Good news and nausea

[JaykeV]

I finally have a hysterectomy operation date for the 25th. At first I was so excited I was trying not to scream like a school girl over the phone, then it passed and it didn't feel real, nothing was sinking in. Today I went for an appointment to sign a consent form and suddenly the nausea started sinking in. I started to get that crawling feeling on the inside of my arm where I had a bad experience of blood gushing from my iv. I don't even think I fear dying, I think it's the fear of losing control.

There are a few things that surprised me about it though. First of all I don't need a physical before the operation, meaning no lower examination. I think that was honestly the best part of my day, learning I may never have to have that exam in my life, not ever! Second thing I learned was I have to take estrogen after the operation because of osteoporosis, which my gyno wants to prevent, and until I can prove that I can manage it with diet, I will be on pills or patch, unless it interferes with testosterone, and they will take me off immeditatly. Currently the name on my insurance card is also different then my legal name, but the hospital is unaware of this, one thing I found amazing is they have a line on the papers for preferred name to be called, which just seems damn respectful. I've never met the doctors at this hospital but the one I've been to in the same city was VERY trans friendly, even told me about a trans doctor on staff.

I never back down when I want something, even if it terrifies me. I remember when I went to get my first tattoo, or tell my doctor I was trans, I was shaking so much I was convinced someone might come over and think I was having a seizure. My half sister and family has been supportive about the operation. My dad on the other hand thought it was for a sex change, which it is. But my mom told him it was about cysts... but I am getting it because of endometriosis/trans related issue, but I'm surprised because I thought he repressed what my sister told him. I haven't talked to him for a year, and I don't plan to ever again, but that's another issue. I was just really thrown that he even mentioned that to my mom.

If anybody is interested in seeing what the abdominal incision looks like - not the lapriscopic or vaginal one, I will post pictures. I won't be using any scar treatment stuff on it, I like to think of my body as a story, and the scars a big part of it where it's been and how I got here.

And everyone keeps mentioning kids. My sister said if I EVER want a bio kid she'd be a surrogate and use her eggs since as kids we were practically identical, although I've told everyone I don't really want to and may go with adoption, but hey if I find a guy who wants to, I may just take her up on her offer, I never thought she'd do something like that for me, it's amazing.

Anyways just felt like sharing. I used to have an account on here, but deleted it because I noticed a LOT of hate in these forums by trans guys and that literally disgusts me, since we are supposed to be brothers, there for each other when most of the world is too ignorant to hear us out, but I've decided to give it a second go and apparently you can't reactivate accounts, so whatever...

Anyone have any advice on recovery/preparing for a hysterectomy?

[therewolf]

Congrats! I just had it done a month ago, also abdominal. Regarding preparation, I found it helpful to watch Youtube videos by guys who had just had theirs done. It does give you a pretty good idea what it's like. Also, of course, make sure your place is clean and stocked and heavy things are where you want them to be and all that.

I had a good experience at the hospital. I asked all my questions while they were putting the IV in and it went very smoothly. If you've had a bad experience, be sure to mention it, and I'm sure they will adjust to make you more comfortable. If I could change anything in retrospect, I would have kicked my GF out while they were doing the prep, because she was much more frightened than I was and it stressed me out.

One thing that was kind of a no-brainer (but I forgot it anyway) is that you need to bring (or have someone bring you) money for the medications you'll need when you're discharged. Duh. I was there for three days, and I didn't bring my wallet because I didn't want to have valuables lying around. My GF ended up driving home to get my wallet while I sat there with the nurse, waiting. I was also surprised to discover that I didn't want to read any of the suitcase full of books I brought, but really would rather sleep if I wasn't eating or walking.

Regarding recovery, walking as recommended really, really does help. Last thing you want to do, and it hurts starting out, but it always made me feel so much better. I went to the park when I could and just walked around the block when that wasn't an option. I didn't believe the surgeon when he told me I'd be back on my feet and be fine in a couple of weeks, but sure enough, by the end of week three I was back about my business,  restless and irritated because I couldn't go to the gym. Also, I bought five pair of really loose sweatpants with a waistband that was just a bit big, and they were perfect. The incision line fell right where the waistband on my jeans would have been, and the sweatpants were much better.

Medication's different for everybody, but the prescription pain meds made me feel pretty gross, and I felt better fast once I was done with them.

[anibioman]

congratulations on going forth with your hysto. it will totally suck to have to take estrogen. i would like to see pictures of your scar because i plan on getting a hysto will your scar be vertical or horizontal?

[JaykeV]

congratulations on going forth with your hysto. it will totally suck to have to take estrogen. i would like to see pictures of your scar because i plan on getting a hysto will your scar be vertical or horizontal?

I'm actually not sure which way it will go but I read it will be about 6"-8" in length, which is big since laproscopic is like an inch in two places plus I believe inside the belly button. But I've never cared about scars, in fact I find them beautiful.

[JaykeV]

Congrats! I just had it done a month ago, also abdominal. Regarding preparation, I found it helpful to watch Youtube videos by guys who had just had theirs done. It does give you a pretty good idea what it's like. Also, of course, make sure your place is clean and stocked and heavy things are where you want them to be and all that.

I had a good experience at the hospital. I asked all my questions while they were putting the IV in and it went very smoothly. If you've had a bad experience, be sure to mention it, and I'm sure they will adjust to make you more comfortable. If I could change anything in retrospect, I would have kicked my GF out while they were doing the prep, because she was much more frightened than I was and it stressed me out.

One thing that was kind of a no-brainer (but I forgot it anyway) is that you need to bring (or have someone bring you) money for the medications you'll need when you're discharged. Duh. I was there for three days, and I didn't bring my wallet because I didn't want to have valuables lying around. My GF ended up driving home to get my wallet while I sat there with the nurse, waiting. I was also surprised to discover that I didn't want to read any of the suitcase full of books I brought, but really would rather sleep if I wasn't eating or walking.

Regarding recovery, walking as recommended really, really does help. Last thing you want to do, and it hurts starting out, but it always made me feel so much better. I went to the park when I could and just walked around the block when that wasn't an option. I didn't believe the surgeon when he told me I'd be back on my feet and be fine in a couple of weeks, but sure enough, by the end of week three I was back about my business,  restless and irritated because I couldn't go to the gym. Also, I bought five pair of really loose sweatpants with a waistband that was just a bit big, and they were perfect. The incision line fell right where the waistband on my jeans would have been, and the sweatpants were much better.

Medication's different for everybody, but the prescription pain meds made me feel pretty gross, and I felt better fast once I was done with them.

Thanks for the heads up on others stressing you out, I told my mom if she says anything that makes me stressed she has to go lol, although usually in those situations she tends to talk about herself. Like when my sister was in labor she talked about her tooth ache and when I was in the ER for serious pain from severe headaches, she kept going on about her rash.

I met nurses during the preop and they were perhaps the nicest people ever, everyone seems VERY trans friendly where I live.

All my medication is covered, thanks to Canada and health insurance. So no wallet for me. Also I decided to bring just two books, but I probably won't be reading them, since I'll have tv.

Thanks for the tip. I just read some helpful ones on getting up out of bed in the most comfortable way after the surgery, so hopefully I don't forget when I actually go to do it, lol.

I wear my pajama bottoms incredibly low as well so they shouldn't bother the incision, and all my t-shirts that I bought are two sizes bigger than normal, to provide all the comfort I need.

[therewolf]

Glad to hear it! Hope everything goes well.

My scar is 4", horizontal, and sits a few inches below my hipbones, just inside my hairline.