Are you having a laparoscopic hysterectomy, or an ex lap - meaning they open you up, bikini style?

The latter is what I had. I had quite a bit of pain and discomfort the first week and the next 2 weeks were *fragile*. I wasn't supposed to drive until the 6-week mark (but I did - with a pillow between the seatbelt and my belly). I went back to work after 6 weeks.

They get you up and moving very quickly in the hospital, and even though it hurts a lot, you really do heal and have less pain more quickly.

When I had an emergency ex lap the year before my hys for endo and a large ovarian tumor, I was in the hospital 5 days. They did not even get me up until the 2nd or 3rd day. It was agony. Not just the incision, but all of my insides felt like they had been punched and rearranged. With my hys though, I think I was in the hospital 2 or 3 days, I was up the morning after surgery, and even though I had pain and was uncomfortable for a few weeks, it was nothing compared to the other surgery.

At the point I had both of those surgeries, I was separated/divorced and really had no help. A dear friend came through for me and if it had not been for her, I don't know how I would have managed.

Who is going to help you with your kids and housework and meals? Is DH taking any time off from work?

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 12:30 pm:

Plans are for a LAVH (laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy), but my GYN said if she finds lots of endo and/or scar tissue she may have to do an abdominal incision. My fingers are crossed for a LAVH, because recovery is supposed to be much easier. I've had two c-sections and a laparoscopy in the past, and bounced back pretty quickly, but I'm still a little anxious.

My parents will be coming to help for the first week and DH will be taking time off or working from home as needed.

I can't wait to get this over with and back to a normal life. I'm also greatly looking forward to NO periods! Woo hoo!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 03:25 pm:

I had to have mine done ex lap, because of having the girls via C. My OB will not do a Lap. after a C, said the chances of adhesions is to great and it is just a safer bet to go in where he can see it all up close. Which my insides ended up being a mess. I had the uterus, both tubes and one ovary taken out. The ovary he left he had to clean up because it was caught up in the adhesions. I was in the hospital for five days, even though I was up and walking the night of the surgery. I am glad I stayed however, because I needed a lot of physical help for the first three days and it was much easier to have someone bringing my medications on time and there to help hoist me back up when I was so wore out in the evenings.


Having the surgery was one of the best things I have ever done and I would go through it all again in a heart beat. It is amazing the effect my female issues were having on so much of my life.

((((Trina)))

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 05:07 pm:

Thanks, Bobbie. My GYN was just in there 2 yrs. ago for a laparoscopy to remove endometrial ovarian cysts. That, multiple ultrasounds, and the fact I've been on Lupron for 3 mos. makes her pretty confident a LAVH will be possible. (Lupron has put my body into temporary menopause, to stop the excessive bleeding, and also to shrink the uterus and endo.) I will only be in the hospital for 1-2 nights, provided there are no complications.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 06:03 pm:

Good luck, Trina. I know that's coming up quickly. I thought it was easier recovering from my second "C", than my first one was. I'm not sure why. I know my hemoglobin dropped pretty low after my first one and I don't think it dropped quite as low, with the second one.

Woohoo to no more periods. I feel like menopause is a long way in the future, for me! I'm still regular like clockwork!

By Karen~admin on Sunday, March 23, 2008 - 10:44 am:

That seems like a quick hospital stay, Trina. I CAN tell you, once you are recovered, regulated on HRT if you choose it, you will love love love not having periods and you will feel so much better!

{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}