New hysterectomy support thread

[lasttimeround]

Come one come all for everything hysterectomy related

Discuss procedures, pre op preparation, post op healing. And whatever else crops up.

I have a massive infection - explains the bleeding xx

Hope you're ok with the bleeding rosemary. I actually felt more active in week 2 than week 3 although I can walk further and faster now I get tired and am napping.

Oh Rosemary I'm sorry to hear that but at least it's explained. Antibiotics I assume. Have they kept you in for IV?

That's not good after care is it
BG? Shocking!

Last I am the same, had more energy a week ago.

Oh Rosemary I hope the infection clears up!

Sorry rosemary. I don't know how I missed your last post before posting. What a shame. Are you back in hospital or at home with antibiotics. I hope you will start feeling much better.

I'm plodding on. I'd love to go swimming- im very stiff with all this lying down. But I'm going to hold off a bit despite my leaflet as the thought of an infection is too much for me. I did my complications after surgery. Really dont need any more.
Wish everyone good healing. It's been sunny here last 1 days - what a difference that makes

How is everyone? Rosemary I'm hoping your infection is clearing up. Lazy crazy- are you still weepy? And has three bleeding stopped?

I'm finding it hard that rev9very is slow. My belly stone is slowly feeling smaller and lighter but I get very tired. I'm also achy from lack of exercise/movement despite doing my little bit every day. I'm a bit depressed by how much muscle I lost. One week on a drop only no food with that awful ileus I guess. Now my flesh is hanging off me. Lousy way to lose weight. I'd hoped the muscles would somehow just regenerate once I started eating but I guess I will have to rebuild them the old fashioned way. Damn it. Belly still big and swollen. I'm so flipping keen to get out of my maternity clothes too. Probably should just buy more and content myself.

I'm not doing too badly, weeing is still painful and I still have soreness and discomfort, plus I've royally offended my bowels who are conspiring against me with alternating constipation and diarrhoea after being tampered with.

I've managed a couple of trips out, but foolishly wore my jeans for an hour or so, I won't be doing that again in a hurry! The combination of tiredness and boredom is irritating Im itching to be able to sort the garden out. Im also feeling more uncomfortable down there, so I don't know if it's just the healing pro ess or menopause kicking in I'm getting plenty of night sweats and hot flushes.

Thanks for asking lasttime. I'm much more equable and in less of an emotional rollercoaster. I think I have a UTI (similar symptoms to you Fennel) so am going to get that tested tomorrow. Like you I'm frustrated as want to be fully recovered faster and need to be as life is fairly full on!

How are you Rosemary?

School started today. Big sigh of relief. House is clear of relatives. They've been great but it's nice to get our space back. I'm hugely more able than I was. My walking speed is almost back to normal - I was never very fast. And I'm able to walk 30 mins at a time. Not bad for 3.5 weeks. Hope everyone else is also on an onwards and upwards streak.

So glad to hear that lasttime. I'm also hugely improved, I think the UTI had dragged me down. We are all on and up! I remember that feeling of return to school: sadness tinged with relief! Our visitors left yesterday so I'm feeling a bit the same!

Sorry Iv not been on here . The antibiotics seem to have done the job. The GP wanted me to go back to the gyne ward to get checked over but after my admission I refused point blank to step back in there. I have to say I'm prettt much back to normal. Tire easily and am still avoiding lifting too much but so much better than I though I'd be. Drove for the first time today, physio told me 4-6 weeks and I needed to b able to crush a can under foot without it hurting. Little bit paranoid so won't be driving far for a little while.
I have been invited to go to a meeting to discuss my complaint, feeling a tad nervous but I totally stand by every thing that I said so I am going to go. The good thing is o have undertaken investigations in work (I work for the NHS) so I know what I need to say to get my voice heard.
My only odd thing I'm having is incredibly sore nipples - like when I was due on they would hurt but it's been constant for the last week or so. Very odd .
Hope every one is doing ok xx

Hi all and glad to read those of you that are through surgery are doing ok, and rosemary that you have your infection sorted.

I am 4 months post-surgery and totally well and rather liberated minus my 1.2kg fibroid (abdomen gets a bit uncomfortable around the stitches occasionally but appears that's normal)

Reason for posting is that laughably I have my 6 week post surgery follow up on Tuesday(the earliest they could do!). I have kind of lost the plot and can't think what to ask so am trying to focus on making it a useful appointment although I suspect it will be a tick box exercise.

I will ask about my endometriosis and what they could tell from surgery for sure but has anyone else had a follow up with the surgeon? Did you have a clinical exam?

Appreciate this is a question for those 2 or 3 months after op and just hoping there are some lurkers popping back occasionally. (My user name was gighasmokedhalibut in earliest posts btw)

Hey gighas - I'm 11 weeks post op on Tuesday but can offer no suggestions as to what to ask your surgeon. I didn't have any sort of follow up just a histology letter saying all was well.

I'm totally recovered and back to normal at the gym and hill walking. I kept my ovaries but am getting some night sweats and occasionally a rush of heat during the day too. Don't know if I need to see my GP?

Nice to see you

Good luck rosemary with presenting your complaint.

I'm clueless regarding follow up. Haven't got that far yet. I know I'll get a report from the labs regarding what was actually in my uterus. I guess that's the histology.I joined a fb hysterectomy support gp. Theres a fair bit of down the line stuff I'm going to ask gp about. Mainly how/is it worth trying to mitigate some of the negative impacts of this. Like taking calcium for my bones. Using my pelvic toner against prolapses. There's a frustrating amount of stuff around menopause and hysterectomy I have no clue about. I think the NHS is brilliant when you need clear immediate medical attention but low level chronic issues that reduce quality of life it's not good at.

BG2015 - I think you can get a blood test to determine where you are regarding menopause - although maybe nhs prefers just to guess from what symptoms you are presenting?
My gynaecology dept said they don't do follow up appts unless there's a problem. But I was so done by then I wasn't taking much information on board anymore. One week on a drip will do that to you. I'm seeing gp tomorrow. I've had a blood test to see how I'm doing after my saga. I plan to ask about what happens next.

Thanks guys. It's clear the post-op follow up isn't standard, and due to the delay I have already had my histology report. If I get to see the nice consultant he specialises in endo and fibroids so if there are any questions you want me to ask don't hesitate 😀
Lasttime - I agree about the lack of clarity on menopause management and I want to be very clear on the choices and relative risks. I am aware hr`t has been demonised a bit and I am keen to understand my current bone density as a benchmark.

My quality of life has improved beyond measure as the fibroid was so troublesome but would like to be able to better manage the sweats and sore joints if I could.

Hey BG, hello old friend 😀- a simple blood test will confirm if you are peri/menopausal now. I think it's worth understanding what is going on hormonally and if your ovaries are 'failing' post-op, given that you went to the trouble of keeping them, so I think a GP follow up is entirely appropriate.

Will report back.

Shit - there's been a tiny bit of oozing this week. And now 1 drop of blood. Bugger I really hope this isn't a set back. Nothing seems any more swollen than usual. It all smells a bit i guess but it's not a 'foul odour'. GP appt anyway tomorrow but cross your fingers for me please.

Lastime - I am still getting odd days where I bleed. Finally saw a GP that specialised in gyne this week and she said bleeding up to 8 weeks is perfectly normal and this the majority of cases she has seen ta the result of over doing it and 'pulling' the internal wounds. Crossing everything I can cross x

Rosemary that's interesting as I'd reached that conclusion. My loss has almost finished (nearly 5 weeks) but if I do too much it slightly increases. All this nothing heavier than a kettle is bloody hard to keep up isn't it? I forgot yesterday and carried my 17lb DGS upstairs! Today I'm on a packed train with a suitcase.... tricky.

Hi, do you mind if I join? I'm a bit late to the party as I'm not going to surgery until next week. I've no idea really what to expect. My consultant is lovely but not forthcoming with actual facts!

I had sterilisation a while ago, has anyone else? How does the pain/recovery compare? I struggled with the GA last time so am expecting to be wiped out but other than that I'm clueless really.

Amy thoughts or ideas would be really helpful. My work want me back after 4 weeks but I don't know how realistic that is. I don't do any heavy lifting (at least what I do can be handed off to others) but it is up.and down all day amd high stress.

Sorry, stream of consciousness there, I didn't realise how much I wanted to ask!

Hi Buffer. Well heavy lifting is anything above a kettle (full I assume!). Do tell them about previous anaesthetics as hey can adjust what you have. I haven't had sterilisation so no idea. However incision / microsurgery / vaginal does seem to make a difference to how you feel afterwards.

Hi, thank you for answering.

I'm having laparoscopic surgery. I'd prefer vaginal but they're concerned that they'll need to convert to abdominal cut.

I have a fibroid that makes me look 6 months pg most days.

Hi Buffer - if you end up with an abdominal incision you'll likely need more than 4 weeks. Although km 4 weeks now and could do a phased return to work building up hours each week. The smaller incisions seem to heal quicker. But all depends. Good luck with the surgery.

Seems like my leaking is likely nothing to be worried about. Thsnks for the good vibes rosemary. I'm overdoing it a bit and pulling on things. But there is only so long you csn just lie about for.

Are you off somewhere interesting on that train lazy?

I'm sorting through my wardrobe planning autumn winter purchases. Lady of leisure that I am.

Do you have a link to the previous thread? I feel like it maybe useful!

I feel I may struggle with the resting. I wrote a list of things to do. It was all housework of some description... I don't get out much I have a book to finish - is that optimistic?!

Here you go: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2862615-Is-there-a-hysterectomy-support-thread?pg=1&order=