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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:
Original poster
ALemonyPea · 14/03/2017 21:00

Glad you're still going ahead with it sweary, and well done for complaining. Best of luck tomorrow. You'll be a new woman when you're all healed up.

OP posts:
RobotsinDisguise · 14/03/2017 21:26

Good luck Sweary!

Fauxgina · 14/03/2017 22:09

Good luck Sweary, sorry about all the drama today Flowers

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 15/03/2017 19:14

Hope the op went well Sweary and you're not in too much pain.

OP posts:
User543212345 · 15/03/2017 19:48

Pain is manageable. Nausea not so much. Just waiting on surgeon as I was in theatre longer than expected and don't know why. No big open incision though so can't be all bad.

Have catheter to tomorrow morning and some drugs on pump. Keep dropping off as taking a mouthful of food is clearly too much effort.

Consultant did say pre op that he expects me home tomorrow. Whichll be nice.

BG2015 · 15/03/2017 19:52

Ah glad it went well. Take it easy and rest up now.

RobotsinDisguise · 15/03/2017 20:50

Sorry about the nausea. Have they given you anything? I hope you get some reasonable sleep tonight.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 15/03/2017 21:41

Have theyngiven you anything for the nausea? I got a tablet thing and something in my cannula, but the nurse had to get me something else prescribed as neither helped. The third thing, in the cannula, finally helped. Hope they sort you out.

Do you have your own room?

OP posts:
User543212345 · 15/03/2017 22:06

Yes they're sorting it now. I think I asked the wrong person first.

I'm in a private room, which really helps (in my Wonder Woman nightie because I don't keep my wonder in my uterus). DH is still here and will be until we see the consultant who is still in theatre. Thank goodness for the night tube

RobotsinDisguise · 16/03/2017 07:10

I hope they managed to settle you ok last night. Your consultant worked late!

User543212345 · 16/03/2017 09:44

I can't say I had the best night - hourly obs for much of it and then two hourly. Not that I can complain about it because they're important! Aside from that I have these weird inflatable things around my calves to help prevent blood clots and they inflate/deflate every minute or so but aren't in synch so they've been keeping me awake. Pain wise I've been around a 6/10 with the odd spasm, though the pain in my shoulder from the gas pressing on my diaphragm has been the worst bit. It's fine if I'm more horizontal though.

Fingers crossed home today is a go - they want to monitor me on my meds to take home - I'm allergic to morphine so we have to be careful with other opiates - before I leave and once I've done a big enough wee I should be off. Hurrah!

Thanks for the support on here, it has been really kind.

RobotsinDisguise · 16/03/2017 10:05

The inflatable things sound really really annoying? How did you not rip them off? I bet you can't wait to go home and rest quietly. But you need to make sure they are sending you home with stuff to keep you comfy.

(thinking big wee thoughts for you!)

I had a chat with my gp and she strongly felt I should keep my ovaries unless they find a good reason when they are in there. So rather than think about it anymore I'm going to follow her advice.

She also suggested that I start taking vitamin c to help with tissue healing. I had no idea! So I'll do that.

RobotsinDisguise · 16/03/2017 10:39

I got my date. It's in just over a month, in the easter holidays. That's unexpectedly soon. Avoids the exams though. I'm really pleased. Only two bastard periods left to go.

User543212345 · 16/03/2017 11:09

Great news Robots and excellent tip re the vitamin c - I shall send DH out for some later.

I've managed a micro-wee, which is clearly not enough but I'm mainlining water and peppermint tea so I must be able to do a mega-wee soon and get home.

RobotsinDisguise · 16/03/2017 11:29

Just how much can one bladder hold?
(hurry up Sweary's wee!) Maybe this will help?

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 16/03/2017 11:40

Ah Sweary, sounds like a rough night. Hope you're managing to wee now. Nothing worse than waiting to wee.

Not long now Robot!

OP posts:
GloGirl · 16/03/2017 12:58

I didn't know that about vitamin C! What a great tip Flowers

Hysterectomyhysteria · 16/03/2017 14:38

Adding vitamins c to my list.
Is it weird that I am hoping that a stranger on the Internet is able to do a wee soon? ☺️
Healing thoughts to you sweary! 😀

User543212345 · 16/03/2017 15:09

I weed. They're just sorting my discharge paperwork and then I can go home. Hurrah! Pretty much 24 hours from going down to theatre I'll be on my way home.

Gighasmokedhalibutisawesome · 16/03/2017 15:13

Placemarking as my op is in April. Really useful preparation, thanks guys.

amimakingitup · 16/03/2017 15:44

Hi all. I had a LAVH at the end of November due to cervix precancer. Amazed people have gone back to work after two weeks! I went back after seven and first few were horrendous. I would say since about 3 months post op (two weeks ago) I have been feeling more or less back to normal, but I do have a v intense life with full time FULL ON job (HR were totally shit at support), cycle commuting 15 miles a day and single parenting two girls (10 and 8). (...so the seven weeks wasn't really rest, esp with Christmas in it!).

Worst things (not in order) were toilet function (not completely back to normal but consultant said 'oh no, it will never be like it was before'), still have to be really careful about not getting constipated and wees still harder to finish/not so sure when I need one; constant bleeding for weeks (spiky stitch, apparently, stopped at about 5 weeks), crap communication with hospital causing me loads of anxiety; FATIGUE; dismal mental health with the inactivity. Just so knackered and blue for what felt like so long. Eventually lifted by forcing myself back into exercise 8-10 weeks out but I felt really unsure about the wisdom of this (also who knows whether I would have started feeling better anyway #n=1). Was v fit before (due to cycling) and think this is why I struggled with the inertia and lack of energy. Feel pretty great now but it's been longer and tougher than I anticipated (also 'only' 38 so may have been blasé). Big hugs to you all, it's a major operation and you only get one chance to recover. I heard multiple cautionary tales of prolapse so that was enough to quash any urge I had to take on too much in the aftermath. Definitely the dark times were exacerbated by 'is this the new me?' so it's great to feel like I'm back, and want to reassure you all it will happen. Was concerned about menopause due to terrible mood swings but think they were fatigue and/or work/parenting stress so seem to have settled down (my daughter commented this am that I seem really relaxed, which was lovely to hear!).

Oh, and sex is still bloody brilliant, if anything better as I prefer the sensation without my cervix. :)

Hope recovery goes OK, Sweary! another tip: limit the visitors! I was inundated and it began to feel like a massive chore.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 16/03/2017 17:16

Thank you for posting about your toilet troubles Animakingup. I have been struggling since the op to wee properly, and have been sluggish having a poo yet full of wind. I am debating making a GP appointment, or should I phone the ward? They did say I have open access for 6 weeks. I think I just need my mind put at ease. Should I be taking fibogel do you think? Did anything help you?

OP posts:
amimakingitup · 16/03/2017 17:27

Loads of prunes, peppermint tea, lactulose for 10 days I think, fybogel and generally loads of fibre and water. I wouldn't say it worked but I shudder to think of not having done it! I think getting back to exercising worked too so really slow walking. It was a nightmare, though. Oh, I also did a glycerin suppository, but that was for the first one (five days post op!). I checked with my consultant and he said fine but I was a bit worried as the internet seemed divided (and my consultant had somewhat undermined my confidence in him already!). Still, I really had to do something.

BG2015 · 16/03/2017 19:23

Wow, what a lot of posts and great advice. I laughed at....wishing a total stranger would wee lol!

I'm still waiting for a date, 5 weeks tomorrow since I saw the consultant. I've been feeling pretty rubbish lately, tired, bloated, fat and miserable so I decided to have a break from the Northisterone, I've been taking it for 6 weeks now, 36 hours later the bleeding starts again. I forgot how heavy it can get and how painful but I feel better in myself.

I just want my date and the operation now!

Hysterectomyhysteria · 16/03/2017 19:27

BG2015, can you ring your consultants secretary to see how long they think the wait might be? Also I was advised to tell them that I was prepared to go in for my operation at short notice if they had a cancellation or something similar , this may help you to move up the list a bit quicker?