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Original poster

Is there a hysterectomy support thread?

983 replies

ALemonyPea · 23/02/2017 21:15

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.

OP posts:
thequeenofsandwich · 01/03/2017 07:28

I had my hysterectomy December 2015. Everything gone except ovaries. HRT has never even been mentioned to me and fingers crossed no need so far. The surgery transformed my life. Not one regret.

BG2015 · 01/03/2017 07:33

Dorje - I've never heard of anyone waking up with a patch on their arm. From the forums I've been reading (HysterSisters, Hysterectomy Assocoiation etc.) women who have a FULL hysterectomy often wait weeks to get HRT and then it's prescribed incorrectly. Some women are really struggling with a medical menopause and seeking HRT that will help their symptoms.

I intend to keep my ovaries - I know for some women they have no choice but my ovaries are staying as at this point, there is nothing wrong with them.

My mum had a hysterectomy at 38, kept her ovaries but had HRT in her mid 50's so I'm not averse to HRT, I just don't want my body forced into an early menopause - for me that's scarier than the hystrectomy itself.

TinfoilHattie · 01/03/2017 07:42

I discussed the removal or not of my ovaries with the surgeon pre-op - they are quite happy to leave your ovaries unless there is a strong family history of certain cancers. It's a lot to go through a hysterectomy and hit a sudden menopause all at the same time.

I was warned that my ovaries might pack up sooner than they would have done otherwise but the risks of an early menopaise for me were hugely outweighed by the benefits of being rid of the fibroid (and the rest of my uterus). No signs of it so far. I'm only 45 though so quite a way off a natural menopause I hope!

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 01/03/2017 08:34

Intersting Dorje.

My consultant, and the one I saw after the op, both said it's likely my ovaries will work better than they did before the op as they get a surge in energy or something like that. I have PCOS so I doubt mine will.

What should I look for for the menopause then?

OP posts:
RaskolnikovsGarret · 01/03/2017 08:37

Oestrogen patches were never mentioned to me, and two weeks on, I am no more of a raging witch than I am usually!

Saltedcaramelbrownie · 01/03/2017 08:53

I had a sub total hysterectomy last year and kept my ovaries. No HRT. For the first few months my hormones were all over the place and I thought that my ovaries might be failing. But had blood tests to check and after about 4 months all went back to normal. I'm still ovulating every month and have never felt better. I'm not against taking HRT once I go through natural menopause.

For the first month or so I also had a heavy feeling, as if everything inside was going to fall out! But that passed and I feel totally normal now! I'm a bit nervous as I've got my first smear test next week since my op, I'm hoping that'll be the same as a normal smear test?...

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 01/03/2017 08:57

Salted, glad you mentioned the falling feeling,as that is exactly how I feel. Glad it has gone for you, hoping the same happens for me.

OP posts:
Fauxgina · 01/03/2017 09:31

Why do you need a smear test with no cervix? Or did you leave yours in?

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 01/03/2017 13:25

They removed my cervix, so no smear tests. The consulatnat said that as my smears were always fine, I didn't need them anymore, but if someone had had previous bad results, they'd need them for a year or so afterwards.

OP posts:
Dorje · 02/03/2017 01:24

Well, my gynae suggested that even with the best will in the world, oftentimes the ovarian blood supply can be interrupted and the ovaries can "fail" charming terminology so HRT is routinely administered so as to stave off any immediate dip in oestrogen. He mentioned when discussing hysterectomy, that after about two years, no matter how old the woman is the blood supply fails and the ovaries atrophy, so hrt is needed.

The patches are stuck on on the abdomen, or around the lower back/ buttocks, not the arm.

I don't know what the nhs guidelines are, I'm in Ireland so we may have different protocols. There may be economic reasons why women are denied this, especially how strapped for cash the NHS is

It would be a pity indeed though if the reason why women aren't offered hrt immediately was solely an economic one. Not in the best interests of the patient imho.

Have your FSH levels and oestrogen levels tested, privately if you need to would be my advice, to see how you are and whether a supplemental dose of oestrogen would benefit, especially for the fatigue.

TinfoilHattie · 02/03/2017 07:37

Definitely different protocols in Ireland then!

HRT isn a choice though for most women, isn't it? Many women get through a natural menopause without using HRT at all, there increased risks of certain types of cancer, and it's not suitable for everyone. I think the NHS takes the "wait and see" approach - I'm sure if my ovaries do start packing up soon then my GP would be happy to prescribe HRT but at the moment I have no symptoms so taking HRT would be pointless.

Obviously different for women who have a total hysterectomy and have their ovaries removed.

My cervix was removed too - surgeon said pre-op that she would try her best to get it out but it would depend on the fibroid and how awkward it made getting to the cervix. I'm glad she got it though - no more smears!

TinfoilHattie · 02/03/2017 07:37

HRT is a choice I mean.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 04/03/2017 20:05

I am doing much better the last few days. Managed to get around Aldi food shopping, had to go back to the car when we got to the tills, and had to hold the trolley a few times as felt dizzy, but still managed it.

Wore jeans today as well. A little uncomfortable, and not ready for my skinny jeans just yet.

Also had fun in the bath this morning when I pulled what I thought was a bit of fluff off near my scar, but it was a stitch. Didn't hurt, and wasn't that long, stitches must be dissolving nicely I reckon.

OP posts:
BG2015 · 05/03/2017 07:48

Glad you're starting to improve.

When do you plan on going back to work?

RaskolnikovsGarret · 05/03/2017 08:16

Glad you're feeling better. That's good news.

GloGirl · 05/03/2017 08:45

ALemony that sounds like great progress!

Although the stitch Envy Envy Argh!!!!

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 05/03/2017 20:29

Probably overdid it the last few days this weekend, paying for it now with pain. I gave my toddler nephew a cuddle and twisted when he went to go down and pulled a little. Will do less the next few days. At least I'm not as tired.

I am a SAHM, so no going back to work to worry about luckily. Just need to focus on being able to do things, DH is great though and has been cooking when he gets in from work, will do so the next two weeks and then hopefully I can take over.

OP posts:
mustbemad71 · 09/03/2017 10:19

Can I join please? I'm a week post-TAH, kept ovaries, posterior prolapse repair and vaginal vault suspension so it didn't all fall out after the op!Confused

I'm pretty sore, constipation was horrific. Bladder now settling down. I had a huge fibroid so such a relief to be rid of it.

I'm fretting about sex and will it be as good?! The surgeon said it will be different and that the vagina is now shorter. I'm only 45 and I'm really worrying about this! Is anyone else back in the saddle yet?! Please tell me it will be ok!

Fauxgina · 09/03/2017 13:27

That's almost exactly my operation mustbemad! I'm having it in 2 weeks.

Sorry about the constipation were you taking anything for it before you started to struggle? I'm hoping if I take a stool softener anyway I might be able to avoid struggling so much!

I'm sure being so constipated after my first child was born caused me so many problems.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 09/03/2017 13:36

I've been taking fibogel to help with the constipation. Has worked so far and not taken I think for the past few days. Stop taking codein if you're taking it, that bungs you up.

It hurts internally this week when I go to the toilet, sort of like something is moving after I go. Going to monitor it and see if it eases. Still have prolapse in the back of my mind, not sure how quickly it happens (if it ever does) after the operation.

Three weeks for me tomorrow.

Can't comment on the sex yet, have to wait til after 6 weeks for that. Poor DH, we usually have a great sex life, he's living like a monk til then. I'm a bit worried how it will be, hoping it's not too strange.

OP posts:
BG2015 · 09/03/2017 17:53

I'm worried about sex too. I've read various things about how your cervix is connected to orgasm - don't know how true it is. I'm still waiting for a date. It's been a month since I saw the consultant.

Hysterectomyhysteria · 09/03/2017 19:34

Can I join? After 18 months of terrible pain, frequent flooding and the threat of losing my job because I have so much time off sick. I was told by consultant last week that I can have a Hysterectomy. I am lucky that I have discretionary health insurance and I have an appointment /pre op on the 21st.
I am also worried about prolapse and that sex will not be as good after the operation.
If anyone had their Hysterectomy by keyhole surgery how big are your scars?

mustbemad71 · 09/03/2017 19:43

Fauxgina good luck with the op! I keep telling myself it'll be worth it. A friend called in and commented that I look so much slimmer now the bloody great fibroid has gone. They didn't give me softeners until I was discharged - too late! Definitely recommend taking them as soon as you have the op.

Lemony are you feeling almost back to normal after three weeks or still shattered? Are you walking much? I've struggled with just a short walk outside today feel very dizzy and stitches down below are pulling so it's more of a shuffle rather than a walk!**

BG, Lemony I'm missing the sex already! I'd read that about the cervix too BG. I'm more concerned about that fact the surgeon said the vagina is now shorter and stitched up at the top, this doesn't sound good! Spoke to a friend who has had a rectocele repair, but no hysterectomy, her DH observed how "nice and tight" she is now! I just don't want to be too tight!! Shock

mustbemad71 · 09/03/2017 19:47

BG my NHS Trust have a policy that you must have your surgery within 18 weeks of the date of your referral - I had my op almost exactly on the deadline. I pestered the surgeon's secretary for updates on where I was in the queue. They gave me about 2 weeks' notice. I hope you get your date soon.

squiggleirl · 09/03/2017 19:49

Dorje I'm not sure about the protocols being different in the UK to Ireland. The advice I received was exactly the same as those who have been through the NHS.

I had an abdominal hysterectomy 2.5 years ago. Cervix was removed, ovaries stayed. I was told I would most likely not need HRT as I retained my ovaries, and that the only impact was that I would most likely start menopause up to 2 years earlier than I would have otherwise.

I've rerceived no hrt treatment, have no signs of the blood supply to my ovaries being damaged, and definitely no atrophy. All is well.