Is there a hysterectomy support thread?

[ALemonyPea]

I had a laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy, retained ovaries but everything else removed.

Day 6 for me, and I have some questions and would like some support as freacking out about the thought of vault prolapse.

I am managing pain wise now. Some slight pulling on one side, but manageable. Belly button keeps bleeding, but not enough to run out, so just cleaning it twice a day.

I feel quite heavy down there, is that normal?

I thought I had read everything there was about hysterectomies before I had the op, but the surgeon mentioned vaginal vault prolapse just before the surgery and explained it briefly. I then googled, and the first page brought up an awful image and I can't get it out my mind. I'm terrified that it'll happen to me.

Can anyone offer any help and support.

Thanks for the replies.

My consultant has suggested a hysterectomy before. I was given the choice after the first ablation to either have a second or go straight to a hysterectomy. He also mentioned it as the next step to consider when he spoke to me yesterday. I'm having an appointment with him in a few weeks to discuss everything properly, I'm trying to learn as much as possible before then so I can ask everything I need to.

I hadn't heard of the BSGE centres before. There's one about 20 miles from me so that's definitely something for me to look into.

I think my biggest worry with going for a hysterectomy is struggling with HRT should it become necessary. I've had a terrible time with everything hormonal I've tried in the past and I'm scared that the same would happen with HRT.

Yes. I will have DH at home to help. It's more the actual day as I'll need to take myself to and from hospital. As i have no idea what time I'll be out.

Good luck toto and robots for Wednesday, and everyone else with ops looming. Toto will there be someone at home when you get there?

BG2015 sorry to read your situation is still ongoing, really hope PALS can help.

I had quite a good couple of weeks, lots more energy and achieving lots safely, then seemed to pull something painting my toenails! Of all things. Taking it easy again but getting worried now my posterior wall may be collapsing . Movements haven't been great and Dr had said keep on with the exercises for a few more months before deciding whether to go for repair (only had anterior repair alongside hysterectomy) but am increasingly uncomfortable both sitting and moving around, hurts doing the exercises and am having to lie on my side to get relief. I'm going to have to ask for an examination, aren't I?

Happy that doesn't sound good. I hope you can get it checked out. Exercise and being active are a big part of my life and I know I will struggle with this when I recover. I've been the gym 4 times this week and walked for 13km yesterday.

I still haven't heard from PALs but figure with the bank holidays etc people may be on holiday.

Hoping everyone's up coming ops/procedures go well next week. I'm jealous.

Gigha here to say have been discharged early - basically 48 hours after my total abd hyst. Home safe and tucked up in bed and far more mobile than I dared to hope. Just feel like I have been kicked by a horse. No doubt will have good days and bad days but relieved with the journey so far.

Really glad to hear you're home already and doing well, Gigha! You might find you have good and bad phases in a cycle, but the general trajectory should be upwards. The first week is by far the worst - it took me 10 days to get out of the house, but after I had done it once, it was much easier.

Hope you're resting well and comfortable Gigha.

At least you have the perfect excuse for doing nothing but eat chocolate today! (As long as you're not too woozy from the anaesthetic I guess!)

Thanks BG2015, and yes, the active part of my life (and lack of it currently) is a big thing for me too. Dawning on me now the impact of the repair (not just the hysterectomy and all that entails). But am so grateful my energy levels are on the up - feel I can cope with most things as long as I have the energy! Frustrating I've now got to rest a bit more. I imagine PALS might be slow to pick up with the holidays but they should be the right people to help move things along for you and give you a bit of support.

BG, I really feel for you. It really does demonstrate how much of a lottery the NHS is. Keep being the squeaky wheel.

Happy, I do hope you aren't getting a prolapse :(

Well done Gig, I hope you had a good first night at home.

toto - how are you going to get yourself home?

Told my family that today was the last day I was taking my uterus to Church. Much eye rolling Happy Easter everyone.

Yes, Happy Easter all.

at the final church visit for your uterus Robot!

I'm trying to decide whether 2.5hrs driving to family today is a good idea

the last day I was taking my uterus to Church.

Happy Easter to you all!

Happy holidays.
Robots- probably a taxi? Or a bus as there is one from outside the hospital to outside my front door?

Hi, day 4 post-op and day 2 at home.
In spirit of sharing, I am sad to say my first post-op poo at dawn was an absolute shocker despite all attempts to manage it with fluids, fibre, exercise and a planned laxative.

Basically I eventually passed the Eiffel Tower base first, and am slightly traumatised and sore! Had to strain which was distressing. But better out than in.

Quieter day and snoozing today as a result but overall no damage appears to have been done, my mobility great and am sure I will feel less sorry for myself shortly. Determined to stay up for Broadchurch! Sorry if this was TMI but us gals need to be aware that poo is a real milestone. And even if it was unpleasant in my case, I am still here to tell the tale.😀

Hope you are all having an enjoyable Bank Holiday.

Gighas - that's made me laugh! I commend your sharing and I'm gad that milestone is over.

Lets hope the following days are easier in the toilet department!

It took me 13 days to go to the toilet after mine. I remember it well.

Toto, can you have a friend on stand by in case you don't feel up to getting home by yourself? I'm worried that you might be underestimating how you will feel after the anaesthetic combined with painkillers.

Tell me it will be all ok please. Massively nervous now and half convinced myself that I don't need the op after all.

Gig, congratulations on your first dump Have you seen this video about how to protect your nethers while going to the loo.

daily. Dear god

robots a virtual big hug and hand hold from me. Remember, this is absolutely all about improving your general daily wellbeing. As someone right at the start of recovery absolutely nothing I have experienced thus far (even including the poo disaster) was remotely scary or uncontrolled and the discomfort/pain is slight compared to what I have endured in the past with the promise of a huge upside.

This is each womans personal choice but for me this was about sorting something that was fundamentally broken, so I could live a good life. I suspect that my only regret will be that I did not do this sooner.

Also on a totally shallow note it is actually nice to get care and attention in hospital, its quite lovely to be brought a coffee and a biscuit and have a chat with other patients. Even at 6am 😀😀😀

Will be checking in on you, try to keep yourself distracted tomorrow and Wednesday will be over before you know it.

robots just to add I was feeling perfectly well prior, so fully understand the feeling. I walked to the hospital as its just around the corner, and at the junction I nearly just kept on walking. Like bunking off an exam.
I dont think we discussed this directly but removing my ovaries was also only stated as an option for me - to be discussed on the morning of surgery. I expressed clearly that my primary objective was the safe removal of my horrendous fibroids and endo, plus the protection of my bowel and bladder and that the extent of the hyst. was flexible based on their clinical judgement. I was explicit that I would fully support the removal of my ovaries. That was their recommendation too, and they are gone.

I dont feel sad, I dont feel empty. I feel sorted. Surgically Kon Mari'd, if you will. 😀 I hope that for you too. X

Congrats on your poo, Gigha. Sounds very much like my first one, but the second one was much, much easier.

Robots You will be fine. My post-op pain was far less than the pain I had been in before - the difference was that painkillers actually stopped it. As Gigha puts it so well, everything about the op is controlled and managed and you will be looked after at every step.

Thanks Gig and Arch :) Gig, that's so reassuring. Its hard when you are given a choice.

Didn't help that dd was sick this morning - travel sickness thank goodness but it was a bit worrying as she isn't ever sick normally, though she confessed that she has been feeling that way recently and I've come out in an allergic rash tonight to a new shower gel I treated myself to this evening. Typical. You have to laugh.

Tomorrow will be mad cleaning day and a bit of work as I'm self employed. This house will be spotless

Hello all, checking in again. Glad to hear all going well with those who have already had their operations.
BG2015, I hope that you hear some news soon.
My operation is on the 22nd and like robots I have nearly convinced myself that I don't need the operation.
I am absolutely terrified of this operation, I have had many operations before but this seems different.
I hate the thought of my vagina being a sewn up tube and I am very worried that the operation will be the end of my sex life.

I have a Dr's appointment on Thursday to get some HRT as I will be loosing my ovaries.

Also, those of you who have already had your operation how long did you stay in hospital?

Reading this back I sound very vain and self absorbed - I'm honestly not, sorry that I have come across this way.

I don't think you've come across at all as vain or self-absorbed, Hysteria.

Re. length of stay - two nights. I was admitted to hospital at 7am on Thursday morning; went in for surgery at 10:30, became conscious again about 15:00. Catheter out at 10:00am next morning and got out of bed for the first time half an hour later. By late afternoon I'd managed to get dressed and do a lap of the corridor. I was discharged Saturday lunchtime.

The only difference to the vagina is that there's a little lump where the cervix used to be. Four months later, I haven't noticed any change sexually; if anything, it's better because I'm not in pain or having endless periods

I'm seeing my consultant on Thursday - this is the consultant who I saw last August and who suggested the endometrial ablation. (Which didn't work) I'm seeing him TEN weeks after I had an appointment with one of his colleagues- my new clock starts ticking on Thursday! Unless something changes. I'm not happy and feel very, very angry about it all.

I'm hoping I hear a response from PALs this week as it's a week since I sent the email.

Thinking of you all

BG I had something similar happen- I saw the consultant at the start of January when he gave me the hysterectomy option and said that I would be seen within 4 weeks to give my answer yet I wasn't seen for almost 7 weeks and it was then at that point that the clock started ticking. I contacted PALS a few weeks ago explaining the situation and that I would be a candidate for a cancellation. I had a phonecall 3days later offering me a cancellation with a different surgeon. So my op will now be within 18wks of my original appointment fingers crossed that you will get a simmilar result.

Morning all!
robots have a lovely diversionary day today, thats an order.
hysteria your post was totally reasonable, no need to apologise.
I had a total abdominal hyst including fibroid and ovary removal.
I was told I would get home 3 days after surgery, but it was a day earlier as I recovered well. In fact my days, timings and progress were almost identical to Arch .
Its early days but I dont feel any different down below, my vagina feels totally there as usual, I can flex my muscles and no strange sensations. It is too early for me to reassure about sex but I have seen a lot of positive posts.
BG I am so Grrrrrr for you, and you have every right to be angry. I hope Thursday is constructive and you get what you need. And that you hear from PALs.

Day 5 from surgery, today, so up, productive loo visit (yay!),showered and had breakfast by 7.30, walk round garden in my clean jimjams, and generally lots of standing up. Abdomen swollen and uncomfortable rather than sore, now back in bed for a wee rest with a coffee. Main annoyance a tickly cough, as you do not really want to cough or sneeze if you can avoid it. 😀