Nervous :-(

I got Colpermin tabs i think.they were brill for bloating and wind pains.good luck for friday x

Hi Karen I had my TAH June last year. I found that oil of peppermint capsules were very good and take nighties in case you have catheter put in . Try not to worry to much it is the most common op for women and I found everyone at my hospital amazing.

Hi, Karen,

I would suggest a blanket or comforter to wrap around yourself while you're resting. And, a night light to keep on in your bathroom, hallway and bedroom if you have to walk a ways to the toilet.

And, if you are able, sleeping by yourself does help.  If you have a surgery where gas is injected into your body, it will take a few days to dissipate, and it's difficult to get comfortable.  

I'm sure that all will be well!  Let us know how you do!  

Get a stool for the bath to sit in as you won't be able to stand for long in the shower just take it easy for 6 weeks and just do short walks every day

I had my op 6 weeks ago, same as you total ab hyst.  Feel so much better now as I had a big fibroid removed.  Focus on the getting better bit not the op.  I was really nervous too,think everyone is!  It's only natural.  Preparation is great, gets your mind ready.  Set up online food shopping and maybe someone to do your ironing if you have a family?  The cleaning can wait!  For hospital a small bag that you can put by your bed as you won't be able to reach anythiing for a couple of days, lipsalve, moisturiser, yes nighties, slip on shoes, big pants and definitely comfy trousers to come home in (I'm still wearing mine now - they are similar to maternity trousers!). I got jegging jeans too (next size up) as I had a vertical scar so a zip on normal jeans is still too uncomfortable.  Lots of paracetamol and ibroprofen to take at home and perhaps a notepad to write down when you last took your meds.  I got liquid laxative from hospital as well as Colpermin as that's been the hardest bit, the wind and discomfort on the toilet.  I had a cathetar and my bladder felt bruised for weeks after.  You must drink lots of water and eat fruit to make you 'go' otherwise its so painful!  Sorry if this is turning into an essay sorry!!  I was surprised that I could walk round the house and 'potter' thought I'd be in bed for days.  I did have 2/3 sleeps a day though in the first few weeks so don't plan too many visitors unless they really will come to help you out.  Be prepared for good and bad days.  I didn't have the emotional rollercoaster I expected but physically I had lots of exhausted days where you just have to go back to bed!  Most of all give yourself time to recover and don't rush back to work.  I've been told its 8-12 weeks before I'll be feeling 'normal' again.  Take care and good luck.  Keep posting on here if you need support.  It's helped me, even reading other people's stories xx

Hi Karen I myself had the same surgery June 2015, recovered well by doing what I was told,which was hard for me !! A pillow to travel home with is needed as seatbelt and bumps could make the journey uncomfortable. Hubs slept in spare room so I could rest and it was needed as your body takes a while to adjust so you may be unsettled at night. Also when he went back to work he bought a push button flask and filled it with water for me as you can't lift anything heavy and my kettle weighed a ton and a small jug of milk- surprising how heavy the milk is too. Dulcalax helps for bowels only took 1 at night and that was enough as strong painkillers can make you constipated. Good luck 😄

Hi karen.

I wish you well for next friday.

I had the same op 10 weeks ago.

I also had a grabber, v pillow and had colpermin tabs for the wind.

I also bought 2 loose nighties as couldnt bare anything round my stomach, i had bad adhesions on my bowel and bladder so had to be discharged with a catheta for a few days so the nighties helped.

Get plenty of rest... i had a few tears and frustrations going through the menopause so i got myself engrossed in a couple of box sets on the tele to keep me occupied...

Take any help anyone offers ( i found this the hardest as so independent)

Dont expect too much of yourself.

It does get better as the weeks go on and you let your body heal

Im still struggling with hot flushes but im trying to avoid hrt, due to breast cancer in the family i invested in a lady magnet which has helped a lot and im taking sage tablets and they have helped.

My surgeon discharged me yesterday and said i looked like a new women.

I know my body is still healing but i have to say im feeling good and hopeful now for the future and at 45 the prospect of no more heavy periods, recurrent polyps, fibroids and cysts is great.

Use this site for any support as we have all been there and i for one am happy to help if i can with any ideas or advice x

Hi I wished they would have had me using stool softener before do to severe constipation with the pain meds after words makes things very painful if I had only known I would have taken ahead ! Best if luck it a tough recop just don't over due it for 6 weeks

Ohhhh...... 1 more tip Karen if you a dressing on your wound and remove it , I removed mine after 5 days then immediately put on a pair of high brief knickers that were black and it stuck to were the sticky had been, so not only did I have a big smily face under my belly button it's was also surrounded with a huge moustache from the fabric and it took weeks to get off !!! But bio oil removed it eventually so give the sticky area a gentle clean first so you don't make my mistake, hope this helps 😄

The only bad thing i can remember from my op (April 15) was the pain from coughing or sneezing for about a week afterwards,  so try to have something to hand to stop you from coughing like water or boiled sweets as you are dry after the anesthetic anyway so most prone to coughing at that point.  I know you are nervous everyone is but i'm sure you will sail through it like i did

Thank you so much so nice to know I'm not on my own :-) been for pre op today :-( had a full meltdown in the room god I'm going to be fun next Friday!! Was told I shouldn't get too much wind as I'm having abdominal surgery and being opened up how true is that? I've order some tablets anyway also got some stuff for the suspected constipation on set! Was told I'm having a continuous dissolvable stitch and I will have a self administer pain relief button. I'm just hoping I look ok when my kids come visit the next day I don't want to upset them :-) I just have to concentrate on the bigger picture no more pain, clotting leg cramps that bad that I can't go anywhere. Thanks each and every one of you for your advise and support I spent a small fortune on Amazon last night :-)