Robotic keyhole hysterectomy

[Hihosilver123]

I have to have a hysterectomy in August. Any tips? How long is recovery? I’m assuming it’s not too painful and nowhere near as painful as the non keyhole surgery? Would be grateful to hear people’s experiences.

I had one a few years ago to remove a massive cyst, ovaries and cervix as well as womb, it was a LONG time in theatre. Went down about 2 and got back to the ward about 7pm. I went home the next day as soon as I could pee successfully, which they checked with a sort of water detector to make sure my bladder was empty.

I was walking around outdoors the next day, but taking things slowly for a few weeks. I live alone, but had people to drop in daily for the first week. I can't remember how long I couldn't drive, but I think only a couple of weeks.

Being retired, I'm not sure how long I'd have needed off work, but take as long as you can is my advice, I'm sure I was very tired for a month or two.

I thought it would have improved my bloated belly, but it didn't.
However, being able to sleep all night without getting up for a pee every hour is fantastic, and having less bits at risk of cancer is great as well.

Good luck.

I had a keyhole hysterectomy 18 months ago.
Recovery was fine, I didn't have a lot of pain though I did have to inject blood thinners for a month.
i bought a torso support that made me feel a bit more tucked in though that was probably more a psychological thing than something necessary.
I bought peppermint capsules to help with digestion issues - there will be a fair amount of gas for your body to get rid of.
I was off for 10 weeks, surgery confirmed endometrial cancer which I needed a number of radiotherapy sessions for following surgery. I think I started feeling more myself about 6 months later.. Feel fine now. I was worried about being left with a bloated stomach forever. It went down quite a bit , I can only blame the bloating now to weight gained as a menopausal woman!

good luck

Thanks for your comments. Good to know. I’m waiting for endometrial biopsy results so good to know you recovered well @ramonaquimby

I had a robotic keyhole hysterectomy two years ago - best thing I ever did! Came home the same day. I’d booked two weeks off work, but tbh, one would have been fine. My consultant told me I’d be able to drive after a week.
I had everything removed (ovaries, cervix etc) and it all came out via the vagina. I’ve got 4 or 5 very small scars, but they’re fine.
I was quite tired after the anaesthetic and I was really careful about lifting stuff afterwards, but recovery was straightforward.
I was put on estrogen patches at my follow up appointment. Honestly, going on HRT was life changing!!
I just feel so much better after having the hysterectomy and HRT. I didn’t realise I was feeling so awful until I suddenly wasn’t!
Good luck with it - I hope it goes really well.

Remembered a few more things: they pump your abdomen full of gas while they operate, and this can press on (i think) the vagus nerve.

I was warned that this could cause shoulder pain. In my case it did, and it was torture. I was appalled that they only offered paracetemol, which they said would take about half an hour to take effect.
About 25 minutes later, like magic, the pain reduced from agony, to " a bit sore".

I forgot about the blood-thinner injections, because I am happy to inject myself, but if you are really squeamish, they can sometimes give blood thinner tablets instead.

Another thing is the scars. My belly button has a little scar, but the other 4 keyholes have healed to being invisible.

That is useful to know about the shoulder pain. Wouldn’t have expected that.

Mine was laparoscopic not robotic, robotic should be an even easier recovery! I was in overnight, off work for 3 weeks but would have been fine to return after 2 and was working from home after a few days. Could drive after a few days and went to center parcs after 3 weeks where I was fine cycling and swimming, but gave the water slides a miss as didn’t think forcing water at high speed into my vagina would be sensible! The shoulder pain is the worst bit I think. I also had very swollen vagina and labia where they had struggled to get the uterus out. I used one of those ice packs you can get for after childbirth and stuck that in my pants which helped a lot. I’d never given birth vaginally so probably not an issue if you have. Ask for HRT before you leave hospital if you’re pre menopausal and having ovaries out, being plunged into surgical menopause is unnecessary and unpleasant!