I had a total hysterectomy the day before yesterday AMA

[FrankenCat]

I'm home and sore, but willing to answer questions honestly.

@kieronsmum
how are u keeping urself sane
Reading, watching bits on tv and today I've got my crocheting out and started to make a scarf for my nan for Christmas. I've had a few visitors to keep me occupied too. At the moment I know I have to rest and I'm listening to my body.

@Nat6999
Thank you, how are you feeling now?

@IRememberSoIDo
That's great that you're feeling so good too! I don't blame you taking the full 3 months off, like I've said to people, I've waited years to get this done, I'm not about the risk the success of it for going back to work a few weeks too soon. Take care!

Interested to follow this as I’m considering full hysterectomy for endo/adeno as well. The last time I was operated on he said that was the next step. I’ve thankfully had two children via ivf and I’m definitely done!

When I discussed it with my gynae before, he said I’d be back at work within 2-4 weeks if done laparoscopically - is that not realistic?

Perhaps a TMI question for those of you that are further down the line, but I’m intrigued as to how orgasms differ afterwards. I found them very different in pregnancy once my uterus was very large, but I can’t imagine how it is with no uterine contractions at all.

@BeTheHokeyMan
I was told to lose weight too, but was told it was the weight that was causing my symptoms to be so bad. So I lost 6 stone. It didn't help my symptoms at all, the opposite in fact for me, the pain continued to get worse. I was 37 when they decided in February this year that hysterectomy was my last option. So I can't understand why they think you are too young. I think sometimes it depends on your consultant and their personal viewpoint. I just managed to be lucky and find a great consultant who listened to me.
I think you have to do what they ask, prove them wrong and just say "right, I've done what you've asked, now I need you to do what's needed for me". And be strong.
Good luck at your appointment.

@welshweasel
When I discussed it with my gynae before, he said I’d be back at work within 2-4 weeks if done laparoscopically - is that not realistic?
Well all the paperwork I've had regarding it says 6-8 weeks and 12 weeks for a manual job. I suppose it depends on what job you have though. Also you can't drive for 8 weeks I was told that by consultants and nurses on the ward several times. And you're not covered by your insurance to drove before this times.

Perhaps a TMI question for those of you that are further down the line, but I’m intrigued as to how orgasms differ afterwards. I found them very different in pregnancy once my uterus was very large, but I can’t imagine how it is with no uterine contractions at all.
I haven't tried to have an orgasm yet, however, I did wake up having one in the middle of the night thanks to a great dream and I can say that there was no difference whatsoever.

That’s definitely not true regarding driving - for all operations you can drive when you are comfortable doing an emergency stop and feel that your driving is not impaired. Same as for c sections, the 6 weeks is a myth! Insurance companies aren’t usually interested although some like you to inform them.

Nice to know re the orgasm!!

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/recovering-well/laparoscopic-hysterectomy-for-print.pdf

This is what I was given - suggests driving and return to work by 4 weeks. If it’s longer than that I wouldn’t be able to manage the kids.

@welshweasel I was told by my consultant and the nurses on the ward that I wasn't to drive for 8 weeks, it's written in my notes that I was advised this, so I'm guessing the car insurance wouldn't cover me if I decided to drive against medical advice. Maybe that's what they meant by my car insurance would be void if I drove before then?

That website does seem to imply that you can return to work sooner than I was told. This is the paperwork I was given and she's crossed out 4-6 weeks and written 8 weeks for driving and circled 12 weeks because I'm a carer

That advice is for a hysterectomy, frankencat you had a radical hysterectomy with excision of endometriosis so your recovery will be longer as it’s a more involved op. My consultant explained the difference to me at my last appointment when we went through what the surgery entails. A hysterectomy is the removal of the womb which leaves a wound at the top of the vaginal vault. A radical and peritoneal excision leaves a raw surface the size of a fruit bowl in the abdominal cavity in addition the the vaginal cuff wound. Frankencat, don’t be pushed into doing anything by anyone saying that a hysterectomy isn’t major surgery, it absolutely is and what’s more you had a more extensive surgery than a standard hysterectomy

@Hellbentwellwent
I only just realised that it was a radical hysterectomy not a total hysterectomy. I assumed "total" meant everything. Which is what I've had taken out.
I won't be rushing into anything, I've waited years for this surgery and I certainly won't be putting it at risk now. They told me in hospital it can take up to 6 months to heal completely. 12 weeks is the minimum I'm taking off work, I love my job but I'm not risking my health for minimum wage.
Thank you @Hellbentwellwent

I don't know why that all posted in bold

@Hellbentwellwent @FrankenCat

Hope you’re recovering well from your surgery, just reading your thread and thought I’d chip in about progesterone. No need to worry just oestrogen is right. Progesterone is only given to women who have a womb to reduce to risk of endometrial cancer x

@mrsmeow, that’s not correct according to my surgeon who’s a specialist in endometriosis, sorry to disagree. Normally women without a womb don’t need prove throne but with a history of endo the progesterone is added to help suppress the endometrial tissue regrowing outside of the womb as it does in endo.
However in saying that every case is individual so frankencat don’t take my word for it, please ask your consultant in you follow up op and at least open up the conversation

Of course individual basis (And depends if all the endo tissue was taken or not) and worth discussing with specialist but only meant to comment that there is no need to worry a lot before speaking to someone about it....

@Hellbentwellwent @MrsMeow2019
Thank you both, my consultant is also an endometriosis specialist so I'm sure she knows what she's doing but I will certainly bring it up at my post op follow up.

How are you feeling @frankencat ? Hope recovery is trotting on apace

@Hellbentwellwent I'm pretty good actually. Had my last fragmin injection this afternoon and I'll be able to take these horrible bloody DVT stockings off tomorrow. I'm going out for gentle strolls to the shop and back. I am having a lot of pain when opening my bowels though but it's still early days yet. But on the whole I'm so much better this time compared to the op I had last year for the excision of the endometriosis, ablation and sterilisation. I feel like I'm healing far quicker this time even though I've had major surgery compared to last year. Not as much bruising as last year either but that could also be down to the fragmin injections.

@frankencat how are you keeping? I’ve been thinking about you. Hope you’re feeling much better