Hysterectomy Surgery - Tips to Follow Before Your Operation

Hysterectomy surgery is a major operation but it is also a very common one. By following a few simple rules you can prepare for your hysterectomy operation and ensure that you are giving yourself the best possible chance to recover quickly without complications and pain.

The first thing that usually takes place before a hysterectomy is a visit to the hospital for a pre-operation assessment. During the assessment the following will take place:

• You will have a blood test.
• Your weight will be recorded.
• You will have an ECG
  
• You will be given the opportunity to speak to a physiotherapist who will give you exercises to do after your surgery (for example, how to get out of bed the correct way).
• You will be able to talk to a doctor about your forthcoming operation.
• You will be given information leaflets all about the surgery you are having and how to look after yourself - in particular, dos and don'ts after the operation.
• You will be given some anti-bacterial wash. Make sure that you ask for this if it is not offered.

It is advisable before any surgery to stop drinking alcohol and smoking for at least a week. The fitter you are, the quicker your recovery.·

Make sure that you do ALL household chores that you think will not wait BEFORE your operation as you will not be able to do them afterwards. The more organized you are, the easier your life will be.

Four to five days before your hysterectomy surgery wash yourself every day and wash your hair at least once with anti-bacterial wash. Use clean towels after every shower and get into clean bed sheets each time. This is time consuming but well worth it as the anti-bacterial wash will remove any bacteria from your skin which in turn will decrease the risk of infection.

Just before going into hospital for your operation, assemble the following items to take with you:

• A new hairbrush to avoid getting germs from the old one and a small mirror.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• A new facecloth; wash cream; face cream and deodorant.
• Clean towels.
• Clean nightclothes for each day spent in hospital.
• Pants and pads as you may experience a little bleeding after the operation.
• A small travel bottle of anti-bacterial gel. This is useful while in bed to clean your hands before meals.
• Anti-bacterial wipes for use on toilet handles.
• A small packet of mints/sweet/snacks and drinks in case you get peckish!
• A small amount of change.
• An IPod if you have one. This can help when you are trying to get to sleep as wards can be noisy.
• A mobile phone. This can be used on silent mode.
• Loose clothing to come home in as you may be quite swollen.

Following these simple tips can help to reduce the worry of going into hospital for hysterectomy surgery and ensure that your stay there is as comfortable and stress free as possible.

How To Look Fashionable and Fabulous at 50

My abject apologies for not updating my blog over the last few weeks. My fiancee has returned from sea and I have been up to my neck in wedding plans (only two and a half weeks to go!)

Last week I went for the first fitting of my wedding gown (after ordering it 5 months ago) and I was profoundly grateful that I could actually get into it (ok so I could probably lose a couple of pounds for comfort - but what's comfort got to do with anything!!)

As I was trying it on, I remembered my daughter's comments when I was trying to decide which dress to go for back in April. The one thing she kept repeating as I tried on gown after gown, was "Don't forget mum, it needs to be age appropriate"!

Looking good at 50 is very much about understanding that your limitations. Being fashionable at 50 is great but looking like 'mutton dressed as lamb' isn't! Having said that, neither do you want to be mistaken for your grandmother!

The following simple rules can help to make sure you look like Helen Mirren rather than Dame Edna Everage!

• Wear high heels. I know most of you will groan and say that you can’t possibly walk in 4 inch heels but get used to it. High heels will make your legs look longer and more shapely.
• Wear dresses and skirts no shorter than your knee and, unless you're attending a red carpet event (you never know!), they should be no longer than the bottom of your calf. Think sexy but elegant..!
  
• Cover the tops of your arms. This doesn’t necessarily mean long sleeves. Tops that support your bust but reveal your shoulders can look incredibly sexy while still hiding the bingo wings!
• Always suck in your stomach. This becomes natural after a while and helps to give you height, pushes out your boobs and streamlines your torso.
• Always wear a good bra. Nothing is guaranteed to make you look more frumpy than a sagging, ill fitting bra. You should choose a bra that lifts your boobs while making sure that it fits correctly. It is always a good idea to get professional help if you’re unsure of your cup size – most good department stores provide a free bra fitting service.
• Choose a good foundation. It is not necessary to put your foundation on with a trowel just because your face is not as young as it was. The key is to make sure that you choose the right color for your skin tone. An orange line around your chin is not a good look. Ask for professional help at a make up counter in a department store if you are unsure what color/coverage works best for you.

So, if you keep the phrase 'age appropriate' in your head when you're trying on clothes, then add 'sexy but elegant' to the mix, it really is actually quite easy to look fashionable and fabulous at 50!

I hope my partner agrees on the 16 October!

Formerly Hot!

I have recently read a review of a bestselling book by an American journalist called 'My Formerly Hot Life'

Apparently there are several clues to indicate that you are no longer 'hot', including "You've noticed the undersides of your upper arms have started to flap like the plastic bunting hanging outside used car dealerships"!

Well I have to say that I'm not overly fond of my bingo wings but I firmly refute the fact that I am no longer hot!

I will admit that I am middle aged (reluctantly and only when my girls asked me how many people I knew who were over 100!) but I am definitely not three steps away from a cardy and a pipe. I am in fact having the best time of my life.

I have the confidence and experience that being a mature woman gives you. I love to get dressed up and when I'm out, I don't waste my time wondering if anyone is looking at me, I focus on having interesting conversations with interesting people. I might not have the body of a 20 year old (if I ever did!) but I know that I am fun to be with - I can laugh at myself. I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said that youth is wasted on the young, and he was so right.

Bur most of all I have learned that sex appeal is all in the mind. It doesn't matter if it takes me a bag full of cosmetics to achieve that 'no make-up glow', I know that I have that confidence and inner glow which is so often lacking in younger women.

Would I like to be 20 again? Of course. I bemoan the fact that I have laughter lines, eye bags and can no longer wear some of the latest crazy fashions, but life is too short to spend it wishing, and you know what? Maybe I no longer have the fashion freedom that I once had (hot pants are probably not a good look at 50!) but I do have an amazing collection of shoes!