Hysterectomy

[notacatperson1]

Hello lovely ladies I would like your views on this please. Six weeks ago I had a hysterectomy. It was done because of a suspicious fibroid which thank goodness turned out to be benign I feel that there was no discussion about the type of hysterectomy or whether my ovaries or cervix should be removed it was just done. The operation was done as an abdominal surgery with a horizontal cut. I just feel sad that this has been done without any real discussion. I was still having regular periods. I am 56. Thank you for reading this xx

I@m sorry to read this but what do you want in terms of advice? Presumably you signed a consent form?

Were you offered HRT as you ought to be given you still had periods.

Yes I did sign a consent form but I was so distressed I do not think I really took it all in. I just wondered why they took 'everything away' and was this really necessary. I guess I am just looking for some answers

Bless you OP. Sorry I don't have much advice, I just wanted to say I'm sorry you had to go through this the surgery. Maybe they removed everything so there's less chance of any more fibroids growing in that area? I hope you are OK 💐

Go through *the surgery

That sounds really difficult for you to process right now.

Are you on HRT at all?

Thank you ladies. I am not on HRT at the moment I am not sure how I feel about it. I just feel I would like some answers but obviously with everything going on in the world at the moment I am unable to see my doctor get any answers x

I had an hysterectomy 5 yeArs, also horizontal cut. I lasted about 3 months before I went to the gp and got HRT.

I must admit the hot flashes and insomnia are really getting me down. I just feel that the operation was done without me knowing enough about it. I saw the consultant on the Monday and the operation was done the following Tuesday. Somehow I blame myself for not doing enough research but I was so scared xx

Please don't blame yourself, you are where you are right now, and the key thing is to improve your symptoms. Your GP will have telephone or online consultations available; and you can ask to try some extremely low risk HRT such as Estraderm 50 patches. (I just got some from a local pharmacy, so they are available.)

They really are a game changer.

Then you can think about asking for a follow-up review with the hospital when things are calmer.

@notacatperson1 Please be assured there is no risk with estrogen only HRT which is what you would use as you have no womb.

Look at this table.

Estrogen only HRT is listed on the table in green.
Women using it have 4 fewer cases per 1000/over 5 years than women NOT using any type of HRT.

www.menopausematters.co.uk/risks.php

It's terrible that you weren't fully informed about what they might have done with surgery.
Was it all rushed and urgent?
Have you had a follow up appointment to discuss what next?

Were your ovaries removed? When mine were taken out I was plunged into an immediate and very severe menopause. You should try to talk to your GP about whether HRT would be an option - many GPs are offering telephone consultations at the moment, so I would call them to discuss it. You should also have a follow-up appointment to check your wound is healing up OK and they normally talk about exercises you can do to help your muscles and pelvic floor recover from the surgery - so, again, I would talk to your doctor to make sure that happens.

@Pelleas there was no discussion about the type of hysterectomy or whether my ovaries or cervix should be removed it was just done.

I too had a total hysterectomy when I was 48 (or 49) & only realised later the consequences of agreeing that both my ovaries were removed. Of course I woke up after the surgery to start experiencing an instant & completely unexpected surgical menopause & until my 6 week check up had horrendous hot flushes & night sweats - in a February of a NZ summer, so def. not pleasant.
I went onto a low dose estrogen only HRT for a number of years, until eventually my GP recommended that I wean myself off them fully (I was nearing 60, plus overweight so other possible concerns etc etc). It def helped at the time though so do please go & see your surgeon or GP after this lockdown is over & talk about managing your menopause.
But as you mentioned some of the process for you wasnt fully explained (and/or understood fully with what was about to happen) this too was my experience. My surgeon had recommended the removal of both ovaries to prevent possible ovarian cancers & I stupidly agreed. Of course post surgery was too late to change my mind. I hope that you are able to talk about this all with someone you trust & can move on. Also use HRT too to manage your symptoms for as long as you need to.

Hello lovely ladies thank you for your replies. To answer some of your questions. I have private medical cover through work so I think that is why it was done quickly. I am going to have a think about hrt in the near future. I have had
My post operation check all okay thank goodness

If you have been plunged into a surgical menopause at 56 when you were still having periods (that's very late as you may know) then you do need to think seriously about hrt. There are practically no risks with estrogen only hrt. Most women in your position would have had guidance from their surgeons and advised on what to expect. It doesn't say much for the private drs you saw and the treatment you had if they didn't talk you through this- no excuse at all.
I hope you feel better soon but the flushes etc will not go away overnight- they may carry on for years.

Dear OP, I am so sorry to hear of your bad experience. It is a major surgery which usually comes with an emotional bagagege on top of the physical pain of recovery. Together with the hormonal embalanc you just hit, I can only imagine how hard it must be to think straight and cope with the new reality. Please don't be so hard on yourself for what didn't happen, you can't change the past but you can try shifting your focus on getting better.

I will go back to your consultant or get a second opinion (very easy and quick in the private system) if you have lost your trust in this person, and complete the proper conversation on the post op options you have. Don't stop asking questions utill you are fully reasured. Call them and go back multiple times if this is what you need. Your insurance should pay for this but check up to how much under the policy. Focus on getting better and manage your situation.

I am following with intrest as I am considering hysterectomy myself at the moment (47). In fact I think I've made up my mind already and it is probably the only option from here. I am just waiting for lockdown to lift so I can book my surgery.

Based on the recent discussions I had with my consultsnt, I am guessing your consultant have assumed that at 56 it is safer to remove it all. At this age manepous is just around the corner so you were about to experience symptoms pretty soon anyway. I think you are lucky not to have had it till now.

I am going to leave my ovaries for now but taking the cervix out together with the womb and tubes. I need to stop my periods all together due to sever pain and hoping this will do the job.

I have rejected the use of HRT to stop my periods (instead of hysterectomy) but if I am honest, I base my fears on old conversations with family and friends who have had bad experience with HRT and not on the latest research. I am mainly worried about osteoporosis and cancer.

OP, would you be willing to share with me the name of your consultant and place of surgery (can pm me). I am also going private and quite scared so trying to prepare myself.

I wish you a speedy recovery and that things settles down soon. Take care.

Sorry I am using the App and added flowers at the end of my message... not sure why it is showing a bottle of Gin!