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Original poster

Has anyone had a Hysterectomy?

27 replies

50shadesofknackered · 09/01/2013 10:36

I'm having one next month, it'll start as Vaginal but could become abdominal as Uterus is large. Has anyone here had either one? How long were u in hospital? How long was recovery time any side effects? I'm getting slightly stressed.

OP posts:
Jacksmania · 10/01/2013 05:31

I don't have an answer for you but I've just been told today I'll be having one some time in the next 12 months and am having a hard time wrapping my head around it so will be watching with interest.

My surgeon said 2 days in hospital, 6 weeks off work, no lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds, no driving for 10-14 days, but walking and stairs and all were ok.

Sugarice · 10/01/2013 08:28

Yes I had one seven weeks ago, a total hysterectomy with ovaries removed too.

I had 4 days in hospital, I was groggy for 24 hours and on one of those morphine pain relief gadgets that sit on your finger and you press when you want. To be honest I wasn't in a great deal of abdominal pain but had a terrible headache for a couple of days, I just took paracetomol for that and had anti sickness meds as I was vomitting.

Once home, I didn't do anything for two weeks other than rest but I have teenagers and had a lot of help.

Seven weeks on I feel fantastic, am back in all my pre-op clothes but am still not lifting anything heavy such as a basket of washing or hoovering.

I've had some menopausal symtoms such as hot flushes and night sweats but they're manageable [not on HRT yet].

It's not anything as traumatic as I had imagined it would be, good luck!

Sugarice · 10/01/2013 08:29

*vomiting not vomitting!

Sugarice · 10/01/2013 08:37

Actually I had three days in hospital, had op Tuesday afternoon and left Friday night as I couldn't stand another night on those beds! Grin

Almostfifty · 10/01/2013 12:16

Sugarice is there a reason you weren't put straight on it? My consultant gave it to me the day after my op, so I wouldn't have any hassles.

Mine was nearly four years ago OP and was the best thing I've ever done. Didn't want it done, argued against it, but the consultant told me to trust him and I'm very glad I did, I'm a different person.

Sugarice · 10/01/2013 13:33

Almostfifty I had extensive Endometriosis and my Consultant wanted any that was remaining to shrivel off and die.

I have conflicting views on whether to go on it, he's going to prescribe Livial but I'll discuss it with him on my follow up in a few weeks. Sounds like it has worked really well for you. Smile

Original poster
50shadesofknackered · 10/01/2013 14:18

That's what I'm hoping for almostfifty that I'll get back to being me. I feel like an old woman at the mo, especially as I went to the Dr yesterday with pain and my Uterus has prolapsed as its so large. I'm only 35 Ffs Sad I'm keeping my ovaries but the rest is going, anything to stop this constant bleeding.

OP posts:
Almostfifty · 10/01/2013 15:19

I'm sure you will, just give yourself time to heal properly, OP and don't run before you can walk. You'll only set yourself back if you do.

Sugarice I wasn't sure about taking it, but they're going to have to step over my dead body before I allow them to stop me taking it now I've reached a certain age. I didn't really take the pill, do a lot of exercise and keep well, so there's no reason I can't keep taking it IMO.

KurriKurri · 10/01/2013 18:47

I had one when I was 38, - everything except one ovary removed - it was abdominal not vaginal (although from friends that have had it done vaginally, I think there is not a great deal of difference in the recovery time).

I was five days in hospital IIRC, and it was about three weeks before I was up to doing very much at all, - you won't be able to lift small children or anything like that. About six weeks before you feel OKish again. It's quite a big op. and you need time for it all to heal properly.
Driving - about 4 weeks (assuming you might need to do an emergency stop).

Good luck - I have to say that although it is a big op. and I was young like you so it was a bit emotional (be prepared for that) after I had healed I felt better than I had for years, all the miserable, energy sapping gynae problems were gone. So I hope it works out well for you too Smile

auntpetunia · 11/01/2013 08:52

I had mine 3 weeks ago, bikini incision everything out including cervix and ovaries. I was in hospital 2 days! Had Op Monday afternoon and home by Wednesday lunchtime. I was very bad in recovery but once back on Ward and fed OK, like sugar had morphine self administration thing till Tuesday morning then started to feel better, lots of codeine and pain relief. My worst pain was the wind just awful. I am still swollen on one side at present but now able to potter around the house without too much pain.

Not had any menopause symptoms apart from bit hot in bed, and Consultant won't start them til I see him in February.

But you know what I feel great So much better than before even now when I can hardly do anything, there's light at the end of the tunnel and I will be better by the summer and then I've got the next 40 years to enjoy without all that monthly faffing!

Sugarice · 11/01/2013 09:03

auntpetunia glad it went well for you and that you're feeling good.

Seven weeks on you will feel even better! Grin

Original poster
50shadesofknackered · 11/01/2013 12:43

Thanks everyone, its good to know people have had positive experiences and now feel so much better. I feel like I'm wading through treacle most of the time as I have no energy whatsoever Sad I think mine will have to be abdo as Uterus is so large but whatever! As long as I get my life back that's fine.

OP posts:
Sugarice · 11/01/2013 13:22

50shades before my op I was on the verge of cancelling , through fear of the unknown and also it was the month before Christmas and I was worried about not being prepared, having to buy presents etc.

Honestly, it went well and once I was home I recovered far more quickly than I ever would have imagined prior to the surgery.

The worst time [other than my vomiting] was having to make the phone call on the day of the surgery enquiring about a bed, being told there wasn't one but to come up anyway then the very long wait in admissions waiting for confirmation that surgery would actually go ahead.

Good luck, you will be fine. Smile.

Update when you can!

auntpetunia · 11/01/2013 16:36

Hi sugar I can't wait to be 7 weeks on and able to drive just to get out of the house!

50Shades that is exactly how I felt, and even now so soon after surgery I feel so much more full of life I am sleeping better even though I am doing nothing. Do you have a date for your surgery?

I think your dates are a bit short my consultant has told me at least 12 weeks off and that's a conservative estimate depending on how I get on. I go back to see him in 8 weeks.

tleaf · 12/01/2013 07:30

Good luck to all of you awaiting surgery and those in early recovery. I do hope you have the same positive results I have had since my op when I was 37. Although fortunate to have eventually had children our family life was blighted by my constant exhaustion, pain and bleeding. After surgery I immediately had a surge of positive energy and have never looked back. Tips I found useful were to take super vitamin E before and after the op, to aid healing and also to insist on being given an anti-emetic, to avoid the strain of heaving after the op. To reduce any menopause symptoms and risk of osteoporosis in the future do consider HRT and vitamin D and calcium supplements. Finally, to any of you struggling to get the op you need, do stress what a detrimental effect your condition is having on your husband/partner. An elderly Nursing Sister said it's amazing how swiftly surgeons respond to the thought that the male of the species may be adversely affected by delay!

gregssausageroll · 12/01/2013 11:46

Waves! I have my surgery on 11 February. Still deciding if I should leave or have my ovaries taken out. Some positive stories on here. I am scared if they go I will wake up 20 stone with grey hair!

I am struggling to sort out childcare and help though. I just hope it all falls into place. Dh won't get anytime off work unfortunately.

I am still not sure about recovery time. I had an em CS with ds and you just need to get on with things especially after dh had his 2 weeks leave. Obviously I am not going to do the 30 day shred but all the same I do wonder if I could be back at work in 6 weeks. Time will tell.

auntpetunia · 12/01/2013 12:31

Hi Greg's I have had 2 sections and believe me its nothing like this . The operation is major they open you completely and you have to have deepest level anaesthetic your knocked out about an hour. My make consultant is adamant I'm off till at least Easter (I work in a school So it's one term )but he has said if I'm not ready he won't let me back.

Is there no chance of your DH getting time off you will need someone for the first 10 days to make you drinks and food and keep the DCs away as you will just be able to lie in bed propped up.

As I said I've not started HRT yet I weigh less now than I did before the Op despite sitting on my backside all Christmas eating chocolate! And I'm only going grey coz I have decided to take the excuse of not getting to hair dressers or being able to bend over sink to let the dye grow out Grin.

Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Liz1tummypain · 12/01/2013 12:33

I was in hospital for about a week. The op went fine- I had a ginormous fibroid in there - the worst part was being constipated afterwards. Your digestive systems just forgets how to work and food just gets stuck. Horrible pain so my advice is stock up on prunes, fruit juice etc to take afterwards.

gregssausageroll · 12/01/2013 12:37

Nope, none at all. Ds will be in nursery so working out how to get him there in the morning. Friends can collect in the evening until dh can pick him up.

I will just have to be ok during the day. We have a small 2 bed cottage so no stairs or anything like that. My bed to lounge is about 10 steps. Same to kitchen.

kiwigirl42 · 12/01/2013 12:38

I'll be joining you on the operating table sometime in February. Terrified but need to have it done. I'm on menopause inducing injections and Livial already (for daily chronic migraine) and so this is the next step in treatment. I just want it over with now. I almost couldn't look at this thread it all scares me so much (and I'm a nurse ffs!)
I'm doing alternate day fasting to lose a bit of weight prior to op as have put a few stone on past couple of years with anti convulsants etc.
Good thing is that even though I am menopausal due to injections I can still lose weight fairly easily, as long as I keep my mouth shut anyhow.
Good luck - pm me anyone if you'd like an op buddy!

gregssausageroll · 12/01/2013 12:42

I think it is 6 weeks off if leaving ovaries and 12 weeks if taking them.

digerd · 12/01/2013 12:48

It all depends on the problem. Ovaries are left if nothing wrong with them and they supply the normal hormones, so no HRT needed.
A vaginal Hysterectomy, I have not heard of, but if possible, seems a good idea, but no doubt has pros and cons.?

Sugarice · 12/01/2013 12:53

Hi greg I too had the lot out, am not yet on HRT and am back in my pre-op skinny jeans, I haven't turned into a heffer overnight! Grin.

I'm 8 weeks post op on Tuesday and feel fab.

My Iron levels were low so I had to take iron but they prescribed me Lactulose as well so I avoided constipation luckily and I knock back beetroot juice too which helps.

Good luck !

mummylin2495 · 12/01/2013 13:00

yes I had hysterectomy with ovaries removed[ oophorectomy ] owing to fibroids' too was terrified and nearly walked out the night before the op,but I didn't and honestly it was all fine.i had the bikini line incision.I went in on tues ,had op wed and went home on sunday morning.i was pretty sick for a few days and they did give me anti sickness injections.You do have to do as your told to do and you will feel tired for a while but before you know it everything is back to being fine.Its definatly worth having. I was put on hrt straight away.You will be fine . good luck.

laughinglikeadrain · 12/01/2013 13:05

I'm having my oaries out on Tuesday. I cant wait, but i know i'm going to be a bit scared on the day. Its going to be done laparoscipally so i'm hoping for just a week off work!