Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy aka lsh

I had LSH on 5/16/06 because of large, painful fibroids. I was in the hosptial one night. The most discomfort I experienced was from the gas used to fill the abdominal cavity for the surgery. The pain from that lasted for several days, but it was not unbearable. I had and still have no pain at all in my vagina. Since my surgery was less than two weeks ago, I haven't resumed sexual activity yet, but I don't think there'll be any problem--everything feels the same as before. I've had some bladder pain, but that is because my bladder can fill up totally now whereas before it was constricted by the fibroids. It just needs to get used to having all that room! (I was worried that it might be a bladder infection, but a test showed no infection.) I hope this helps. Good luck!

Thanks happy i did it for your response!

How large were your fibroids. I have an 8cm one, I'm sure its sitting right on my bladder and is now causing me to have periods every 2 weeks. I can hardly wait for the surgery.

Were you able to lift things right away or has it taken some time? I have a 3-year old boy who is very impatient with me as I'm just getting over a broken foot (did this on Feb 20).

I will certainly be glad when I'm fully recovered and can get back to doing normal things and a life....

Cheers, Kelly 8-|

Kelly,

Your doc will recommend that you don't lift anything heavier than 20 lbs for at least two weeks after surgery. Do you have family or friends who can lend a hand? You're going to need lots of help, and you'll be grateful for it. You'll be very tired for the first week.

I'm 50, so my kids, who range from 25 to 18, and my husband have been a great help. I just accepted that not much was going to get done around here for a few weeks other than meals and laundry. We hired a housekeeper to clean the place for a while.

My largest fibroid was the size of a softball and pressed on my back, causing constipation and pain in my back and legs. It was so large that it pushed my uterus into my bladder. I had about three walnut sized ones and LOTS of little ones, also. My uterus was the size of an 11-week pregnancy at the time of surgery. I had a great deal of pain for several years, but my doc wanted to wait to see if I'd kick over into menopause, which would cause them shrink. The pain and bleeding became such a problem that I couldn't work for the first two days of my period every month. I couldn't leave my house, so it interfered with vacations, too. We decided we would not wait any longer for nature to take care of the problem. The first thing I noticed after surgery was that there wasn't anymore pain or pressure in my pelvic area. I had my ovaries removed, too because of my age, and I'm on HRT for a while so he onset of menopause will be when I'm ready.

I don't think you'll regret this. But your 3-year old is going to wear you out if you don't get some help for the first couple of weeks. The tiredness you'll feel is not like post-delivery tirednss--it's worse.

Let me know how it goes for you or if you have any more questions. When is your surgery scheduled?

I forgot to add--I'm lifting small things now like laundry and my laptop. Just be careful that you use your legs to do the lifting, not your back. Also, I have a two-story house. I have been able to use the stairs since I came home the day after surgery. I feel better every day, and I'm planning to do some backpacking with girlfriends--the Systerectomy Club--in about a month!

By the way, my name is Terry :-)

Hi Terry, thanks for the update.

Yeah, I understand about the bleeding. Mine has been so bad for so long and its gotten worse in the last few months. I thought it was bad before. I don't dare leave the house for 3 days. I won't elaborate beyond that....

Thanks for the update about using your legs to lift. I guess we'll have to get help for awhile because I'm just getting back on my feet and right now any pressure on my feet - hurts. I broke my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsal at the joint in my left foot. You know the story about breaking my foot is bad when you are asking for help from the ambulance driver to help you come up with a story. I actually slipped on the 2nd step going UP stairs, yes upstairs - how lame.....

Anyhow, nobody where I live has had this surgery and another surgeon is coming over to teach my Gynie on this particular technique so there's nobody I can obtain information from other than the doctors. Its always good to get first hand advice and experience from a woman that has gone through it herself.

May you have a speedy recovery.

Cheers, Kelly ;-)

Kelly,

I'm curious—I don't know the story about the broken foot and the ambulance driver!

I remembered something else. Go to medlineplus.com. Look in the lower right corner for "Surgery Videos," and click on the link button. Scroll down to "Women's Health." Click on the link, "Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy" that was performed at McLeod Health in on 11/29/05. It's about an hour long, and you'll need RealPlayer to watch it. You can see the entire surgery and listen to women who have already had it done. I watched it two days before my surgery, and it really gave me comfort knowing exactly what was going to happen. I live in California. My GYN learned this procedure from another doc in the same medical group who has done hundreds of them. I talked with both of them before surgery since they would both be present for the surgery. My GYN can't do it by herself until she logs a certain number of hours working with another doc who has achieved expert status or whatever they call it, and she's assisted him in many of these procedures.

Be sure to ask your doc for pictures. (I got a sheet with three photos of my insides before and one after.) You can put it on the refrigerator!

Thanks for the speedy recovery wishes. Be sure to post a comment when you get home from the hospital and feel like it. What's the date? I'll be watching for you.

:-) T

p.s. Can you tell I've got nothing but time on my hands??

Yes, I know the feeling about time on your hands. I have become a master at Sudoku puzzles, now I'm crocheting hats like crazy this is after reading books and newspapers.

No, the story about broken foot is just that I slipped on the way up on the second step and broke 3 bones in my foot. Its not a fancy story like I broke my foot while skiing and wrestling with a bear and ended up hitting a tree! Its nothing fancy like that. The diagnosis has been way more interesting...

The night I did it - the dr thought I had 2 broken bones and referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon. I saw him 4 days later and he said I only had 1 broken bone. One week later, the OS told me they didn't see any broken bones (I was still not walking on it because it hurt too much). He then said he might have to do surgery but wanted to send me for a CT scan 4 days later. The CT scan (at about 3 weeks post injury) showed I had 2 broken bones at the joint. They put a cast on it for 3 weeks. When they took the cast off they sent me for more x-rays and I asked why are you x-raying from the 2-4 metatarsal. The OS said I think you have 3 broken bones at the joint. I find that hilarious to go from 0 broken bones to 3! When I had the cast on, I could hardly go to the bathroom and back to the couch without my foot swelling so much with intolerable pain. At least I'm hobbling around these days but it has taken so long. I sometimes wonder how the Hysterectomy will affect my foot and whether that will set me back.

I'm not sure I want pictures of my innerds on the refrigerator. It might put me off eating food!

My surgery is on June 16th and I promise to give you an update when I feel up to it. Thanks for all your help and information from one more experienced than I. I did watch 2 videos of women that went through this same surgery and it seemed pretty straight forward and then the women also had their own comments but I wondered whether their comments had been truthful and not beefed up to boost the drs marketing plan.

You'll have to tell me about your backpacking experience as I probably won't be doing that any time soon.

Cheers for now, Kelly XD

Hi, Kelly.

One more week to go! How are your feet treating you?

I thought I'd give you an update. I saw my GYN last Wednesday (5/30) for my checkup, and she said I'm right on track. I see her again on the 16th for the four week check.

I've been feeling real good for about four days now. One of my best freinds told me that my voice sounds like the old me is back. I feel like I'm really getting my energy and my mind back. That was the worst part for me, I guess. I didn't realize how MUCH the surgery and anesthesia would just knock the daylights out of me for awhile. It just seemed so wierd because there's been no pain since the first week post-op, but my energy level was so low, and my brain wouldn't work right. I couldn't think of words I wanted, and I would forget if I'd just done something like lock the door or the reason I went up or down the stairs.

A friend of mine whose father was a cardiologist told me that fatigue and diminished brain function are things people who have major surgery for the first time don't realize will be a factor. It's especially true for someone whose had something like the LSH. There's so little post-op pain and discomfort, but the brain has still had a major assault--it knows that something important was removed from the body, and that it (the brain) was not in control for a few hours. Anyway, it passes with time. You're younger than I, so you'll probably bounce back faster.

I'm going on a short day-hike next Thursday (5 miles), but I'm not ready yet to carry a 30 lb. pack uphill any distance. That may have to wait a few more weeks.

I'll be thinking about you next week. Drink lots of water and juice for a few days before the 16th to get yourself well-hydrated.

Are they taking your ovaries? If so, are you going to do HRT? I'm on the Vivelle Dot patch. It's so easy--I forget it's there. I'm going to do it for at least a year or two, then maybe taper off and let Nature take her course. I guess the only noticeable reaction to it is that I feel mostly calm now, rather than mostly like a raging psycho-b****!

E-me when you can!

Terry

Hi Terry. Thanks for your recent update. I think you made perfect sense - brain or no brain as the other doctor said.

I met with the pre-surgery booking nurse and she told me that I can't carry anything heavier than 5lbs for 6 weeks. Urghhhh...

I can still hardly wait for the surgery because my abdomen is so painful these days and my back is killing me. It didn't hurt like this one year ago...

Anyhow, the pre-surgery nurse was concerned about my foot because the circulation is taking its time coming back. She told me to stay off my foot more and get some Ted Stockings to help with it. I get some orthotics on Wednesday - which I hope will help with the inflamation.

She also told me to do some exercises such as:
- deep breathing exercises
- how to cough
- leg exercises such as:

- Pull your foot up and push it down.
- Make your feet go around in big circles.
- Press your knees down onto the bed so that your heels come up slightly. Hold for a second or two and relax.
- Bend your knee and straighten it and then do the same with the other.

Thanks for the tip about the water. How were you with the anesthesia? You're the only one I know that has gone through this - not even my Mom has gone through this. What do you think about the above exercises?

No, they won't be taking my ovaries - thank goodness. I can't imagine going through that on top of everything else.

One tip I can share with you or suggest, take 2 tablespoons of Walnuts to help with inflamation (they also give you Omega 3s which are suppose to be good for you). Don't ask me any more than that about vitamins.

Are you still bleeding - the preop nurse said I could bleed for about one month. Were you really heavy?

Thanks again for ALL your help and support. Believe me, I really do appreciate it. Happy hiking! Cheerily hobbling along... Kelly XD

Hi,

I think the exercises are very good. You'll have an intubation tube down your throat during surgery. They put it in after you go to sleep to get oxygen directly into your lungs. (They also shave your poochie after you're asleep, and it'll be itchy for a few days when it grows out.) They insert the catheter then, too, into your bladder, and it will be removed the next day when all of your vitals are normal. You're going to have a sore, dry throat (from the tube) when you wake up, but that'll go away soon; just keep eating ice chips and drinking water even if you don't feel thirsty . You'll have the urge to cough, and it'll hurt your tummy, but you have to do it. They'll want you to take deep breaths for the first few days to push your diaphragm down. This serves two purposes: Shallow breathing (which is what you'll want to do) is not good since it can bring on pneumonia, so the deep breathing expands your lungs. Pushing down the diaphragm forces the gas (the carbon dioxide they use to inflate your abdomen) out.

I guess they want you to exercise your legs because of your foot and the fact that for a few days, you're going to feel even less like walking than you do now.

I didn't have any trouble with the anesthesia. I was very careful not to eat a big meal for dinner or take in any liquid after 9pm the night before, and my surgery was performed at noon. My husband said they called to let him know I was in recovery about three hours after they took me to the operating room. In pre-op, the anesthesiologist gave me some "happy sauce" in my IV to calm me (it's standard), but I was pretty relaxed beforehand—I was ready and had no reservations about going in. I was tired of living in pain! When they wheeled me in to the OR, I was looking all around at the stuff in there and trying to figure out who was doing what—it was surreal. They had me scoot over to a narrow table, and I could see the big stirrups they were going to put under my knees and feet over at the side of the room. Then the anesthesiologist put an oxygen mask over my face and said I'd be going to sleep now. I said, "Okay—bye-bye!" That's all I remember until I woke up in recovery. I only vaguely remember my GYN talking to me and telling me everything went well. I don't remember them taking me to my room, but I remember seeing the silhouettes of my oldest daughter and my husband standing by the window when I rolled in. The next couple of hours are kind of foggy. The nurse showed me how to push the morphine button and told me to breath deeply, eat ice chips, blah, blah, blah. I was pretty lucid by 5 or 6pm that night. I hit the morphine button a lot that night, but only because I wanted to go to sleep. Unfortunately, it only made me go into space. I honestly didn't have much pain. My belly was a little sore from all the poking and tender at the incision points, but I've that's about it. As I said before, the worst part was the abdominal gas, both from my intestines going back to work, and from some of the Co2 remaining in my abdomen. That didn't really start until the next day.

As far as bleeding goes, it was never heavy. I had a pad between my legs when I woke up. They made me sit up in the morning, and then I saw that it only had a small splotch of blood on it. Remember, they cauterize everything inside of you. I had watery pink discharge for a few days. I made the mistake of walking about two miles (slowly) on day three, which made it a little pinker, so I stayed off my feet the rest of the day. Since then, it's just been very light (pink to brown--kind of like five or six weeks post-partum), and it's almost totally gone now.

Back to the hospital . . You'll have to walk, pee, fart (I'm not kidding), and eat solid foods before they'll let you go home. It's a tough call to say when you should go home. With a three year-old, it might be good to milk the hospital stay as long as you can (if you have a private room); however, a hospital is no place to get any rest. People are always coming in and checking your vitals and stuff, and those rooms are not sound-proof.

Thanks for the tip about walnuts. I don't have any inflammation from the surgery, but if I do have something in the future, I'll try it. I've always believed that natural cures are underrated. Last summer I learned that vinegar is great on insect bites!

I think I've covered everything, but if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. I'll be leaving town on the 18th for a week, so if you post anything after you get home, I won't know until the 24th or 25th.

Where in the country are you? I know you don't want to say exactly, but . . . West Coast, East Coast, Middle America?? I hope for your sake you're not on the Gulf Coast!

Be calm. You're going to feel much better soon.

Terry

Thanks Terry.

Up here they don't shave you and they usually send you home the same day as the surgery. I asked to stay overnight (because of the kids) and because the last time I had surgery I was very sick and couldn't lift my head off the pillow. They actually sent me home with a paper bag.

Another thing for inflammation that my Mom just swears by is Seabuckthorn Oil. She says it has cured bleeding ulcers and psoriasis. Anyhow, it has every Omega whatever in it and is really good for inflamation. A friend of mine told me to get some surgical grade Arnica 200 (homeopathic treatment) and this is also supposed to help with inflamation or something. Anyhow, I'll try it out and see what comes of it.

Have you tried the vinegar on any bites. We have a lot of bees up here. I've never been stung before until last year. Both my daughter and son and have already been stung this year and summer is hardly here!

I live on Vancouver Island on the West Coast and its beautiful here. We moved here 2 years ago from Calgary. We're very lucky to live here because there aren't any jobs. My husband has his own business.

Have a great trip. I'll be thinking of you and jealous every minute. You'll have to give me an update when you get back. I'll update you as soon as I can after the surgery. Hopefully every thing goes as planned.

I get my foot orthotics tomorrow which should help my hobbling. Although, I hear that it can take awhile to get used to them. Every day my foot feels a little better so I'm getting there..... slowly...... every so slowly...... and soon enough its going to be here and I'll be healthy again and running around. I can hardly wait! tee hee

Thanks again Terry, Kelly :-)

They don't shave!?! Are you Kanuks barbarians? :-) Just kidding. I wish they hadn't done that to me, but it was certainly the least of my concerns.

Yeah, I've used vinegar. You'll never guess where I found out about it--Canada, eh? I have relatives in Saskatchewan. Last summer my husband and I drove from California to Wisconsin (to my husband's family reunion) then up through Manitoba and over the provinces to BC. (Total trip mileage: 9,461 mi.) I love Canada. Anyway, my ex-mother-in-law, whom we visited in Sask. (north of Prince Albert), told me about the vinegar thing. I put it on mosquito bites, and it helped with swelling and itching. She just keeps it on the counter in a little platic container for just that reason. I don't know about bee stings, though. I guess it's worth a try.

What kind of business is your hubby in?

You're jealous of ME!? I live in the San Joaquin Valley aka Hell on Earth. Lots of oil and ag industry here. I'm jealous of YOU. I was born and raised in San Diego, and by some stroke of bad luck (job), I ended up here (sigh).

We should figure out a way to communicate directly w/o going through this message board, so everybody and their monkey's uncle won't have our addresses and life stories. Do you know how to do that? I'm only slightly computer-savvy.

I hope your orthotic device helps you. I think I know what you're getting. My step-dad has one that goes over his heel and up to just below his knee. He has other issues than you ,though.

E with you later!

Terry

Thanks Terry.

You took the thought right out of my head. This will probably be my last post before the DAY as my daughter has soccer tomorrow and then I'll be trotting off to do you know what..... sigh....

Anyhow, I have set up a private email account on Yahoo. Email me at, and I like it, tee hee

_[removed]_

I don't normally use yahoo but we can exchange emails through yahoo and then I will give you my usual email address as I don't want every yahoo (tee hee, ho pun intended) knowing my permanent email address. At least not if I can help it.

I think the above email is hilarious.

Got my orthotic today and its just like a shoe insole. Was told to only wear it for one hour and increase that every day. I can feel a difference already, although it hurt when I stopped using it. I only limped a little bit when I wore it. Yeah........

So, send me an email at yahoo ASAP and I'll try to check on it and send you one back ASAP. Hopefully this all gets done ASAP. tee hee I must be on drugs already, maybe its nervous humour.

TTFN, Kelly XD

PS. If it doesn't work, we'll meet back here ASAP and try again.

Hi, I just came across this page truong to find out info about the LSH surgery. I am SOOOO SCARED I can't even tell you. I have to have it done on Monday July 3rd, 2006. I have 6 fibroids, 3 are big. He says together it is like being about 3 months pregnant. I am thin and can tell because my tummy is starting to look puffy/bloated. Anyway, he wants to do LSH to remove the fibroids and also do a hysterectomy leaving the ovaries. I am 43 years old. My concern is anything major that can occur during the surgery. Do all of you that had it feel good now? Also, was there complications or is it safer than a regular cut open surgery? Thanks, Robyn