Hysterectomy recovery. How long roughly?

[Pyjamaface]

I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at the beginning of November. Thankfully, they are confident they have removed it all during a Lletz and was stage 1a1. Because of remaining high risk cells up to the margins, I opted for a hysterectomy.

I've just had my surgery date confirmed as 8th December which is very close to christmas obviously! The plan is for a keyhole surgery which should have a quicker recovery but information I'm finding is saying at least 4 weeks.

Actual planning of christmas, wrapping, shopping etc, I'm not worried about as DP can handle all that but will I be able to be up and joining in with christmas day? Even if it's in a granny style nightie and big knickers or should I just order stuff to make my bed as luxurious as possible?

[SE23Mum]

Update again 4 months post op. I asked for my testosterone levels to be checked as I had my ovaries removed and this is where the majority of testosterone is made. It was very low they have put me on one pump on alternate days. I notice already it helps with sleep, energy and focus. I am
on 3 pumps estrogen gel a day. 2 in morning 1 in evening and this seems a good level for me. I have more energy all the time and have been swimming 2-3 times a week, walking unlimited amounts and some resistance bands / Pilates. I do notice if I am very active on my feet all day and have lifted a few things or carried a heavy bag I have twinges
And aches in my abdomen and internally pelvic ally sometimes but these improve all the time. I haven’t run yet for me I have decided to wait 6 months to resume high impact things because I still experiencing twinges etc so just being patient and listening to my body. I am beginning to appreciate no periods / hormonal mood swings for the first time as I come out thr other end of recovering from the op itself. I am relieved to be able to use hrt to manage what were increasingly bad menopausal symptoms but it isn’t an easy option (which I knew) it’s been a journey and a half but I had little choice. A few friends who’ve had c sections and hysterectomy also said they only really felt able to properly return to all exercise after 6 m too which is reassuring to hear. Good luck to anyone else going on this journey in the future.

[SE23Mum]

Small update now 7 weeks post op. Had an uncomfortable feeling in groin (internally) for a few days. Wasn’t sure if signs of prolapse lasted a few days especially after a longer walk. Went to the toilet and wiped and a huge stitch came out on the toilet paper. I think that was causing most of the discomfort. It was like purple string with a knot and frayed ends. Since then another has appeared and the odd shorter section of stich with no knot. The consultant said on my six week check I was healing well but had stitches in still that would take up to 8 weeks to dissolve.
I am walking further all the time. Not ready to contemplate anything else yet but have a pelvic health physio appt next week and will take it from there with their guidance. Consultant said wait 8-12 weeks before starting running and build back up slowly.

[SE23Mum]

Hello
Me again! Wanted to add an update. It’s exactly 5 weeks today since I had my op. I read a lot of accounts of people feeling great very soon after their hysterectomy. That wasn’t the case for me. I was taking pain relief for 2.5 weeks. Nausea weeks 2-3 I suspect from all the meds and tiredness and pain and then a cold caught from my son in week 4 - excellent! But as other people have said after week 4 I definitely turned a corner. No pain apart from the odd twinge if I over did it. More energy (although tire easily still) tummy is slowly returning to normal size but not there yet. I have been very slowly building up walking not because I don’t feel like I can do it but I live in fear of a prolapse! So have taken it slow. Today I walked 5k with my family. On the last proper walk I did the day before my op. It felt good to be back doing it again. I usually am very active and walk long distances run etc. the one thing I have had an issue with and saw a few other people mention Is a sensation of bladder irritation/ discomfort on and off. Then it occurred to me about a week and half ago that I had just started pre op for a couple of months taking vagifem pessaries but obviously that had stopped. I wondered if the symptoms of vaginal atrophy were returning especially given the huge drop in estrogen I was experiencing post op having ovaries removed despite being on estrogel. I researched it a lot and decided if some consultants can advise sex by 4 weeks then surely a sterile small applicator would be ok and started carefully using them again (can’t say this is right for all) within about 5 days the irritation and inflammation feeling was subsiding and now just over a week later it’s much better. My incisions are healing well. I feel much more positive and robust and am looking forward to getting fit and strong again in Jan post 6 week check and Xmas. Anyway just wanted to add as I have found everyone’s posts so helpful personally I hope my posts help someone too. I really did find the first couple of weeks tough but it does get better.

[SE23Mum]

Oh gosh and one more thing that I’ve found helpful. Some high waisted (shaping) / support knickers I bought John Lewis everyday range medium support. I put them on over my knickers when I go for walks just to feel a bit more supported in the abdomen area.

[SE23Mum]

Thank you CottonSock. I hope so too. I forgot to add it was Laparoscopically. I had three incisions one in my tummy button and two small ones either side on my abdomen.

[CottonSock]

Sounds like you are well on track for Christmas. I hope the children are kind and helpful when your dh goes away. I've found your post useful so thank you

[SE23Mum]

Hello I realise this is an old thread but I found it very helpful pre my op so I’m adding my comments whilst fresh in my mind in case it helps others too

[Tinkerbellflowers]

@pyjamaface I am so pleased to hear about your results. That's wonderful news. Here's to a better year for everyone!

[Butterbeeeen]

@Pyjamaface if you insist (brings bottle in to living room) thankfully I'm not waiting on any results. Mine was the result of a permanent period so just having rid of those is amazing news for me.

[Pyjamaface]

Thank you, I am so happy. I've had a good cry about it (for the first time), didn't realise how much I'd been holding it in.

Have a couple of glasses for me as no alcohol with my antibiotics

I hope you guys get good results too

[Butterbeeeen]

Ahh amazing news @Pyjamaface absolutely delighted for you and hopefully your infection will clear up soon. Il raise my glass of fizz to you. Happy New year

[Pyjamaface]

Happy New Year everybody.

I have an infection in my belly button now which is lovely BUT my results came back as totally clear! No residual cancer and no CIN! Just a clinical follow up in a couple of months, and a vault smear in 6 months and I should be done

[Pyjamaface]

I hope everyone had a lovely day yesterday.

I've done far too much over the last couple of days, and then far too much food, so I'm a bit sore this morning so I need to calm down again. I will remake my nest on the couch and go back to pyjama bottoms again instead of jeans.

I've got an appointment on the 31st for my results so fingers crossed for some good news to finish the year!

[marvelousmadmadammim]

Generally good
But
I still have weak stomach muscles, fining it very very hard to build them back up after 18months!

[Butterbeeeen]

Iv just seen this @Tinkerbellflowers tonsillitis has gone thankfully as that pain was worse than the hysterectomy pain. Everyone keeps telling me the same thing but my physio letter did say hills were fine. I did have a little scare yesterday with quite a big bleed but the hospital assured me it will be my stitches coming away and its been fine since (touch wood) hope you and @Pyjamaface have had a lovely Xmas. Thank you for holding my hand these last few weeks and being in it with me. Its been so good to 'know people that are going through the same

[Tinkerbellflowers]

Butterbeeen, has your tonsillitis cleared up now? Well done with the star walk. (As my mum keeps telling me) you must take it easy because the internal wounds need time to heal.

[Tinkerbellflowers]

Thanks for asking Pyjama. I'm feeling so much better everyday. I went for a short slow walk at the weekend. And I am only taking painkillers once a day now. My scar is healing nicely. I am so impressed with it. The surgeon did a brilliant job. It's really long (8 inches!), but it's ever so fine and very low down. I'm now looking forward to a nice albeit quiet Christmas.

[Pyjamaface]

I'm doing good, a few stabbing pains and an odd pulling sensation when I lay on my side but nothing too bad really. I went to M&S last week and it felt like I had done many many sit ups

The glue is coming off well now. Pleasantly surprised at how small the cuts are, although my belly button looks like a patchwork with the gallbladder removal scars as well

[Butterbeeeen]

@Pyjamaface I'm doing great thanks. A few achey days with pain down my thighs bizarrely but I have been out for a walk and climbed a hill today in the hunt for the Xmas star with dd. Hope you and @Tinkerbellflowers are doing OK too

[Pyjamaface]

How are we doing a couple of weeks on @Butterbeeeen @Tinkerbellflowers?

[Pyjamaface]

Bloody hell, tonsillitis is definitely not what you need @Butterbeeeen

Last stingy, bitey little bugger is done. I am free! I sincerely hope to never have to inject myself with anything ever again.

I'm also kinda glad it's not just me crying......and shouting. DP is doing his best but it's so frustrating just sitting there instead of just getting on with things. But memories of trying to do too much after my EMCS are very effective at keeping me on the sofa with a cuppa.

all around!

[Thisisworsethananticpated]

It depends on age and fitness levels
I had open
Womb surgery and it took 8 weeks
So do NOT overdo it
And it takes fair amount of time
Hot water bottles , Netflix , medium painkillers regularly
Just be patient
Good luck !

[Butterbeeeen]

Oh ladies. Hope tomorrow is a better day for you both. I'm ok. Still struggling with wind pain and have a dose of tonsillitis now to add to the mix which was the last thing I needed. I feel more down today too. Very sorry for myself. Great news about the blood thinners. 2 more left here and dread it more with every day.

[Tinkerbellflowers]

Tears from me today too! As I said before, I'm not a good patient and DH has been shouted at. My stomach muscles dont hurt quite as much now, and moving around is easier. My actual wound feels sore and stingy. The dressing comes off tomorrow which I am both looking forward to, and very nervous about. Good news that the injections are nearly done, pjyama. That must have been horrible. How are you Butterbeeen?

[Pyjamaface]

And in my pity party I forgot to ask how you are getting on?