Abdominal Hysterectomy

[Kemali]

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 13 days ago and I get my staples out tomorrow, but have been given little/ no advice upon discharge from Hospital the day after surgery about recovery as in what I should/should not be doing. I have support stockings on and when I asked I was told to keep them on until I get back to my normal mobility, nobody has been to check my dressing I was just told to leave it on until the staples are removed unless it starts to come off of its own accord. I must admit the care whilst in Hospital and after has been very poor.

[LouiseD1]

Hi Kemali, I’m sorry to hear you feel alone and without advice, that’s not good with an op like this. Hope the staple removal went ok and they reassured you that you are healing well. If you have already done 2 weeks, you are hopefully through the worst of it. The thing is that whatever advice you do or don’t receive, every person is different and it really is about listening to your body as it will tell you whether you are doing too much or not. The standard ‘advice’ for recovery seems to be 6 to 8 weeks but that was way way longer for me. There is a good advice booklet called 101 hints for a happy hysterectomy which might help you if you can track it down online? I kept my support stockings on for about 4 weeks I think but I struggled with mobility due to a wound infection and it was winter so they were quite cosy ! Not perhaps the same in the summer heat !! Hope you continue to heal well and don’t hesitate to ask any questions if you have them - I’m sure someone on here will be able to help x

[Kemali in reply to LouiseD1]

Thankyou very much for your reply, my staples were removed today and a lot more comfortable except for the tummy feeling like it wants to explode. Hopefully will get a better nights sleep mow they’re out as it felt like a knife stabbing me when I moved due to healing process and tightness I think. I will definitely have a look for the booklet online, I’ve also booked a telephone call with the a doctor next week to discuss things like becoming more mobile what I should/shouldn’t be doing.

[HGate]

Sorry you've had a rough time. The hospital I went to no longer uses the stockings, as they said it's better to mobilise asap. I started wiggling my toes in the hospital bed and walking around the ward when I could. Walking was amazing for my recovery and entirely safe to build it up within days. You can get a wound check at the GP if you are concerned. I had mine checked three times, once back at the hospital, once at the GP and once at A&E because I had stabbing pains in my stomach (turned out to be ibuprofen causing gut problems but was soon resolved when I came off them). I took photos to send before appts, then they called me in based on those. Infection is a big deal, as it affects their stats, so do say if it feels infected. Also, it's major surgery, so they should take you seriously xx

[Kemali in reply to HGate]

Thankyou, l must say I’m feeling a bit worse for wear today, sore still from the staples and as I had them out yesterday l changed the gauze dressing today, still bleeding a bit but painful tummy as well. Just laid down today just as well I have reclining chairs

[HGate in reply to Kemali]

Have you got arnica? It helped me a lot xx

[Kemali in reply to HGate]

What type of arnica was it tablet or gel

[HGate in reply to Kemali]

I used a tincture that a homeopathist made up especially, plus cream, but either would work x