Hysterectomy

[mumsie8]

Apologies posting here more for traffic than AIBU. I will be having a hysterectomy next week and i was hoping the collective wisdom of women who have gone before me could give me a heads up, in a gentle manner (nerves are building), as to what i can expect afterwards recovery wise and what should i take with me for my hospital stay? Any and all advice is very welcome.

Not me, but my mum had one! I took her a pamper basket round when she came home - super soft new big underwear (giant to cover any bandages / swelling), her favourite biscuits and snacks, painkillers, a hot water bottle / freezer ice pack, a lap tray (so when resting didn't have any weight on her middle section), some dry shampoo and hair bits (couldn't shower alone for a while and kept her feeling fresh), deodorant, and a few good books.

For her hospital stay I took in big underwear (always a winner!) some oversized pyjamas and a new dressing gown, more snacks and books.

She was in recovery with restricted movement for perhaps two weeks, the first few days she needed help to get about but after that was mobile but limited. I went round a few times a day to tidy up, take meals round and generally just chat. If you have a partner / support network that will definitely be useful from them!

On the plus side, I was pleasantly surprised at how little pain I felt post op. On the other hand, you need to plan for not being able to lift much more than a mug of coffee for the first week or two. If you don't have a partner or DM to do things, get everything organised now and buy in ready meals and easy food. You will need loose comfortable trousers and possibly big knickers.
Your hospital bag should have nightdresses/underwear/dressing gown/toiletries/phone/charger. Only take a small amount of cash and no card. I find general anaesthetic makes me thirsty so small water bottle and mints or other sweets to suck are helpful. There may be other things I have forgotten!

Thank you 😊

I really benefitted from one of those big triangular pillows. I also had a spouted water bottle so I didn’t have to sit up to have a drink.
When I got home I had a bedside station, with chargers, kindle, iPad, phone, snacks and drinks. I lived in and around my bed for week but did get showered and dressed. I napped when I felt tired etc. I listen to my body. After the first week I went out for a walk everyday, going further distance each time. After a month I was completely back to normal.
If you’re planning on HRT, start it as soon as possible.

I had keyhole surgery and not much pain afterwards either. However I had to sleep on my back afterwards for a couple of weeks as it felt like my insides ‘dragged’.
You absolutely need help in the house as you won’t manage much.
Also I had trapped wind after surgery so get some peppermint tea in as it really helps.
I was only in overnight and once I could prove I could wee properly I was allowed home.
Once you’re all healed up the relief of no more periods is great!

Thank you again!
No HRT for me as of yet as they are leaving my ovaries (all else is going). Not having keyhole surgery so will they still inflate my abdomen? And yes, i am so looking forward to the sense of freedom that not bleeding (heavily for 1st four days) nine days out of a month every month will bring.

I had keyhole and the recovery wasn't so bad. If its not keyhole then I can't imagine you'll have the gas inflating thing. When I had open abdominal surgery the main thing for me was getting in and out of bed; try prop yourself up on lots of pillows, have someone help you get down / up. Keep on top of your pain relief, take the strong stuff whilst you can in hospital! Have lots of movicol to help avoid the dreaded post surgery poo.

I had one 5 years ago.

It really is major surgery and there will be some level of pain and discomfort.

I was only in hospital 2 nights before being discharged , which is quick. I think the reason why I was discharged so quickly is because I'm a HCP (so they presumed I'd know who to contact if things went tits up) and also i live with my husband.

Before I went in I made sure I had things to entertain me, so make sure you have Netflix etc and make sure Amazon are your friend! It's a bit like lockdown, have things to entertain you....crafts, jigsaws etc.

Youre not to lift anything heavier than a kettle for first 3 weeks, so someone else needs to do things like shopping, putting rubbish out etc.Youre encouraged to take a short walk asap, I started with a walk to the corner shop less than 5 mins at first before working up. It WILL be slow at first though. Also get someone else to do stuff like vacuuming, bed changing etc. As mentioned big knickers and jogging bottoms are your friend.

I dont drive but afaik they suggest laying off until 6 weeks. They sign you off work for 6 weeks though I didn't actually go back for 3 months. My job isn't too strenuous (im a community mental health nurse so not ward based) but I really couldnt travel to work on public transport in rush hour. Once I was back, I worked with OH to have a phased return.

You wont feel like sex for a while, tbh i didnt really miss it!

You have to do subcut injections for the first week or so to prevent blood clots but theyre easier than they sound.

I did have a UTI 3 days after, had to see an OOH GP for antibiotics....because of the catheter and it all being ''down below'' thats very common.

Youll find yourself tired very easily. Your body is recovering from major trauma it's telling you to rest so listen to it.

Also long term effects depend on what you've have done....if your ovaries are left obviously you wont have periods but you wont get other menopausal symptoms for a while but if your ovaries a re removed you will get them straight away so may need HRT. I've recently been getting some symptoms which I think are menopausal eg low mood and irritability but tbh the hysterectomy is making it more difficult to assess it accurately due to the lack of periods!!!

x posted with couple of people there

All really valuable information. Thank you for sharing. It is helping me mentally and emotionally to get prepared and be realistic about the ifs and buts of how i may or may not feel, in all ways. 😊

I had keyhole surgery and was absolutely shocked at how quickly I felt better afterwards. It didn't seem to take many days at all until I felt recovered, although I was careful to follow guidance. I hugged a pillow in the car on the way home from hospital to help with bumping over potholes as that was a bit sore, but otherwise it really wasn't as bad as I expected. Good luck x

Oh year the driving home! The hospital was difficult to park at so my husband came up by public transport and we got a cab home. I remember saying to the driver ''go slowly over speed humps, I've had surgery and I'm really sore!''