hysterectomy

[msmac]

i had one 6 weeks ago, feeling ok but would like to hear how some one else got on and what to expect

[Guad]

I had one 18 months ago. It did take quite a long time to feel completely better, I mean physically I was moving around fine and doing stuff by six weeks but I felt battered for some time.

The tiredness or fatigue took a while longer. I would say it was four to six months before I felt completely normal and it was a year before I didn't think about it.

That sounds depressing doesn't it! I think this in hindsight though. At the time I said I was fine and I was, but you have to be very nice to yourself for ages.

[PurpleLostPrincess]

I'll be watching with interest, I'm having mine done in November. Hope you're recovering well msmac, have you got people around you to support you?

[Meglet]

I had one 12 weeks ago and am back at the gym now (yay!), and back at work next week (booo!). I think I've been quite lucky tbh.

I took it easy for a good few weeks, I started lifting the dc's at 6 weeks but still had other people to push the double buggy - although I felt fine doing lots of walking by then. Its only in the last week or so I've really been on my own (am a lone parent). And even then the dc's have had nursery so I've not been dashing around all day.

Have you had your check up yet? Mine was at 8 weeks so I didn't do anything to strenuous until I had the all clear. I was bored out of my mind but decided it wasn't worth the risk.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I hope you are doing ok. A hysterectomy is not a nice thing really.

I had a radical hysterectomy so they took my cervix and the top of my vagina aswell but it took me 3 months+ to recover completely.

Physically I got tired very easily and didn't feel strong enough to go back to work until 3 months. Once I did go back to work it was a struggle.

Mentally it took me a couple of years to get through it really. I had cervical cancer and I found the whole thing of losing my womb and not being able to have more children at a relatively young age very hard to deal with.

I totally agree with Guad, it's only with hindsight that I can say it took me a couple of years to get through it. At the time I thought I was muddling along and coping. Now I can look back and realise how much better life is now and how I was affected by the whole thing alot more than I realised at the time.

Also because they took my cervix and stuff I now have what is delightfully called a 'vault prolapse' and I am due another operation to basically hoick my vagina back up into place

Good luck with your operation PurpleLostPrincess. Hope everything goes well.

[frakkinpannikin]

My mother is having one next week so will also be watching this.

[Guad]

The gym, Meglet? You are doing well. I only just joined the gym again. I did start running to try and help with weight gain but not for six months or so. I walked miles though. Glad you're feeling better.

Doyouthinktheysawus - mine was for the same reason as you and I agree, there's all the psychlogical stuff that goes with having such an op. I was only 30 too. Sorry to hear about the prolapse. How soon did you notice that?

Hope things go well for your mother, Frakkinpanikkin.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Hi Guad
Sorry to here you had the same as me. It's 4 years ago for me now and I've come a long way in that time but it's not easy is it...

Erm, I noticed my prolapse I guess for the first time about 6-12 months after the hysterectomy but at first I didn't realise what the lump I could feel was and then I just ignored it

I continued to ignore it for the next 3 years but it's definitely got a lot worse this year so I mentioned it at my annual check-up.

I thought I had a prolapsed bowel because the problems are with my bowel. I have a lump protruding into my vagina and I can't have a bowel movement without pushing it back in, but the Dr said it's sagging from the top.

I think my vagina is shot to bits TBH from a forceps delivery with DS1 aswell though, so I blame that aswell as the hysterectomy for my 90 year old bits

[Guad]

No, it isn't easy. Mostly I don't think about it now but every so often something reminds me and the enormity of it overwhelms me. That's happening less and less though.

Poor you with your bulging bits! I haven't noticed anything like that though things can feel a bit strange. Hope your next op goes well.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Thankyou

I know exactly what you mean. As cliched as it is, time is a great healer....

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Sorry for the hijack msmac, hope you are doing ok.

Guad if you are struggling at any time and want to talk you can always CAT me

[Guad]

Yes, sorry, Msmac! Hope you are feeling better too.

Thanks, doyuthinkhesawus. I don't have CAT but I keep meaning to get it. It would be nice to chat about it sometime.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

No worries guad, you can email me if you want at [email protected]

[Sibble]

I'm going to follow this thread. My doctor thinks I need one, I've put it on hold for 6 months while I think about it (excessive bleeding rather than anything serious) and I'm 'only 43' . I've had 2 emergency caesarians so think I know what post surgery will be like but am not sure if it's the same or not.

For me it's the thought of the practical things 2 ds's 5 and 9, live in the country so need to drive them to school or rely on friends, shopping and cleaning (dh useless!) plus I work contract so if I don't work I don't get paid.............etc etc

Will watch this space