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Original poster

Hysterectomies - it's gotta be done but over here for hand holding part two

992 replies

Oddsocksrus · 09/12/2013 22:57

Over here for the hand holding.
One in five women in the uk will have to have a hysterectomy at some point in their lives.
Come and join us if you are waiting, pre op, bleery eyed on the ward or recovering afterwards.

OP posts:
Waitingaround · 11/01/2014 18:13

Normal to have a swollen tum, after all if it was your ankle they operated on you'd expect that to be swollen. Everyone's different though, so some will have lots of swelling and others very little. I still swell in the evenings if i've done too much (every day then).

Twinkletights · 11/01/2014 18:23

Hope that have a lovely weekend dyzzi.

Good luck on Monday Ginge it sounds like you are ready for your appointment.

Ledkr really good to hear that you are on the road to recovery. Mr waitrose brought champagne here too last night. Enjoy yours and your evening.

Waiting slow down a bit you still have hidden healing to do!

Had a hair cut today and have gone from very long to shoulder length and it feels great. 10 days to go

Ledkr · 11/01/2014 18:35

Aw twinkle you will be fine and the hair will be easier to deal with.
I have a shower and do my hair every day as it makes me feel better.
I've a breakout of peri oral dermatitis on my face which is sore and horrible. I've a treatment for it but they recommend no make up so I'm glad I'm recuperating.
I didn't have a tense wait for surgery as they only gave me 4 days notice.
I had a massive meltdown on ny eve though which I think was because I'd had no time to digest it.
I'm glad it was done now though.
Off to open the champers now.

Waitingaround · 11/01/2014 19:16

twinkle I'm 12 weeks post op and have been back at work for a month. I work within the NHS and although fairly managerial my job does involve moving beds, patients and heavy equipment. I'm struggling a bit with it, to be honest.

Twinkletights · 11/01/2014 19:25

Waiting 12 weeks is still not very long in terms of internal healing. Try to be gentle with yourself it will be worth it in the longer term.
Are the NHS understanding and supportive for you?

cremolafoam · 11/01/2014 19:52

Hello everyone. Just jumping on to say I am going back to work finally on Monday. My op was 27th sept and I have to say I've needed every minute considering the mrsa , shingles and trapped nerve in my back. It's been a long haul.
Tata for now and all the very best to everyone who has been SO supportive, and to those still climbing the hill to wellness.
XThanks

SantasPelvicFloor · 11/01/2014 20:29

I think the swollen tum is very indicative of a long hard day. Great news about the hormone side effects

I'm tired. I've worked today. Only 5 hrs on a laptop and then I walked the dog for an hour. Yesterday's day was 6:50-4pm and wiped me out.

Crem. The very best of luck. You've had a really tough recovery. I hope a phased return has been planned for you

Waitingaround · 11/01/2014 21:33

Colleagues are great, but we just dint have the staff (it is the NHS)Smile
Well done cren and good luck!

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 12/01/2014 08:26

Just popping on to say good luck Crem It's been a long old haul for you and I'm glad it's behind you now.

Good luck to everyone who's waiting for their op or still on the recovery road.

shewhowines · 12/01/2014 12:11

Yes, all the very best crem You haven't had the easiest ride.

waiting DO NOT lift anything heavy. Do not sacrifice your long term health for a job! Its just not worth the risk. Get others to do it or refuse.

led and another After 4 weeks it will be so much better. Keep on improving.

dyzz hope you had a lovely weekend

gingeme glad you are confident now that you are doing the right thing.

sanda and kevin keep taking it slowly. Don't overdo it.

gingeme · 13/01/2014 11:48

Morning ladies. My GP is going to refer me Grin

gingeme · 13/01/2014 11:51

Morning ladies. My GP is going to refer me Grin

Ledkr · 13/01/2014 13:56

Well done ginge. Good luck

Badvoc · 13/01/2014 14:17

Hello.
I hope you don't mind me posting here? If not appropriate, do tell me! :)
have had issues with my periods for years - heavy, irregular and painful.
I have tried so many things to help...pill, pop pill, depo injection, mirena coil...nothing has helped.
I have just finished my 6th bleed since mid November :(
I went to see a (usually very good) gp last week and she advised that I should see how I am in a months time. (It's been a Stressful few months and I am 6 weeks post op after a gallbladder removal) and I have an appt To see her again in 4 weeks.
2 years ago I had a scan and endometrial biopsy prior to having the coil fitted and all was normal. I also had a normal smear result in June.
I know if she refers me back to the gynae that he will advise an ablation. I am not keen for several reasons...my mum and sister both had to have hysterectomies in their mid 30s due to bleeding and fibroids respectively.
I am now 41.
Also, I have heard lots of stories of ablation not working?
Wwyd!

Ledkr · 13/01/2014 16:20

Hi badvoc.
I'm no help as I just had ovaries and tubes out to prevent cancer as high risk.
The other ladies are fab tho and have helped me loads so hopefully you will get some answers soon.

thekingfisher · 13/01/2014 16:32

Hello all - I've been quite absent but have been feeling really very very well. I am approaching 7 weeks post op (total abdominal hysterectomy) and saw the Physio last week who pretty much signed me off. I am starting 1-1 Pilates on Wednesday in a hope to ease myself back into exercise as other than walking the dog I need to get myself back to my old levels .(think body combat and tennis)

I hope all those approaching their ops over the next couple of months are doing OK and do feel free to ask any questions

gingeme · 13/01/2014 18:49

I have à question. How long roughly between referal and op ? Or does that dépend on where you live ?

gingeme · 13/01/2014 18:49

typos Blush

Ledkr · 13/01/2014 20:10

I have a feeling that its got to be within 18 wks.

Twinkletights · 13/01/2014 20:13

Good luck Crem

Kingfisher it's really positive to hear that you are feeling so well and ready to gain fitness, thank you for sharing it does give me hope.

Ginge that's great news that you have a referral with no mucking about from GP. Difficult to say about referral to op. I had being seeing my gynae about prolapse troubles for a while so I don't have a definitive time frame.

Badvoc I did consider the ablation but tests have shown that I have suspected Adenomyosis and prolapse so I didn't feel that it was the right treatment for me. Otherwise I would have opted for the ablation. So sorry that you are feeling so grotty these heavy periods are just awful. I can only advise you to be very clear with GP/Gynae about the reality of the impact that it has on your every day life, it is why I have opted for the hysterectomy.

fitflop my pre op is booked for Thursday, what day is your surgery next week?

ledkr did you enjoy your champagne?

Badvoc · 13/01/2014 20:47

Twinkle...I am pretty sure I have adenomyosis (sp?)
My go told me 2 years ago that I have a "Bulky uterus" (lovely) and that's one of the Main Symptoms, along with abnormal bleeding :(
Have any of you had a vaginal hysterectomy?

gingeme · 13/01/2014 21:01

I was already seeing my gynea last year so will go back to see her so hopefully wont take too long after shes recieved the letter . Fingers crossed Smile

Twinkletights · 13/01/2014 21:14

badvoc I also own a bulky uterus and have weird horrible cyclical pain. Adenomyosis is an awful disease Sad

ginge I have my fingers crossed for you that you get an appointment soon.

Badvoc · 13/01/2014 21:18

I am going to mention it to the gp next month.
Am pretty fed up now.

flouncymcflouncerson · 14/01/2014 00:14

Hello. I think I need to join here. I had a pelvic floor repair 9 weeks ago for a cystocele, my bladder was out of my body. At 29 I'm quite young for this surgery but have hypermobility which may explain it. I was told the day after op that my uterus had dropped to but not repaired. No reason given.

Post op I could tell bladder was fixed but was aware of a lump when wiping. I was pretty sure it was my cervix and at my 6 week appt ( which was actually 8 weeks post op!) the surgeon has examined me and said I need further surgery. He said he'd take it out assuming I was finished with it. I'd been told I couldn't have more children after the initial repair anyway however to be told I need a hysterectomy at 29 is quite a shock! I'm not sure how I feel. I have a heavy manual job and as such am on my feet almost all day.

I am currently off sick after the initial surgery but surgeon won't operate for a while as he says my body needs to get over the original repair. I'm booked to go back and discuss with him in mid April but til then to try physio which I know will not help. I'm concerned about having two periods of absence on my Record and Also concerned how I can work when my uterus is so low and uncomfortable verging on painful. Sorry if this is all a bit garbled :(