Hysterectomy

[pilates]

I am on the waiting list and have a pre-assessment in a couple of weeks.

Has anyone had this and what can I expect?

I've told my work it will be a 6 week recovery, is that correct?

Yep I've had a subtotal abdominal hysterectomy and I am so pleased I did. I had the surgery late on a Thursday about 5pm and I came home on the following Monday morning. Despite being discharged with an incisional hernia I was still able to keep an appointment in London the following Friday and that weekend I was painting DS1's bedroom on Saturday and out at church and visiting friends on the Sunday. With the permission of my GP I was driving (an automatic car) after 3 weeks.

Naturally you need to follow the advice of your surgeon and GP and keep within your own pain threshold but hopefully you will recover from the operation within the 6 week period you are expecting. I am sure your gynaecologist will advise you when you are fit to return to work but I would expect that period to 6 weeks or longer depending on the type of job you do.

I do hope that your operation goes well and that your health or pain improves as a result

I've had one, ovaries still in but the rest of it was whipped out.

I had an abdominal one and was told to take 12 weeks off work. 6 weeks to recover and rest and 6 weeks to get my strength back. Really not too bad TBH, had a nice sleep thanks to the GA, day 2 was shit but after that I perked up.

I was off paracetamol after 4 days though, but I didn't do a thing for ages, I didn't leave the house for 2 weeks. Everyone else looked after the kids for me.

I'll have to come back tomorrow or thursday with more details, I'm not meant to be on MN tonight!

I can recommend the Hysterectomy association website. There are very supportive forums there too.

Peppermint tea very useful post-op to deal with gases!
Depending on the type of hyst, expect to be tired and not as mentally focussed for a few weeks (due to general anaesthetic).

Baggy trousers and slip on shoes. Plenty of pillows.

I think it depends on so many things, particularly your state of health before op. I had abdominal H few weeks ago and found week 1 not too bad but was in bed, week 2 much harder, oh my goodness the gas, for me peppermint tea has been a life saver, at worst points had cup every 2 hours to control things, now turned a corner and feeling on the up. Don't expect too much from yourself, rest, don't lift anything heavy and take painkillers when you need them (after 2.5 weeks I am still on paracetamol every 4 hours but they do the trick, keep trying to cut them down/out but not ready yet, impressed with Meglet managing after 4 deays), cushions in bed are useful - particularly under your knees if you lie on you back or just supporting your tummy - my bed looks like a nest of pillows - dh in the spare room at the moment. Was speaking to my consultant earlier in week and he said he thought I would be "functional but not a lot more" at 6 weeks, think he is being pessimistic, and should expect to feel getting back to normal in 3-6 months, but then I am mid 40's and my problems left me severely anaemic, now the worst of the pain is over I am really happy had it done, I get my life back after years of problems. Good luck

Thanks everyone for your replies. Will stock up on the peppermint tea!

I suppose I will find out from Gynaecologist what type of hysterectomy I'm having.

I'm having it for bulky fibroids so like you whoatethelastbiscuit I'm looking forward to getting my life back.