Hysterectomy

[shivbo2014]

Hi, I am currently in hospital as I've been having major bleeds for a few weeeks causing me to pass out and an ambulance needing to be called. This is a result of a miscarriage I had 3 months ago that has caused an AV Malformation. Having any more bleeds could be catastrophic my consultant has advised.

I was given the treatment options of embolization or a hysterectomy but the embolization may not be 100% effective. So, I've decided to go for the hysterectomy.

I'm just feeling so nervous about how I'm going to feel afterwards knowing I cannot have any more children. I don't know why as I'm 38 with a 2 year old and a 7 year old and don't particularly want anymore. I'm just feeling so weird about it. Did anyone else feel like this?? Also any tips for recovery would be fantastic? I'm having open surgery rather than the other option.

Hi OP, I had one with a then 3 and 5 year old, no intention to have more, but it still felt final in anyway that needed processing emotionally, so I understand where you are.
My tips for recovery are prepare to rest - and don't let anyone tell you where you should be in terms of recovery. I beat myself up after stories of folk running etc weeks after, but I was 10 weeks before I could walk and work comfortably. Everyone heals differently!
I also swore by a litter picker to avoid bending in early days, toilet stool to help go to the toilet, shower stool for very early days (I used a plastic IKEA one), and stick to one floor to avoid stairs for first week or so. I also have a one touch cup hot water maker which was a lifesaver when I couldn't lift a kettle as I could make myself tea/coffee and hot water bottles. I also used a v cushion to sit upright and peppermint tea and tablets for the post surgery wind. Final advice is take any painkillers offered! You wont need them for long but they help you recover quicker as you can get up and down with less discomfort.
It's a big op but wasn't as scary as I had feared. Best of luck with it.

I’m sorry for your loss

I totally understand.

I had one IVF baby then 3 miscarriages but, whilst I do still feel a little bit wistful about what might have been, my hysterectomy was life changing.

The biggest tip for recovery I had was once home make sure you walk a little every day.
For the first week just a 5 minute walk each day. Then for each week add 5 minutes so week 2 your daily walk is 10 mins, week 3 walks are 15 mins etc so that by week 6 you are up to daily 30 min walks. You lose muscle tone remarkably quickly and recover better if you keep your muscle strength & moving helps blood flow which promotes healing. High protein intake also promotes healing.

Also, make sure to to the daily physio exercises and pelvic floor exercises.

The pain does go remarkably quicker than you think. The morphine during the op and co codamol pain killers will cause constipation. Get DH to get some dulcoease (NOT dulcolax, that will have explosive results!) or fybogel so you can start taking the evening you get home. It should get things moving after a day or two. I quickly dropped everything and was just on paracetamol a few days after getting home, I’d rather have a little discomfort pain wise than suffer solid constipation and trying to go with sore, swollen insides!

You will probably have to self administer blood thinning injections on discharge. You can’t drink alcohol on these as it could thin the blood too much. You will also have to wear anti embolism stockings for a few weeks too.

I hope all goes well, wishing you a speedy recovery.

I had an open hysterectomy at the end of September to end a saga triggered by a minor procedure, and was as prepared as I thought possible. I'd had a CS with my last so thought it would be similar but it was still a shock as to just how debilitating the first month was.

I'd long passed the stage of wanting more DCs fortunately but felt a bit odd about how 'hollow' I felt initially- most definitely a psychological thing!

I hope you have someone around to care for your DCs, especially the little one as you really won't be up to it for a few weeks and will need more rest than you can imagine.

@Pillowaddict and @LadyFannyButton have excellent suggestions, I'd add an extra long charger lead for your phone, big seamless cotton knickers (Sainsbury's are fab) and looser waisted yoga pants to that list, you'll be quite bloated for a few weeks.

Hope all goes smoothly, and that you're well again soon.

I had one 5 years ago. I agree with all the previous advice about recovery.

When you're going home, take a pillow with you and hold it to your abdomen - you will feel every bump in the road.

Make yourself a recovery corner at home, with everything in easy reach. The tiredness you'll feel is like nothing else. Be guided by your body and rest when you need to.

You might need extra pillows in bed to prop yourself up - it can take time to find a comfortable sleeping position.

Take sanitary towels to hospital and make sure you have a good supply at home because you'll bleed for a while, especially when you move about - not as heavily as a period, it's more a slow trickle.

As pp said you will be constipated and your first poo will be painful. Depending on your height it may help to put a stool (no pun intended) in front of the toilet so your legs are more bent and you can brace yourself - you want to avoid straining.

Hoping the op goes well. Mine really was life-changing in the best way - no more pain, no more planning your life around your periods!

There’s a good Facebook group, I think it’s called hysterectomy sisters.
There’s a few twiney people on there but otherwise good for advice and to share tips etc.

Mine went very well and I recovered extremely quickly

Thank you for the advice everyone.