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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:
Hysterectomyhysteria · 18/03/2017 19:47

Not current sections, my c sections!

User543212345 · 18/03/2017 19:58

I had read that you feel shattered afterwards but am still surprised at how much. I'm only 72 hours post anaesthetic so should really expect to be tired, but I'm much more exhausted than after other anaesthetics I've had. I think I too am realising how much of a big deal this really is, people kept on saying it's major surgery and I was being a bit blasé thinking it's not like a transplant/amputation how hard can it be!

I'm eating quite well Robots - not managing "proper" meals but just had some beans on toast and got through a tonne of dried fruit earlier. I am psyching myself up for my first poo now - hoping it comes soon, and it isn't too horrific. Lots of fibre and movicol so far so I'm doing what I can to keep it as comfortable as possible.

BG2015 · 18/03/2017 20:20

I heard you feel very tired. I shall find doing nothing really difficult. Keep us updated Sweary it's good to hear your progress.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 18/03/2017 20:57

Hyster, I expected my hysterectomy to be the same as my three c section. They are absolutely not the same as I've learnt, they are totally different and the healing time post hysterectomy has been a lot longer.

Sweary, the tiredness is unreal isn't it. I could have slept for days after I had mine, and just ate as and when I could, which wasn't often. Your surgeon sounds amazing.

OP posts:
Happyhaggard · 18/03/2017 21:33

Ooh may I join you ladies? I had vaginal hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair 12 weeks ago, so a bit further on than most here, but still struggling Sad mainly just with the tiredness now, but I had complications and 2 GAs plus a heap of emotional stuff going on so lots of healing to do.

I think I was like you Sweary in underestimating this rather! But I also know of people back to work at 3-4 weeks and feeling great.

Happyhaggard · 18/03/2017 21:37

And you Hyster (in underestimating!) sorry Blush

Hysterectomyhysteria · 18/03/2017 21:42

Oh happy, I hope that you are on the mend now?
It seems that I have definitely underestimated the whole thing. Sad

Happyhaggard · 18/03/2017 22:33

Yes I'm definitely heading the right direction thanks Hyster. There is progress week by week, just feels very slow and I'm impatient! I'm having a "couple of steps back" this week, which is how it goes I think.

And sorry if I've made you feel less positive! I did have my head in the sand a bit and took a cancellation so didn't prep as much as perhaps I should. But you still have time to prepare and are doing the right thing coming here and finding out all about it!

I have heard so many good things by lots of different women about how great it is, I'm just not feeling it yet, but I do think I'm in the minority for being quite so wiped out still. I've been anaemic and low blood pressure too (lost a lot of blood) and having become a single mum and lost my job just before the op, and lots of other major health issues in my family, it's really no surprise it's taken me longer than most to get my energy back I think!

BG2015 · 19/03/2017 08:05

Wow Happy that's a lot of stuff to deal with at once. I hope you're taking it easy.

User543212345 · 19/03/2017 08:14

Good morning. I didn't sleep well last night - I got too hot and needed to wee a fair bit. That's a normal night for me though, and I'm drinking like a mad woman to avoid constipation so I'm not surprised at the volume of wee! This morning I managed to poo and it was entirely unscary and painless. That was a huge surprise!

I'm on my own this morning as DH has gone to run a half marathon, so I'll have a bit of peace and quiet Grin

Happy I got a date very quickly when we decided to go private and I think I'm in a similar position that I didn't have too much time to prep. I'm now reaping the rewards(?) of that but intend to take things very slowly now. You sound like you've been through the wringer recently though - be kind to yourself.

ArchNotImpudent · 19/03/2017 08:26

Happy that sounds like a lot to go through Flowers.

My abdominal hysterectomy was 15 weeks ago - I've been back at work for a while, but I have days where I feel absolutely shattered. I think my nerves are still in the process of repairing themselves - occasionally I'll get a short, sharp pain around my wound. 99% of the time, though, I feel fine and far, far better than before the op when I was in constant pain - it's life-changing to be pain free after years.

It will be worth it, eventually, Happy - you just need to take the time you need to heal, be patient with yourself and don't measure yourself against others - everyone's recovery is different.

BG2015 · 19/03/2017 09:10

I've started taking the Northisterone again this morning! I've felt absolutely dreadful over the last few days - really painful cramping, bleeding is like a constant flood and I'm just reminded of how rubbish this is.

At least the Northisterone gets rid of all that.

So glad your poo was successful Sweary! Obviously all your preparation did the trick.

Rest up and enjoy your Sunday everyone

Gighasmokedhalibutisawesome · 19/03/2017 10:04

Just checking in and punching the air in delight and relief at Sweary's successful poo.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 19/03/2017 10:28

Happy 💐You've had a rough time. Hope it gets better.

Hurray for your successful poo Sweary.

I've been bleeding all weekend. The consultant said it would happen, and Google says it is normal, but it still scares me a bit. It's not heavy or anything.

OP posts:
BG2015 · 19/03/2017 10:33

Lemony why are you bleeding? Where is this blood coming from? I'm totally confused?

Happyhaggard · 19/03/2017 10:52

Aw thanks everyone Blush

It's nice to have it validated that it's been a lot to contend with, although am thankful obviously that I'm on the mend and it could have been a whole lot worse. Just a bit bored of it now!

I am taking it easy and have found a new job which is doing my confidence a world of good, although I'm only managing a few hours a week, but it is what it is.

Another here celebrating your first poo Sweary! A momentous occasion!!

Lemony bleeding is scary but really, unless it's heavy, dark or with a thick discharge, it's to be expected by all accounts for even the first couple of weeks. I was lucky that after they fixed me up, and I only had a very tiny amount from then on.

Feel a bit bad coming with a bit of a horror story for all you facing this or in early stages, but I hope it just goes to show whatever happens we all get through it and heal eventually. And YY to not comparing ourselves with others.

Happyhaggard · 19/03/2017 10:55

x post *BG2015

I'm assuming the bleeding is vaginal. I think as you start to move around the internal wounds weep a bit.

BG2015 · 19/03/2017 11:28

Ahhh I see! Feeling a bit dense now Blush

wineoclockthanks · 19/03/2017 11:39

You and me both BG2015

I asked one of the nurses in hospital why I was bleeding now I didn't have a uterus. She explained that they will have stitched the top of the vagina closed (sorry if TMI) and that light bleeding of light red blood is normal and if it increases, it's a good sign I've been overdoing it.

Gighasmokedhalibutisawesome · 19/03/2017 11:51

BG not being dense - I didnt know either. Another useful thing to know.

ArchNotImpudent · 19/03/2017 11:59

Yes, it took about three weeks for my bleeding to stop - apparently it can last for a couple of months. It's something to be aware of pre-op - that you'll still need sanpro for a little while afterwards. It's a useful way to gauge if you're doing too much in the first few weeks - if the bleeding increases, you probably need to rest more.

Happyhaggard · 19/03/2017 12:14

No not dense - I didn't know beforehand either along with quite a bit else it seems

And yes, rest up Lemony and try to think if there's anything you started doing that might have overdone it a bit and leave it a bit before trying again.

Original poster
ALemonyPea · 19/03/2017 14:32

I only had very light bleeding after the op, but this is more. The consultant did Day it would happen weeks 3/4 as it's the stitches finally dissolving and vagina healing. I think, as well, that's it's part overdoing it, and part being quite constipated (haven't been since Monday but finally last night and today, thank you laxatives) so I need to keep on top of that. Going to get a GP appointment tomorrow I thinkmjust to be checked out as instructed by the ward.

It's not a lot of blood, just when I wipe. Nothing like my actual periods were.

OP posts:
ArchNotImpudent · 19/03/2017 14:50

It's best to get it checked out if you're worried, but it sounds normal - the increased blood after constipation relief happened with me; obviously I was trying to minimise strain, but there will be some inevitable stress when you finally move your bowels. I hope your appointment eases your mind.

RobotsinDisguise · 19/03/2017 21:09

It is sort of weird that it's expected to bleed after, I don't know of any other ops where bleeding would be expected. Don't they sew it up properly?

I thought that being self employed meant that the only hassle I got about going back to work would be self imposed guilt. I already have clients asking if I can start back earlier than I'd said I'd hoped to be back. I've not even had the op yet and I'm getting pressurised.