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.

Hysteria that's terrible about your sick note. Can you see another GP? If you do a manual job you definitely need more time off.

My sicknote runs out with 3 days of the end of term to go. My class is being covered by a student teacher who worked with me earlier in the year, she's got a job at my school from September and will be Y2 teacher to my current class. I can't decide whether to go back to work for those 3 days?

It's a really nice point in the school year, plus my headteacher is retiring so there is loads of things going on that week. I'm hoping my head may let me go in and not teach but just prepare for the new academic year, plus maybe spend an afternoon with my new class, I will miss the transition day which is next week.

I'll then have a further 6 weeks off on holiday. I maybe need to see how I feel in another couple of weeks.

I would see how you feel nearer the time, BG. If you do go back for those three days, it might make your holiday seem fully like holiday rather than sick leave, if that makes any sense, but don't do it if you don't feel ready - and consider doing half-days if that's possible.

Arch I know what you're saying! I'm feeling 95% normal today and have got in my jeans although I'm only wearing them because I'm going to the hairdressers. Once I get back I'm back in my leggings! My jeans rub aaginst one of my incisions slightly.

I also walked 2km yesterday, very steady which my OH keeps forgetting as he charges ahead - we normally walk quite fast.

I've now lost 13lb by keeping up with sensible eating (that's even after a chip shop tea on Fri and a meal and wine on Sat) Northisterone has to lot to answer to!

Kitchen is starting to be installed today! Washing up in the bathroom sink is a pain.

When did you all start driving? My surgeon said I could drive after 2 weeks but no way I could drive then.

I've rung my insurance company this afternoon and they say as long as your doctor okays it they are happy to go with it.

I'll be coming up to 4 weeks by the weekend and feeling good so I may attempt a bit of a drive then.

On another note: my school have OFSTED in tomorrow- mixed feelings of relief and guilt! But not a lot I can do!

I've never managed to pass a driving test, so can't help you there! Though I, like you, was told I'd 'be able to drive' two weeks after my op (I nearly rejoined 'well, that's great news because I never could before )

Your level of mobility sounds brilliant - I certainly couldn't have walked that far at such an early stage. Congrats on getting back into your jeans!

I hope your school's OFSTED inspection goes well. You shouldn't feel guilty - your contribution throughout the year will count towards the result.

BG - well dodged!!!!

I thought about driving at four weeks, but I was still getting a bit of sharp pain if I did anything odd, so left it to six weeks.

arch 😀 About the driving.

How are you Greyboot? Any further news?

My date for the ablation/biopsy/bloody Mirena is the 13th. I've already had the come biopsy for cervical cancer and took the tube home (felt too sick Togo back to work). DH thinks I'll get the tube home after 😂

Was most miffed that I asked him to WFH for a few days until I was able to drive. I was thinking Surgery on Thursday and doing the school run on Tuesday.

God help him if I have a hysterectomy, he'll think I'll be lifting a fat four year old into a high 4x4 the week after.

Good luck and healthy vibes to all who are going through the big op now

Ok cone biopsy.

To go back to work. Apologies for not proof reading.

I don't think I'd like to go to Togo with its current issues

Hi everyone

I've been reading all your updates. Greyboot - any further news yet?

My date has been re-confirmed for October. Very long story. Got very complicated and fraught for a few weeks - thought I might lose my surgeon. But all is good and back as it should be again thankfully.

But....i am having the mother of all flare ups. I have not felt so debilitated and swollen ever. I seem to remember some of you saying that this happened to you once a date was finalised - as though the uterus was giving one last "f you!"

I have had to resort to tramadol and naproxen and even those have hardly touched the pain and I look about six months pregnant.

Roll on October.

ImNot - let's hope the ablation & Mirena both help - I was awake for my ablation, I just took painkillers and had a local anaesthetic- it was very painful, but only lasted 2 minutes. I had it done on Friday and was back in work Monday. If your having a general anaesthetic though you'll need more time to recover.

MyBeloved - October will be here before you know it and I'm so glad you managed to sort out your surgeon issues.

I'll be 4 weeks post op on Tuesday and feeling really well - just this silly pain in my left hip that feels like it's bruised, very strange, not painful enough for painkillers but just 'there'.

2 weeks till we can have sex, my DP is struggling, bless him. We've only been together 3 years so still all a bit new. Don't know how I'll feel about that but will take it slow!

4 weeks post op today! My kitchen is finished (bar the floor which is being fitted at the end of the week). My DP has gone to see Radiohead in Manchester so I'm Storting stuff in the kitchen slowly.

My parents have just left, my dad moved the heavy stuff but I've only been pottering for an hour or so and my tummy aches. You just don't realise how different movement affects you.

I'm sitting down now. DP can do the rest tomorrow!

Your posts have really helped me. I'm having a hysterectomy on the 21st July. Only found out last Friday so lots to take in. I had a failed ablation last month - they perforated my uterus so it couldn't go ahead. I'm only 31 so fairly young for a hysterectomy. So much information to take in, my head is totally boggled x

BG I'm styling this out for a week in bed as I'm having a biopsy too (an excuse to rest up). I got caught by my client today shovelling down (prescription) painkillers to get through the day. I was doubled up and had to change my clothes. She came in the bathroom and said OMG just work from home. I really hope this works, just to buy me some time for this contract. How long did you get between ablation and hysterectomy?

Good luck with the kitchen, take it very easy!

Rosemary that sounds terrible, a lot to take in during a short period of time. I hope you feel better soon. I hope all goes well

Good luck Rosemary! if there is one thing I would want to say to you at this point ahead of your op is there are SO many websites and support groups and anecdotes out there that you can read up masses of stuff and psych yourself up (or out 😀).....but the three things I absolutely did not realise ahead about my actual hysterectomy experience ahead were

1. You feel pretty much fine fairly quickly, the problem is actually stopping yourself from doing anything stupid when you are still healing
2. You don't (well I certainly didn't) feel any different internally. I feel exactly the same (minus my pesky fibroid) as I did before with no sensation of anything missing. That's a massive plus I wasn't expecting, I thought I would feel a loss of something. I say this as yes, bless, you are young, but assuming you have the same experience you will absolutely not feel "Different" or old or a hormonal mess as a result IYSWIM, which I think I was worried about tbh.
3. it is all pretty straightforward. All this online information and hand holding made me think it was far bigger a deal than it was. I am not taking away from anyone that has associated trauma or found it scary. It's just that in the scale of things that have happened to me, this surgery is near the top of positive experiences!

Everyone is different of course. I am sure you will get useful support and answers to any questions you have on here.

I had the ablation last September, by January I was back to bleeding heavily. Saw my GP in. February, consultant a week later and hysterectomy on the 6th June. Key hole and kept my ovaries.

It's been the best thing I've done. Wish I'd never bothered with the ablation but I was scared. No need, it's been fine.

Thanks BG, if I can hold out until next October it would be a big bonus. If not I can terminate my contract next May.

I'm trying to stay positive but I really do think this is just a step towards what needs to be done. My client owns a farm and rears her own 'meat'. She said it was worse than she'd ever seen farming. I let her come in the disabled toilet as I'd been away from my desk for 30 mins and she was worried. I said you're a woman, you can come in if you want (we are long time friends ). The worst was over and tidied up by then.

Surely if I'm paying I can just stop this now and demand a hysterectomy? It's BUPA? Why won't they just take it all out? I'm on 30mg codeine, ibuprofen and the acid that is meant to stop bleeding.

Last night I had a migraine and was vomiting from pain but had to go to work today. I just feel so fed up, sorry to moan when others are going through so much worse.

I guess I'm just at the start of the ride?

All I can say is try the ablation and see what happens. It may work for you. Take each steps as it comes. If it fails you will know you've tried everything!

whatashower I totally agree with all 3 points. I'm amazed at how quickly the human body can recover from such a major operation.

Hello everyone, sorry for going awol, but wasn't coping very well.
Thanks for pms

Good news... CT scan was clear!

Have an appointment next week to discuss radiotherapy planning etc.

Thanks again for thinking of me x

I hope everyone is doing well with their recoveries or waiting, Im hoping that Greyboot is okay and hopefully just busy.
Congrats on the new kitchen BG, it has to be the worst room in the house to do, but the most rewarding when it's done.
I've had my pre op, which went okay, apart from my blood pressure which took a few goes to get low enough.
I have a date for the 31st, and in typical fashion, my period hasn't shown up this month, which has me worrying that I've hit menopause! After years of flooding and pain It would be just my luck right before surgery!

Ah greyboot, I am so pleased to hear your scan was clear, just the radiotherapy to get out of the way now, it's totally understandable that you were overwhelmed with everything. Onwards and upwards from now on!

That's great news Greyboot. It must have been such an anxious wait for you. I hope next weeks appointment is nice and straightforward.

fennel, periods know when surgery is forthcoming. They do all sorts of strange things.

Yay for the new kitchen BG! :)

I think I need to see my gp. I've been getting increased swelling and low down pelvic pain for the past few days. I'm going to see if it settles and if not ask their advice. I was doing so well as well. I have been going a bit mad with life though, so maybe it's that?

Ah greyboot, so pleased about scan. Hope the therapy is tolerable and you get your spring back in your step.