AW: Nervous about fibroid surgery coming up Nov 21st!

wanderlust508 · November 2014

Hey ladies .....

I am starting to get so nervous about the surgery (robotic myomectomy). It's coming up in 9 days. All I've wanted this whole time (since July when I was 1st told I needed surgery) was to get this thing done already. That's still the case ....but I'm a little scared, you guys!! I had an emergency laparotomy back in 1999 for ovarian torsion. But that time I didn't have all this time to think about all the "what ifs" and drive myself crazy with Dr Google. That time I had come into the ER with pain when I was in college, was told I needed surgery and boom - I was taken to the OR and it was done before I could think about it much.

I saw my OB-GYN/surgeon last Thurs and am really comfortable with him. But the thought of going under general anesthesia has me really panicked for some reason. I keep having nightmares about waking up in the middle of surgery (totally irrational I know ...of course they would give me a sufficient dose of anesthesia to really put me under). And also, Dr O was very frank with me and said "When you wake up from surgery, I've gotta be honest with you ...you will feel like you got run over by a truck. But within a couple hours in the recovery room, you will start to feel better. You will feel well enough to go home the same day and you'll be amazed by how quickly you recover from day to day." I wasn't worried about having that much pain when I wake up from surgery but now I am! I am fearing the worst ...that I will wake up crying and screaming in pain. He told me that I'll be taking Motrin and Percocet for the pain. But he also said in the 1st couple days after surgery I might not have much of an appetite and may feel nauseous if I try to eat much ....well Motrin makes me extremely nauseous on an empty stomach so how is that going to work?! I'm also worried about getting constipated on the Percocet even though I have Colace (stool softener) and Sennokot (stimulant). And ugh ....I really hope I'm not extremely nauseous after the surgery.

Nausea is the worse.

Hopefully it will not be as bad as I'm building it up to be. On the plus side, Dr O has written me out of work from 11/21-12/21. Then I already have vacation requested from 12/24-1/1. So I'm pretty much off for most of the rest of the year! Yay!! He says that I should be back on my feet for the most part 2 weeks after surgery but that he's writing me out for longer to ensure that I'm fully healed before I returned to work. He kind of jokingly said "You can go back to work sooner if you really want to. But I would milk it if I were you and just take the extra couple weeks to relax." Another thing I was surprised about - before my surgery got cancelled due to my other surgeon's injury (that was supposed to be 11/5), DH and I had planned a weekend in NY to see family (12/5-12/8) thinking it would be a month after my surgery and I'd be good to travel. We mentioned to Dr O that we'd probably be cancelling our NY vacation now and he said "Why? As long as you're feeling well, you should go! That will be 2 weeks after surgery, you'll be fine. I mean, don't overexert yourself or go for long bike rides across the Brooklyn bridge. Take it easy and you should be fine to travel." I feel kinda guilty for going on an enjoyable trip when I'm supposed to be out on medical leave! ....but Dr O told me not to worry about it and just take the trip.

Anyways ....part of me is really looking forward to having all that time off after the surgery(!!). Atleast with all the crappy stuff that IF deals me, I will hopefully get to enjoy extra time at home having a reason to just relax and watch a bunch of movies and trashy TV (LOL). But I just hope that I won't be feeling crappy for too long after the surgery! Thanks for letting me vent. I know a few of you have had the same surgery so I'd love to hear any last minute advice you might have for before and after the surgery.

lebradford · November 2014

Surgeries are scary! It's ok to be nervous.

So, I'm assuming you will have an IV during surgery? Definitely tell them ahead of time that you might get nauseous and see if they can give you something in your IV for it. I had my ER today, and I'm sure it's much easier, but I also have gotten sick after anesthesia before and they gave me something for it today, and I felt way better afterwards than I imagined I would.

Also, I'm sure it's different for different people, but my stomach tolerates something like vicodin better than percocet, so if you are having a hard time with that, don't be afraid to ask to try something different.

Lastly, I think you should guiltlessly milk the hell out of your time off! Going on a relaxing vacation where you can take it easy and scale back your activity if you're uncomfortable or tired is different than needing to "perform" at work for 8+ hours straight.

I know you're nervous now that this is finally approaching, but I'm also really happy for you that it's almost here and you didn't have to wait too much longer than you originally expected to get it done!

BandM14 · November 2014

Good luck with the surgery! I think 9 times out of 10, anticipation is the worst part. I totally know what you mean about being afraid of anesthesia, because I have the same thing... I've told DH that I'm nervous about waking up during surgery if I have to have a lap, and he always reassures me (he has had 9 surgeries over his lifetime, so he's pretty experienced with going under). It's totally understandable to be nervous, but I hope Nov. 21st comes and passes quickly and that you have a much easier recovery than you are anticipating!

And I am in complete agreement with previous posters, take that full 4 weeks of leave! And don't feel guilty about going on a fun trip!! IF is brutal and surgery is serious stuff, you deserve lots of R & R after that!

mshandlebar · November 2014

Surgery is no fun any what way you look at it, but the waiting and wondering beforehand is the pits. Try not to stress out about it too much. In 9 days it will all be in the past.

On the bright side it is awesome that you get such a long vacation. Maybe a good way to get your mind off the surgery is to start planning what you are going to (or aren't going to) do during your down time. Best of luck!

wanderlust508 · November 2014

Thanks everyone! Crossing my fingers that my recovery will be shorter than expected and I'll have plenty of time to enjoy my leave.

@lebradford‌ - I actually asked for Percocet because vicodin made me horribly nauseous after my laparotomy in 1999. I will take the advice of @cokiebear and ask for zofran in the recovery room (& take it at home with myPercocet).

DSculley1824 · November 2014

Good luck on your surgery! I would be the same way if I were you with Dr. Google, but I've learned it's not my friend lol. Try to get some things done before your surgery you won't be able to do right after. It will be done before you know it and you'll be able to have a nice long break! I'm super jealous about that part

lovesmonkey · November 2014

Girl, you got this! Be very open and honest with everyone (nurses, doctors, anesthesiologist) with your concerns and how you are feeling. They want you to be as comfortable as possible so you have to work together. I find music to be soothing, so I bring headphones to close my eyes and listen to music while I wait. If nothing else it helps me pass the time. If you are on heavy duty pain meds make sure you stay hydrated and keep stool softeners/fiber on hand. Take it easy during your recovery. Just because the pain starts to go away doesn't mean you are ready to clean house and go for a run (not that I've ever done that). Good luck!

BunnyBerry · November 2014

I'm so sorry you are feeling worried. It's awesome that this day is finally here, though, you've certainly been waiting long enough!!

I won't lie, the nausea waking up from anesthesia was like nothing I'd ever experienced. It was so bad that I let them stop all pain meds because I could handle the pain going out of control but couldn't handle the increased nausea. At home, I also took just enough pain meds to survive in order to keep the nausea under control, but I couldn't even touch a cracker or frozen fruit pop for at least a day or two.

The problem was that they didn't give me a nausea patch at the start of surgery, so there was no way to get it under control. I was so mad because I made it clear that I am a super nauseous person by nature. So, I highly recommend asking for a nausea patch (which can stay on and last for days) to make sure that it's under control and you can take all the pain meds you need.

SND1231 · November 2014

Good luck! I totally understand the fear of surgery. I've had too many to count and most were only with one days notice. Those were the easy ones where you don't have time to think. But the hip replacement I just had a few months back I had 2 weeks to think about and google and I drove myself crazy. Just try to keep your mind off of it. I'll be praying for you! As for the constipation try taking Miralax for 2-3 days before surgery and then once a day for the whole time you are on pain pills. It helps tremendously!

TTCBabyJ · November 2014

I just wanted to say you have every right to be nervous...surgery is scary. But please move away from the computer...Google can really scare you. If you do get nauseous your anesthesiologist will give you something before and after surgery. I used to get terrible nauseau after surgery but now I always make it a point to tell the anesthesiologist of this prior to surgery. I have had a lot of different surgeries elective and non-elective.

It really nice that you will have some real time to recuperate. I know my fibroid surgey is not as intensive or complicated as yours but I felt like myself after a couple of days. I felt aware that something happened in my uterus but not real pain. Good luck with your surgery! I know you have been waiting for this for months. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. (((Hugs)))

ShellyR · November 2014

I don't have anything more to add, but I wanted to tell you Good Luck and that I wish you a safe/effective surgery and a speedy recovery. Enjoy your trip

dancerspose · November 2014

Your fears are completeing understandable. Just remember that you are in incredibly good hands. I second the PPs who said to stay away from Google. It's too easy to make yourself crazy running every possible scenario through your head. Just try to keep yourself busy between now and the surgery and enjoy the fact that the doctor believes you'll feel up to actually enjoying some of your time off work.

We will all be thinking of your and sending lots of positive vibes your way.

theholmanherd · November 2014

Good luck, east bay! Stay strong! (((HUGS)))

jencity9 · November 2014

I had this same surgery in July 2013 and I worried about all the things you are! But it went so well and I definitely regret putting it off for so long because it did go so well. I was in the OR one second and in recovery the next and did not wake up during.

I remember they asked me to rate my pain on 1-10 and I said 8... But I don't remember being horribly in pain. I mean, I guess it was painful but not anything I couldn't manage. Then she upped the pain meds and asked again and I was like "uh... 7?" Lol. I went home like an hour later and had one moment as I got in the car that I was sure I was going to vomit right there in the car lane in front of everyone, but then it went away.

I took a week off initially and then saw a few clients the beginning of the next week. I decided to take a few more days after that but not so much because of any pain but just to be sure and relax some more.

The only thing I would warn is that when I first came home I lied down on my bed, and it took a crazy team effort to get me back up into a seating position because everything I did caused a lot of pain in my stomach. It isn't until that surgery that you realize exactly how much our core muscles are used in every single thing we do, LOL. I slept on the couch the next few nights so I could maintain a slight sitting up position still when I slept.

Good luck with everything!!

wanderlust508 · November 2014

Thank you so much ....as always, you ladies are the best at making me feel better about all things IF (and non-IF) related.

@jencity9 - I didn't even think about sleeping arrangements ...and how it may be difficult getting in and out of bed with such pain. Thanks for pointing that out! As of right now, my plan was to just sleep in my bed after surgery. And someone told me (on 3T I believe) to hug a pillow to my stomach to roll over when I'm getting out of bed. I think I'll try that but if it doesn't work out, I might have to consider the couch like you did. Your experience sounds really reassuring overall ...thank you!

@DaydreamSam - I'm a pharmacist and actually used to work on the pain management team at my hospital! It's funny that you said to always rate my pain at a 6 or higher because we suspected many of our patients did the same thing (rating at an 8 when they were more like a 4). And now I'm going to be one of those patients!

We also routinely recommended Zofran (ondansetron) to our patients to combat the nausea from the pain meds. The Dr already gave me the dissolvable zofran tabs to keep at home (and scopolamine patches which are also applied to prevent nausea). So you would think as a pharmacist who knows the meds already, I wouldn't be so anxious about all this! But it's a whole other game when I'm a patient myself. I'm worried that in spite of the scopolamine and Zofran, I will be still be nauseous. But I'm probably worrying over nothing. Good to know that Zofran worked so well for you! I'm gonna stay on top of taking my Zofran.

@SND1231 - Thanks for mentioning the Miralax! I have Colace and Sennokot already but I'll keep Miralax too in case those 2 aren't doing the trick.

@BunnyBerry - That makes me so mad that they didn't give you the Scopolamine patch! Especially if you told them that nausea was such an issue for you. :-/ It sounds like the nausea for you was far worse than the pain. Sorry you had to go through that! For me, I would take increased pain over nausea any day ....I can't stand nausea.

wanderlust508 · November 2014

@Rumbera28 (or anyone else who can answer) - Sorry if this is a silly question, but what kinds of foods did you have on hand to eat after surgery? My surgeon said that I should eat mild bland foods in the 1st few days (like plain rice, chicken broth and crackers) ....I want to be prepared before surgery with what to eat after so I'm just curious what you found useful to keep for after (that you could easily stomach).

Also, if you don't mind answering, do you recall how many days after surgery you were able to have a BM? My Dr said it could be up to 7 days ...that seems like an awfully long time not to have one!

wanderlust508 · November 2014

@Rumbera28 - Yikes, that sounds awful!! My larger fibroid is also in the back of my uterus too. At least I am mentally prepared for that. It makes sense that it would be more painful with a fibroid in the back ... I'm guessing, since that's close to the intestines. I will make sure to premedicate with Percocet before I attempt that. Thanks for the heads up!

meredithcarole · November 2014

I know it is going to go just fine so stop Googling! Dr. o has it under control.

As for the aftermath, obviously I can't speak to this exact scenario (yet), but I did have a D&C in March where post-op BM was torture and I had no appetite. I ate toast and apple sauce for days. I wish I had started stool softeners well before the surgery because it was not fun. I think if you go in prepared with the Colace and Miralax you'll be fine (or as well as can be expected). As for pain, Percocet made me sleep, but did nothing for the pain. They gave me something else and it worked wonders (I cannot remember what it was, though).

I will be keeping you in my thoughts. Enjoy your month off

BunnyBerry · November 2014

As for food - I sipped clear chicken broth, nibbled matzo crackers, and licked fruit pops the first day or two. I tried to add in a little noodles, rice, egg the next few days. I started being able to take a nibble of chicken and eat Jello. It was easier to eat when it was almost time for another pain pill.

The first BM was 3 days later and rather uncomfortable but okay, and the next was the next and and wasn't painful. I popped Colace and Gas-X religiously from the day of surgery and I think it made a big difference. Only had a hint of referred shoulder pain from gas.

jencity9 · November 2014

Oh I forgot about the constipation... That was actually the worst part for me. I think it was 3-4 days for a BM. Nothing would work until I drank prune juice (YUCK!) but it worked!

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