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.

Good luck Grey, don't forget, if you are feeling a bit sore or queasy after, press the button, don't suffer in silence.

I'm managing little walks, which given my other health stuff is pretty good. Starting to eat more and pain definitely much less. Really hope I don't lose hair, I'm kind of challenged in that department as it is!

1 week post op.

Hope your operation has gone well Grey and you're back on the ward pumped full of lovely pain relief.

Hello everyone.
Day 6 for me and so far so good! I am feeling much better than I expected to be honest.
Not on any painkillers since day 2. Very very tired though I need a nap after having a shower.
I am also OK on the HRT patch so long may that continue.
AS a Robots mentioned I am having some crazy dreams and am finding some of them quite distressing as they seem so real!
I hope that everything went well for you Grey and that everyone else is continuing to improve.
Date of operation 22 April total Hysterectomy with overies also removed.

It's funny how different everyone's recovery is! I'm still taking painkillers four times a day and know about it if I don't. Just ibuprofen and paracetamol though. But it's not horrid pain.

I've had some of my stitches taken out today as it was getting really inflamed around some of them. Oh the relief!

Oh Robots, I don't have any stitches to take out- did you have keyhole surgery? If you didn't I bet that is why you are in more discomfort?

Hi all. grey hope you are doing ok post op, and that you are comfortable.

Great news hysteria just be prepared for the tiredness to continue a bit, I am still swamped in inertia! But when you are relatively comfortable its quite nice to relax.

It has been cold and wet here so harder to get the motivation to go out. But I find sleep is also more difficult if you have been lounging around a lot so will make more of a concerted effort to be a bit busier today.

I am taking a few ibuprofen and paracetemol as required now but mainly to ease the abdominal discomfort I have at the end of the day to ensure I sleep.otherwise still doing fine, I am just psyching myself up to get used to the abdominal swelling as it does seem' from what I have read, that it can take ages to settle. I am having small muscle spasms now which I assume is a good healing sign.
robots your note on stitches made me wonder, mine werent mentioned and I have just assumed they are the dissolving kind! I guess I will find out!

Day 14, TAH, fibroid and ovary removal.

Hope everyone has a good day.

I had an LAVH, so yes, partially laparoscopic. Were yours glued Hyster? Mine were all bunched up in a lump and sewn together. They've gone flat now the stitches are mostly out.

Maybe I'm just a wimp

I have just checked - I too had a LAVH and I do have stitches but they are dissolvable. I have three teeny 'wounds' on my stomach approx 1cm each with what looks like a single stitch in. One is in my belly button (boak).
Of course you are not a wimp Robots everyone is different and my surgeon said that there is not a 'Right' way with recovery.
Gig, I hear you about the abdominal swelling, it's awful isn't it? I do feel uncomfortable with that in the evenings.
I am going to go for a little stroll tomorrow, I went out two days ago for a very short walk and felt shattered all of yesterday so won't even go that far tomorrow.

I am terrified of doing any damage to myself!

Mine was abdominal, but I had dissolvable stitches. My wound was initially taped, and I left the tape in place for about two weeks- some of the stitches came out when I pulled it off and the rest just disappeared over time.

Morning, posting from hospital.
Op went well Thursday. Started keyhole, but had an incision by caesarean scar to remove uterus and fibroids. Kept ovaries, but no more smears for me!
Feeling queasy and dizzy, so need to get on top of that.
Hopefully home tomorrow

Welcome back Greyboot.
I think the queasiness and dizzy feelings are something we've all had, it does improve fairly quickly, but it doesn't feel that way at the time! Are you able to eat a little?

Glad the op went well Grey, sorry they had to cut you open, hope the recovery goes well for you.

I keep having awful dr arms about one of my DC dying and then being so upset because I no longer have a womb. It has never bothered me when I'm awake, but wake in a panic and have to reassure myself it's not real.

I had dissolvable stitches in, and I couldn't even see them until they were dissolving, as I managed to pull a few out as they were erupting through my skin 🤢

Welcome back greyboot and hope you start to feel much better really soon. We are all stuffed with anaesthetic and strong painkillers post-op so I think queasy is standard. My blood pressure was very low initially (it is low normally) which ensured I was also very lightheaded for a bit.

lemony just wondering are you still taking paracetemol? I took some last night as was uncomfortable and then had ridiculous dreams. Not upsetting like yours though thankfully (that must be awful, poor you).

My dream was totally random. Think Jeremy Corbyn in his small general store off a narrow cobbled high street (er, obviously) who had decided to put all his Christmas tat wares on display early. I was outraged and kept saying "but its not even May yet!". What was that all about? I do not usually dream, but I guess it might be strong auto-suggestion from previous posts rather than the painkillers! At least there wasnt a womb in sight!
Have a lovely day everyone.

"Not even May yet" Your clever brain Gig!

Lemony, what an awful dream. I hope it fades quickly.

I'm glad to hear it went well, Grey. The sickness should start to ease off soon as the anaesthetic works its way out of your system.

No, no paracetamol anymore. I've had it a few times now, guess it's just one of those dreams that'll come and go. I hate how graphic my dreams are at times.

Morning greyboot
Just popping on to say I hope you are recovering well and manage to get home today.

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

Morning all.
Just popping on again to say hello. Hope you are home safe and reesting grey.

It is just over two weeks post op for me. Still very tired but trying to get into a routine of walking a bit every other day at least. Sleeping a lot though.
My big scar seems to be healing ok, having frequent muscle spasms now which I assume is a good sign as stuff knits together again.
A small triumph - I have managed to fit into my jeans today and I am just going to ignore any mild discomfort as long as possible as so fed up with my old leggings.😀 They actually feel a bit more supportive.

Have a nice Bank Holiday everyone.

Hello everyone,
Eventually came home this morning, as I was still feeling dizzy and was so full of wind I didn't know what to do with myself yesterday.
The wind eventually released itself this morning!! (never had anything like it, even after previous surgery.)
Feeling much better today, but sore obviously.
Hope you're all doing ok?

Delighted to know you are home grey
I think it is fair to say that the wind suffered post-op is truly in a league of its own.
I know it is no laughing matter, and indeed can be so painful, but the relief when it er, passes, is equally great.😀
I am still taking peppermint tea as it really does seem to help. I had abandoned it in favour of my usual industrial strength espresso, but returned to it pretty damn quick after a "difficult day".
Rest up, sleep sound, medicate well, be pampered, pass wind and relax.
Gig x

Grey glad you are home and that you can start to heal at home.

No major news from me. I had a strange dragging pain on Saturday and then yesterday I started bleeding. I'm taking Northisterone to stop the bleeding so this was a bit odd. I also lost a couple of clots, not big but definitely there. All very odd!

It's stopped today! Proof that all is not as it should be. This uterus needs to go!

Hoping everyone has enjoyed the 3 day weekend!

Fantastic that you are home Grey. I think that I am lucky that I have avoided the dreaded wind! 😀
I went out yesterday only out an hour and I am shattered and teary today.
When I saw that you had posted BG2015 I got all excited and thought that you had a date!!! 😀

Hyster, believe me I will shout it from the rooftops when I do!

I get in from work everyday and jump straight on the post. It will happen, 7/8 weeks left until they breach the waiting time deadline. Anytime after the 1st June will be fine.

BG I am rooting for you making the Harry Potter play, I am so envious.
and I demand chapter and verse on the show please
hysteria there seems to be an absolute pattern of one day up one day down. I managed a one hour wander and was flattened, sore and dizzy the next day. Take it slow and dont expect too much of yourself at this early stage. I have told myself if I have plateaued and have not demonstrably improved by Week 4 I will get checked out.

Congratulations on the escape Greyboots!

Hyster, I'm sorry you are feeling rubbish today.

I'm doing ok, by this time of night I'm absolutely shattered. I'm finding it really difficult just to accept that it's ok not to do anything. So I'm setting myself little tasks for each day. Planted some herbs today - well I pointed and dh planted!