Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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:
BG2015 · 15/07/2017 14:01

lazy welcome to our little support thread! Tuesday is a good day to have a hysterectomy, it's the day I had mine!

I'm just coming up to 6 weeks post op and doing really well. I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy, I kept my ovaries. I'm 48 and I've got 2 boys aged 14 & 17.

You definitely need a nightie not pj's and take a dress to wear when you come out of hospital. Drink loads of fluid when you first come out of theatre and are on the ward, it regulates your BP and they like to see good urine output.

The hysterectomy association website also has a good list of things you need and a week by week list of what you should be doing (or not doing) to aid recovery.

Keep,us posted on how you get on.

FretYeNotAllIsShiny · 15/07/2017 14:09

Good luck! Hope it goes well for you!

lazycrazyhazy · 15/07/2017 18:37

Thank you! I'll look at that site and remember to drink lots. My DD had a CS a few months ago so I'll take nighties as she suggested also. Mine are all pale colours so will go out on Monday and buy some darker ones. And big knickers and pads I guess? Bit of a blast from the past at the age of 60! I'm also keeping my ovaries.

lazycrazyhazy · 16/07/2017 09:59

So beyond drinking lots, peppermint tea, nighties not pyjamas, laxatives any other tips ladies? Someone said take a duculose or something similar before the surgery but I'm worried I'll have the runs then.... thoughts?

After how long could you drive? My GP said as it's vaginal maybe two weeks but my surgeon said up to 6....

BG2015 · 16/07/2017 11:11

My consultant said I could drive after 2 weeks but there was no way I could've driven then. I was 4 weeks post op before I drove.

I took some dry biscuits, mints, dried apricots, ear plugs and eye mask, lip salve, iPod and headphones, battery charger for my phone.

I wouldn't take anything before your op, just up the fibre and water.

I didn't bleed a great deal afterwards it was just light spotting for about 3 weeks as the vaginal stitches dissolved.

What time have you got to be there on Tuesday?

lazycrazyhazy · 16/07/2017 16:01

BG thanks, loads of tips there. 7am I'm to arrive, so think I'm on morning list. Good, would rather get it over with.

BG2015 · 16/07/2017 16:56

I was first too. I was down in theatre at 9am and back up by 1pm. I was then home by 11am the following day. Definitely an advantage having a morning operation.

You'll be fine, the staff were fantastic on the ward, explained things and were really nice. They did observations every hour for what seemed like all afternoon and evening, so it was often hard to sleep.i didn't sleep much that night at all.

My drip was removed in the evening once my BP had stabilised and the Catheter and cannula were taken out the following morning, I was helped to get up and get to the toilet - had to wee in a bowl so they could measure output.

It was good to get home and be looked after.

lazycrazyhazy · 16/07/2017 18:32

BG who was looking after you at home? How many days would you suggest DH expects to have off or work from home? I know it says you're not to be left alone for first day or two.

DD and DS live locally but are pretty full on with DGS so though DD will pop in a lot and help out there's a limit to what we can expect. Other DC are far away.

BG2015 · 16/07/2017 18:57

My DP looked after me. I'd say you need someone for at least a week. It's things like lifting the kettle that you can't do, although a flask with hot water in it would help.

It will totally depend on how you feel, I think I recovered pretty well but I know others who struggled.

ImNotReallyReal · 16/07/2017 20:57

I've had my ablation which involved a biopsy, resection (stitches) and a couple of stitches to sort out the damage they did to my very tight cervix.

I've been given a Mirena and a Zoladex implant as the consultant said it was messy and I'm to go back in four weeks.

He was very honest and said I look like a hysterectomy case to him, but it would be a specialist case due to my bad adhesions.

I feel shocked, I only did this to buy time. I'm 43, and now thinking I'm going to be looking at a hysterectomy in the next year.

To all others who have been down the full path I hope you are healing well Flowers I'm a bit sore but sure it's nothing compared to your ops.

Did anyone buy time by getting this done before the full op?

BG2015 · 16/07/2017 21:12

imnot I'm glad that your ablation went well. I suppose you just need to wait and see how things pan out once things have settled down. It may have given you some respite.

ImNotReallyReal · 17/07/2017 06:36

Thanks BG, I know you've been down this road so your advice is appreciated. I hope you're feeling ok Flowers

lasttimeround · 17/07/2017 07:30

On buying time. My mirena coil bought me 5 years break from seriously unmanageable periods. Before that I used tranexamic and mefenamic acid to deal with a heavy flow but still had flooding incidents. I've been putting off a hysterectomy for last 2 years becsuse I've serious caring responsibilities. The first few months I needed time to get used to the idea too if I'm honest but more recently I'm desperate to get it done as I'm huge round the middle and in pain mainly because I'm so distended I think. I'm 43 as well. I'm hoping I'll feel better once I'm recovered.
I'm also looking forward to the bedrest

lasttimeround · 17/07/2017 07:32

Sorry you meant buy time through having an ablation Blush.

lazycrazyhazy · 17/07/2017 10:49

Lasttime im having my hysterectomy tomorrow and am also, I must admit looking forward to the rest.

I actually came on to say I'm on my way to the supermarket to buy pads/ panty liners. In RL and here people tell me you don't bleed like after childbirth so what level would I take in to hospital? Panty liners and a pack of night time pads? Blast from the past for me as I'm 9 years post menopause.

BG2015 · 17/07/2017 11:39

I bought pads and they are still sat in my bathroom unused. I ended up using pantyliners but everyone is different.

But you can always pass on unused stuff to your daughter.

lazycrazyhazy · 17/07/2017 15:32

Thanks BG I bought a selection but as you say can pass on to daughters. Hope that will be the case!

whatashower · 17/07/2017 19:02

Good luck tomorrow lazycrazy and hope all goes smoothly and is as relaxing as possible. You will be packed and organised now, but just to say that I only had slight spotting, and only passed a little blood post-recovery, in the main when visiting the loo. Apart from the traditional brick sanitary towel provided by the hospital, I only used a couple of liners through my recovery. Take care and hope to see you post when you are through the surgery.

lazycrazyhazy · 17/07/2017 20:01

Thank you whatashower I'm indeed packed and ready to go!

BG2015 · 17/07/2017 20:06

Good luck lazycrazy - let us know how you get on!

lazycrazyhazy · 17/07/2017 20:43

Will do. Thank you.

BG2015 · 18/07/2017 20:29

lazycrazy hope you've gone on ok and are settled in bed and resting. Been thinking about you!

I'm back at work tomorrow- 6 weeks done! Feel great!

Rosemary203 · 18/07/2017 21:25

Good luck to everybody having their operations this week. Reality is really starting to kick in now. The GP I work with gave me a warning today to make sure I take all the advice I am given and to rest not trying to be super Mum and take any help offered. So hard as I'm the one who tends to do all the things for the kids and in the house. I'm not good at taking a back seat.

lazycrazyhazy · 18/07/2017 22:21

Thanks you all. All done, needed anterior and posterior repair so was in theatre nearly 3 hours which was a surprise to me.

Dosed up and reasonably comfortable at the moment. Just like slight period cramps. No wind yet but I wasn't inflated so fingers crossed.

Had a vomit earlier which felt rather alarming down below, hope no damage done.

Will update in morning. Thanks again for the support.

lasttimeround · 19/07/2017 07:01

Hi lazy - glad it's over and you sound well. Despite it being such a long op. I'm up tomorrow. Just done my last work trip. Totally shattered on way back. Going to have a crazy day of preparation today. Good luck rosemary.
It's so good to hear from those of you 6 weeks etc into recovery doing well. Long may it continue!