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Recovery from hysterectomy

6 replies

Abihattie · 18/01/2010 11:52

Hi,
I'm 38yrs with a baby and a toddler. I'm going to be undergoing a hysterectomy soon. Can anyone give me an idea of what the recovery time is and what are the 'do's' and 'don'ts' following this procedure?

Thanks v much.

OP posts:
kreecherlivesupstairs · 18/01/2010 12:08

Is it to be done vaginally or via a laparotomy? I think that recovery after a vaginal hysterectomy is quicker. Another consideration is whether you are having your cervix taken as well and or your tubes and ovaries.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 18/01/2010 12:10

I'm sorry you have to have a hysterecomy, it's fairly invasive surgery as you know and recovery won't be easy with a baby and a toddler

I had a radical hysterectomy 4 years ago when DS1 was 3 and DS2 15 months. DH took 4 weeks off work and then I stayed with my mum for a week. Even then I found it very tiring when I had the dc's on my own again. I think it took about 3 months before I felt back to normal, physically.

The big thing is no lifting. Also your energy levels will be really low, you will need to rest alot.

Follow the advice and do your pelvic floor exercises! I had my cervix removed when I had my hysterectomy and have recently had to have a further op to hoick up my sagging vagina

Abihattie · 23/01/2010 16:33

Hi there,
Thanks for your replies. I'm not sure yet which technique I will be having. My symptoms have been so bad - heavy bleeding pretty much constantly; uncomfortable prolapse, I just want to get back to normal but I'm dreading the procedure and recovery

Hopefully though, it'll all be worth it.

OP posts:
WeNeedToLeaveInFiveMinutes · 23/01/2010 16:52

I've not had a hysterectomy but I have had major abdominal surgery with a three year old and a toddler.

I'm afraid the only answer is childcare for four-eight weeks. You do need to look after yourself and make sure you can recover properly.

Who can you call on? Grandparents for a week at a time? Can your DH get some form of compassionate leave from work? My DH gets two weeks a time from his very large employer. Do you have siblings who aren't at work all the time?

What about friends? Can your friends arrange a rota? Half a day at a time? Either in your house or at theirs. A couple of years ago my friends banded together and covered three mornings and two afternoons a week for about six months. My DH worked from home and did the lunchtime cover between friends coming and going.

If you can afford it (or your parents can!) I would get a nanny for two-three months. If you can't afford full-time you might find you can get a part-time nanny, maybe bringing her own baby/child which reduces the hourly rate. You could then get friends to help out the rest of the time.

Good luck. Major surgery with small children is tricky. I've spent thousands on childcare for illness in the last three years. We have a leaking roof, buggered washing machine, inefficient tumble dryer, broken dishwasher, no holidays or at grandparent etc etc but the children have been well looked after!

Guad · 23/01/2010 16:59

I had one a couple of years ago aged 30 with 3 dcs, youngest was 16 months.

Dh took 2 weeks off work and then worked from home for two weeks and after that friends came and helped a bit but by then I was pottering around quite easily.

Really important not to lift heavy things though, you can get adhesions which can be painful.

I got used to the discomfort quite quickly, it was the tiredness that got me, I needed loads of rest early on but I recovered quickly.

Good luck!

poshwellies · 23/01/2010 17:10

I had a hysterectomy for all the same reason as you are Abihattie,it was the best thing I ever did! I was 31.
I'd advise you to take in some charcoal tablets or peppermint tablets as the only bit I found was uncomfortable was the trapped wind..ouch!.The morphine really helps .

My op was done through the tummy,and the only trouble I had was a few of my stitches didn't heal all that well.I had my cervix removed too,but so far so good,I've had no problems.

Recovery was much the same as Guad,do not think you can do x y and z otherwise you will end up suffering,no lifting and rest until you feel able to potter about.

You'll be fine,good luck with the op and look forward to no heavy periods or pain EVER! It's fab

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