u/katapillar33

Or maybe tomorrow is officially one week?

Had my total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy via the V NOTES procedure on September 9th at 7:30 am. Deemed medically necessary due to chronic blood loss anemia from a multitude of fibroids. I bled non stop for over a year and honestly thought it was going to kill me. But hey, I'm alive! I also had the "most severe endometriosis" my Dr had ever seen. So thats cool.

I'm honestly here to ramble some, just because I truly believe you all to be like family at this point.

Surgery itself was incredible easy and unremarkable, my Dr's words. No need to stay overnight and was released what felt like immediately. They didnt count down for the anesthesia like they've done in the past, so one sec I was looking up at an amazing all female OR staff, and the next I jumped awake. I scared my post op nurse with how quickly and violently I woke up. My first words were, "pretty sure I'm about to poop the bed." Which I did not.

Drive home sucked. Bumpy roads making my insides move in a way I had never felt before. It was weird and I hated every second off it. Got home and could not get comfortable. Despite all the pillows and crap nested up on the couch. Sitting felt like my insides were collapsing and my vagina felt like it was on fire. Never occurred to me once that my organs would be coming out vaginally...its gunna be rough. Sitting still isn't my fave, but much more bearable now.

I honestly paced a lot and still do. One of my biggest fears is a DVT. I'm actually pacing around the house as I text this out. Anyway, once home I slammed those UTI pain pills because I knew that peeing after a catheter sucks and I wasnt going to go through that fresh hell again.

I have had no issues urinating, sleeping, and pain is honestly comparable to period cramps though its actually a feeling I can not seem to describe. I had no appetite for the first few days and lived off of soup and protein smoothies. I'm still not as hungry as I was before surgery, taking it as a win. The one thing thay absolutely sucks for me is pooping. Going number 2 is so wildly uncomfortable. I do all the things, everyday. Stool softener, smooth move, moo to poo, ultra hydrated. It just sucks. I get like a weird sharp cramp before I go and then it takes forever. Really hoping that goes away soon, but my hopes aren't high.

Anyway, here I am a week out and I have gotten so fatigued. Today was almost completely spent in bed. I have a feeling its going to stay for awhile going off of others experiences.

Lastly some pros and some weird stuff.

Weird thing #1 I spent 3 days after surgery convinced it was 2027. Not like oops just forgot, no no CONVINCED it was September 2027.

Weird thing #2 I am an anxious person and I'm guessing its the weird brain fog, but I kinda have no cares or worries. Just good vibes.

Weird thing #3 woke up as a vegetarian. I wasn't eating a lot of meat prior, just enough to help the anemia. Now I have absolutely zero interest in animal proteins.

Pro #1 I woke up no longer having chronic low back pain. I am assuming my uterus or endometriosis was pushing against or pinching some nerve near the base of my spine.

Pro #2 the fatigue I felt from the chronic blood loss anemia was insane. Somedays I honestly thought I wasnt going to make it. So the fatigue I feel from this surgery feels like nothing compared. I feel like i have life back in my soul. And I am so grateful.

Pro #3 I mentioned the anxiety, but bleeding for over a year gave me the worst situational depression. And immediately after waking up I felt my vest for life again. I am so happy words can't even express. I know I have a way to go for healing and recovery, but this is a hill I will gladly climb.

If you read the whole thing, thanks for letting me just talk. I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors, as I am just walking around non stop haha.

Officially 13 days away from my total hysterectomy and had my pre admission appointment yesterday! Which brought up a couple questions:

1. What did you/are you going to wear there and to pack if you stay the night? I had told my pre admin nurse I was going to wear loose sweatpants and oversized shirt, which she said may actually be uncomfortable around my waist. So now I'm thrown off. Do I wear a dress? Something super loose and short? My sweatpants are fairly loose but of course do have a band. I have some shorts that are loose, but about the same "snug level" as the sweats..

2. What are you eating/did you eat days leading up to your surgery? I asked if there was a specific diet I should adhere to, and all she said was go light. And to stop taking my iron pills to avoid intestinal upset. (I've been in a state of chronic blood loss anemia so have to take iron daily.)

I was going to avoid any heavy meals a few days prior and was honestly thinking about fiber dense meals that sit light on the tummy, but also contain iron.

TIA for any thoughts and suggestions!