Hysterectomy - the good, the bad and the ugly?

[228agreenend]

Yesterday I got a confirmed date for a hysterectomy. I''m having it to prevent endometrial cancer, rather than to reduce heavy periods. Feel a bit nervous now, now I have an actual date. Also, even though I don't intend to have any more children (late 40s, with teenage sons), I feel slightly weird that that option is being taken away from me.

Please share your experiences.

Thanks.

[228agreenend]

Anyone?

[Deadnettle]

I had a subtotal abdominal hysterectomy in June (I was 31) and it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, although I am getting frustrated at how long it is taking for my muscles to recover. I also have to go back as I'm still having periods!

I don't have children and don't want any but it is weird knowing that I can't now.

What type of hysterectomy are you having?

[LineyReborn]

I'm heading for this because of a shitty fibroid but 50+ now so I ought to be quite sanguine about it.

But I can't get a sensible answer about HRT which is worrying. (I've previously had a blood clot.)

[ALemonyPea]

I'm phoning for a GP appointment tomorrow to be referred for hysterectomy appointment. Had to lose weight first, and nearly there.

When is your op?

[Costacoffeeplease]

All good, not much bad, and no ugly

My hysterectomy was the best thing I've done, just sorry I didn't do it sooner!

[GenghisCalm]

I had a radical hysterectomy (uterus, ovaries,tubes, cervix and omentum) removed abdominally three years ago. I was worried about the pain but I hardly had any I was in hospital for 5 days and back to work in six weeks.

[228agreenend]

Thanks for all your replies.

DN - I having the complete works, womb, tubes and ovaries.

Limey - they mentioned about going into the menopause. Never thought about HRT. My mum didn't have it, so I presume I won't (but probably will end up having it).


A lemon - in a couple of weeks time. I'm beginning to panic and plan lots of 'pre-op' jobs. Eg. Thorough car clean, sort wardrobe out etc. They said I won't be immobile and can still do things, but won't be able to do hoovering (hooray) as it involves twisting and pulling.

Costco - glad to hear it well for you.

Gong his - glad all was okay for you also, and good to hear the recovery warn' too horrific.

[tobee]

I agree with pp as it was great for me. I had little pain afterwards because of very good anaesthetic which led me to not need the self administered morphine. But I was lucky to have it at the start of summer holidays and got 16 year old 20 year old kids to help me when I was back home. I was also having it for fibroid related heavy bleeding so there was a definite "thing" to get rid of.

I had some oozing from the wound about 7 days post surgery but I just popped to GP office nurse for wound care a couple of times.

Although I'm 48 and long done with having children I sometimes feel weird about my conserved ovaries having eggs for no reason.

Liney can you not have a subtotal for your fibroid so menopause is not a concern?

Op, if you use mumsnet search there are some really helpful zombie threads it's worth reading for advice and support. Plus I recommend the website hystersisters.

[LunaLoveg00d]

Following this thread as it's of huge relevance to me.

I'm in a similar boat to Liney - large fibroid the size of a baby's head which appears to be growing quickly. Have been offered a variety of "might work" options along with a hysterectomy which at the moment is the preferred option as it's a guarantee. I am SO sick of the cramping, bleeding, tiredness, flooding, bloating and just general crapness of the fibroid symptoms that I am thinking that the hysterectomy is worth it. I've never had abdominal surgery before so am nervous - not about the procedure but about the recovery.

I haven't had a date for this to be done yet, but it will probably be some time in November. Have looked at hystersisters and there is some great information but it's very American and there are so many differences in the healthcare system it doesn't always translate well.

[LunaLoveg00d]

Oh and Liney, my surgeon explicitly said that they would not take my ovaries, so I would not have to cope with menopause at the same time.

[GenghisCalm]

Recovery was not a problem at all, although I didn't have little children to cope with. I was back to normal within a couple of weeks, just being careful not to lift anything and resting when I needed to.

[pinkhousesarebest]

I had one in June due to fibroid misery. I have to say it has being a revelation, wish I had done it years ago. No real pain, on paracetemol after three days and by five / six days I was off all medication. By week four I was more or less back to normal. Driving after two weeks, though had to go very slowly over speed bumps.

[AnnieOnAMapleLeaf]

I had a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy in May 2014 and it was the best decision I have ever made. I still have my tubes and ovaries but my uterus and cervix were removed. I was off work for two and half weeks and the pain was minimal.

The hysterectomy saved my life (stage 1 grade 2 uterine cancer) so was necessary but I have never regretted it for a moment. I was 36 when I had it done and it has changed my life for the better. Easier said than done, I know, but try to look forward to the surgery - it is immensely freeing not to have to deal with periods anymore.

[20thCenturyGirl]

It was such a positive experience for me too. I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy leaving my ovaries but removing everything else. I needed it after years of silently suffering with a huge fibroid and living my life around my disruptive periods.
I have three tiny scars, one of which is in my belly button so can't be seen. The other two just look like small pink marks.
My recovery time was amazing - walked out of hospital the same day. I have never regretted it. I totally appreciate that I was lucky enough to be referred to a surgeon who would consider me for the laparoscopic procedure and I was active and fit going into the surgery.

Good luck to you. It was life changing and I wish I had done it years ago.

[LineyReborn]

tobee and Luna thanks for the advice. I think hysterectomy but leaving the ovaries would be best in my circumstances. I've got my next scan next week.

[OneInAMillionYou]

Just stopping by to say I am 3 weeks post total abdominal hysterectomy and I am so thankful to finally be rid of the baby sized fibroid which has made life hell for so long.
Recovering well, just watch out for the pain relief related constipation!

I was utterly terrified beforehand but just want to say take it one day at a time post op and you will be amazed at the body's power of recovery.
Good luck to anyone facing this.

[Owllady]

I'm glad people have had such positive experiences :)
I have fibroids too and they are a misery

[Butterfly4040]

I had a vaginal hysterectomy 2 years ago due to heavy periods, being constantly iron defiencent as a result and abnormal thickening of my womb which wasn't clearing with each period. Best thing I ever did Still have some tummy bloating occasionally at night but that may be the excess chocolate!

[228agreenend]

It's good to hear about your positive experiences, and the relatively smooth recovery periods (no pun intended!).

For me, it's to prevent endometrial cancer, so i won't have any significant improvements in my health. I did have two years of not having periods following Brest cancer, so i know what it's like to be period free.

IT was when they resumed that this whole treadmill began.ie. Unexpected bleeding (which since developed into regular light periods), revealed I suffer from endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the womb lining) which can't be cured by the Mirena coil due to the type of breast cancer in had. I have had a couple of hsteroscopies to check things out. However, in don't want a general anaesthetic every six momentous, hence going through the hysterectomy.

Thanks for listening.

[Owllady]

I have suspected hyperplasia too. I've just had three polyps removed for biopsy and a mirena fitted above my fibroids which are submucosal
I'm just waiting for results
I'm half relieved it's being taken seriously and nd pissed off my gp has been saying it's stress
And I'm scrapping myself it is pre cancerous (it does look that way apparently)
I'm 38 but I have older teens and one in younger double figures, child wise, so I console myself with that
It's worrying though isn't it? I think I'll want it whipped out

[Owllady]

I had my hysteroscopy without any anaesthetic. It lasted an hour! Tbf though I didn't really feel much other than tugging and rummaging but it's a hit much for an hour with trimming and stuff but I suppose at least I could drive home and drink wine

[228agreenend]

I've had hysteroscopies with and without anaesthetic. I felt shakey after the Without.

[Owllady]

I did too. I went out and cried in my car

[228agreenend]

I ate icecream!

Just heard that Janet Jackson is pregnant at 50 (gulp). I have no plans to have children, but not being to have children is the hardest thing I'm coming to terms with. I don't know way. I'm not usually the emotional, deep-thinking type, but that seems to be bothering me, even though in a few years (wrong side of 45), I would have been hitting the menopause naturally.

[Owllady]

I have felt the same 228. It's the notion of choice being taken away from you I think