Has Anyone Had A Hysterectomy?

[RabbitsRock]

I keep getting gynaecological probs eg fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts etc & currently I have been bleeding for several days. Did have bad pain but luckily that has eased. I’m 57 & beginning to think I should request a hysterectomy. I know it’s not such a major operation these days but I would be grateful for any info from people who have had it done.

Are you postmenopausal? And are you under a gynae consultant?

I haven't had one myself but work in the area and lots of women do have for similar reasons. I'm just checking that you've had the bleeding properly investigated?

Hi
I had one age 38, in 2008. Mine had to be abdominal rather than keyhole for various reasons, amd ended up taking longer than usual.

Two things I would say: definitely take the time to recover properly, and discuss whether to have your ovaries removed at the same time, rather than ending up having a second operation 6 years later.

If you do hgo for the ovaries at the same time, make sure you get baseline hormone measurements beforehand, so that they have a starting point for HRT.

Good luck.

Hi I had one in 2008 too - at age of 43 - it was keyhole surgery. Still took at least 10/12 weeks to recover from. Didn’t have the ovaries out but as I was relatively young didn’t want to. Wish I had now! Fairly quickly I was back to exercising again - and I never notice it now.

I had a radical hysterectomy when I was 31, kept my ovaries due to age but womb, tubes, cervix and top of vagina went. Mine was abdominal too.

Definitely follow recovery advice, it’s slow and I ended up with awful prolapse issues in part not to following advice around not lifting and I struggled to rest enough. Did have 2 small children so lots of reasons but less than ideal.

I had an abdominal one at 33, the best thing ever after years of dreadful dysmenorrhea and bleeding for 23 days out of 30 every month.
It literally saved my sanity 😊

I had one at 35 last year for a giant fibroid, kept ovaries and cervix. Full abdominal. Recovered really well and best thing I did. Heavenly to not have periods and knowing I'll never have issues again. I don't know why more women can't have it as standard once they are done with kids. It solves so many issues and pain.

I had a laparoscopic one at 47 due to endometrial cancer. Also had ovaries, cervix and tubes out too. Echoing others, if you do have it done, you must take it easy and recover properly. I was off work for 9 weeks from my office job.

Had an abdominal one when I was 45 due to massive fibroids and had my ovaries out at the same time. It took a couple of months to recover but felt brilliant afterwards.

I had the whole lot removed five years ago aged 65. During investigations on my kidneys they discovered a 16cm ovarian cyst. I had no idea it was there, no symptoms apart from a pot belly. I just thought I was fat. The surgeon had to make a larger incision than normal to get it out and I have a 10 inch vertical scar.

Considering I am a total baby with anything medical I recovered much quicker than I could have hoped. Felt comfortable enough to get back on a horse five weeks later.

However, I was amazed that I was never called for any sort of post op check.

I had one when I was 41. Kept my ovaries.

Had adenomyosis.

In and out same day. 5 days not quite right and back at work after 2 weeks and 6 days.

Robotic surgery.

I'd say go for it

I had one at 51 and it was a massive improvement in my health. Highly recommended. I waited for years, thinking everything would just resolve. It never did and I haven't regretted it for a second.

Thanks everyone - I only have one ovary anyway so might as well have the other one taken out! Not sure how you tell if you’re post menopausal. I have a pelvic scan booked for the middle of next month but have gone on the cancellation list as I’m struggling.

I had a vaginal hysterectomy in 2022 at the age of 31 recovery was about 2weeks but they recommended it at least 6-12 weeks but was doing everything myself after about a week and a half, woke up pain free after years of constant pain and bleeding I was and still am thankful

I had a total hysterectomy (uterus, cervix, tubes and ovaries) vaginally in July.

I was pretty well back to normal within six weeks, other than getting more tired. Working from home again from two weeks, albeit it not full days. I actually went to a graduation ceremony at eight days post-op and managed well. I drove at about 11 days because I could easily carry out an emergency stop, etc.

At around 14 weeks, I am back to my pre-op strength-training exercise intensity.

But I could only have it done vaginally because it was fairly straightforward, no large fibroids etc to remove.

I was 59 but am pretty fit and normal BMI. It makes a big difference if you can get yourself into as good a shape as possible beforehand, although if you have awful symptoms, or possibly anaemic from bleeding, it's not always easy, I know!

They are very keen to get you walking almost as soon as you wake up from the operation and I was quite diligent about this and I'm sure it helped.

I was also on HRT beforehand and didn't stop taking it so I have had no menopausal symptoms.

I finally persuaded my doctor and then the gynaecologist/consultant that I needed a hysterectomy after years of very heavy periods, pain, large fibroids etc. Consultant said he'd never had anyone beg for a hysterectomy before. I was 38, had no children and had no desire for any.

I kept both ovaries but lost one fallopian tube which was encased in a fibroid. Recovery was about 12 weeks, incl two weeks in a rehab centre was I had nobody who could care for me and I did everything I was told to to help recovery.

It was the best thing I ever did and felt so much better even in the recovery stage.

Hope all goes well for you @RabbitsRock 🌹