To ask if I can have a good look at my uterus after my hysterectomy?

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

I mean, it 's mine, right?

And I'm curious.

They'll think I'm weird, won't they

[FrigginRexManningDay]

You could probably see pictures of it,I'm pretty sure it would be sent off to the lab to confirm it is a uterus that was removed after the operation.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Hmm
I don't think a picture will suffice tbh. I'd rather have a good poke about and meet Freddie the fibroid in person, so to speak. It almost seems rude to just have him carted off in a bowl without being properly acknowledged.

[FrigginRexManningDay]

Looking for some closure before Freddie walks out of your life?

[FuzzyWuzzywasaWoman]

It will be sent to the lab immediately after your op. You have no chance sorry. If you wanted to see a photograph, your surgeon may be able to organise it thorough medical reprographics and show you during a follow up appt, but it's unlikely. Nothing weird, lots of people are curious what things look like and often ask to see gall stones etc. A uterus is a really pretty organ actually. Disclaimer: I am not Jack the Ripper.

[Oddsocksrus]

Ooh, I have my date setting consultation on Tuesday, I'm going to ask and see what happens!

[EBearhug]

I'd want to see it, too.


A colleague had a knee operation, and apparently he got a DVD of the op at the end. I was overruled when I said it would be great to watch it in a team meeting. Turns out the rest of them are all pathetically squeamish.

[TiredDog]

I've seen mine from the inside. I was amazed at how small it was! Tiny little pocket of toned muscle. Having had 3 babies ranging up to 9lb I was expecting a saggy sack . Even popped into the Fallopian tubes and had a little peer

Hysteroscopy in case you're wondering if I'm a contortionist with a long neck that can see in the dark

[ThePuffyShirt]

I would want to see it too.

I was a bit gutted that my placentas were whisked away, I would've liked a prod.

My dad had his hip replaced and asked if he could see the old bit afterwards. They said they would oblige, but it was so worn away they said there was nothing to show him

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Yes I suppose so, in a way, Friggin. He was diagnosed as a 5 month pregnancy and until I was told I probably couldn't have kids, I'd never wanted them . It was a 'We'll see about THAT' moment. I want to see what he lloks like after carting him around for the last 20 years.

Fuzzy Arf @ your disclaimer!

Glad to know I'm not the only one who wants a good look at their innards.

I'll be having an epidural - hopefully - so they could show me in theatre and not have to bring him onto the ward.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Hey Oddsocks I was thinking of a hysterectomy support thread on General Health. Can't stand the hubby-ing and hunni-ing on other sites but there doesn't seem to be anything coherent on MN.

Interested?

[stiffstink]

My midwife said that during a CS the docs will have a fumble around and look at your ovaries and stuff, I would have loved a DVD of that.

I imagine them to look like boiled eggs.

[HazeltheMcWitch]

OOh, I saw pics of my (removed) kidney and bits. I had to beg my surgeon before and after the op though. He said he didn't think I was weird...

...until I asked him if there was any 'suet' on my kidney. I blame lovely morphine for that bit.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

of those who've been able to have a good look.

Well, I can only ask and they can only say yes or no.

[stiffstink]

Oh god, I wish I hadn't googled ovaries after having Aldi wine.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

But also poor you for having to have your kidney out Hazel
Cough
Forgot my manners for a bit there.

[AthelstaneTheUnready]

I tried to look during the op. (had an epidural), but that just seemed to distress the surgeon. I protested a bit and they knocked me out, the buggers. I did manage to see bits of skin/covering rumpled up though.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Yes I can imagine that would have been a tad unnerving but I think they overreacted a bit.

How was it with an epidural?

[idiot55]

I asked to see placenta after emergency caesarian, they showed me a silver bowl, i couldnt quite see as i was lying flat, a kind student tipped the bowl too far and yip, placenta landed on my left shoulder

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Eeeew

But also Arf!

I expect they're quite heavy

[AthelstaneTheUnready]

Bloody wonderful, epidural. I've had GAs before and they leave me groggy for weeks. The epidural merely paralysed everything from the stomach down, and with some valium type pill as well I was happy as could be. They poked bits of me until I confirmed I couldn't feel a thing and off we went.

I was a little apprehensive at the pre-jab talk, which is basically 'if we cock this up it will be searingly painful and cripple you for life, but we don't usually cock it up'. They didn't.

[SabrinaMulhollandJjones]

Oooh I asked to see the placenta after dd3 - after 2 births, and
having it whipped away - both dh and I were curious. I was amazed at how big it was - as it had just splurted out of me relatively easily.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

That sounds do-able Athelstane. I'm not keen on a GA at all.

[FuzzyWuzzywasaWoman]

If you're staying awake they may show you in theatre, just depends on the team on the day, do ask in your pre op, and mention it again on the day It would be a kind of side on view though as mentioned above.

[HicDraconis]

Definitely ask. Yes it has to get sent to the lab (in a large white lidded bucket normally) but there's no reason why they can't send it after you've seen it. We keep a lot of our specimens (uterus, ovaries, bits of bowel with cancer in) for patients to look at in recovery before they get sent off. We also take pics in theatre and email them to patients if they want (yay smartphones!).

The reason they don't want you sitting up and trying to see it during the op is that to sit up, you tense your abdo muscles which can make the actual surgery very difficult.

If you want to see it (and you're awake under regional) then take in a large-ish handbag mirror and ask if it can be held up at an appropriate point so you can see your insides without straining. I've done that for people before!

Many of our patients keep their organs - once the lab is finished with them they get sent to the patient.