after a hysterectomy.....

[Camiila]

what is at the end of your vagina? Where does it lead? Is it sealed off low down? how do you clean it?

Also how long did recovery take?

any information gratefully received!

Recovery can take 3-4 months, less if it’s done vaginally, but realistically 6 months before you’re totally back to normal

It doesn’t lead anywhere, if your cervix is removed, the top is just sewn up, and there’s no need to clean it

Thank you.

Did you have ovaries removed too?

Where your cervix used to be is a 'cuff' - the area is just stitched up. The position will be the same as the centre of your cervix. It doesn't need cleaning. Recovery varies from person to person but 6 weeks to 3 months is the norm for getting back to work; it might take longer to feel completely well and regain all your former energy. The tiredness you suffer after a hysterectomy is like nothing else.

I had ovaries removed, OP.

I had one ovary removed

I’ve always wondered this (not the cleaning bit)

How long were you in hospital for? and also, do you have to stay in longer if you live alone?

I was in for 3 nights, you will need help for several weeks when you get home, even if it’s just someone popping in a couple of times a day as you really won’t be able to do much for yourself at first

I was only in for two nights, but I live with my husband, and my sister came to stay to help me for the first week while he was at work. To be discharged you have to show that you are weeing normally and can walk about.

The main thing you can't do at first is lift anything. If you have no one to cook for you, you'd be advised to stock up on meals you can just microwave. Getting up from lying to sitting to standing is also very difficult at first.

Take people seriously when they say don't lift a full kettle. I stupidly didn't. Took about 24 hours to feel normal after that.

I liked the idea of having a cuff. Kept visualising it as being white and frilly.

Recovery depends on if you have keyhole or an abdominal cut.

Luckily, they managed to do mine keyhole, inc ovaries and cervix. I was in hospital for 2 nights and off work for 4 weeks (I work in a school so lots of bending etc).

Because I didn't have an abdominal cut, I was able to lift light things after a week or so.

Get some peppermint tea for afterwards to help with getting the gas out (they fill you full of it to move the intestines out of the way!)

Thanks for all your information and help

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy and BSO five days ago.

I couldn't have managed without my OH moving in 24/7 for the first few days as well as my son being home from university. Mind you, they're fussing too much now and I just want to be left alone.

You'll need good pain relief. And the state of my intestines - dear god, it was like labour pains yesterday.

I was able to have oestrogen patches on standby fortunately, as the sweating started almost immediately. An Evorel 50 patch has calmed this :)

Good luck

i kept ovaries. had the full monty old style op due to removal of massive fibroids.
home after 2 nights. so home on saturday morning. dh went back to work on monday. dd15 took dd5 to school for a couple of weeks. i did proper rest but was back at work after 7 weeks, office based

Thank you @linsey run

Mine was abdominal. I was off work for 7 weeks, then back on a phased basis for four weeks building up to full-time.

Mine was laparoscopic subtotal (kept ovaries and cervix). I was in hospital for two nights, then at home for a week before going back to work. I was very tired indeed during that week, but didn’t require any help.

Op, I asked the same question as you and was told it was sewn up so it was like a sock at the end.

I had the full monty, inc ovaries, and a vertical incision and was let out of hospital a day early after 3 nights. I felt much better than I expected, and was walking to the day room for lunch and able to climb stairs.

I live on my own, but my dd stayed with me for the first two nights. I didn't really need her - I felt quite safe - and I could make a hot drink and use the microwave. I could do everything I needed to do, just not for very long. I needed a rest after having a shower. The hospital recommended treating the first week as extended hospital care: mainly resting, but it's good to have a little walk every day, 5-10 mins, if you can.

I was able to travel up to town for my post-op after 2 weeks on public transport, but I felt as if I'd climbed Everest the next day. And it's a slow recovery to get your stamina back. I'd suddenly feel as if I HAD to sit down, and never knew quite when it would happen, so I lost confidence a bit, going out and about. Walking was fine, but standing still or sitting for a long time over a meal gave me back-ache.

The hospital sent me away with a carrier bag of painkillers and I took them religiously on a schedule till they ran out. As others have said, trapped wind was the biggest issue. Mint tea, prune juice and glycerine suppositories were v helpful. I also had to self-inject a blood thinner every day, but I'm lucky to be OK with needles.

At no point did I actually feel ill. Just tired. It was lovely to be able to lie on the sofa watching boxed sets with a clear conscience.

Hope all goes well for you!

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy last June, retained my ovaries but cervix was removed.

I was home 24 hours later. Took some painkillers for a few days but can't say I was actually in pain, more uncomfortable. DP was amazing, he administered the injections and. basically did everything for the first week.

The tiredness and horrendous wind were the worst two symptoms after the op. Also getting out of bed was a nightmare as I needed the toilet a lot for a wee. I found it best to roll onto your side, pull your knees up and then push yourself up into a sitting position.

I felt like an old woman shuffling to the bathroom with my swollen tummy. But my recovery was good.

I went back to work (School) after 6 weeks, 3 days at work and then it was the 6 week holiday so I had an extended recovery.

It's been the best thing I've done. Can't tell you the difference it's made to my quality of life.

I had a full abdominal cut hysterectomy in my 30's. I am early 60's now. Had 1 overy removed. In hospital 1 night. Next.morning could shower ok. Walked along hospital corridoor and was allowed home. Never needed any pain relief but I do have a high pain threshold. Was advised to go for a walk every day (which I did) and not to sit around too much. I could do light housework, cook etc. Was back to work in 5 weeks.

I had a total hysterectomy 10 yrs ago, laporoscopic so only a few wee scars in various spots on my belly, & both ovaries removed at the time so into an immediate surgical menopause. I was in hospital for 3 days I think, then off work for 2 or 3 more weeks - agree with others that I felt exhausted doing nothing so the extra time off work was nice. Because of the hot flushes I went onto HRT lowdose tablets for a few years, but no more now - although I still have a few hot flushes occasionally, can manage them a bit more with diet & breathing etc Good luck with your upcoming op if thats where your thoughts are taking you.

I had a laparoscopic BSO last week, ovaries and tubes. The thing I'm getting slightly concerned about is my bladder. I can wee easily enough, I'm just not sure I can feel the need to wee. Everything is sore still so it's hard to tell. I go regularly because I know I need to but I've not felt like I've had a full bladder. Has anyone else experienced this?

Mrsrhod - Yes. I definitely don't get the same warning of a full bladder that I had pre-op. The first I know is a leak when I cough, so, like you I have a regular routine. It's better than it was immediately after the op - as I explained to Leslie - when I had to shift position to start and then again to empty fully. But it's early days, you're younger than me, and it was a less intrusive op, so every chance of improvement.

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy last Wednesday afternoon, retained my ovaries. I was home by Friday lunchtime, I'm uncomfortable and sore but nowhere near as much as I'd imagined I'd have. I was on my feet easily by the Thursday afternoon once I got the hang of rolling over to get myself upright from lying down, I'm in bed a lot mostly from the tiredness. As others have said, the tiredness is unbelievable!

I had total abdominal hysterectomy and BSO a few years ago when I was aged 39, went straight onto Evorel 50 oestrogen patch. I couldnt have vaginal as uterus was too bulky (turned out I had adenomyosis and endometriosis on histology) I stayed in hospital a full week, mainly because of all the morphine, I was severely constipated and they wouldnt let me home until everything was working properly!

It was hard at first, very painful and I couldnt do hardly anything in the house, I could not even stand up straight to walk at first but gradually improved and could do more with time. Rest, rest and more rest is needed.

Bit TMI, but for the future, sex is as good if not better than before, please keep up with your pelvic floor exercises, immediately after the op, I was gutted as there seemed to be no muscle tone down there AT ALL, but slowly it came back, I aim to do the pelvic floors 4 times a day and they really do help. DH says no difference than before. Orgasms are stronger than they ever were.