Blood thinning injections

I did. In hospital I asked to have them in my leg. Before I left I was told I'd be shown how to do them on an orange. The inevitable happened and the nurse returned to tell me that I'd be shown on me. I knew needle phobic hubby wouldn't do them so I just got on with it and the whole process went better than I thought it would. There were a few bruises on my legs (I alternated legs) but the time soon passed. Good luck.

Some hospitals routinely advise them, some only do if you’re not very active.  I had my first one the evening of my op, and one the next morning, but chose to refuse doing them at home. They got a doctor to come and talk to me to check I was sure, but I was sure. As I’m quite an active person, even though overweight, my consultant just advised me instead to keep wearing my elastic stockings, to bend and straighten my legs when sitting with my feet up or when I woke up in the morning, and to take exercise. When I went for my results (2 weeks later), and he found out I was walking about 40 mins a day, he said I could discard the stockings which was great news. I don’t regret my decision at all but everyone needs to decide for themselves.

It depends on levels of activity. As I have difficulty walking due to arthritis I did them. Actually twice as before my full hysterectomy I had an exploratory surgery- so 2 lots of 28 days!

As after my hysterectomy I had a large bruise that covered my abdomen I was advised to inject into my upper thigh. The needles are very fine and after a while I just got used to it. I am needle phobic too so took a while 

1. Do you have  to wear stockings too at home fir weeks ? 

Different consultants have different recommendations but many advise it to minimise the risk of thrombosis. I wore mine daytime for two weeks. 

mollysue, I’d suggest you read my hysterectomy diary thread as I think it would reassure you! community.macmillan.org.uk/.../hysterectomy-day-and-after---diary

I did read it and the bit about feeling spaced out etc and your comments  in recovery have made me more worried  if I'm honest but I suppose it' went off quickly

mollysue, feeling a bit spaced out when you come round after a general anaesthetic is totally normal and to be expected. That’s why you go from the operating theatre to the recovery ward and have one to one care till you’ve fully come round. It’s just like we naturally feel sleepy and a bit disoriented if we’ve been in a deep sleep in our own beds at home and then wake up.I’d suggest reading on - there’s far more than just the first day! 

Thankyou 

Did you say you were Also on your 60 s as you seemee  to cope do well  and recover quickly 

I wish I was more like you xx 

Yes I’m 64. I was terrified throughout the whole experience but decided to meet the anxiety head on and sought support from my CNS and from the Macmillan Support Line. I listened to their advice and took it on board. It required daily work on myself to cultivate a helpful state of mind and get done what needed to be done. This forum was also a great source of support, and can be for you too if you let it.