Hysterectomy experiences?

[Crazyladee]

I'm 46 years old and after years of having major issues with my periods, the gynaecologist today has said a hysterectomy might be a good option for me. I definately do not want any more children.. DH and I decided this years ago when he had a vasectomy, but I'm a bit worried as I do know that a hysterectomy is a major operation.

Would anyone similar age/situation to me be able to share their experiences of having a hysterectomy?

I had a vaginal procedure a few years ago. They took my ovaries and I went straight onto HRT.
I had it because of extremely heavy periods due to fibroids.
I was in hospital for 1 night, really easy recovery, felt quite tired for a few weeks.
It was the right decision for me, I felt so much better very quickly.

These days you can have a hysterectomy as key hole surgery and it isn't really the major operation it used to be. I had key hole but unfortunately I had complications and I had to be readmitted to hospital for 3 days but it sorted itself out pretty quickly and I didn't need another operation. My surgeon was mortified - I was his only patient ever to have had problems. It was pretty grim at the time but I got over it. The key hole surgery is one or two nights in hospital, 3 tiny scars on your stomach which fade very quickly and if you have your cervix taken out no more smear tests. You'll need to decide if you want your ovaries left in or taken out too. I'm glad I did it.

@dillyson

Unfortunately at the appointment I was dosed up with strong Codeine and ibrupofen so I wasn't quite with it as I was on my period at the time. Because of that I didn't ask the questions that came into my mind. As I said in my OP I'm having the procedure done as my periods are heavy and very painful plus I'm sometimes having two periods in one month. I'm also bleeding and cramping after sex. They have also found ectroprian lumps on my cervix although after having biopsies there is nothing sinister going on with them. The consultant says she thinks a hysterectomy is the way forward for me but said my ovaries wouldn't be removed. I don't understand how that would work for me and get rid of my problems if my ovaries aren't removed. I wish I had asked that.

They are going to do a procedure involving burning the whole of the lining of my womb using electricity under a general anaesthetic first. If that doesn't work then hysterectomy is the way forward.

My work colleague had the procedure you mention last year and it has been very successful for her she has had no problems since. I mysel had a hysterectomy at the same age as you and retained my ovaries so I would have a natural menopause. Again very successful for me and no problems since.

Exactly what Francis says. Same for me.

@Franciscrawford

You mentioned no more peeing a lot.

I've got the weakest bladder in the world. I panic if I go anywhere there isn't a toilet nearby. It's sometimes so bad I can go for a wee and then instantly need to go again as the sound of the running water from washing my hands from my first wee makes me need to go again. Are you saying a hysterectomy will clear that problem up?

Had my hysterectomy monday morning. Yes its a major operation and it bloody hurts. Mine was a last resort. They tried the ablation you have mentioned and that did nothing but cause further issues. If you dont need to have anymore kids theres no need to keep it all in. Ask me anything you want i will answer if i can. Ive had a myriad of treatments and interventions none of which worked .

Oh and im 30 if that has any bearing on any of it. Had problems for about 6 years

Ooh me too crazy. Consultant and I agreed back in August to go for it and I've finally got my date - 21st March! Had my pre-op on wednesday and I can't wait! I'm having total (uterus and cervix) laparoscopic hysterectomy and having my ovaries out too. Consultant said I would keep having problems if I kept them.

Ima was yours abdominal or laparoscopic?

I'm 6 weeks post laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy, done for heavy periods, fibroids and enlarged uterus. It's still quite major surgery even though no visible.outside scars as it's the same procedure on the inside.
Recovery had been standard apart from I got some awful viral thing which put me off my feet for 2 weeks at week 4 and has delayed some healing due to the constant coughing.

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy over 6 years ago, I was about 46/47, due to fibroids and heavy, painful periods. Best thing ever, yes it’s a long recovery, but no more periods, flooding, pain - what’s not to like?

Mine was total laproscopic vaginally assisted as uterus was too enlarged for vaginal alone. I have had everything but ovaries removed. So cervix has gone too.

I had a sub total hysterectomy about 6 years ago. I decided on that because I wanted to keep my ovaries and cervix and not go into menopause straight away.

I had it because fibroids were pressing on my bladder and I was peeing constantly. Never had a problem with my periods at all.

It was abdominal and I had no problems whatsoever. No pain and I healed brilliantly. 6 weeks taking it easy, then back to normal.

Had mine 9 years ago at 46 due to fibroids and all their associated problems, also kept my ovaries (if they are removed you immediately start the menopause). Two nights in hospital, one week bedrest and about 3 weeks of taking it easy. Menopause started about 2 years later.

Same as Francis. My hysterectomy gave me my life back.

Had mine at 42 3.5 years ago due to all sorts of problems over 20 years.

Best thing I ever did. So many doctors turned me away over the years, it's just hormones, nothing we can do, look at your diet, have you cut down alcohol? I tried everything to reduce PMT and had an op to reduce blood flow but as I got older after children, I would basically bleed for 12 days and feel shit for more than half the month. I was exhausted all the time.

Finally got referred and I will never forget going into the consultant - a dreamboat of a man - and bursting into tears at the relief of being taken seriously.

On HRT and life is good.

I had ablation done 3 years ago for excessive bleeding/flooding and pain ( I'm on Warfarin). It worked for about 12mths, in that my periods stopped almost completely but unfortunately came back with abundance and then I had 2 years of excessive flooding and month long periods. Last August I had laparoscopic hysterectomy with ovary removal and I can honestly say it's the best thing I ever did.. I did take it easy for about 4-6 weeks because even though there were only 3 little scars, consultant warned that its major surgery internally, so no lifting, dragging etc for 6 weeks. He also started me on oestrogen patches straight after surgery and I've had no menopausal symptoms. I'm 47 yrs and it really was the best thing ever to do......no monthly pain or flooding ,no more smear tests, no waiting for hot flushes etc and I can wear white Jeans again. So I would recommend you go for the hysterectomy and best of luck!

My consultant said she wants to exhaust all options first before I have a hysterectomy which is why I have been booked for an ablation. I'm also having my cervix cortorized to deal with the bleeding and cramping during sex. Apparently the ablation has a 70% success rate and I will need to give it 6 months to know whether or not it has been a success.

I wish I had pressed to just go straight for a hysterectomy now (assuming I could over rule the consultant) after reading all these comments!

Best health decision I’ve ever made , I had everything taken due to severe endometriosis and chose not to take HRT afterwards.

Go for it !

Well a bit of an update. I've decided to go straight for a hysterectomy and not have the procedure (burning off the lining of my womb)
I've called the gynaecologist and explained I've changed my mind about the procedure I have consented to have done and want to go with plan b (hysterectomy) I'm expecting a phone call to discuss.

I have a feeling I will have the consultant objecting to this as she stated that she wanted to try the abration first before going down the hysterectomy route. She also stated that it was very rare to have a hysterectomy done for non cancerous reasons and in my case, heavy painful periods.

It sounds dramatic but my life is being ruined at the moment with my periods. I'm spending a whole week every month in agony in bed with a hot water bottle and dosed up with Codeine and ibrupofen. And that's if I'm lucky and only get one period per month as sometimes it's two. It's also stopping me having sex with my DH as I get cramping and bleeding during sex after which can last two to three days.

I simply can't risk the ablation not working as it will be at least another year before we go down the hysterectomy route if I have the ablation and it doesn't work. And I can't carry on like this for another year.

What I want to know is how much of a say do I get in all this? Could she refuse my wishes?

I suppose technically if it’s on the nhs she can refuse it as unnecessary at the moment - I was lucky in that I went to A&E, was scanned and told I needed a hysterectomy, and was operated on 3 days later (privately, I’m not in the UK)

If she does try to wriggle out of it you’ll just have to repeat that it’s your preference as it’s having such an impact on your life, but I’m not sure how far you can insist, unfortunately

I will have to have a hysterectomy in the next few years, without removal of cervix and ovaries. I was told that it can be done vaginally and that recovery is a couple of weeks or so, but discharged from hospital within a couple of days. If you have to have it done surgically (through your abdomen), then it would be a much more intrusive procedure with longer recovery. I would go back OP with all your questions written down and ask the gynae to go through everything with you. It's good to know exactly what will be done. Sounds like you really need it though. I hope it goes well.

Absolutely crazy to say that hysterectomies are 'very rare' for non cancerous reasons. A simple google search will tell you she's not telling you the truth. I wonder why???