Hysterectomy? Anyone? Any tips please I’m scared but relieved

[TheOpalFox]

10 gyane surgeries and bleeding and pain later and my consultant finally agreed for a hysterectomy
Now im scared but happy they have said enough is enough
He’s just worried about complications!!??

Anything is better than constant pain and bleeding right ????
I have spent 15 years in pain and bleeding
And leaking
My bmi is a bit high so I want to lose weight but all signed for eeeeek

Any tips ??? Any advice ? I can’t have it key hole either due to my complications so a big op
..

I had a full abdominal hysterectomy over ten years ago in my 40s

BEST THING EVER

Yes, recovery is hard for about 12 weeks or so, but it’s really worth it. No regrets here.

Take it very easy for the first few weeks, just a few short walks to start with. You’ll be more tired than you think, so do less than you think you should.

Good luck

Any regrets plz?

I’m DESPERATE for one. 3 years and nearly 12 surgeries and I’m STILL STUCK fighting, consider yourself lucky you got what people still fight for!!

Not one single regret for me

I had a radical hysterectomy which also removed ovaries and lymph nodes. Big scar from above navel to pubic area. Took about 8 weeks to recover from

I had radical hysterectomy a few years ago…absolutely zero regrets.

You’ll be fine. Join the hysterectomy sisters FB group and don’t be fobbed off about HRT if ovaries will be removed

Changed my life, no regrets at all.

For recovery, don't overdo it, the tiredness is overwhelming. Sleep propped up for a while, makes it easier to get up. Deflatine and peppermint tea for the trapped wind. Pretty knickers and beautiful bedding once you've healed as you'll never flood again!!

I won’t stop bleeding now till I have it. I bled everyday for 2 years straight. It’s been horrendous
I even thought about going private !!!!! That’s how desperate I was . Keep pushing !!! Don’t give up lovely . What symptoms do you get? Xxxx

Any tips please

I’ve bled for 3 years straight, bar a couple of weeks after my “endometrial ablation” which didn’t work.
Im puffy, swelling up, constantly exhausted, I’m in SO MUCH pain, literally every day it hurts. I can’t stop putting weight on, despite not eating because I’m constantly feeling sick. I’m permanently cold, I have a blown vein in my back from the ablation (they did an epidural that’s constantly pulling at my spine) I can’t stand up for too long or I get dizzy and faint, my skin has turned grey as I’m severely anaemic even with pro-strap, POP, tibolone, ferric chloride, folic acid, tranexmic acid (sp?), co-codamol, ibuprofen, paracetamol, fibre plus and about 4-5 other things I have to take to try and help me. I even had a blood transfusion in Jan because I was loosing so much blood all the time.
Im going for another hysterescopy today - my 3rd in 3 months, to “check what happened with the ablation” which is BS, because I just need a hysterectomy at this point.

I had everything removed by open surgery, due to a tumour on my ovary. I’m fully recovered.

Tips:

My DH brought me bottled water and fruit juices to drink, post surgery. The ward water is yuk. You need to drink plenty to get your bladder and bowels working.

Get out of bed and walk as soon as you can. I started walking up and down the ward when I could. This helps prevent you having a blood clot. It also speeds up your discharge.

Do not strain to open your bowels. Have a laxative if necessary.

I bought some extra big knickers, so nothing chafed my wound.

When you get home rest, rest, rest but also walk short distances as often as you feel able.

Accept all offers of help, don’t be a martyr.

Good luck. 🍀

I had an hysterectomy 11 years ago due to fibroids. Keyhole surgery. Stayed in 2 nights.I was back at work 3 wks later.
My friend had the same 2 years ago due to endometrial cancer. Stayed in 2 nights She made lunch the day after she came home. She did a little light work in her cafe 5 days later.

I had a subtotal hysterectomy last year, I also had to have the abdominal surgery. I had to go private but it was 100% worth it no regrets at all. Thankfully my husband was able to take a month off work to help me which made things massively easier.

Get something to help with trapped wind That was the worse thing.

And walking about it's more comfortable than sat down as you are straight

Totally different to a full open one

Had a full open hysterectomy two years ago and best thing I ever did. Follow the recovery instructions closely and take it easy for the first week. Build up the walking slowly and keep up the “stool softeners” for longer than you think. Coming home from hospital put a plastic bag on car seat as makes sliding in and out easier. I was back to work and driving within 4 weeks and feeling 10 years younger. Very best of luck

I had mine in November!! Honestly, it was horrendous at the time and, unfortunately, I ended up with a few complications. However, I was back at work after 6/7 weeks (I’m a school hours desk job though).

I’d say be mentally prepared for any complications; I didn’t really listen and wasn’t expecting what I woke up from so struggled with that as much as the physical recovery for the first month or so.

Things have healed so nicely now though and despite one or two lingering minor bladder issues and the scars, physically feel fine. If anything I’m better than pre surgery because of not having to deal with all of the shit that lead me there.

Invest in a kindle, a massive Stanley and some really comfy nighties and don’t expect to do a thing for 4 ish weeks.

Good luck! It’s been life changing for me and I hope it is for you too

Why won’t they give you one? I’m so sorry :(

I actually don’t know, apart from my weight being 5 BMI points over (but if you knew me you would be aware my boobs take at least 1 BMI point each and there’s nothing I can do about it) and my gynae doesn’t seem to give a shit

Can uiu ask for a 2nd opinion or go private. ? I really feel for you… all your symptoms u have I have and it’s no quality of life is it? Xxx

Apparently they've found (another) fibroid.
Which means another ablation.

Yes I have had a lot of them :( xx

I think this is number 6 or maybe 7. They couldn’t see it before because I had such a thick endometrial lining. Now it’s mostly scar tissue they’ve said it’s another ablation!!

No regrets - I got my life back. Life had been one long bleed and endless pain.

Remember that you need calcium afterwards to prevent osteoporosis further down the line.