I had a hysterectomy when I was aged 34. It was bloody marvellous, the best operation I have every had. Up until then every month was terrible agony, flooding and all sorts.
Different people react differently to the hysterectomy operation. As you are young and (I presume) fit, you'll be physically OK. I was 'chunky', not slim but not overweight, never caused me any problems.
On the same ward as me were a number of much older ladies, they found the hysterectomy harder to deal with, but some saw it as "taking away their womanhood" and so it was more upsetting for them anyway. I just saw it as complete relief and total freedom!
The operation can be done keyhole but mine was a proper large cut and take-everything-out-operation. I always react to anaesthetic so I felt very sick and sleepy when I came round and really just threw up and slept, alternately, for 24 hours. For that reason I had a catheter in too, I hated that.
The op is about 1.5 hours, I believe, although it may be quicker these days. I was all sewn up, the scar looked HUGE but over time it really does shrink down and you can hardly see it these days. The hospital explained to us (TMI warning) that when the surgeon is looking for the uterus they need to "wade through" (their words!) the bowels, and so the bowels are bruised afterwards. That makes it difficult to poo for a few days, I just ate very soft stuff that would move through easily and it wasn't a problem.
I had 'sharp' pain from the incision but it wasn't half as bad as the period pains I used to have and so I found I didn't need the painkillers after a few days at all. I also had a dull pain deep inside, it felt more as though it was in my lower back, but that was the site of the operation. It was bearable, took a couple of weeks to go. They take the stiches out before you go home from hospital.
You feel quite weak afterwards when you go home. The muscles had been cut which 'hold' you (assuming you don't have keyhole surgery) so it's surprisingly difficult to pick things up, like the kettle, or to push a chair under the table etc. I couldn't drive for about 6 weeks - that's what they told me - but actually I drive an automatic and found I could manage after about 4 weeks. It was hard to walk at first, I borrowed a walking stick, I needed it for the first few weeks and wondered whether I'd every run again, but of course I did. As soon as I healed I could climb ladders, run races, lift heavy loads....all no problem.
They like you to try walking as soon as possible, I found it too painful for the first few days, everyone else was shuffling around. But by the time I went back for my 6 week check I was pretty well back to normal and the others, whom I recognised, weren't doing so well.
For those who say it takes 6 months to recover from, I would dispute that in my case. 6 weeks, yes, 6 months, no way. But it may be different for other people. I am a great believer in listening to your body, it will tell you what you can do or can't; follow it and you will recover better.
Personally, I still think it was a great operation, I managed to get mine on the NHS but I would have paid if I could, and I would do it all over again in hindsight.