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Power Surge Forums > Board Discussions > Premature / Early Menopause / Surgical Menopause / Hysterectomy
Anna
I thought I would offer my advice on hysterectomy surgery(or others for that matter).
On 4-30-08 I had a total hysterectomy using the da Vinci robotic method. I will not post their website as it is against policy.
Instead of making the usual large cut across the abdomen, you have 5-1" incisions. One above the navel(closer to your head), one by each hip bone, and another two on either side of the one by the navel. Sort of forms a smile!
Kind of like this.
--
-- o --
-- -- the "o" being your navel, belly button, which ever you choose to call it.
These incisions are closed with steri strips, although I do have a total of 4 stitches. Of course you do have internal stitches.
I didn't take any meds for pain until 5-1-08 in the evening and that was just motrin for my back. I was walking the halls the next day pain free for the most part. If I had to do this all over again, I would have it done the same way.

This is merely my opinion. I am in no way promoting for the company. I had a positive experience and wanted to share it with all of you.

hugs
Anna
Anna
Ooops...that is "IF the da Vinci is an option...take it!"
Yep...even have my meno type back!!!! biggrin.gif
RoundRobin
Thank you for posting this...it was very interesting...why in the world do they call it 'the daVinci' method? Is it because the incisions form a Mona-Lisa like style? (I've got a few surgical scars that should be called the MC Escher method!)
'
RoundRobin
sorry, I meant Mona-Lisa "SMILE" not style...
Anna
I guess that is the name of the machine that does the operation???? Never fear---it is powered by a dr!!!
Anna
aww, geez..my explanation of the surgery was changed!!!!All the lines are in the wrong spot!!!Grrrr
Crazy in CA
And here you are less than a week later sharing this information with your PS sisters! Wow Anna, you are just the greatest! Thanks for being you! Take care of yourself dear and welcome back!
Noreen5
smile.gif Thanks alot for the info Anna! So kind of you to post this info! I'd like to find out more about the DaVinci robotic hysterectomy. I wonder if I'd be elgible since I have fibroids, I have two large fibroids and some smaller ones. Today I did look at the DaVinci site. Found the website from the hystersisters.com site.
I tried to look at the video of a DaVinci hysterectomy on the website but it never came up for me, just was blank. Read some about the DaVinci but still have some questions on it. Glad to hear you're recovering so well Anna! smile.gif Take care.

lizardlover42000
ANNA SO GLAD TO HEAR YOUR DOING GOOD. AND YES I HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE NEW LAPROSCOPIC SURGERY THAT I HAD FOR GALLBLADDER REMOVAL I HAD FOUR TINY INCISIONS AND REQUIRED NO PAIN KILLERS .SO YES SURGERY OPTIONS ARE GETTING MUCH BETTER AND REQUIRE LITLE PAIN. HUGS TERRY
leelee2
i am so glad to hear they are improving surgical methods for hysterectomy. mine was done the old fashioned way and it wern't pretty. recovery took a lot longer too.
still, it was the best thing that ever happened to me, besides my kids.

later
leelee
squiggle
QUOTE (Anna @ May 6 2008, 04:05 PM) *
I guess that is the name of the machine that does the operation???? Never fear---it is powered by a dr!!!

LOL - I had to have a giggle. I know de Vinci invented many things in his lifetime that never got built. Don't tell me this robot was one of them too laugh.gif
Lostnut
Anna, Thats great that your surgery went well.

You always wonder when you go in for surgery if things will turn out as they are ment to or not and its good that yours turned out good.

All the best to you and I hope that you are healing nicely?

Take Care From Deb.
Noreen5
Thanks again for talking to me about this hysterectomy stuff , Anna. You're so nice. Hope you're still continuing to feel stronger everday and about back to normal feeling or you are. smile.gif

Hey squggle, yes it was ,davinci invented it or not the exact robot machine but I read on the Davinci site that they named the surgery robotic machine after the great Davinci since he had invented the first robot. smile.gif
Anna
It has been 5 weeks since my hysteresctomy, so I thought I'd give you ladies an update.
Since the surgery I have noticed an increase in flashes. Sometimes a few a day and them at times I go a few days without any. The flashes aren't real bad, kind of like a mini one.
I had been on Prempro prior to the surgery and am now on the Vivelle-Dot patch. I had heard cases of it falling off-not so here.
One other issue I have faced is that I tend to snap at my husband for no reason ohmy.gif Something out of character for me. I don't like doing this to the man that has been soo fabulous during my recovery.
He knows this so he is being real good about that. I have had small bouts of depression(not many though) which are short lived--and I credit some of my buds for pulling out of then before they got too bad. smile.gif My husband, too, is seeing that I get out of the house---and now that I can drive myself...well, let's just say I'm making sure my car doesn't accumulate any dust!! biggrin.gif
Overall I feel I have come out of this surgery quite well. I used very little pain killers and some ibuprofen. I was told to use that mainly for the swelling and pain as the body can't heal well if it is fighting pain.
I still have a weight restriction I have to follow, but I have been doing alot of walking.

I know this has been alot of rambling, but I wanted to give insight to those who are pondering a hyster.
Oh and one more thing...since I had the daVinci done, I lost about 2 tablespoons of blood during surgery according to the doctor! Plus, since released from the hospital I used just a pantliner only for a few days. Awesome! After not having a period for three years thinking about having to wear a pad didn't not set well with me! mad.gif

Anywho...take care all and if anyone has questions, feel free to ask and I will help in any way I can.

Hugs
Anna
senecaguns
hi anna, I just wanted to say-you should really take care of yourself and take it easy. This is still major surgery. Everybody recovers at their own rate, but this is one surgery that can really fool you down the line. I mean, you are doing fine and then months later-you overdo a little in your chores and what not-and boom you are out of commission for a while. I guess what I'm trying to say is-well, what I said-take care of yourself and give yourself 'time' to heal and you'll be better for it in the long run.
Senecaguns
lgoldie
QUOTE (Anna @ Jun 5 2008, 09:15 AM) *
It has been 5 weeks since my hysteresctomy, so I thought I'd give you ladies an update.
Since the surgery I have noticed an increase in flashes. Sometimes a few a day and them at times I go a few days without any. The flashes aren't real bad, kind of like a mini one.
I had been on Prempro prior to the surgery and am now on the Vivelle-Dot patch. I had heard cases of it falling off-not so here.
One other issue I have faced is that I tend to snap at my husband for no reason ohmy.gif Something out of character for me. I don't like doing this to the man that has been soo fabulous during my recovery.
He knows this so he is being real good about that. I have had small bouts of depression(not many though) which are short lived--and I credit some of my buds for pulling out of then before they got too bad. smile.gif My husband, too, is seeing that I get out of the house---and now that I can drive myself...well, let's just say I'm making sure my car doesn't accumulate any dust!! biggrin.gif
Overall I feel I have come out of this surgery quite well. I used very little pain killers and some ibuprofen. I was told to use that mainly for the swelling and pain as the body can't heal well if it is fighting pain.
I still have a weight restriction I have to follow, but I have been doing alot of walking.

I know this has been alot of rambling, but I wanted to give insight to those who are pondering a hyster.
Oh and one more thing...since I had the daVinci done, I lost about 2 tablespoons of blood during surgery according to the doctor! Plus, since released from the hospital I used just a pantliner only for a few days. Awesome! After not having a period for three years thinking about having to wear a pad didn't not set well with me! mad.gif

Anna, I am having a total hyst in 2 days. I am so scared of what will happen afterward. I don't want to get all depressed and anxious. How old are u?

Anywho...take care all and if anyone has questions, feel free to ask and I will help in any way I can.

Hugs
Anna

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