Some extra antibiotics before surgery--can't hurt. Your hysterectomy story reminds me of a hospital story of my own. After I gave birth to my third son, I got stuck in a four bed ward due to a bit of overcrowding. The mother in the bed furthest from me unwrapped her first son for a first look-see after his circumcision. The screaming started. I jumped up and ran down to her, my own newborn over my shoulder, took a gander for myself and reassured her that all new circumcisions have that "meat-grinder" appearance. (Sorry, Doug) I was much slower returning to my bed.