Hysterectomy due to pre cancerous cells

[Justcruisingagain]

Following a recent colposcopy, I’ve been told I have precancerous cells and need a hysterectomy. Also this will need to be done abdominally due to positioning?? Has anyone else been through this? Will the operation be done urgently or will I be on a long wait list as not seen as urgent. Any experiences would be appreciated.

When you say abdominal, does that mean not via pinhole surgery?
I had pre cancerous cells, was put on the cancer pathway and the operation was done within a few weeks. It was done via pinhole surgery.

I had this a couple of years ago, with a total abdominal hysterectomy for the same reason (LLETZ couldn’t get all the necessary cells). My operation happened within a few months and went smoothly. Recovery took a few weeks (6 weeks off work) and was quite painful to start with but soon much better. It was scary the time but the hospital and surgeon were great. I kept my ovaries (on the surgeon’s advice) so haven’t had to think about HRT etc yet. Feel free to message me if you want to ask any more.

Apparently I can’t have keyhole surgery due to the positioning, so means good old fashioned opening across the lower abdomen. I believe this means a longer recovery process with no lifting etc. Just wondering if I’m looking at a long wait or will need to be dealt with urgently. I have various holidays booked and won’t be covered by insurance due to pre existing cell changes, so obviously my health has to come first and I need to prepare for financial losses if these need to be cancelled.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve had a couple of years period free now, so guessing they will maybe take my ovaries too. I’ll ask this at my appointment. I am concerned about recovery times and not being able to drive or do anything for a few weeks. Presumably they also check for cancer in case any follow up is needed. I’ve had minor changes for a while and this has come as a shock to be honest.

My experience was much like Medenegan's. Although I was able to go private through health insurance so was booked in within 10 days at my choice.

I'd already had a Lletz 10 years earlier, punch biopsy (which caught it all) during Colposcopy about 3 years earlier, and this would have been my third procedure to remove cells. I opted for the hysterectomy instead as a more permanent solution and it meant no more smears or periods.

I've had 2 c-sections too, so it was done along the same scar, but recovery was much harder. I was driving within 2 weeks after my second c-section, but think it was probably at least 2 months after the hysterectomy.

Yes, the tissue will go to histology, as they also need to check the margins and that all cells at risk were removed.

Best of luck.

The gynecologist said that because I was post menopausal (just), I might as well have everything taken out. I've since wondered if it would have been better to keep my ovaries, because I can't take HRT due to previous breast cancer, so would this have retained(?) my hormones for longer? I'm not sure, but I was certainly subject to the 'might as well whip it all out' theory from the female gynecologist. It was during peak covid so lots of things were rushed and shortcutted.

I had the same but luckily could have keyhole surgery so I was off work for just 4 weeks, in fact I could have returned sooner but work wanted me to be certain I was fine before returning! I was uncomfortable for a few days and careful for a week or so more but recovered very quickly. I had everything removed! It was 3 months from being told to the operation itself.