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Original poster

Anyone up for a new hysterectomy hand holding thread?

296 replies

Northlondonma · 07/01/2015 10:48

For those who are contemplating, have a date, had one and recovering?

I had mine keyhole with everything removed on Monday. Am 40. Would love to chat to people going through same thing.

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BawbagBiggins · 15/01/2015 17:05

Fibroids, although I had endo when I was younger but after my pregnancies it seemed to relieve the syptoms a little, however the reckon until they go in there they won't know for sure if that's returned too or not. I have a fibroid inside my womb (partially in the wall, which obv they could not remove during the ablation for fear of perforating my womb) but they have now discovered another fibroid growing outside of my womb but embedded in the wall also...nothing else they can do.

Thymeout · 15/01/2015 17:37

I had a vertical incision - from about 2" above the navel to my pubic bone. (But he was removing a v large ovarian cyst, extending as far as a full term pregnancy, and needed to have a good look round as well.) He did a little diversion round the navel, not through it. I think that's what surgeons prefer, but if you've already got a C section scar they sometimes go horizontally.

Vertical seems to make it easier afterwards to stand upright, walk, climb stairs etc. It wasn't a problem, except when I coughed or laughed for the first week. You have to hold a pillow in front of you for that.

Original poster
Northlondonma · 15/01/2015 18:38

On way home with a prescription for some antibiotics. Said this may have been making me feel worse this week so that explains some things! Also the dreadful smell which I thought was normal after hysterectomy. Heading back home to bed now. Back killing after sitting in upright hard backed chair for 3 hours. X

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Thymeout · 15/01/2015 18:53

The dreadful smell is because it's an anaerobic infection. The bug lives in an area without oxygen, e.g. inside you.

My mother had one on an infected leg ulcer. I could smell it as soon as I opened the front door. Had to wash my nose out when I got home.

My GP said the infection was because there were lots of stitches inside, forming pockets ideal for bugs. There was a whole page of bugs on the lab report.

If they've given you metronidazole, it's the Draino of anti-b's.

I found a rolled up towel like a sausage in the small of my back, where a belt would be, helped with the back ache.

Go and lie down!

Costacoffeeplease · 15/01/2015 19:23

I had a horizontal incision, very low down and you can't even see it now

I was surprised that I had absolutely no bleeding at all post op, when I came round I was on a large square incontinence pad, but there was never anything on it, and not even once I got up and about - I was amazed

Original poster
Northlondonma · 15/01/2015 19:25

I'll tell you the full story of the infection. After the surgery last week I showered and noticed that one labia was missing. Missing! I said to nurse and she looked and said normal. I knew it wasn't as know what I look like. Anyway thought it would just come back (didn't have any reasoning for this just that the nurses didn't look unduly bothered by it). Anyway today it has come back but the end of distended black and blue and green. I freaked out and went to see consultant. Turns out during the operation a tube was inserted into vagina and it must have pulled my labia inside. So one week of no blood supply and the end has gone dead. He thinks this bit will not drop off but antibiotics to clear up infection. I asked if I am now going to have uneven looking fanny and he said unlikely. Hmmmmm. I'm not so sure. One thing I am sure of is that if it is really lopsided then they will be sorting it out. It's really painful and looks like something out of hammer house of horror. He said this has never happened before and looked a little mortified.

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Original poster
Northlondonma · 15/01/2015 19:27

Sorry the end will drop off.

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BawbagBiggins · 15/01/2015 19:42

That sounds like a law suit right there, how did they not notice that when you pointed it out to them a week ago !!! When they did my mum's they burned the sole of her foot really badly with the theatre lamp and she couldn't walk for ages, ended up taking them to court as she couldn't do her job (she was a nurse so in her feet for 12 hour shifts at a time). That's appalling

Original poster
Northlondonma · 15/01/2015 19:45

I am a bit pissed off as it's bad enough recovering from the surgery and now this!! I can't sit on it at all as is so swollen.

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tobee · 15/01/2015 19:52

Omg, north! Hope the antibiotics work soon but that must be pretty distressing. My thoughts are with you. What a bummer.

Thymeout · 15/01/2015 20:13

God that's dreadful! Was he your surgeon? I'm not surprised he looked a little mortified.

Costa - I had v little in hospital, then it just went on and on once I was back on my feet again. Not bleeding, but coloured discharge, as with lochia. I couldn't work out how it was getting through the stitches that had replaced my cervix. Do they leave a gap? But it did eventually go.

Original poster
Northlondonma · 15/01/2015 20:19

Yes it was the surgeon. I feel a little stupid for not pushing this whilst I was in hospital. I knew it was missing and was probably inside me. But I couldn't see it with a mirror so was more confused than anything. Anyway at least now I have 2 lips one of which is functioning Wink.

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Costacoffeeplease · 15/01/2015 20:37

That sounds awful north hope it gets sorted out one way or the other soon!

I was really surprised that I didn't need pads at all during recovery - my op was also done very quickly, diagnosed on Sunday and operated on Wednesday (they actually wanted to keep me in on the Sunday and operate Monday but I wanted to come home and get organised first!) so I didn't have any lead up to it

cosmicboy · 15/01/2015 22:15

I'm glad I'm not the only one pondering how blood gets out once your post op!

So sorry to hear your news North Hmm Sounds awful, hope the antibiotics work quickly and that your resting lots now your home x

cosmicboy · 15/01/2015 22:17

I'm not surprised your surgeon looked mortified, what a big mistake and the last thing you need! Hope your more comfortable soon.

Original poster
Northlondonma · 16/01/2015 08:29

Cosmic - hope you have a lovely weekend planned before operation and that your nerves are ok. Where are you having the op?
I'm feeling marginally better about life this morning. No tears yet so that has to be a good thing right?! Am sitting in bed watching tv with a cuppa. Am going to give myself one last day of complete rest and then try and get on with my life.
Have any of you read anything on hystersisters? It's mainly US based and they are all talking about going back to work after 2 weeks. Blimey. I know they often don't get paid for being off sick so that's probably the main reason. But good god.

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Original poster
Northlondonma · 16/01/2015 08:58

Can I also ask a very very stupid question? As my ovaries have been removed my body has gone into surgical menopause. I take hrt so is this treating the symptoms or putting off the actual menopause?

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Costacoffeeplease · 16/01/2015 09:01

I'm not on hrt but as I understand it, it's treating the symptoms

Thymeout · 16/01/2015 09:14

I was on HRT for 10 years. They thought it was a good idea at that time to protect bones and heart. Then there was a scare in the press and I stopped taking it overnight. No problems, felt exactly the same, so I guess it was treating the symptoms, not delaying the menopause.

Now, however, post-op, having lost my ovaries, I'm having hot flushes. Not too bad. But it seems my ovaries have been semi-active all this time.

cosmicboy · 16/01/2015 22:41

Two weeks off work, jeez! I'm lucky that I work somewhere that pays me for as long as I need to have off (although I'm not paid a huge amount but that's another story!) I'm glad that your having a better day, I hope that the rest of it continues to be ok for you. I'm just 2 days away now, so yes hoping to have a lovely weekend, in between packing and manically tidying the house! I hope your not planning to do anything this weekend? How are your dcs? x

Original poster
Northlondonma · 17/01/2015 09:44

I know! I will be 2 weeks Monday and no where near even thinking of returning to work. Have a lovely weekend cosmic and treat yourself and try not to be too anxious (easier said than done) and you will soon be done with it.
I have nothing really planned this weekend other than a friend has invited me round for dinner. Going to see how I feel later as at moment can't really sit on my nether regions!
Kids are good thanks. 2 year old still ignoring me though Hmm but 5 year old much better with the whole situation.
Have you got everything you need for the hospital stay? Xxx

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cosmicboy · 17/01/2015 18:24

I think I've got everything, have read too much about what to take and have a mountain! Think I need to sift through it, I'd be glad of any tips about what's essential, so far I'm being told it's big pants, wind tablets and baggy joggers! I have also 'invested' in some suppositories, it's a glamorous business isn't it?! Wink Hope all is ok with you? Hopefully the antibiotics have well and truly kicked in now xx

Original poster
Northlondonma · 17/01/2015 19:21

I took far too much and didn't need it. I only actually wore one nightie, one pair of jogging bottoms, sweater, big pants and someone bought me some magazines. Handy as I didn't have the concentration for my book. How long will you be staying in? Oh also mobile phone charger and toiletries. I went privately through work but if you are with nhs take some ear plugs and eye mask (I could have done with both when I stayed overnight withy little boy).

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cosmicboy · 18/01/2015 00:17

They seemed to think I would be in until Friday, hate the thought of being away from home for so long Wink How long were you in for? I'm hoping that I may get out sooner but I realise that it maybe unlikely! I'm private as well, so have my own room, I'm worried I'll be lonely, which I realise is utterly ridiculous! Anyway, must must get off mumsnet and try and get some sleep......

Original poster
Northlondonma · 18/01/2015 08:07

I was in 2 nights. What will they will doing? Mine was laporoscopy with everything removed. If it is abdominal I would guess you would be there for longer. Enjoy your day. X

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