I am preparing for a laparoscopic total hysterectomy scheduled on August 12th and have been told that the bloating from the gases used during operation can be painful so I’ve been researching medicines. I have come across Gas-X quite a bit but we don’t have that here as I’ve been ringing pharmacies and even Holland and Barrett don’t do it.
I'm 2 years post op for a TAH and BSO (ovaries removed)...had several laps in my time and another in 3 weeks....feel I could become an expert in the field!
Do hope the following may be helpful, please do get in touch if you'd like to ask any further questions:
1. For the next 2 weeks prior to the 12th eat as healthy as possible. Stay off alcohol/reduce caffeine and eat a good selection of vegetables, fish etc and limit your bakery/bread items which can be hard to digest especially for us Endo girls!. I would also suggest keeping meat to a minimum unless of course you are vegan/vegetarian and you will be most like into cooking clean. Stay off processed foods!
2. Drink lots of water/herbal teas etc and a few days prior to the op eat nice and light staying off anything that you know disagrees with you!
3. I cut my portion sizes down and even though it was Summer (2017!) I made fresh soups. I even managed to drop half a stone before surgery and another stone after!
Being kind to you and your bowel will really assist your recovery!
I took milk thistle also but, I appreciate in the pre-op they told me to stop all herbal treatments. Therefore please do consult your doctor/ consultant.
I did find milk thistle incredibly helpful after the op, especially to help your liver process the anesthetic and antibiotics.
After surgery I found Milk of Magnesia and prunes to be a life saver!! Give yourself time, please, please be kind to yourself. It will take time for the bowel to settle down.
Moving also helps but, again take good care. Keep the fluids flowing!
I also highly recommend peppermint oil and peppermint tea. I had my first cup whilst in recovery. I had robotic day surgery and was determined to get up and move! It really helps move the gas on but, again do not feel under pressure.
The gas can sometimes remain a little trapped in the shoulder particularly. However, gain we are all different and you may not even suffer. Either way it will pass and usually within a 5-7 days.
May biggest tip is take it easy....rest...take it easy and rest again! Gentle movement is great and gentle walks in the first few weeks are also highly beneficial and will also assist moving that gas on and healing the bowel!
Just be careful not to push yourself. I did and ended up being very unwell at the 2 month mark. I'd been cleaning and lifting and pushing myself too far too fast!
I'm sending you lots of good thoughts....do hope you have a good recovery.
Don’t know whether to get an abdominal binder or not. My stomach is a little big due to bloating and partly being slightly overweight.
Did you use cold/ice packs too?
Can I wear my flip flops in hospital?
Did you move around much after operation? They say you must.
I react badly to anaesthetic abs will be on Heparin injections too which will make me extremely tired and nauseous etc from anesthetic. Bit concerned how I will manage to get up and move around.
So very sorry for the late reply...lots on and not been too well! Roll on surgery on the 12th for you and 20th for me..we'll be recovering at the same time.
I worked in sport (a football club)...didn't have to kick a ball fortunately but, did work match days, so lots of 6 day weeks. I returned after 2 months but, it was too soon for me. I should have gone for 3 months...had a phased return in terms of hours 10-3pm for the first week etc. Your HR team should be very supportive.
I was very bloated also. I had a huge cyst which was detected on ultrasound and I was fast tracked into surgery after 4 weeks due to suspected malignancy. I had also suspected I had Endometriosis but, it took decades to diagnose as can happen to so many lovely ladies. I was also stage 4.
No I didn't use a binder as I had robotic laparoscopy. Incidentally, I lost 15lbs after surgery and weighed almost the same as my wedding day (I'm 47!!). I've always been a size 10 so I was a happy lady. This was mainly due to eating pure/eating less and drinking lots of fluids. I didn't use ice packs either but, i found a small hot water bottle really helpful.
Don't laugh but, buy some big cotton knickers...they fit great over your surgical briefs or in my case I had a mesh pair of cycling shorts....not the type Kim Kardashian would be seen in!!
Your stitches will heal in good time...I've had 4 surgeries and you can hardly see a thing.
Most hospitals are quite strict on flip flops I believe...take some nice comfy slippers.Pack yourself a nice bag of all your fave things: hand lotion/lip balm/nice tissues etc
I also cannot recommend this enough-Chloreseptic Spray for your throat. You can buy it at Boots and I chose the blackcurrant one. Brilliant post-op as your throat gets very dry. Olbas oil nasal spray is also good for the airwaves and I took milk thistle religiously to help detox the liver from the drugs they adminsiter.
I did move around...Iots but, one day at a time. I love the gym so was dying to get moving but, you do need to rest. Yes, move but, don't push yourself. You will have good days, bad days then good ones again.
I should mention not all of us are unfortunate enough to develop Endo again after this op. It is very uncommon....my body just likes estrogen!! I really do hope it works well for you as it has done for many others.
I wish I had more time prior to my op to prepare so it is great you're on here and asking lots of questions....keep asking, we are here to support you.
I also react really badly to anesthetic....it knocks me for six.
However, the team are there to support you and will keep you topped up with anti-nausea drugs pre and post op. I found the peppermint oil and tea a life saver.
I am here to help if you need any further support.
Hi : I am scheduled for a full pelvic clearance in October due to endo: they are taking everything out and I thought that would be the end of it but it sounds like it wasn’t for you? May I ask if you took hrt after your hysterectomy and if it was only estrogen? ( I’ve heard estrogen only hrt can aggravate endo but not sure....)
So sorry for the late reply...I'm back in for surgery on Tuesday so just getting myself ready! Please do not worry the amount of ladies with post-menopausal Endo is very low. Whilst a total hysterectomy inc your ovaries is not a definitive cure it is certainly preventative and there is every chance you will benefit from it. To be honest I had 6 good months and it was fantastic not to have the relentless heavy bleeding!
I was unable to have HRT due to a suspicious cyst on my right ovary.
Unfortunately, my body likes to make estrogen! We can generate it ourselves and consequently this feeds the Endo cells. I try my very best to steer clear of foods which can trigger this and keep myself fit. In Sept 2018 I had a diagnostic lap (hyster was 2017) they expected to find adheshions as my MRI scan was clear. I still had residual Endo on my ureter and pelvic wall despite it having been removed.
On Tuesday I'm back for excision surgery in a private hospital (I've paid to see a top guy who I highly recommend). He reckons I will be 80% better after this surgery...I'll take that I can tell you! He also put me of combined HRT as I'm 47 so will go back on to Utrogestan and Estrogel which are bio-dentical HRT's.
Wishing you well...please let me know if i can help further x
Day 7 now after total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo oopherectomy excision of endometrial adhesions abs nodule. Feeling a lot less yuck! Extremely tired all the time though which I know is normal after major surgery.
I have an appointment to discuss hormone treatment in 2 months time as they want me to recover first and discuss what to do with haematology as I am on blood thinners for life.
So on nothing at the moment 😬
Still early days yet. Will let you know what they decide but yes, lots to weigh up when you have Endometriosis too.
My operation preparation I.e soft diet starts tomorrow. The worst will be Sat/Sunday which is basically clear liquid diet, bowel prep, carbohydrate drinks and my clexane injection morning abs afternoon.... 😬
All has to be done just not looking forward to it.
Thank you, your post is very helpful and quite positive, I am having a full hysterectomy (including removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes) next month and terrified reading some of the comments on here x
I felt just the same as you but,I promise you the build up is the hardest part.
The team at the hospital are there to support you and reassure you.Try to remember some of these surgeons have done millions of this type of surgery and you will be in very safe hands.
I do hope all goes well...I’m having surgery again next week but,I keep focusing on a positive outcome and that the surgery will help me. I really do recommend positive thinking!
Do hope you have a very good recovery and if I can offer any support at all please do get in touch x
You got great advice from Clare already. With respect to the gas, I also really recommend the Peppermint tea (I used teapigs) which really helped me. I drank loads of it in the first week or so. I took it into hospital along with manuka honey and every time they came round doing hot drinks I asked for a cup of hot water so that I could make myself peppermint tea sweetened with honey. My husband found the results hilarious which can be challenging when you've just had abdominal surgery ;0)
I used lactulose as a stool softener. It works well for me - I've used it on holidays for a few years now as I tend to get constipated with a change of diet. I was also careful with my food choices in hospital plus try to remember that stool softeners only work if you keep well hydrated. It can be a little tricky to get the dose right.
All the best for your surgery. I hope it goes as well as possible and that you have a good recovery.
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Keep the cervix? Private care?