Hysterectomy Articles

Hysterectomy Pain

Posted on January 11, 2010 | 4 Comments »


  



















Just as with any surgical patient, women who undergo hysterectomy are bound to experience post-op hysterectomy pain. This scares off a lot of people, but it would help to know that there are ways to manage the pain. However, keep in mind that these methods for managing hysterectomy pain are not meant to completely eradicate the pain but to make the discomfort caused by the pain tolerable.

Hysterectomy Pain – A Management Plan

If you’re about to undergo hysterectomy, it’s advised that you also discuss and plan the post-operative pain management with your doctor. You need to determine how your doctor plans to handle the hysterectomy pain you are expected to experience after the surgery, and what they would do if this doesn’t work out. You should also ask what your doctor’s alternatives are for dealing with your hysterectomy pain. In addition, you should discuss when you can start the medication; what type of medication you’ll undergo when you go home; and what you can do if you run out of medication.

Hysterectomy Pain – Immediate Post-operative Pain Management

The following are some ways of dealing with hysterectomy pain right after the surgery:

On-Q. This is a pain management system where local anesthesia is administered to the area of the surgery through a tiny tube that is inserted through the incision.

Morphine pump. This is attached to the patient’s IV. The patient can get a controlled dosage of morphine whenever she needs it by pressing a mechanism.

Post-op epidural. A catheter is inserted in the patient’s back where low dose pain medication is infused to provide localized anesthesia to the surgical site. The patient will be able to ambulate and require less oral pain medications.

These pain management systems are usually given to the patient for one to two days after the surgery.

Hysterectomy Pain – Pain Management at Home

Pain management at home consists of oral medication. Narcotic pain medication is usually taken every four to six hours and can be supplemented with anti-inflammatory agents every eight hours.

Hysterectomy Pain – Refill and Addiction

It is seldom that a patient would need a refill of the medicines being taken because the pain usually eases a month after the surgery. Because of the short period of medication as well as its controlled use, there is no risk of getting addicted to the pain killers. In addition, these medicines are taken to relieve pain and not for the sensations they provide, which help further in preventing addiction.

However, if you would really need a refill then you should consult your doctor. Your doctor can make the necessary arrangements for this.

Hysterectomy Care

Posted on January 11, 2010 | 2 Comments »


  



















Hysterectomy is a major operation where the uterus of a woman is removed. In this procedure, even the cervix, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries may be removed if necessary. Although the risk of complications for this type of surgery is low, it’s still important for a woman who has undergone hysterectomy to get proper hysterectomy care. This will not only help in a faster recovery, but it will also help in preventing complications, resulting overall in a comfortable experience for the patient.

Hysterectomy Care Before the Surgery

Before you undergo a hysterectomy surgery, it’s important that you get ample hysterectomy care to reduce the risk of complications.

  • Have a fiber-rich diet before the hysterectomy in order to counter the constipation that post-operative medication causes.
  • Eat a light meal like a salad on the night prior to the surgery, but don’t eat or drink anything after midnight.
  • Get a lot of sleep.
  • Exercise in order to relieve some stress.

Hysterectomy Care After the Surgery

Although you are bound to experience some pain and discomfort after your hysterectomy procedure, see this as a time for you to rest and relax. You won’t have to go to work for some weeks, and you won’t have to do any house chores either, so take this time to just regain your energies and have fun doing the things you don’t normally get to do.

  • Dress in loose-fitting and comfortable clothes.
  • Have a list of emergency phone numbers handy. These can include numbers of your family, friends, and doctors who can provide hysterectomy care.
  • Gather all the books you never had the time to read.
  • Be sure to have a TV and DVD player in your room for your viewing pleasure.
  • Have a music player nearby should you want to give your eyes a rest.
  • Eat healthy. This is not just a hysterectomy care tip, but something you should always do.
  • Take painkillers as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Have enough sanitary pads. Avoid using tampons.
  • Use heating pads, but don’t let these come in direct contact with your skin.
  • Do not lift heavy things. Ask the help of friends and family.
  • Ask others to prepare your meal for you, or to drive you somewhere.
  • Do not drink alcohol.

Above all make sure you keep and maintain all doctor follow-up appointments so that you can get the best hysterectomy care possible.

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