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Women's health

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Hysterectomy

4 replies

changeoflife · 03/09/2021 19:10

I have been told I need to have a full hysterectomy. I'm 51. I have a large growth on my left ovary measuring 15cm x 13cm. And it's growing quite quickly. It appears to be benign but the gynae has said I need to have a hysterectomy so it is being booked in. They are removing both ovaries, the tubes and the uterus.

Any advice please? On everything... preparing for the surgery, recovering from it and hormone replacement to help with the sudden onset of the menopause.

OP posts:
NotAnotherBloodyNameChange · 03/09/2021 20:03

When you go to hospital put the things you use most -lips balm, mints, tissues-in a tie handle food bag. That way, instead of twisting and rummaging around in your bed side locker, you can just lift the bag onto your lap and take out what you need.

The pain will ease far quicker than you imagined.

If you have vaginally assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy, once the vaginal swelling eases around day 10, there may be a sudden exit of blood that previously couldn’t get out -I wish I had been warned as it was quite alarming at the time. Later threads I read, posters did discuss this.
Actually you didn’t say they were removing your cervix so may not be an issue, in which case sorry for tmi.

The best advice I got was to, as soon as you get home from the hospital, walk 5 mins outside every day and add 5 mins each week so by week 6 you are walking for 30 mins a day. Even if you don’t feel like it do try and do it so you keep your strength up. You loses muscle tone really quickly doing nothing & it’s harder to recover.

Do PFE regularly.

I had my first hot flush the evening I had the op. Wasn’t allowed to start HRT (patches) until week 5 but as I wasn’t in work the hot flushes didn’t really cause me any problems tbh.

You self inject until day 15 (I think) post op -clexane- to prevent DVT & wear stockings too. You need to avoid alcohol with the injections because it can thin the blood too much & cause bleeding.

Take earplugs. You can’t get a good night sleep in hospital, they are noisy places.

Flip flops for the shower.

I hope all goes smoothly and you have a speedy recovery. Flowers

changeoflife · 04/09/2021 20:38

Thank you! I'm very nervous. Not sure if I'm more nervous about the surgery or the rapid onset of the menopause.

OP posts:
SpindleWhorl · 04/09/2021 20:45

I've had this surgery, OP. I needed HRT oestrogen patches straight away, and I think it's important to have them available immediately. (My gynae consultant surgeon said Day 2, and boy did I need it.)

So do contact your GP prior to surgery, or ask your consultant to write, to set up that prescription.

A normal regime to start with would be Evorel 50 (or similar brand).

All best Flowers

Wimpeyspread · 04/09/2021 20:51

I had this surgery about 13 years ago - never had any HRT, never felt the need. Perhaps see how you get on?

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