To ask if you've had a Hysterectomy and Oopherectomy

[coffeeandbiscuit]

Hello all,

I'm 34 and working up to the decision of having a hysterectomy and Oopherectomy (which is a word I'm thoroughly enjoying saying). I have an appointment with a Consultant coming (and it's through private healthcare so the usual NHS hurdles won't be present), but I don't know anyone that's had the procedure done recently so would love to hear from others.

At my age I'm expecting to be placed on ERT, and I'm wondering how others have found it?

Hands up, posting in AIBU for traffic and have read other threads but they tend to lean mostly towards hysterectomy only so thought I'd be brave and start my own thread!

Thanking you very much in advance.

I had a hysterectomy with only a left sided oophrectomy, but my right ovary failed after surgery, so I had all the joys of menopausal symptoms. I am now on oestrogen only HRT, which has addressed the symptoms reasonably well. I have put on about 20lbs since then, but to be fair I am eating like a beast, so I can't lay all of that at HRT's door.

The surgery itself was far, far easier to recover from than I imagined. I was back at work in a physically and mentally demanding job 5 and a half weeks later. And the relief from my symptoms (stage 4 endo) is amazing.

I had a hysterectomy, oophrectomy, everything gone when I was 41. I was put on HRT within a few days and have been ever since (I’m 68 now). The recovery time, as PP has said, was much easier and quicker than I thought. I had 4 children at the time (ages 2 to 12) and was looking after them mainly alone from 2 weeks post op. I did have a cleaner and my parents did the school runs tbf. The worst bit was not being able to drive for 6 weeks. I felt so well I went to a Jimmy Nail concert with a friend 10 days post op.

If you have any specific questions please feel free to ask or DM if you want.

I had a hysterectomy and ooperectomy at 42 as I had a huge ovarian cyst. Recovery time was fairly quick. I was shuffling around the ward after a couple of days. Home after a week and continued recovery there. At around 6 weeks started doing a bit more. I was off a long time. Six months I think. However, I am in quite a physical job and complete recovery time was longer as I had only fairly recently recovered from cancer including chemotherapy and as a result had undergone numerous operations

Thank you all! Sorry for the long delay but I wanted to pop on to say thank you for your experiences — it is really appreciated.

I'm pretty certain I want to go ahead with it — heavy bleeding and hormones that dominate my life mean I'm just ready for the whole thing to be done and dusted. I'm tired of fighting my own body simply to have energy and consistency. Will see what the Consultant says...

Thank you again!

I did over 20 years ago. I was absolutely fine, didn't need HRT at all no hot flushes or anything.

Three women were in the same bay as me and had the hysterectomy the same day and the night was bedlam with two moaning and bells ringing and fans being set up as they couldn't bear the heat, obviously felt sympathy as they seemed to be in such distress, next day they refused to walk to the shower (I did have a lovely shower and nurse came with me to make sure I was OK) and insisted on hoists for a bath. I got discharged on whatever day but the two of them had decided they wanted another few days as they had some hospital plan thing and got £50 a day for being in hospital and they wanted to get enough for a trip to a German Christmas market. They managed it. I was in on the Sunday and my husband asked the Sister if I could go to the hospital restaurant and have Sunday dinner with him and the children, she said yes but I had to go in a wheelchair, my 10 year old son loved it and pushed me there. When I got back these two women told me I was stupid as I could have had a free dinner on the ward. Yes I bet it was just as nice as the carvery that the restaurant was serving. I had no sympathy left for them by the time I was discharged.

When I was being discharged young doctor gave me a sick note for work, I said, "Oh no I'm going back to work at half term." He said not to worry and get my GP to give me longer if I needed it. Half an hour later he came back, asked for the sick note back and gave me one for an extra 2 weeks. Love that doctor.

So for me the positives were an end to all my gynae problems, I got half term off with the kids, had wonderful care. They also tidied up my very horrible EMCS scar. Downside two very annoying entitled women who managed to block two beds for 3 days when they laughingly admitted they could have gone home and who really gave the nurses the run around.

Good luck, if you're going private at least you won't have the annoying women with you.

I had a total hysterectomy and bilateral oophrectomy 35 years ago when I was 33, it was the best thing ever after years of horrendous dysmenorrhea and stage 4 endometriosis.
I took HRT, recovered very quickly and never looked back.
Yes it was pretty uncomfortable for a week or so but I felt amazing after years of anaemia and pain. My DCs were 8 and 6.

I was put on hrt afterwards. Told I would be on it for 12 years but only 3 years left. Going on hrt was a great decision and I've had no problems with it.

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy (with oophorectomy) a few weeks ago because of a large fibroid-filled uterus that I’ve put up with for too long 🙄.

I’d been on (modern) transdermal HRT for a couple of years and started it again within a week of the operation as hot flushes, night sweats and emotional turmoil returned with a vengeance! Normality has resumed (phew!) and I intend to stay on it as long as I can for the health benefits it provides.

That said, it’s not right for everyone, so make sure you’ve done your research about it so you can make the right decision for you (not your mum, your best friend or your GP). I’d recommend having a look at Balance - Menopause for thorough, unbiased and comprehensive information. There’s also a great little Haynes Manual by Dr Louise Newson which I found helpful (as did my husband!)
Haynes Menopause Manual

Hope it all goes well - I’m feeling pretty good after mine :)

Had everything removed including cervix a couple of years ago age 54 via keyhole surgery. Was up the same day and out the day after. Full recovery took a few months, started HRT same day as op. The absolute relief of no more flooding, pain, was amazing. Also no worries about any potential future problems.

Can I ask if any of you who've had this noticed that it affected your sex life? I'm trying to find research on this but it's mainly focussed on how there are other ways to please your man 🤦‍♀️

Bit too soon post-up for me just now - maybe I'll let you know in a couple of weeks' time ;) Not facing any pressure from DH, but I know he's missing it!

Apologies for TMI, but you did ask. Post surgery I experienced vaginal dryness until starting on low dose oestrogen only HRT, which sorted everything out. That minor and temporary blip aside, my sex life has been unaffected.

Ah ok so it's more of a hormone thing than a physical difference would you say? I was thinking that it might affect blood flow etc??

I had this done 2 years ago after cancer diagnosis, no HRT as cancer was estrogen receptive. Physical recovery was quick as I had robotic surgery. Surgical menopause is shit but if you get put on HRT you'll be grand. If you have the option of robotic surgery I'd definitely recommend.

I just wanted to come back to say thank you for you for all your comments. I went ahead and had a total hysterectomy with one ovary removed and, though it's early days, the relief I feel is incredible. It really helped the decision making process to hear all your experiences, so thank you for taking the time to share them.

@coffeeandbiscuit glad to hear you are feeling incredible relief! I did too. Did you have keyhole surgery? How are you feeling physically now?