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 BG!

Good luck BG :)

Thanks guys! Let's hope so.

Said goodbye to my class, 2 of them cried. Bless they're only 6!

Bag is packed, steak and chips for tea made by my wonderful OH and now sat reading mumsnet. It feels very surreal.

Stopped taking the Northisterone over the weekend and I remember why I'm having this hysterectomy- very heavy bleeding and cramping all day!

See you on the other side!

Wishing you best of luck, BG!

Thinking of you this morning BG, hope all goes smoothly and look forward to hearing from you when you can.

Good luck BG!

Hello everyone!

I'm all done and feeling ok. I was first down to surgery at 9am and had a laparoscopic procedure and kept my ovaries.

My uterus was very large and filled with fibroids and the surgeon said she was lucky to get it all out with an abdominal incision.

I was on the ward by 12.45 and I've drank and eaten a bit but little appetite so far. Not felt sick or anything. Catheter will come out tomorrow then I have to get up and walk! hopefully I'll be allowed home by the afternoon.

I'm in a bit of pain but nothing I aren't managing.so far I'm feeling relieved that it's all over.

Can't believe it. No more periods, flooding, clots and pain!

*Without an abdominal incision

Yay BG :) I'm glad you are doing so well! You did it!

Go BG! Thrilled it went so well, no wonder you have had such a nightmare if you were stuffed with fibroids. Onward and upward indeed, best wishes for a comfortable night and home soon.

Great to hear it all went smoothly BG and you're not in too much pain. Hope you get a good night's sleep - don't be shy about asking for more pain relief if you need it overnight.

Hardly slept last night! The dreaded wind started and it was so painful. Finally got to sleep about 3am

Catheter is out and I'm dressed. Just waiting to be discharged

Feel like a 90 year old hobbling around. Dreading the 40 minute journey home. I've told my OH to bring pillows!

Glad your op went well BG. hope you're home now and resting well. Make sure you take things easy.

Glad it went well BG.
Hope you're home and comfortable now

I hope you got home comfortably, BG. You've done really well to be discharged so quickly, so make sure you rest over the next few days and sleep whenever you need to. I found sleeping sitting up against pillows was most comfortable for the first few nights, and it helped with the indigestion, too. I put a pillow under my thighs so my knees were slightly bent, which eased the strain on my abdomen - I definitely recommend experimenting with lots of pillows to find the most comfortable sleeping position.

Hi. Anyone who's had a hysterectomy but retained ovaries, how are your experiences of your cycle now? For example, today I feel exactly like the first day of my period. Achy and odd. But I'm 2 years post op and don't get this all the time. What about other hormonal symptoms? I keep losing track of where I would be. Plus, at 49, I feel odd not knowing when I would be menopausal.

Hi Tobee - I lost my ovaries but hopefully someone else will be able to advise .

Day 2 post op and I feel much more with it this afternoon. Slept reasonably well surrounded by pillows, got up once for a wee which is a slow process but getting easier and easier.

Today I've slept, read, and started watching The Big Bang Theory box set. Trapped wind has caused me a lot of pain today and I realised my body was telling me I actually needed a poo. So I attempted it and....success! I'm totally shocked as I honestly thought I'd end up being constipated. Still going to keep on top of the fibre though.

I can't believe how tired I feel. But so far I'm so glad I've had this done, it's been a positive experience up to now.

I hope your trapped wind feels better after that first poo, BG - it sounds as though your recovery is going really well so far. The overwhelming tiredness at the beginning is like nothing else, and you just have to let your body rule you for a while.

Tobee, I only had my op on Feb, but have had what I'd describe as PMT a few times, but not as bad as it was pre op.

BG, glad you're feeling ok. Hurray for poo!

You are doing brilliantly BG. Can't believe you've done a poo already!

Not a brilliant nights sleep, I usually sleep on my stomach so sleeping on my back isn't ideal. I finally managed to get comfy on my left side with a pillow supporting my tummy and one between my legs.

I'm surprised at

• the pain on emptying my bladder
• the pain the wind creates, it's not trapped now but free flowing
• the aching muscles from using your arms/legs etc to help you move as opposed to your stomach muscles, my neck is particularly sore as I must be stretching it as I'm moving

Today is a big day as I can have a shower, wash my hair and change my dressing.

But, my kitchen fitter/builder has been in touch and wants to start on my kitchen next Wednesday- it was originally going to be the end of July! We've said yes! We live in a 3 storey house with the living room, main bedroom /ensuite on the middle floor, so it won't effect me at all.

At least I hope so!

I hope you enjoyed your shower, BG. You sound as though you're doing amazingly well. Just don't be tempted to try to do lots of cleaning while your kitchen is being fitted - once you're at the pottering-about stage it's easy to forget and start doing something too strenuous. It is very strange having to move without the benefit of your abdominal muscles - you must be very glad you lost that half a stone before your op!

Had a call from my consultant earlier.
Apparently one (or both?) of my fibroids was cancerous. Very rare apparently.
No cancer found in the actual uterus, so hopefully it's contained.
Have to have ct scan next week and go from there.
Feeling pretty emotional, but trying to be positive!
Can't believe it really

Oh no Greyboot that's scary news, but the fibroid is gone and hopefully contained.

Please keep us posted about your scan