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Total hysterectomy on Monday - so anxious

the-mental-one

Well-Known Member
Messages
119
Location
Nadur, Malta
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
My total abdominal hysterectomy is scheduled for Monday 17th February and I'm becoming quite nervous about it.

I live with my dad, I stayed after my mum died (was a full time carer for her as she had dementia) since dad didn't do well alone but he's not the best at understanding my dietary requirements so I was planning to cook a load of meals that can be frozen for him to just reheat since I need a specific diet but not sure I will even be able to eat or how much. Can anyone suggest things that a diabetic (with onion, peanut, and nut allergies) could eat after an op like this?

We have three dogs and a cat so I need to be careful around them as they will want to be around me and jump (this is two of them right now as I am sitting downstairs in our front room) or be on my lap, and I can't sleep in my own bed because it's up a ladder...so I will probably be taking over my dad's bedroom as we can keep the pets out for a while, plus it has room to walk around and there is an ensuite bathroom with a shower.

Just for fun my body decided I needed another period, started on Monday, that makes three in a row that were just two weeks apart and you'd think that would make them easier but they are just as heavy as ones that are 28 days apart or even 3 months apart (thank you PCOS for such unpredictability for most of my life)...and that has made me unable to do any meal prep yet because I'm just feeling awful. My flow rate has been insane because of fibroids that are big and numerous...and I have a 10cm cyst on one ovary and a 5cm cyst on the other so all in all I think it's a necessity to have the op but that doesn't stop me from being panicked about it.

Does anyone have experience with this and can give me some ideas of what I can do to prepare for the recovery period? What to expect that the doctors maybe don't tell you? General things to help me calm down a little?
 
Your symptoms remind me of an acquaintance from many years ago when I lived in the Midlands.
I don't have details, but I do remember the difference in her health and her appearance in the months after her operation.
Her husband had sometimes needed to carry her from the place they parked their van to the cottage where they lived after their day running their stall at the market, as she was totally exhausted. Her colour became normal, she put on weight and moved around with the energy usually seen in a young woman.
Hopefully that was a typical reaction to the operation.
 
I had this operation forty-plus years ago, and recovery was easy as long as I didn't overdo physical stuff. I don't know what your particular diet is, but the operation shouldn't require any changes. As for dogs and cats wanting to get on your lap, put a big cushion or a pillow on your lap as soon as you sit down so they can't access it, and if they grizzle, tough, they can get back on your lap when you have healed. Make sure they have comfortable places to lie on as an alternative, and unless they tend to dispute over food, when you go to sit down, toss a tasty tiny treat on one of the beds allocated for them.

Your bedroom arrangements sound ideal - just remember to keep the door closed whether you are in there or not, so animals can't sneak in.

You will feel SO MUCH better once you have had this, and recovery goes at whatever speed it goes. I was back on a horse after four weeks, which with hindsight was risky and stupid, but luckily for me there were no ill effects. Be more sensible than I was and allow plenty of time for your recovery. Don't buy any new clothes (but you can research some) until the swelling round your tum has gone down.
 
I had this surgery almost 40 years ago. With similar symptoms you have described, @the-mental-one . I understand how concerned you must be. At the time, I had two young children, and worried about caring for them. Sometimes you have to put yourself first, though.
Prior to the surgery, I was so anaemic, and tired that planning ahead wasn’t an option. I did get support from friends and family, but it is difficult to accept support when you are used to being the caregiver. Maybe you could engage help from someone to ensure your dad has meals if he is not able to cater for himself? Though you do have a few days to prep some easy meals if you can summon the energy.

Whatever you usually eat you could still have. I have to have surgery myself soon and I know I won’t have much of an appetite for a while before and after. I have batch cooked nutritious soups and casseroles, and have easily cooked foods in the freezer, like fish and vegetables, that my significant other can chuck in the microwave, or stir fry quickly. Although he is capable of preparing meals that require more effort, I will expect him to be busy caring for me and doing all the mundane household chores, so I am making his life easy. (He would probably say it is just me demonstrating my need to micro-mange him )

Regarding the post op time for you. I am aware lots of changes to surgical procedure will have ensued in the time since I had the same surgery you are having. You will likely not be in hospital for very long, but should be given the list of dos and don’ts from the team looking after you. Follow their instructions. Main things are wound care, rest, nutrition, gradually getting back to normal level of activities , but no lifting, or letting pets jump on lap.
The best thing for me was the anaemia cleared , the awful haemorraging that was unpredictable, and debilitating, the pain, were soon a thing of the past.
I hope you can relax, and trust the surgeons, but do talk about anything that concerns you with the team. They will be able to help, and if necessary provide meds to help prior to the op.

Hope all goes well for you. Please come back and let us know how you are.
 
I'd keep food simple and small to begin with
Eggs, scrambled, boiled or omelette are easy and can be flavoured with cheese, herbs, hams etc to give variety
Ready cooked chicken portions
Sausages served either warm or cold.
Chunks of cheese, or cream cheese straight from the tub or stirred through cooked veg
Plain yoghurt with a few berries or chocolate chopped in.
Even neat spoonfuls of double cream are satisfying and easy.

Your body will guide you as to when you want or need more, and by then you'll be wanting to be up and moving about more too. Remember to keep fluids up, lots of drinks.
And do let us know how it goes, please
 
Dont panic.I had a 20cm cyst so,like you I had to have a hysterectomy.I went straight into menopause but there are things to help.Take it one day at a time and you will be fine.How are they doing it? Keyhole or incision?
 
I too had an abdominal hysterectomy nearly 30 years ago now, my fibroid was the size of a cricket ball and my periods were insanely heavy, but it was the best thing I ever did, i felt weak afterward and was not allowed to even lift a kettle that was half full for a while. But I felt so much better when I recovered fully and the relief of never having another period was wonderful. Good luck you will be fine
 
My subtotal hysterectomy (I chose to keep my ovaries) was several years ago now, but I was absolutely fine afterwards. Mine was also an open abdominal version as I had a large fibroid they couldn’t deal with any other way.

My Mum, who came to look after me was horrified when I sent her home earlier than anticipated.

I was advised not to lift anything heavier than a kettle for 2 weeks, and I had groceries delivered - asking the delivery driver to bring it to the kitchen door, so that I could unpack at my own pace.

Dont get too uptight about your op. The medics are there to keep you comfortable, and whilst you are on the ”self-service” heavy painkillers just take them as often as you need them (within the prescribed limits), but I was off ALL meds as soon as I got home, on day 3 pst-op. Again, my mother expected me to be stooping, but not in the least.

Clearly, we’re all different, but please look on it as a step to a more comfortable, healthier life. I don’t regret mine one single bit.
 
Last year, had a total hysterectomy with robotics. Signed off for 4 weeks, had to use blood thining injections, felt tired for the first two weeks, and starting walking further each day. One of my incisions did not heal too well so went weekly to be dressed. Take care of your self whilst your body is healing
 
flonvic said:
Dont panic.I had a 20cm cyst so,like you I had to have a hysterectomy.I went straight into menopause but there are things to help.Take it one day at a time and you will be fine.How are they doing it? Keyhole or incision?
Click to expand...
incision, it's all too big to be keyhole or vaginal apparently.
 
I had incision because that's all there was back in the day, and you would have to be best friends with me to even see the scar.
 
flonvic said:
Mine was incision from belly button to pubic bone.I was dreading it but it wasn't as bad as I thought.Yes its uncomfortable but give yourself time.It will get easier.x
Click to expand...

My incision was side to side. I point blank refused a vertical incision. My rationale was if they could get a baby out via a low abdomen, horizontal incision, they could sure as heck get my fibroid the size of a small melon.

I wrote on the consent form that I did not consent to a vertical incision.

Yes. I can be that stubborn!
 
They haven't told me anything about the incision other than that it would have to be done via an abdominal incision, I sort of assumed it would be a bikini line cut.

Not sure if it makes much of a difference to me with regards a scar, I'd rather have whatever is easiest for recovery.
 
Try not to worry too much about tomorrow.(but you will).Before you know it,it will be Tuesday.Keep in touch when you can.Take care.x
 
I'm cooking up a last batch of food to put in the freezer, though we'll eat some tonight.

I've had to be careful with food this weekend as I had to stop my Metformin on Friday but it seems to have been ok (it used to be ok diet only however perimenopause has made it too unpredictable to not have the meds now) but I've made a sweet and spicy last hurrah for tonight...because one meal isn't going to hurt too much and also I do enjoy something spicy and have been told I might need to stear clear for the first week or three of recovery since my digestive system is going to be impacted.
 
At the hospital waiting, being diabetic and allergic to onions is causing a lot of loud talking in Maltese around the reception desk. They have decided the only thing I can eat will be dry chicken breast and some vegetables. Which is fine by me if a little bland...but two or three days expected here so I can survive.
 
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