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.

Should I take my own pillow like you do when you give birth or is that being totally ridiculous?

Robots, I have PCOS and the surgeon said they'd remove my ovaries if they looked icky, but they were fine, and far better to have the menopause natrually than have to go into it quickly. Not sure what your illness is, so can't really comment.

I didn't take any extra pillows in, but I did have three on my bed, so used one to put under my tummy when I lay on my side.

I'm having problems going to the toilet. Don't feel I'm weeing properly, but when I have a poo, I wee and wee and wee. Going for a poo as well, I'm not constipated, but feel like my bowels are in a different position, like there is a little dip in them. When I do poo, there is pain roughly where my cervix was. I'm thinking this is normal right, and it's just my body adjusting.

I had the norovirus last week, thanks kids, and really struggled with pain for a few days afterwards, like I'd been kicked by a horse and had the operation again. Hoping it eases as could possibly drive by this weekend, but with pain now back to high, it's not looking likely. Going over speed bumps in DHs car has been uncomfortable and I have to breath in going around a corner, so can't see driving myself being any good.

Robots I too have been over to Hystersisters and much prefer the Hysterectomy Association site which is UK based but not as much traffic. Decorating??? I have no energy and just want to do very little. I'm trying to lose weight and keep up with my exercise but I've just lost all motivation.

Sweary - how long was your wait from consultation to appointment? I'm just waiting and waiting now.

Lemony - yuck to the novovirus, that must have been awful. I know I'll have trouble with my bowels - I always do!!

What rubbish timing for noro to strike Lemony :( that must have been hideous. How did you wangle 3 pillows though? I expect it will take time for your bowels to work out how to send poo in the right direction, it doesnt seem to take much to confuse them.

I have ordered a litter picker so I can pick up things off the floor and a comfy chair for outside as normally I sit on a blanket and fear I may get stuck if I fancy sitting outside.

I do need to buy some new clothing, although I'm the same weight I was, I'm finding I can wear fewer trousers as they all hurt my tummy. If that is before the op, I'll have to go naked after the op unless I sort something out!

BG not long because I got pissed off and threw money at the issue. I asked in December with my NHS consultant and finally got him to agree last week but we've been told it's a 2-4 month wait and the drugs they have me on to stop me bleeding have been making me suicidal (I have really bad mental health) and fat (which doesn't help me stay in recovery from an eating disorder). As soon as they told us the long wait DH decided it was time to fix me now. We got my notes and saw the consultant last Tuesday and my operation is just 8 days later.

That's if it goes ahead. My anxiety about being weighed sent my blood pressure sky high at the pre op assessment. I had an ecg done at the same time which shows it's just anxiety but it is up to the anaesthetist and consultant. Fingers crossed.

Oh my!! I daren't ask how much a hysterectomy costs by going private! Lucky you being able to get it done asap

It was cheaper than we thought it would be! We've gone with BUPA direct so part of the cost is insurance, as it were. We have paid the fixed price and if there are complications or issues BUPA covers them so there are no nasty surprises. I appreciate how bloody lucky I am though being able to do it this way.

I hope it goes ahead ok sweary. Blood pressure is so annoying!

Yes totally inconvenient time for noro, I normally never get it, haven't had it in years. Felt like crap for days.

Sweary, good luck for your op. I had to,lose weight to have mine, BMI is under 30.

I even had my own room Robot. The ward I was on did Day cases and bigger ops, and everyone who has a big op gets their own room to recover. Much nicer being able to sleep. I asked for an extra pillow, and they brought me two.

I've been living in leggings since my op. Tried jeans on last weekend end I was so uncomfortable and in pain the next day, so waiting a bit longer. Can't even wear jeggings.

Oh, and what the hell about decorating the room you'll be most in before your op, I'm damn sure that would have been the last thing on my mind.

Your own room? I will be on a ward with a million other people. I've had previous experience at the hospital so will be plotting an escape route out of the window and down the drain pipe, dragging my catheter behind me if need be.

Some people are very weird. I'm mostly planning how I can watch tv upstairs without having an upstairs tv. And how I will cope wearing a nightie when they wrap themselves round and round me, trying to kill me.

I plan on watching all of the Big Bang Theory, reading, sitting in the garden - weather dependent and probably starting my school reports!

I normally sleep in the buff as I get too hot and like you Robots, nighties end up under my arm pits or wrap round me so I can't turn over.

I'm hoping that I get sent to our local BUPA hospital because of shortage of beds - won't happen though.

That sounds like a plan BG! I have 4 series of Walking Dead to go and when .I'm feeling more up to life I'll be sorting out my millions of photos.

So exactly what you need 24 hours before admission - 3 phone calls from a pillock in the admissions office insisting you don't have cover for this and that the surgery won't go ahead without it when you've already paid the cost of a second hand car.

Given how useless the admissions team have been (this fuck up and insisting it's day surgery) I'm a bit worried I'm going to end up booked in as somebody else and have their operation instead.

How stressful for you Sweary. Did you manage to sort it out?

After 3 phone calls and a lot of tearing of hair, yes. I am considering (as I'm a customer) taking myself elsewhere though. I can get treated like shit for nothing by talking to my family so spending thousands to be spoken to like I'm stupid really grates. The problem is it's cutting off my nose to spite my face isn't it?

This all does wonders for the anxiety - my GP has prescribed me some diazepam today and it's so tempting to start popping it right now.

I wouldn't cancel the op for tomorrow. But I can see why you are angry. I'd probably wait on the diazepam until they are def shut for the night in case they decide to muck you about any more.

Oh my goodness - you would think that going private would give you more certainty and be more reassuring.

Hope it happens tomorrow for you Sweary and all goes well.

I haven't cancelled but have complained - there was no need to be obnoxious or make me anxious the day before surgery (particularly when it turned out she couldn't read a number she already had). Anyway, all steam ahead for tomorrow. In 24 hours it'll all be over.

I've been surprised at how distressed and anxious I've been today. I expected that because this is something I've wanted for a long time and I'm finally getting it I'd take it in my stride. The emotions somewhat took me by surprise.

Good luck sweary! Hope all goes well.

Sorry posted too soon.
I am not surprised that you are emotional, it's a big op and you have been wanting it for a long time.
Be kind to yourself.

Please post as soon as you're well enough (bet you'll get free wifi with BUPA) and tell us how you've gone on.

I'm desperate for my op now. I've been taking Northisterone for 6 weeks now and am convinced it's stopping me from losing weight, plus I'm feeling soooo tired.

I will! Thank you for all the kind words.

I hated norethisterone BG - it stopped me sleeping, gave me hot flushes and I went from a 6/8 to a 10 in 2 months taking it. I think it also made me crazy, but that might be me projecting because I'm medically loopy anyway. Horrid drug. I hope you get your date soon.