Hysterectomy - some handholding and feedback needed

[MrsBigD]

Hi all,

I've been advised that a hysterectomy is probably the best way forward for me, after years of 'issues' - really since teenage years and now I'm approaching 46 and so over the regular 'somebody shoot me please and put me out of my misery' phases.

After lots of reading and debating with myself, I have sort of come to terms with it. However, I'd love to hear from people who went through the procedure, how well & swiftly did you recover and, did it make the difference you expected?

One concern I have is that the current date they have for me, for 2 specialist professors operating on me, is just under 8 weeks before I've got flights booked to go overseas, with dd and ds in tow, for a family visit. The doc reckons I should be fit to travel, but I have the worst 'what if' scenarios clanging around in my head.

I have also considered having the op after the trip but that would mean at least another 4-6 months of aaaaaaaaargh. Never mind my poor dh who has valiantly put up with me through it all.

And of course in that scenario I am worried about an episode occurring whilst away, hence ruining the trip.

Hmmm, that sounds a bit wingy selfish health vs trip and I know, health comes first, but we've planned the trip for over a year and will be catching up with lots of friends we haven't seen in ages.

HELP!

TIA :)

Hi MRsBigD

I just found out last Friday that I have to have a hysterectomy due to a cancerous polyp.

We have a really good supprt thread over HERE and I think there is a link to the previous thread at the beginning of that one.

Lots of advice and information, but from what I've read, apart from recovery being pretty individual, the main consideration is tiredness. At eight weeks post Op some women are back at work, so you should hopefully be OK. I suppose as long as you pace yourself and ensure plenty of rest and that you listen to your body, then things will be fine.

I had a hysterectomy (uterus and cervix) 5yrs ago. I was 35 and needed 12 weeks to feel back to normal.

Only giving yourself 8 weeks sounds like you might be cutting it fine. Would it be done abdominally?

I had a hysterectomy (uterus and cervix) 5yrs ago. I was 35 and needed 12 weeks to feel back to normal.

Only giving yourself 8 weeks sounds like you might be cutting it fine. Would it be done abdominally?

Thanks for the quick responses :)

Meglet they're planning on doing it via keyhole and cervical removal, can't remember the technical term for it, though I have a stack of information booklets lying around somewhere... that's the plan at least. The doc said she has about 1 case a year where they end up having to go in abdominally due to complications - really didn't need to know that.

LackaDaisycal tiredness I can deal with, I'm always close to zombie state now! One GP dared suggest 'of course you're tired... you work and you have kids'... never mind looking for an underlying problem... but that's another story. I'm more worried about the physical aspects of healing.

p.s. Meglet... I don't remember what 'normal' feels like so anything is an improvement