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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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  • Mintdream
    Mintdream Shelleyl

    Posted

    Hey shelley  smile  smile

    Ok... I had the SAME issue... the bleeding, constantly, and yes... a big ol' 4+ lb. tumor too.. thank god the BIGGER the tumor, it is not dangerous smile

    I had a FULL ABDOMINAL HYST. exactly 9 weeks ago today... They did leave one ovary.. my dr. told me one ovary acts like two.. andI wouldn't go into menapause.. so far, so good!

    Yes... you will have an END... and it is IMMEDIATE!  You will have soreness in other ways.. but NO   MORE    BLEEDING... and get RID of that FIBROID!

    I would ask at assesment why they can not go another way vx. abdominal... I had 22 staples  right down the belly, like an old fasion C section.  She told me they could have done it another way if it was a smaller fibroid.  So ask the "size" of fibroid.

    Timescale... well.. where I live.. USA.. we do them on Mondays (go figure, lol)... I had to wait 2 months... they do them all day, but only 1 day a week.

    I'm sure your dr. will have some ahead of you... but you need the time to "prepare".. so much to Asready, to make it easier for you.

    Also... I noticed on this site that some women did NOT clean out there bowels well, they didnt use the red drink the day before..

    My dr. told me there is always a chance of "damage to the bowels" if they are not cleaned out well... I did just liquids the day before, drank the drink, and it makes you go to the bathroom for over an hour (on and off of course)... the day of OP, I was totally CLEAN... she said PERFECT!

    They should tell you to drink this stuff the day before, and cut off when you stop eating.

    Ask how long OP is... good to know.. mine was 2.5 hours..

    Ask how many dr.s are in there.. I know I had 2 for mine due to the size of it, and the anathesiologist, and nurses...

    Also... if you are worried, and want to use your 'OWN BLOOD" if needed (very few due), you have to donate MONTHS ahead of time... I wanted to, it was TOO LATE.. so if I did have a problem , I would have to use someone elses blood.  I am a blood donor, so I wanted to give to myself.

    Keep in touch, let us know what they say... there are so many of us here, we have had/or are going to have the same thing.

    WE all have great tips, ideas.. all good!

    I love this site!

    Welcome aboard!  And please know... we are all here for ya!

    Your Hyster-sister from USA   smile

     

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl Mintdream

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your helpful reply. I went for my pre op yesturdsy and didn't really get much out of it as the clinical nurse was quite grumpy and appeared to not have the time.  Thankfully I have found this wonderful site which I know will help me.

      when you say to clear your bowels is it worth me asking my go for something to do that or can I just take an over the counter laxative? The nurse advised that I would be going in on the morning of the op and just gave me a sample bottle to bring in with me for them to do a pregnancy test (even though I have been steraliser and there is no chance of me becoming pregnant) she advised that this was common practice. 

      She did say that my fibroid was completely filling my uterus and was the size of a melon. She went onto say that I would have a diagonal cut.  She also mentioned that my markers in my blood were slightly raised and that all my bits would be sent to the lab after the operation.  She did explain the operation and what it would contain and that due to the history of ovarian and breast cancer in the family they would be removing my ovaries and tubes (she used a medical term for this). 

      I am just hoping now that it won't be too long before I have a date as things are quite difficult at the moment and not only am i worried about the operation plus the outcome I am worried about work as I have been off since June and my managers isn't that supportive.  I would love to go back but just can't function at the moment and honestly couldn't saty awake long enough 

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl

      Posted

      oops sent send too early. Anyway I'm so sorry to moan thank you so much for your response

      warmest wishes 

      Shelley xxx

    • Mintdream
      Mintdream Shelleyl

      Posted

      Boy...so many entries here.. I'm getting confused who is saying what, lol.. sorry if I replied in error earlier... 

      Ok..There is a RED syrup like bottle to take in the laxative aisle.  It isin a clear glass bottle,and tastes SWEET with like a bubble..makes you buyp some... but within 2 hours I was completely cleaned out... and not nasty.. just made it come out sooner than norm.  I think it helped me... my dr. said I was very clean, easy to do operation. 

      I never heard of "diagonal" cut.. hmmmm... that's different.. but you have to trust them. 

      So.. normal to be nervous.. omg.. you have to be.. only right... but once you are out, you are DONE..feels like minutes .. .crazy!

      Again.. you can do it girl!  smile

  • Debedee
    Debedee Shelleyl

    Posted

    Hi Shelly

    im probably the oldest on here at 54 so was already 2yrs+ into Menopause and put on Livial to help with the symptoms but it didnt agree with me and after tests they found a tumour. I live in Melbourne so pay for private healthcare. I saw Oncologist and 2 weeks later had FAH, everything removed. I am hoping to get the all clear at the end of March.  My advice to you is do nothing for 5-6 weeks. I went back to work at 6 & half weeks but think that was too soon.  I still have discomfort in my stomach and a niggly pain in my right side which I may have to visit GP to have checked before my Oncologist appointment in March.  

    Everyone heals differently and a lot depends on how you look after yourself.  Hope all goes well for you.

    debbie

  • teresa29133
    teresa29133 Shelleyl

    Posted

    Hi Shelley

    I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 8 weeks ago and was admitted within a couple of weeks as the doctor found a mass on my womb which luckily turned out to be endemetriosis not anything more sinister thank goodness. I had everything taken out so have gone into surgical menopause but am going to see my doctor next week when apparently she can give me some tablets for the night sweats. My surgeon wouldn't put me on Hrt as I'm 52 so I've been taking a herbal remedy for a week now so fingers crossed it will help. I had no problems at all with the operation and made sure I took all the painkillers that the hospital gave me which I would urge you to do also. Also make sure you rest lots after. My husband cooked Christmas Dinner for the first time ever and it was brilliant !!!!!!! I wish I had found this forum a few weeks ago as it would have helped a lot. Good luck with the next few months and I'll be thinking about you. The only thing I wish I had done was ask the nurses in the hospital more questions about how to look after myself after the operation and how I was going to feel as they seemed to want to get rid of me really quickly!!!! Hope this helps you a little

    Teresa xxx

     

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl teresa29133

      Posted

      thank you so much Teresa I've already started training my husband lol xxxx
  • teresa2545
    teresa2545 Shelleyl

    Posted

    Hi Shelley,

    i have just joined this site and I am also having  an abdominal hysterectomy because of fibroids.I have one fibroid that is about 20cms.I have been put on a course of  Zoladex injections,1 a month for 3 months which should reduce the size of the fibroids and make the surgery easier.I had my 1st injection just over 2 weeks ago with only mild pain shortly afterwards which lasted several hours.The injections are meant to put you into the menapause but I have just had a very heavy period(worst I have ever known)I had my pre op checks on Jan 12 and I have to wait 3 months for the op because of the injections so I am due to have it on April 6th.

    i have been told that i will be in hospital for 3 or 4 days and off work for 6 weeks.I think that I will be off work for longer based on experience of other work colleagues.

    i am not sure whether to have my ovaries removed or not.I have elderly parents to look after and I don't really want to the menapause to deal with on top of my recovery aswell.I am also hoping to have a hernia removed at the same time.

    Don't overdo it,let others help and enjoy the pampering.Set yourself a goal.I have a holiday booked for 11 weeks after and I will be determined to go.I work 39 hrs a week and if I return before my holiday I might go back part time.I work in a supermarket with a lot of standing and heavy lifting.

    Good luck,hope all goes well!

    • Shelleyl
      Shelleyl teresa2545

      Posted

      Hi Teresa i

      paws you poor thing I can totally sympathise with you it's awful and to be honest I've been in bed for the past 2 days as my flow is so heavy and the pain is worse than ever. I am so glad that this is al coming to an end 

      I am having my ovaries removed as I have no choice but after having a good chat with my GP he reassured me that I would see a huge difference and as long as I took the medication I was prescribed I would be fine. Have a good talk GP and tell him your anxieties. My GP also said that he likes patients to take a minimum of 3 months off work and would not sign me off prior to that 3 month period, and I work in an office so again this is something you can talk to him about. A friend of mine had hers done a few years ago and was off for 4 months I suppose everyone recovers at different paces. Make sure you take it easy and please keep in touch

      warmest wishes xxx

    • Luckymum
      Luckymum teresa2545

      Posted

      Oh Teresa, you poor love, my fibriod (was at last measurement in June last year) half the size of yours at 9cm and I know how much trouble that is causing me so I dread to think what you are going through. I have my operation TAH tomorrow rolleyes
    • Mintdream
      Mintdream Luckymum

      Posted

      BOY.... THINK OF ALL THESE "FIBROIDS" WE ALL HAD!

      CRAZY HUH!?!?

      GET THOSE SUCKERS OUT OF US!   smile

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