Has anyone had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy

[EverythingsSoComplicated]

Hi,

So I've been waiting to have a total laparoscopic hysterectomy since December. Had it booked for February but due to covid it has been postponed till April.

Has anyone had one. Can anyone let me know how long they were in hospital, and what was their recovery time.

If I consult Google it just feels me with dread, I'm a massive worrier and have to have all my ducks in a row before they have even left the pen.

I'm just after anyone with any knowledge telling me what to expect. I'm trying to put things in place and getting my mind in the right place.

Thank you for reading.

I have. I was in hospital just overnight. I had my surgery late morning and was home the following morning.

I was absolutely terrified about the op and recovery, due to google! Stay away from google, people only tend to post bad things. Honestly, I found it a breeze. I was prepared for a long and difficult recovery but it was nothing like that. From day 2 the only pain relief I used was paracetamol or ibuforen.

You will be tired afterwards for a while, I think this is the part that shocked me the most, how quickly I felt tired.I used to have a sleep each afternoon the first few days. But I could walk about fine. I needed a little bit of help climbing out of bed the first couple of days (but that was probably because my bed was very low at the time) and of course you want to avoid bending or lifting.

I went out for a short walk on day 3 and just took it slow, then built up each day from there.

Prep what you can before your op, you wont want to stand cooking for example for a few days so do some meal prep and freeze them. Buy big knickers so they don't rub on your scar and comfy clothes. Also when you come home have a cushion or pillow just to put over your stomach to stop the car seat belt rubbing you. Peppermint capsules will help get rid of the pain from the gas they use during the op. They told me to get up once an hour and just walk around the house and I think that is what helped get rid of the gas pains.

You will also have to wear those support stockings for a while afterwards, I did. They can be awkward to put on so you may need a little help after a shower to put them on for a few days. I also had to give myself blood thinning injections for a week in my tummy. They were fine too, just left me bruised.

Honestly though it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I expected. I could’ve returned to work within a couple of weeks. I was allowed to drive as soon as I could do an emergency stop without pain. I left it for about 3 weeks though until I drove.

Good luck, you will be ok so try not to worry. I hope you can have your op soon. It was the best thing I have ever done, it made a huge difference to my quality of life.

Two nights in hospital. Three weeks at home.

Shuttheblinds - thank you so much for your lengthy post I really do appreciate you taking the time to write it.

Yes google hasn't helped my mind at all and has made it considerably worse. That's why I posted on here and hoped someone would share their experiences.

But wow how more reassured I am after reading your comments. I've been freaking out since December.

Sadly I had an operation on the 21/09/20 due to severe pain and extremely heavy bleeding during my period and when I was ovulating, so they did a hysteroscopy, D&C, endometrial ablation and a laparoscopy. They found me to have a 10-12 week bulky womb with signs of after birth in my womb. (my youngest child is 7 years) problem is ever since my op ive been in so much pain. Some days I can cope some days Im walking round my house wearing the carpet out. For three months my consultant just kept signing me off and then in December said well let's just remove it all. Great. Been waiting ever since. Cant sit at the dinner table, if I sit I have to lean as far back as I can. Cant bend over and lean forward as that hurts so much. Feels like constant period pain always worse in the evening and then when I'm due on well I'm in tears for days. Docs prescribed me all different pain meds but I just feel even worse so given up with the meds and just trying to work through it.

So to be honest I can't wait until the op. But at the same time I'm scared

I will get in some peppermint tablets. Thank you for the recommendation. God I hate those support stockings. They just make no sense to me. So blooming uncomfortable. I'm glad it may only be one night although I've got to be there at 12:30 so will have an afternoon theatre case so not sure if that will make me stay in longer. I hope not.

EverythingsSoComplicated how awful that you are suffering so badly, it sounds terrible for you.

Mine was due to bad endometriosis and fibroids. I’d had countless surgeries before that didn’t work and had suffered with horrendous pain, heavy bleeding and all kinds of other symptoms until they suggested hysterectomy and I was so glad. They did leave one ovary, the other was stuck to other organs so removed, but kept one so I didn’t go straight to medical menopause.

Let’s hope you get your op asap. I was lucky because mine was private so was done very quickly.

If my surgery had been early morning they told me I may be released later that evening but because it was later on I stayed. To be honest I am glad I did because I was a bit woozy on morphine they gave me straight after the op. I hate the stuff! As long as you feel ok I am sure you will only be in for one night.

You have to be careful not to do too much, no lifting, bending etc. It is easy to forget and do something you shouldn’t. My pain was so little that I had to remind myself! You soon know if you overdo it, you will get an awful dragging pain.

I’m glad you feel more reassured now. It was quite a shock to me how easy it was after the horror stories I read. I was told I wouldn’t or shouldn’t walk up the stairs for a few days, should have help when I shower etc....none of that was true. I was also warned how awful it was going to the loo the first time after and was scared of that. Again, no need to worry, they gave me some syrup to help me go and it was fine! Just make sure if they dont give you anything to help that you take something so you don’t get constipated! The peppermint capsules will help a little and certainly help with the gas pain that you may get in your shoulder or chest, that, walking around your room once and hour and a hot water bottle sorted that for me.

I felt silly afterwards knowing how nervous I was but it was nowhere near as bad as I expected. It will be similar in terms of pain levels and recovery from your laparoscopy. I have had a few of those and actually the last one before by hyst was worse to get over than the hyst!

Feel free to message me anytime if you have any questions, I know I had loads of crazy questions beforehand that I kept thinking of!

Sorry it's taken so long to come back to you.

The pain doubled over the past week and I've been on some strong meds that give me massive migraines. So looking at my phone has been limited as much as I can

Wish I had known about the peppermint tablets before my last op when I got that pain in my chest and arm I thought I was broken and something had gone wrong. To scared to call the hospital so just put up with it. Im aweful not very good at asking for help.

I've just gone through my paperwork and I am also having one ovarie left.
Do you feel any pain at all now? Do you feel like somethings missing.
I'm so scared of feeling broken. Dont get me wrong I have two children two girls do not need any more but worried I'm going to feel broken. Obviously I know there will be relief hopefully from the lack of pain. But does it make you feel any different.

Xx thank you again X x

I am so, so glad I had mine out. Good riddance to bits I didn't need and were nothing but trouble. It was an absolute relief and once I got settled on hrt I just felt as though I was in the bit of cycle where hormones are good iyswim.

I was in hospital for a few days because of other health conditions I have, but once I was out, I was going for walks a few days later and back working at my desk 3 weeks later (a bit unwise, leave it a little longer)

I don't miss my uterus one tiny bit.