Hysterectomy fears

[shootinstar04]

Hello everyone,

So the time has finally come, my turn on the for a hysterectomy has arrived.
I was told there would be at least 6-8 months wait. It's been 2 months and I'm booked in for the end of June.
I'm feel incredibly anxious, scared, worried, feel sick. The only time ive ever been to hospital was to have my two children.

I probably should have said from the start I have just turned 40 I have a 10cm fibroid and clusters of them and an abnormal smear test result which they cannot do a biopsy as they can't get to my cervix, periods so bad I'm anaemic. So that's the reason for the hysterectomy.
Any words of comfort, any tips, what should I take with me too hospital, any tips for the healing process would be most welcome. Although I may get told some of this at my pre op.
Please no scare stories I'm not sure I could cope with those at this moment in time.
Many thanks

[shootinstar04]

@OhHellsbells I'm so sorry I've only just seen this!!! I hope everything went ok with your procedure? How are you feeling?

I'm doing ok, can't believe it's been almost 4 months ago I had mine and people say I'm still in early recovery. Turns out I had endometriosis aswell as fibroids and may still have it as some discomfort when I would have had my cycle and as I have my ovaries still it's a bit annoying.
Did my first ever park run last weekend, walked it and came last but its a huge achievement I made it round.
I hope your doing ok x

[OhHellsbells]

@shootinstar04

Hello everyone,

So the time has finally come, my turn on the for a hysterectomy has arrived.
I was told there would be at least 6-8 months wait. It's been 2 months and I'm booked in for the end of June.
I'm feel incredibly anxious, scared, worried, feel sick. The only time ive ever been to hospital was to have my two children.

I probably should have said from the start I have just turned 40 I have a 10cm fibroid and clusters of them and an abnormal smear test result which they cannot do a biopsy as they can't get to my cervix, periods so bad I'm anaemic. So that's the reason for the hysterectomy.
Any words of comfort, any tips, what should I take with me too hospital, any tips for the healing process would be most welcome. Although I may get told some of this at my pre op.
Please no scare stories I'm not sure I could cope with those at this moment in time.
Many thanks

Hey, can I ask how you are feeling now? I'm going in for mine Monday abdominal hysterectomy and although I know its the best option for me I'm having a little panics as I get closer to the date! Thanks xxx

[shootinstar04]

Thank you @72WayTooCool.

[72WayTooCool]

Good luck today OP. Hope it all goes well.

[Menora]

I didn’t have a csection so I can’t compare
But they are not the same
1 of them you have to recover with a baby! 😂

But also you won’t have as many internal stitches
Most hysterectomies now are keyhole type surgery removed via the vagina so much less recovery time

With csection you still have all your organs in tact and hysterectomy you will lose your womb, vagina and/or ovaries, so you have more internal work and maybe hormone treatment

[TheRealMummyPig]

I'm also considering a hysterectomy for health reasons.
Can anyone who has had a c section birth compare the recovery between the two?
Also, can anyone shed any light on differences experienced post surgery with intercourse discomfort and also with orgasm sensations? I've heard various things...

[Menora]

You should def get mobile as soon as you can and I don’t like opioids so I tried not to take them. Paracetamol and ibuprofen were fine.

Saying that though don’t feel bad if you feel awful, it’s not a competition.

I was so swollen that there was so much pressure on my bladder, it was hard to sleep for at least 2 weeks (getting up to go to toilet, not being able to roll over easily, 28 degree heat 😂) so I was tired all day and not very motivated. Surgery can affect your mood not just your body. It looks different too so it’s something new to adjust to. Physios and surgeons do not advise bedrest anymore anyway

[lynsey91]

I agree that it was the best thing.

I had it over 30 years ago when I was mid 30's. I had a fibroid as large as a football!

Obviously because of the size of the fibroid a vaginal hysterectomy was not possible so I had an abdominal one.

I went into hospital Thursday morning, had the op Thursday lunch time and went home Saturday. I got up on the Friday morning, had a shower and walked along the hospital corridor.

I never needed any pain relief at all. I do have a high pain threshold though.

My surgeon said in his opinion women are told to take it too easy and that makes recovery take longer. He told me to go for a walk every day and although I should make beds or lift a full kettle I was perfectly able to do some housework and lift a kettle if it had a small amount of water in.

I had no problems whatsoever. As I said, no pain, no problems going to the loo, no problems sleeping, no problem with fatigue. I was back at full time work after 5 weeks but, in all honesty, could have gone back sooner

You need to listen to your body. Don't overdo it but don't just sit or laze around doing nothing. Women I know who took it really easy afterwards took far longer to recover than I did. I am talking women of a similar age as, obviously, the older you are the more time it is likely to take to recover

[Menora]

Tips I can think of
Get a spare pair of TED stockings
Take snacks
Dry shampoo
Drink a lot of water to get yourself weeing without the catheter (it will hurt for a few days too)
You will be sleeping on your back, it’s hard to turn over and extra pillows can help
Laxatives
Stock up on paracetamol and ibuprofen

[Menora]

And no, no visitors due to Covid

[Menora]

I had mine 5 weeks ago. I am pretty much recovered now but only just

Before the op the consultant was still not sure if he could do this keyhole. On this basis the anaesthetist gave me an epidural. I do recommend this as I woke up after to an open surgery incision and I think this helped the first night.

You will cope fine with no sex you will feel and look like shit for a few weeks! Don’t be tempted to have sex, you can get an infection or damage stitches

Wearing surgical stockings 24/7 and trying to poo for the first few weeks were the worst bits but I don’t regret it

[LordFoofingtonismyMaster]

Good luck OP. I had one two years ago just before my 40th. I had massive fibroids, endometriosis and adenomiosis. It has given me my life back. I'm not in pain, my kids don't see me pacing around trying not to cry in pain and we are all benefitting massively. The very best of luck. It was one of the very best decisions I have made in my entire life.

[EntropyBanana]

@shootinstar04 first anniversary, it's been one year.

And definitely a big thumbs up to the pillow!

[shootinstar04]

@onethingandonethingonly yes I've been batch cooking have about 13 healthy meals in the freezer 😂 having a kebab and and a bottle of Prosecco tonight as my last weekend for god knows how long I won't be having a drink 🤪

@EntropyBanana that's amazing, well done!! How long has it been?
Gosh I feel like I'm carrying a 50kg fibroid atm 😫😤

@TherightsideofHERstory thank you I can't say there's been one person who has regretted the op which is a good sign. Yes good call for the pillow will remind my OH to bring with him. Oh I'm not sure how I'll cope with the no sex. Going from everyday maybe twice a day to nothing. Really praying for speedy recovery if not best make sure my little friend is charged 😉

[TherightsideofHERstory]

Another one here to say it’s the best thing I ever did, got my life back. I did cry on the day, just as we were arriving at the ward doors, got very emotional but dh gave me a hug and told me how much he was looking forward to not seeing me in pain all the time! Lots of helpful advice from pp. I got dh to bring a pillow for my lap to go under seatbelt on the drive home
Sex took a while to feel ready but was even better than pre-op 😉

[EntropyBanana]

@shootinstar04 All the best for the op

I celebrated the anniversary of mine just recently by deadlifting 50kg at the gym. Liberation awaits you!

[onethingandonethingonly]

totally with you re shopping too! I think we had 3 deliveries the week before i went in .
i bulk cooked and froze meals and that has been so good for peace of mind afterwards, but also helped keep me busy before.

[shootinstar04]

@onethingandonethingonly
So glad you found this post helpful and glad to hear your recovering really well. Sorry to hear you had open surgery rather than keyhole but sounds like your doing really well 😊

I'm due in next Wednesday 30th June. Each day I'm getting more and more anxious the closer it gets. I've packed and unpacked my bag several times, been out this morning and literally bought the whole of Sainsbury's just incase I think missed something from the last shop I did 😩 I think because I have to self isolate from Monday I'm getting in a panic. I know it will all be ok. Just keeping myself busy.

[onethingandonethingonly]

OP have you had your op yet?
I read your post and this thread a few days before mine and wanted to come on to say that I found alot of the advice given really helpful.
I was scheduled for keyhole but ended up with a full abdominal. Even so I am really surprised at how well I already feel (now 11 days post-op).
The first day /36hrs after were complicated by my catheter... I had to insist that it be removed because I knew it was causing me bladder spasms. ( I was actually up and walking around a few hours after the op, but it took another 24 hrs before they took it out 😒).
Once that sorted though it was onwards and upwards.

[7pastapackets]

I still have my cervix and went for a smear shortly after my hysterectomy. The nurse asked me if I could be pregnant. I said, well if I am it's Mr Smith's fault! (the surgeon)....her face was a picture until I hastily explained what I really meant.

[EntropyBanana]

@Arbadacarba

My biggest post-operative issue is trying to convince my surgery to stop summoning me for smears and then telling me off when I don't book one.

Yes - mine seemed unable to understand that I didn't have a cervix any more. 'So you want to opt out?' etc. and letters warning me of the dire consequences of not having a smear. I had them religiously pre-op even though I often had to reschedule at the last minute due to unpredictable periods.

I was almost tempted to turn up for a smear, to watch the nurse hunt in vain for a cervix that wasn't there; but as it wouldn't have been the nurse's fault that the NHS computers can't join the dots, I refrained from wasting her time.

Yes, exactly!

I, too, was tempted to turn up snd say "Go for it, if you can find it" - but for the reasons you say, that would not be at all kind or helpful.

It is frustrating though - I never ever missed one when I had a cervix and it's not nice to get a letter telling you off about not going, especially when the surgery knows about your op and you've responded to all the notifications about a smear being due to remind them that this doesn't apply anymore.

[ClarasZoo]

I am very happy with mine 3 years on. Once my womb was gone I realised I had had low level period pain for about 40 years. Afterwards it felt like it had when I was a child pre periods. Truly so much better and worth the few weeks of discomfort… hope all goes well for you….

[Arbadacarba]

I had an epidural in addition to the GA. My last memory before the op is of the anaesthetist telling me to 'lean back on the pillows' after administering the epidural. Next thing I was waking up - not in any pain - and someone was telling me everything had gone well.

[Oversize]

Ask for a spinal with sedation. There are no groggy or vommy after effects. You just wake up feeling as if you've had a good night's sleep. I asked if they'd done it yet! You're immediately back to your normal mental state and in no pain because of the spinal. Volterol as a suppository is given before the spinal wears off. I was in hospital for 1 night after surgery and then home the next day.

[Bargebill19]

Take a towel with you to roll up and place across your scar, helps when sitting and to use underneath the lap part of a seat belt. Spread the pressure.
You will instantly better once it’s done. If they offer you a morphine pump - take it. It’s lovely not to have to ask for pain relief to be given paracetamol!
Make sure you do take things easy for 2-3 months once you are home and never ever cross your legs, even at the ankles whilst in hospital. - I can’t remember why, but it the one thing I can remember the ward nurse yelling at all is ladies ! (Was 15 years ago)