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Pre op assessment

Posted , 10 users are following.

Shelleyl
Shelleyl

hi everyone 

I'm new to this forum and have been having problems for many years with heavy and painful periods. After finding out that I have a very large fibroid, I have been advised that I need a total abdominal hysterectomy. They are also removing my ovaries and tubes due to my family history of ovarian cancer.  

In in some ways I'm so glad as it means an end to the pain but im also anxious as I hev heard so many horror stories. I have my pre op assessment tomorrow and I'm hoping that it's not going to be too long after that I have my operation.  Does anyone have any ideas on the timescale please? Also what type of questions should I ask 

thanks 

Shelley x

1 like, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • luisa1970
    luisa1970 Shelleyl

    Posted

    Hi Shelleyl

    im 10 weeks post op, I also had TAH everything gone, you need to ask about HRTi wasnt going to go on it, but after op you could go into immediate surgical menapause (which I did) completely different to normal menapause, .

    you will hear horror stories but thats human nature, yes it hurts, yes its emotional but its not for long and each day gets easier.

    this site is the best, I have chatted to many women on here who went through the same and its so helpful, we are all going through it some in different ways with different ops but outcome the sameeveryone so nice and caring.

    My pre op assesment was a month before op.

    you will definetly need minimum 10 weeks of work then phased back in especially if you having abdominal cut.

    the amount of rest at the start really helps recovery towards the end of recovery, however can be months before feeling 100%,

    Im starting back to work tmrw feeling apprensive.

    good luck

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl luisa1970

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply Luisa Im finding this forum very useful.

      i suppose everyone's experience is different but it's good to have as much information as possible so that your prepared. I am nervous and there is no getting away from that think I'm like a grizzly bear at the moment my poor family.

      how long was you in hospital for? Xx

    • luisa1970
      luisa1970 Shelleyl

      Posted

      Hi Shelley I was supposed to be in for 7 days but by day 4 I was ready for home, as long as I could walk up and down stairs I could go,I made sure I did, it was exhausting tho, but much better at home.

      definitely make sure when your home you go to bed every afternoon for a few days to sleep, it really helps,

      tiredness is the biggest thing, im really surprised how tired I get, hence nervous about work, only doing mornings at first

      I agree with you, the lead up to op was horrid, I was irretable and stressed leading up to op

    • bev14365
      bev14365 luisa1970

      Posted

      Hi luisa i to had exactly same as you all removed and a 6 lb tumour boarderline thamkfully had all clear i was straight into surgical menapause when you say its differant what do you mean chick im having weird symptoms what are you experiancing xxx
    • luisa1970
      luisa1970 bev14365

      Posted

      Hi Bev

      Mood swings, very tearful, occasional hot sweats, aching joints.feel sometimes been hit by a truck, prob still from surgery too im sure

      HRT is helping alot but still feel quite odd, doc said that my body has not had the chance to prepare for meapause so HRT will take a while to fully work, I guess it dort of makes sense really. She said give it 6 months to fully work

      what are you feeling?

  • Sally_66
    Sally_66 Shelleyl

    Posted

    Hi Shelley,

    I'm coming up to 8 weeks post TAH (kept ovaries). My pre-op assessment was just 2 weeks b4 the op. I guess different hospitals do different things. Though I kept my ovaries I don't think they are working yet as I was on prostap to try to reduce the massive fibroid I had (hence need for hyst). The thing I have found hardest to deal with is the fatigue. It is a slow recovery for sure. 8 weeks on and I'm definitely not ready to go back to work. I am trying to build myself up and have steadily increased activity but you can be amazed how quickly you can tire. See my consultant for my post op check tomorrow. Wonder what he may advise for my continued moods and hot flushes? Good luck with it all and I wish you a good recovery.

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl Sally_66

      Posted

      Thank you Sally I hope have a quick and speedy recovery and the worst is over for you .
  • jacqueline67292
    jacqueline67292 Shelleyl

    Posted

    Hi Shelley

    Welcome, you will love this forum everyone is so helpful and friendly, and they make you laugh as well!  Good luck with your pre op assessment tomorrow.  Hopefully your op will be very close to your pre-op, but .... I don't know what area you live in but I had my pre-op last Thursday, expecting to be having the op in about 10 days afterwards, and then they apologised but said all ops (except for emergencies) were cancelled as so many people were sick, they had been assigned beds in the surgical wards so no operations for the foreseeable future!  I was gutted, but the ladies here rallied around and cheered me up.  Hopefully this will not happen to you and you will  sail through your op.  If you look through the forum called 'Dates 2015' several of us have put questions to ask on there.  Hope they are of use to you.  

    Good luck with everything Shelley,

    Warmest Wishes Jacqui  

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl jacqueline67292

      Posted

      Hi Jacqueline 

      thank you so much for the reply. I am so anxious and nervous about the operhtion it's unbelievable I'm so terry as well maybe because I know that it's getting closer. 

      I have aver been off work since June as my symptoms have been so horrendous and that's all I want to do is sleep. My manager isn't that supportive either which makes things worse and told me that she had the same op and was on her exercise bike a couple of days later (I'm not sure what planet she is on) she expects me back in work a couple weeks after which again is worrying me to be honest.  It's nice to know that there is a place like this where you can have so much support.

      hood luck with your operation I hope they do it soon for you waiting is the worst and please let me know how it goes 

      kindest Regards xxxx

    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 Shelleyl

      Posted

      Hi Shelley

      Your Manager telling you how she was on her exercise bike in a few days was not very helpful at all.  Everybody has a different recovery rate and also it depends on so many factors.  Also it seems the only thing you are allowed to do is 'walk'.  Every exercise I asked about (I'm an exercise nut, I just love it!) it was nothing until 3 months and then very very slowly!  

      Nerves are terrible aren't they, once they kick in it is very very hard to turn them off but just keep thinking about your recovery, and all the pampering you can do until you are fit again. 

      I agree this site is wonderful so much support just when you need it.

      Love Jacqui 

  • Luckymum
    Luckymum Shelleyl

    Posted

    Hi Shelley and welcome smile

    I also have a large fibriod and am having a TAH (retaining ovaries) on 29th Jan, I had my pre op last Thursday so for me exactly two weeks between but, I was given both dates in a letter just before Christmas. I'm terrified (see my thread scared and emotional) but the ladies here are fabulous and have given me some VERY supportive replies. Most of your questions will be answered at your pre op without you having to ask but you may want to know visiting hours (also if any age limits on that if you have children). Good luck tomorrow xx

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl Luckymum

      Posted

      Thanks so much for posting I have so much to ask tomorrow they will probably be sick of me at the end of it. Aww bless you at least it's coming to an end now but I can empathise with how anxious your feeling. 

      Thank you so much for the support and good luck with you operation xxxx

    • Luckymum
      Luckymum Shelleyl

      Posted

      Hope all has gone/is going well with your pre op, let us know please, especially if they give you an op date xx
    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl Luckymum

      Posted

      Just an update I went for my pre op yesterday think the clinical nurse had pmt and really couldn't be bothered I felt so guilty asking questions as a sigh came when I asked anything so come away from there with a lot unanswered. I wasn't given a date she basically told me that I would receive a telephone call giving me a date to come in but reminded me of the current bed situation around the country. So I am none the wiser and just have to wait now. I was thinking of telephoning the consultants secretary just to see where I am what do you think? 
    • luisa1970
      luisa1970 Shelleyl

      Posted

      I think you should, I would also mention her attitude, she is there to help and guide you not make you feel guilty,

      its a massive op that needs care empathy and thought, something this pre op nurse obviously has none, the consultant needs to be aware of this.

      keep us posted

    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 Shelleyl

      Posted

      Hi Shelley

      Definitely don't think you were treated well at your pre-op.  It is your time to have your questions answered as well as the hospital doing your tests.  I had my pre-op last Thursday and when I opened my journal with all my questions written out the nurse laughed and said 'let's deal with them first and then I will run through what you need to know'.  She let me have the floor and was extremely helpful.  Also very adamant in what I could and could not do after the op. 

      Although my operation has been put off due to extreme sickness in Norfolk and they have had to use all the surgical beds, it was explained in a very considerate way, and they have put me down for any cancellation that might come up when they get back to normal.  

      I think you should definitely make the phone call and perhaps put something on your hospital website.

      Take care

      Jacqui 

    • Luckymum
      Luckymum Shelleyl

      Posted

      Oh no, sorry your pre op was a bad experience, I would phone the secretary and ask aswell as complain - exactly as Luisa has said xx
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