Anyone had a hysterectomy?

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Hi I’m looking at having a hysterectomy. I have chronic pain. Including a lot of back pain. I’ve been reading up that hysterectomy can actually cause back pain as the back condenses due to the ligaments being severed from the womb. This creates a post hystorectomy rounded stomach apparently. I’m disabled and not able to exercise so will have no way of countering any of this unless my health miraculously improves drastically post op.

Did anyone have side effects?
If so, what?

Thanks.

No, no one?

Hi - I had a radical hysterectomy, vertical incision, plus ovaries etc. Yes - mine did cause back pain. Not even a twinge in the front, and walking was fine, but standing still, queuing, even sitting at a table gave me back ache. I thought it was my back muscles taking over from the abdominal ones while they healed. But easily sorted with otc painkillers.

The only side effect I had was an infection about 3 weeks post op. No temperature, but yucky discharge. 2 weeks of high strength anti-b's. My GP said I must have had around a hundred internal stitches. The lab report went on for nearly a page of different bugs.

Otherwise, I recovered brilliantly. I'm no spring chicken, but was discharged a day early. Walking upright, doing stairs. Could do everything I needed to do, just slowly and needing a rest after, e.g. showering.

My stomach is as rounded as I'd expect at my age after 3 dcs. Not as flat as when I was 18, but nothing gross.

Hope it goes well for you.

Yes, 9 yrs ago. I'll come back later and update. In a nutshell no problems though.

No problems here either. Best decision I ever made actually.

I didn't experience back pain and have had no complications in the long term (about 8 years ago now).

My stomach is squishy, but only because I don't exercise it! It did swell after the surgery and I think it was about 6 months before it was completely back to (my) normal.

Great. Thanks for the replies so far. . I’m going to find out this afternoon how close I am to menopause as I’m having lots of problems. It’s crunch time to decide whether to go for the coil or the op.

@Thymeout
Sorry, I’m not clear, did you say you had back pain but not anymore. Or you still have it?

I had a hysterectomy 27 years ago when I was mid 30's. I had a very large fibroid which caused me pain and very heavy periods. I looked like I was about 6 months pregnant.

I couldn't have a suction hysterectomy so had an abdominal one removing womb and one ovary.

My surgeon was very forward thinking and didn't believe in women laying in bed for days afterwards or taking it too easy. I had the op in the afternoon, got up the next day and had a shower, walked along the corridor and then went home that afternoon. I had no pain so needed no painkillers.

I was told to go for a walk every day (which I did) and to move around indoors as much as possible (which I also did). I was told I shouldn't lift a full kettle but could lift light items. Also not to hoover or change the bed but ok to do things like dusting, cooking.

A couple of weeks after me and DH spent 4 days camping at the British Grand Prix.

I never had any problems and think it was the best decision ever

I had back pain for about 2 months after the op while doing everyday stuff. Queuing for the bus or at a checkout. I still get it if I overdo things. Trailing round an exhibition etc. It seems to be a weak spot now. But nothing crippling. Goes when I sit down. I had my op 4 years ago.

Don't underestimate the time it takes to recover from a hysterectomy. It's a big deal. If you can solve your problems with a coil, I'd try that first.

Thanks for the responses. I’ve got ME and very bad chronic pain, especially in my hips and spine, which is why I’m writing this. Pain management failed me completely, no prescription meds help as I’m too sensitive/I’ll to take them so pain is a big deal. I read up on how once the ligaments attaching the uterus to the back are I severed, the lower in this place back collapses slightly. This frightens me to death.