I wasn’t expecting to have a total hysterectomy(surgery to remove your uterus and cervix)but due to some medical issues, that’s exactly what happened. When meeting with my doctor we determined that the best procedure for me was the Robotic hysterectomy which is a minimally invasive procedure. Robotic hysterectomy is done by the surgeon using control devices to direct the surgical instruments that remove the uterus. In my case the ovaries and Fallopian tubes were also removed.Although robotic hysterectomy is generally safe, any surgery has risks. Risks of the robotic surgery include:heavy bleeding, blood clots in the legs or lungs,infection,damage to the bladder and other nearby organs.
Preparing for surgery is key and the more I prepared the less nervous I felt . Here are some things I did to prepare:gather information before the surgery, ask lots of questions here at my pre-op appointment, here is a list of some of the questions I asked:
How long is the procedure?
What fills the space when those organs are removed?
Where are the cuts located?
How long is the hospital stay?
What is the complication rate?
What is “normal” bleeding?
What should I expect after the surgery?
What are the warning signs that something is wrong?
Diet after surgery?
Is stair use okay?
How soon do you start walking?
When can you drive?
Will I receive pain killers?
How long is the recovery period?
Activities to avoid for 6 weeks?
What happens at the 6 week check up?
These questions allowed me to feel more comfortable about the surgery and gave me an idea of what to expect.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about medication. Find out whether you should take your usual medications in the days before your hysterectomy. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you take including over-the-counter meds, dietary supplements and herbal preparations.
Arrange for help, if you live alone reach out to friends or neighbors for help. I had my family’s help at home which made my recovery less stressful. I also did a lot of pre surgery shopping, picking up all my favorite snacks, some bottled water and drinks. I kept the bottle water in the bedroom to have easy access to make sure I drank enough water because pain medications tend to cause dehydration.
