Hysterectomy Help needed please?

[madge7]

Hi Everyone,

I am 34, I cant have babies, crap periods since forever, anyway the short of it is I have seen my consultant today and we have decided that we are going to proceed with a hysterectomy but leave my ovaries intact.

I need a bit of advice about afterwards...how long will my husband have to stay off work to look after me etc?

And any advice with the whole thing really.

Thanks for any help!

Hello madge7. Sorry to hear about your problems. There is a very good website called hysterectomy association (sorry can't do links but it will come up if you google/search it). They have loads of info as well as a very supportive forum. Good luck.

Hi
I am sorry to hear about all your troubles .You wont be able to drive for about a month and no lifting anything heavier than a bag of sugar for 6 weeks.
I would imagine you`ll be in a few days-perhaps he could be off for a week after you come out but you should be fine.You could maybe put some meals in the freezer beforehand and they will send you home with plenty of pain relief.
My best tip is to take all the pain relief you are prescribed because you will mobolise better and this will have an effect on making your rcovery quicker.
good luck x

Hi,
I'm really sorry to hear of your health problems Madge.

I'm 31 and in june this year I had a hysterectomy (kept ovaries -due to age).I won't bullsh*t as you know its a major op,I was extremely nervous about the whole thing so can completely understand how you must be feeling right now (it only happens to older ladies huh ).
Firstly you should attend a pre-op assessment nearer your operation date with a gynae nurse,who will check weight,bloods etc.She will also go through the nitty gritty bits of the op and you are able to ask any questions you may have-I found this really reassuring tbh.
I also had a physio session (with a group of ladies all having hysterectomies)where we practised exercises (pelvic floors and how to get up and out of bed and sneeze/cough-all really important).The physio also went through the the op and answered questions.

Day of the op.
You are suited and booted with surgical stockings and have the normal tests.blood pressure,weight etc.I didnt wait long..a hour or so and I was down to the theatre-gulp.
My op took just over a hour and then about another hour in recovery-don't remember much tbh.
You will have a morphine pump and my word of advice -USE IT! Really helped me,you basically just doze on and off.Take peppermint capsules or tea with you for the wind as its really common with the op
I was in for 4 days so not long..it's pretty uncomfortable but they send you home with painkillers-make sure you take them regularly..and when you get home just rest rest rest.

My DH was off for 2 weeks and I really needed that.I did sod all for a week and not much the next.Be prepared for a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions...but 5 mths on I'm sooo glad I had it done.I say it took me 7-8 weeks to feel me again but I'm doing everything I did before with no horrible periods now.

Wow epic post..

Wish you all the very best-hope this helps in some way.

Do check out the hysterectomy assc.-they helped me greatly when I was very frightened and unsure.

P.S....No hoovering,lifting anything heavier than a full kettle or driving for 6 weeks

depends if you're having a total abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy.

if you're having it vaginally, you can be up and doing fairly normal activities in 3 weeks.

if you're having an abdominal one, then it's usually 6-8 weeks.

it's also wise to get a second opinion if your consultant gives you only the option for an abdominal hysterectomy.

I think the vaginal hysterectomy involves removing the ovaries-but dont quote me on that one.

my best pal just had a vaginal one and her ovaries were left.

the surgeon cut off the blood supply to them with a camera-guided laser instrument, then extracted the uterus vaginally.

but this was in the US. i don't know how it's done here.

i had a full hysterctomy and my ovaries [oopherectomy] were removed at the same time.I cant say that I actually felt any pain afterwards at all.the worst thing is that i had clips all across my wound area and so it was difficult to walk around.I did have a reaction to the anesthetic and had to have an anti sickness injection everyday along with a heparin injection.I was so scared when i went in,never having had an operation before,but to reassure you it will be nowhere as bad as you imagine.The pre med knocked me out ,I have no more recollection till i woke ,about 7 hrs later !!! i did get very tired at first when i got home but everyday there was an improvement.i used to walk from my garden gate to my neighbours then ,a bit further etc.i think after a couple of weeks i started to dust lightly and then everything gradually got back to normal.Don try and do too much too soon.Follow your doctors advice .You will be fine.Sorry its such a long post !

madge7

I would be very cautious indeed.

Why has the cons suggested a hysterectomy?. If it is because of endometriosis I would actually seek a second opinion from another cons gynae before going ahead with this operation.

If you have endo your ovaries myst be removed during hyst, otherwise any residual peritoneal implants will remain active. If ovaries are retained, 13% of all women will have a recurrence of endo within 3 years, and 40% after five years. The more severe the endo, the more likely it is to recur.

If the hyst is being performed for fibroids the ovaries can remain.

www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk

Is endometrial ablation an option for your condition? I would definitely get a second opinion, hysterectomy is a big operation, especially if it's not done vaginally.

The Hyster Sisters website has forums and suggestions for getting through it if you do go ahead.

Hi,

Thanks for your messages, really helped alot! Its the best thing for me in the long run and its been well thought through. The consultant is fab which makes you feel better too doesnt it!

The waiting list isnt that long, about 6/8 weeks and typically I have just started a job I love (temporary over christmas with a look to going permanent......who knows...!! they might not want me when I mention this.......!)

anyway ladies, thanks again, I will use your suggestions and advice!

M XX