Hysterectomy advice

[Buttsy]

Hi ,

I have been to the Gynaecologist today and due to various gynaecologist problem I have been put on the waiting list for a hysterectomy, I was after any advice people can offer me regarding any special precautions that might be needed when undergoing an operation and having systemic sclerosis, be it with anesthethics, tubing or room temperature due to Reynards.

Any advice on this would be appreciated mentioned Gynaecologist who hadn’t heard of systemic sclerosis.

[SBQ1971]

Morning Buttsy, I have had several ops for Gynae and cancer and personally haven't had any real problems. It takes me a bit longer to come round and it is a good idea to check your medications with the consultant as I had to come off Methotrexate , and do tell the anaesthetist when you see him before the op. . I am not surprised your gynaecologist hadn't heard of systemic sclerosis. I had radiotherapy by laser last summer and when I told the consultant I had it he said ' oh, I think we touched on that in medical school, something to do with stiff hands isn't it.?' Some years ago before a colonoscopy I asked my consultant gut surgeon who was doing it , to see if I had any telengectasia and was told I had been doing too much Googling, however afterwards I was presented with a photograph of the inside of my colon showing them and a note saying I was right. We have to spread the word as far as possible whenever we get the opportunity.

Good luck and best wishes for the op.

[Buttsy in reply to SBQ1971]

SBQ1971

Good morning,

Thanks you for your reply,it helps to know you had no issues.

[Redwine53]

Hi Buttsy , I haven’t had a hysterectomy but I had my gallbladder removed in June this year ( I have scelerderma, lupus and myositis with Reynards). I must admit I was worried too, more about my mouth and throat. When the anaesthetist came she made sure I could open my mouth wide enough ( she seemed to know about scelerderma). She told me to take my steroids which I had taken into daycare with me, but I didn’t take any other of my many pills and just restarted them the next day. I was fine with my Reynards, though it was in June. I took much longer to recover and my consultant said that steroids slow down the healing process ( interesting). I did feel ill for quite a while and had less energy for ages. She also told me not to have my Covid jab till at least 6 weeks after my op and to be careful socialising. This triggered quite a bad flare I must admit.

Bit of a ramble, I am fine now and so will you when it’s all over. Good luck with it all and let us know how you get on.

I am going solo to Zimbabwe in three weeks to visit my daughter and her family.

[Buttsy]

Hi Redwine 53,

Thank you for your reply,it really helps to know that other people have had operations and been okay.

Enjoy your solo journey and have a lovely time with your family

[ArthurFoot]

When you go for your pre op insist you have a bear hugger (maybe wrong spelling) it's a heated blanket during surgery and afterwards

[Buttsy in reply to ArthurFoot]

Thanks Arthur

[ArthurFoot in reply to Buttsy]

Its spelt Bair Hugger .... I looked it up! It's designed to keep your core temp up ... I had 4 surgeries the first they did without a bair hugger ... I was really suffering when I woke up ... freezing cold, shaking .... felt awful the following 3 with a bair hugger which they kept me in when i went into recovery .... the difference was huge ... it made post op and recovery much more comfortable

[Buttsy in reply to ArthurFoot]

Thank you Arthur ,sounds like a plan .