I'm a bit anxious about this one.

I finally have a date for my hysterectomy- I'm going in next Tuesday (28th).

But I'm worried about the compression stockings as I can't even handle a sock touching my foot and leg. I think they'd be pure agony!

My pain specialist will do a ketamine infusion straight afterwards as I'll be in a lot of pain from having my leg up during the operation, from being stuck in bed for so long, and from my RSD's reaction to the operation in general, but hopefully we can control those pain levels.

I know the stockings are vital in helping prevent clots, but I'm torn whether I would be better off wearing them or not.

So for those of you who have had to wear them after an operation etc and you have RSD in your leg/s, did you find them too painful? Did they let you NOT wear them?

Any thoughts on this would be great

x Kate

Kate,

I have had a lot of swelling in my left leg since forever -- or so it seems! That was really the initial symptom. By about 1998 - 2000, the metatarsals (long bones) in my left foot had eroded to the point where they were simply floating around, not doing any support. I had surgery to screw everything back together. After the surgery, the leg really ballooned up and I needed to have it elevated about twenty hours per day for about five weeks. When the swelling did not go down, the doctor prescribed compression hose.

I was really hesitant, but the swelling was driving me nuts and really hurt. So, I gave it a try. Putting it on in the morning was painful, but after about an hour, it started to work on getting the swelling down and actually felt pretty good. Once I was used to it, it really wasn't too bad except when it was hot!

Eventually I got to the point where the swelling was not changed too much by the hose. That is when I stopped wearing it. I would encourage you to try it. Right after the surgery, you may have enough pain killers to be able to tolerate it until you are acclimated.

Of course everyone it different, so you might not be able to put up with the tightness. But I am glad I did. I believe it helped for a while during the healing process.

Hope all goes well for you,

Mike

Hi Kate!
When I had my operation and they had to cut me straight down the middle of my tummy (The same way I had two c- section's).. I didn't have to wear them!! I had 22 staples going all the way down to almost my, you know what and I got up that very night and just walked. I was not bed ridden. Now, when The doc. I see now ordered me to wear them around 2 months ago, yes, they were a bit tight, but I take them off when I go to bed at night and it seems that I am used to wearing them now! I lost mine for 2 weeks, finally found them and put them back on. I have to wear them all day, then at night before bed, take 'em off. Why is he making you wear these in the first place? Are you getting the same kind of old fashioned hysterectomy like I had? Or a different way? Hmmm.. Well, any way, Kate I wish you the best of luck and prayers will be said for you!~Love, Desi

Hi Kate,

I tried the stocking for my left swollen arm once;It had been swollen for about a year at that time and after a few days the therapist did notice a decrease, finally, in the size. It helped...absolutely!

I couldn't have kept it on much longer though, it was becoming more and more irritating as time went on...

Good luck,I hope you're able to tolerate it and it works for you!



Melissa

Hi Kate,
Long time not talk to.

They have these things here in the states that they put on legs that swell up with pressure gently & release pressure instead of wearing compression stockings. I had it used on me when I had my back surgery in 2005. They didn't bother my feet or ankles at all. I don't know what they are called but they replace compression stokings. Maybe you can ask if the Aussie hospitals have anything like that. And hopefully someone here will have the exact name for it.

Hopefully you will be keeping your ovaries so you don't have to go on hormone replacement. I was able to keep mine for 7 yrs after I had the hysterectomy.

Good luck Kate!!!

Love ya,
DebbyV

Hi

I had them after my 2005 back surgery. No problems with them.

If your having a vaginal hysterectomy it should be a relatively easy surgery.

Good luck! Pam