatuses are used to help patients who have had any type of surgery dealing with the heart or lungs improve their lung function.

So why was I using it?

The nurse informed me that anytime a patient has a surgery involving incisions made to the abdomen, patients tend to avoid coughing because of the resulting pain. Coughing however, loosens and breaks up phlegm or mucus logged in the throat or lungs as a result of being intubated.

If the fluid is allowed to settle on the lungs, the patient could develop pneumonia. * A side note - I did notice that consistent and correct use of the breathing apparatus helped loosen and break up the phlegm that had built up in my throat and chest much faster and much easier than after my previous surgery.

Eventually, the catheter was removed and I was able to get to the restroom on my own with some assistance. More blood work was drawn for testing, and my attending physician (who is my gynecologist) came to see me.

He informed me that my surgery went off without a hitch. There was minimal blood loss and the entire procedure was a success. Post-op instructions were given, as well as vital information such as what prescriptions would be administered, and what red flags to watch for.

A hearty breakfast and lunch were provided in a timely fashion and all in all, my experience was as pleasant as a hospital experience could be.

Dismissal Time - How to have a Successful Recovery and How to Keep Sane.

12:30 P.M. arrived and it was time for me to go home. A nurse administered more Percocet for the road; I was given my dismissal papers, my prescriptions, and taken to the day surgery entrance in a wheelchair.

Now it was recovery time and I have found that recovering from a surgery can be just as challenging as the surgery itself.

Here are some personal tips I have found that will contribute to an effective and speedy recovery, as well as keep one sane.

• Wear compression stockings for at least two days after the surgery and keep your feet elevated.
• Three days following the surgery, remove the compression stockings (since they can get a little uncomfortable), keep feet elevated while laying down and attempt to get up and move around in 30 minute intervals to keep the blood circulated in your legs.
• When getting out of bed; roll over on your side, cross your outside leg over your inside leg and step onto the floor. Then push your upper body to sit up on the bed. This will prevent any unnecessary straining of your stomach or back muscles.
• When getting into the bed; back into the bed, sit down at the highest part of the bed, and swing your feet over into the bed in an upright position. Then lay back.
• Follow the physicians’ post-op orders. Do not lift anything heavier then 7lbs and do not do any strenuous activities.
• Pelvic rest - which consist of no douching, no abdominal exercises, and no intercourse - for six weeks.
• No tub baths - showers only.
• Keep a end table nearby and keep important things like tissue, Vaseline (for your hands, feet, and lips - mine tend to get very dry as I lay in bed) refillable water bottle, juice box, healthy snacks (like almonds, sunflower seeds, granola - things that will not spoil and that will provide you with energy), your cell phone and cell phone charger, a hand bell (in the event your throat is too sore to request help or needed items), the Volumetric Incentive Spirometer, magazines, books, the television remote control, head scarf to keep your hair in place, small pack of baby wipes, and sore throat lozenges.
• Snack on comfort foods that are actually good for you such as; Yogurt fruit, fruit smoothie (you can make your own with two to handfuls of the frozen fruit of your choice, soy milk, and two teaspoons of organic brown sugar or two teaspoons of organic honey - blend well), chicken noodle soup, oatmeal (add brown sugar, honey, or fresh fruit), or a slice of angel food cake.
• Keep stress at a minimum.
• Avail yourself to the help of friends and family. Have a schedule set aside for who can come and clean, cook, and help with your children.
• If you have a porch, sit on it and take in the fresh outdoor air and soak in the vitamin D.
• Listen to uplifting music.
• Watch comedies - laughter is the best medicine.
• Watch your favorite movies.
• Listen to your favorite music - Adele is my absolute favorite artist right now.
• Keep in touch with your friends and family via telephone, Internet, or letter writing.
• Catch up on your reading.
• If you have children, cuddle with them, play board games, puzzles and read to them while you are lying in bed.
• Have outings scheduled for your children with reliable friends and family.
• Get up every day, take a shower and attend to your appearance. That in of itself improves your mood.
• Think positively.
• Rest, rest and more rest.

Red Flags to watch out for.

Your attending physician will discuss several red flags with you that could signify that something is wrong.

These may include but are not limited to:

• An increase in bleeding instead of a decrease.
• Bright red discharge instead of a light red or brown discharge.
• An increase in pain instead of a lessening of pain.
• Pain that does not respond to medication.

If a hysterectomy of any kind is an option for you, listed below are several suggestions to prepare you for surgery day ↓

Preparing for Surgery Day.

Surgery, rather elected or not can be extremely unnerving.

Several things factor into the success of the procedure and the success of the patients recovery.

While the major work lies in the hands of the skilled surgeon, there is a lot the patient can do before hand to help make the surgery go smoothly.

Here are some ways to prepare for surgery day.

• Keep your pre-op appointment.
• Follow all pre-op instructions.
• Pack a small bag.
• Get a good nights rest.

Keep your Pre-Op Appointment - Every surgery is accompanied by a pre-op appointment. It is very important to keep this appointment.

Pre-op appointments allow for the necessary blood work and paperwork to be completed before the day of surgery.

Basic information such as name, birth date, address, and contact/emergency contact information is taken. Other vital information such as the name of the attending physician, allergies, medical procedure preferences (such as non-blood procedures due to religious beliefs), and reconfirmation as to what procedure will be performed are noted and placed on file.

Important before-surgery day instructions are also provided, as well as payment options (which can be made during this time or on surgery day).

Follow all Pre-Op Instructions - Your attending physician will provide you with a list of detailed instructions to follow before your surgery day arrives.

These instructions are provided to make the procedure go smoothly and to prevent any unnecessary complications.

Instructions may include but are not limited to:

• Discontinue certain medications (medications such as Aleve® which is an NSAID can prevent the patients blood from clotting).
• Nothing by mouth after midnight (such as no food, no drink)
• No solid foods after midnight/only clear liquids up to two hours before admittance time.
• Do not shave around the area intended for surgery.
• Do not wear make-up or jewelry.
• Wear comfortable clothing.

Pack a Small Bag - Rather you are scheduled to stay overnight or not, it’s always a great idea to pack a small overnight bag that contains a set of comfortable attire (including socks) and any medications you take on a daily basis (I.e. high blood medication, medication for Chron’s disease etc.).

Always consult your physician about what medications or herbal supplements you are taking when setting the surgery date. Herbal supplements such as Saint John’s Wort and medications such as Aleve can prevent the blood from coagulating and can cause serious bleeding complications.

More often than not, personal items such as toothbrushes, body bath/shampoo and washcloths, as well as sanitary napkins and underwear are often provided by the hospital but one should always pack these odds and ends just in case.

Get a Good Nights Rest. - A well rested body tends to heal faster. So go to bed early. If you are stressed about the next day, turn off the television, play some soothing music and meditate on positive thoughts.

Whatever your decision, to have a hysterectomy or not is up to you. Hopefully, my personal experience and suggestions will make it a more bearable journey for you to endure.

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