Had My Robotic Surgery Thursday But I Am Very Grumpy At Home Today (Saturday)

Hi Woodstock!

Sounds like you got the first big hurdle behind you now despite feeling grumpy! I think anyone who undergoes major surgery is entitled to feel that way...especially  the older we get. Most of us are not at our peak health wise and have other issues that make things more difficult.

I am almost always frustrated with hospitals...whether for myself or my husband or other relatives. Your care really does seem driven by the nurses...not your PCP or specialist. There have been times when the care has been over and above & others when I feel like it's a bad restaurant or hotel.

I had bladder spasms for a week after my surgery. I was told this can happen from the surgeon accidentally coming in contact with the bladder because it is so close. And I use Miralax to keep things moving as no one wants to get backed up while recovering.

Focus on pampering yourself with naps and other things you enjoy until you move to the next step in your journey. I am sure you're husband is relieved you are home and the surgery is behind you...and doesn't  mind the grumpy!

I have afib and am on warfarin. Anytime I've had surgery I usually have to do the lovenox for about 10 days...then I go back on the warfarin. My husband gives me the shots in my belly and they dont bother me. Hopefully yours will get easier as you go along.

Best wishes for an uneventful and smooth recovery.

Kathy

After my robotic surgery in 2014, my dr told me I didn't need a binder, that he only recommends those for more invasive surgeries. I had gas that finally subsided after about 5 days. I did my deep breathing and walking as recommended but it still took that long.  I looked like the michelin tire man, I was that bloated. Pain meds did not work for the gas pains and gasX didn't seem to work for me.  I too, slept in a recliner for a few nights. I was also cranky until the gas was gone. 

I have subsequently had two abdominal resections and have worn a binder for those.  I didn't have trouble with it but I didn't have the gas issues with those surgeries.

Jan

woodstock99 said:

Thanks all.  Miracle! I did

Thanks all.  Miracle! I did go pitty today - not much - but a start - although the gas is still bad.  Still grumpy and overall ouyt of sorts but I guess to be expected. I also found out about issues with foods that contain Vitamin K that are to be avoided while doing the Lovenox injections wgihc are a lot of the leafy green vegiies, berries, green tea, etc that re importanty for my vision issues.  Even avoid cranberry juice which I thought might speed up the slight bkladder sting.  Oh well.  I definitely need to get out of my head and breathe.  I know each day will get a drop better.  Appreciate all your kind words and advise.  

I was told (and the Lovenox instructions said) to give the shots in the stomach. That's what I did, altering the side and spot every day. So you may want to doublecheck the recommended injection site.

I didn't wear a binder after surgery (I didn't even know about it) but I really only had a problem getting out of bed. I live alone, and until I watched a YouTube video, I felt like I was straining the incision sites.

I don't recall having a particular problem with gas, so I never took anything for that. I took the pain killers for the first day or two, but I didn't really need them after that.

I was told that there were no food restrictions while taking Lovenox. The drugs.com site doesn't list any interactions between Lovenox and Vitamin K.

https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/lovenox-with-vitamin-k-978-533-1868-16217.html

Perhaps it's due to one of your other medications?

Hopefully you'll continue to feel better each day now.

Hi woodstock, I'm glad to hear that everything went well with your surgery.  Even though my surgery was in 1999, I do remember those gas pains when I got home from the hospital.  I recall trying to eat and the pains would be really bad, so I would walk around in circles in my house, which would make me feel a little better.  I think the gas issue lasted a few days, but it was a long few days! 

They had no robotic surgery back when I was diagnosed, so I had open surgery and was in the hospital for 5 days.  I was so sick that I wasn't able to get out of bed until the 5th day of my hospitalization. Up until then I was vomiting up bile, because I couldn't hold anything down.  I think I had problems from the anesthesia.  Then I started itching all over my body which my gynecologic oncologist attributed to a likely multiple drug reaction.  Once I got home, all the skin on my body started peeling off.  But I was only miserable for a week or so and then all symptoms subsided.  Based on the above report on your surgery and quick recovery, it sure sounds like things have come a long way since my surgery.

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!!

I'm so glad everything went well and you're getting a little better!

I had my first surgery early morning and was home by 3:00pm. My GYN was so sure I didn't have cancer he was in and out in about 45 minutes (robotic/laparoscopic). Long story...but it was 3 1/2 weeks before he gave us the full/ true story. Saw GYN ONC and had second surgery for staging seven weeks later. So my timeline was July 27 with appointment with GYN to November 19th first chemo infusion.

After hysterectomy I was pretty good, pretty fast. It was kind of weird....I 1) felt there was a notably empty space in my pelvis, and 2) that everything was kind of giggling around. I was not sent home with a binder, so like you, I ordered one. The binder really helped! And I wore it for weeks , especially when traveling in the car to keep everything from bouncing around!

All the ladies here gave me same advice....the waiting is really hard, so try not to overthink your future and take care of yourself!

I hope you continue to get better!

?, Alicia

I hadn't read about binders and didn't even know what kind of surgery I would have until I was in pre-op. I think it was the mad dash getting me scheduled that led to that gap. My surgeon was surprised that they put me in a large--I'm 5'2" and weighed 124 at the time. I took the binder off on morning of day 3 because it was chafing under my arms. But I appreciated that they gave me one--I had a radical abdominal hysterectomy with lots of exploratory removals--I even learned about the existence of the one gum--after I didn't have it any more! Luckily I only had to take Eliquis for 30 days and took hydro morphine (Dilaudid) as needed. Senna tablets and occasional Miralax kept constipation problems at bay.

Hang in there! Make sure you get some PT referrals or at least one session for exercises to get your pelvic floor strengthened!

Cheers!

Deb