Hysterectomy

[Kimmismth]

I’m having a hysterectomy this mon 6th June 2022
i am petrified of being put to sleep and not waking up I’m scared of them finding so much wrong once their in
im having abdominal due to adhesions from 3 c sections
told they will try to save my ovaries
don’t know much else as I signed for this in 2020
just nervous scared and worried
many advice would be appreciated
kim

Also did you do anything before op etc to help
ive only been told no food or drink except water after 2am mon morning

Can’t wait for that @Antarcticant lol
ill save a fortune too x

I had to fast before my operation, too - it's to stop you throwing up when you come round from the anaesthetic.

If you have long hair, plait it or put it in a top bun so it doesn't get tangled up during your operation, because you won't be wanting to wrestle with tangles the next day.

Take big pants and loose clothing to wear after the operation. I expect they lay on hand-sanitiser since Covid - they didn't in my day so I took some with me to clean my hands before I could get up to use the sink.

Yes - even five years on I can't help feeling happy when I walk past that shelf on the supermarket without having to buy anything!

Ahh yes didn’t think I out my hair it’s quite long
and yep I will enjoy walking past that isle most deffo lol x

I had one 18 months ago. Mine was done vaginally so slightly different but came out of theatre at 6pm and was home 11am the next day. I thought I would hate having no visitors but actually I couldn't have been bothered for them anyway. I pretty much slept from coming out of theatre. Mine was the week before Xmas and still managed to do Xmas things with the DC although DH did the 'big' food shop and made xmas lunch. One word of advice is even if you feel OK don't push it. I did and had a huge bleed on Xmas eve which nearly landed me back in hospital. A day in bed fixed it though (and a call to my consultant for reassurance). Overall though it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be and I quite enjoyed drifting off to sleep.

It really is marvellous when you no longer have to plan your life around your periods. No more worrying that it's going to ruin your holiday or other special event. No more always having to carry stuff with you 'just in case'. White skirts and trousers become a perfectly viable wardrobe choice . You also miss the menopausal erratic period stage - you quite simply can forget all about your periods forever which is a precious, precious gift.

My consultant encouraged high dose vit C and arnica!! I did it, but really don’t know if it made any difference as I’ve nothing to compare it to.
I was also post 3 sections!

Yes mine spoilt many holidays
I bled in between too
even my wedding day I took tablets but they did not work so I’m so looking forward to that part @Antarcticant
ahh glad yours went good @Ivchangedmynameforthis and I will try to rest after I don’t think my hubby will let me do anything so should be ok xxx

Just enjoy taking it easy

@Littlemissprosecco
did u have abdominal and did they find and fight with adhesions etc
they say mines all stuck x

No I had keyhole, but I had many adhesions( they told me the separated then all) and they found endometriosis ( which they got rid of) a browns cyst?( I think), and detached my bladder. I was left with one ovary. My tummy was very bruised, my shoulders really hurt from the gas( that’s normal apparently, but horrid). But somehow even after all that it seemed easier to cope with than the ‘ problems’

Remember that even though it’s a once in a lifetime operation for you, it’s the most common operation for women and it’s a real run of the mill operation for them. It will be absolutely fine. Anaesthetic is lovely. Think of a lovely relaxing place which you love.

I had keyhole hysterectomy 3 years ago. Like you, I had 3 previous csections so had lots scar tissue. I was told probably won't have keyhole but in the end they could. Recovery was much easier than I expected. Tiredness was major for around 3 weeks but I was pottering around after 4-5 days. I rested alot and watched few Box sets and Netflix. It was the best thing I ever did as had horrendous periods / abdominal pain before it. I went on hrt straight away and have never looked back. Best of luck and please don't worry 💐

Thankyou so much @Cauliflowersqueeze
really put me more at ease
@AnSionnachGlic &@Littlemissprosecco
im so hoping they say keyhole when I go in on Monday here’s fingers crossed and maybe a quicker recovery
it was 2 years ago I signed all forms etc not spoke to consultant since so u never know it could hopefully be an option xxx

Thankyou to all of you who have commented
you don’t realise how much at ease you have made me just knowing I’m not alone
Thankyou xxx

Thinking of you 💐

4 years in April since my abdo. No caesarean before, so a new incision. I still have my ovaries and started HRT last October.

I was in hospital for 48 hours, and once I’d shown that I could shower and had moved my bowel, I was allowed home.

Remember to get lactulose in to soften your stools so that you don’t have to strain to empty your bowel. I took it for about 4 weeks after my abdominal hysterectomy. I started with 15ml morning and evening, it takes 2-3 days to take effect and then you can go down to a maintenance dose of between 10-20ml a day when you feel ready, either taken all at once or split.

If you’ve never had it before, it’s not a laxative, just a stool softener and as the last thing you want to do is strain on the loo, I found it to be a godsend. Just make sure you drink plenty as Lactulose works by drawing water out of your bloodstream back into your bowel to make everything softer.

Also, be ready for heparin injections, daily, using auto injectors. I had them for a month afterwards, and the VERY attractive surgical stockings - mine were dark green! I set 5pm every day as the time for my injection, and they were just a bit uncomfortable as the fluid goes into the abdominal tissue, and they can also leave a small circular bruise, so you need to choose a different spot each day, preferably alternating left and right side each day.

I was back to work after 5 weeks and 1 day. My husband was allowed to work from home for the first 3. We actually had a very nice time!!!

I am happy to say I was delighted to have my hysterectomy. The day I saw the consultant, I had been menstruating non stop for 7-8 weeks. Not heavy, but not stopping either. I began to dread waking up, hopeful that it had finally stopped and being disappointed AGAIN.

I've had the equivalent of four c-sections (three actual, one was during pregnancy for other reasons) and needed a hysterectomy earlier this year due to having a run-in with sodding cervical cancer. Due to my history, it couldn't be keyhole either. I also kept my ovaries.

Anyway, it was all completely fine! Hurt a bit briefly when I came round, but they dealt with it quickly. My wonderful surgeon cleared out a ton of adhesions as well. It's been four months and the scar is very much healed. I'm still a bit numb above the scar in places - I recall I was after one of my c-sections and it healed in time, but my surgeon says it may not this time. It is not a disaster, though it does count as one of the few downsides to the op.

I was walking plenty by the end of the first week, and running (gently) at six weeks with no issues whatsoever. Back to work a month later, though I do work from home - could have gone sooner but was enjoying the time off! Forgot I'd had the operation most days after the first two weeks. My biggest worry was catching COVID and coughing (I did get a cough at about ten weeks out and it was horrid, but would have been worse earlier).

And yes - it is amazing not having to worry about sanitary protection any more - it cannot be underestimated! And the cramps, twinges, all sorts of random pains I used to get in that area - all gone now. I still have hormonal cycles quite clearly, though I no longer need to take the progesterone part of HRT which really disagreed with my body, so HRT works better for me now too. It basically just feels really liberating!

As others have said, it's a super common operation. I was also really nervous beforehand, but there was no reason to be Good luck!

It’s a really scary position to find yourself in but honestly I had mine 7 years ago, abdominal because of adhesions like yours, the staff were amazing and a lovely nurse could see I was terrified on the day and offered me a pre-pre med.

Now I have a rotten scar but I have my health, I recovered within the 8 week mark and I never have to experience another period ever again.

Just be kind to yourself, take time to recover and do seek emotional support from your friends and family. It felt very final for me not having more children in a way that I never expected.

I cannot stand the smell of peppermint tea since my stay in hospital but I swear at the time it was very soothing. No idea if it’s the placebo effect but the whole ward was drinking it and even tho I find it rotten if I have any tummy probs now I take a wee cup anyway.

Ahh Thankyou ladies
my last day at work today so feels closer now
but all your experiences are reassuring me
you are all great xx

Hello OP!
i had mine 6 weeks ago. It was laparoscopic but through the vagina so had stitches there. Everything out.

Advice for you:
to take with you:

1. Some wet wipes like cucumber ones which will really refresh you.
2. A refillable bottle of water. I put a slice of lemon in mine and filled it the night before and put it in the fridge. Then when you come out the recovery room you’ll have a lovely cool lemon drink waiting for you.
3. Some polos or mints to suck. You won’t be allowed to eat anything until you’ve farted but you can suck on a sweet.
4. Some cereal bars, because you just know when you do fart you’ll be ravenously hungry and there will be no food being served.
5. A fresh body spray. Even if just to spray around you because you’ll want something nice to smell.
6. A big V pillow for your bed when you get home. You will do a lot of sleeping and dozing. Especially in the first 2 weeks.
7. I took a lip balm to hospital as well and really appreciated that.
8. A charger for your phone.
9. Loose clothing to wear home

10. Some sanitary pads. I actually got the bladder ones because I hate the wings.

Remember that even keyhole requires a lot of recovery time. The scars might be smaller but it’s the same operation inside.

as a pp said, this operation is so so so common and run of the mill for the surgeons. Think of something you do 3 times a day for years and that’s what they’re doing.

I was also anxious about the anaesthetic but there is a whole team of anaesthetists looking after your every breath, they are highly trained and will be with you the entire time. You will be aware of a cool feeling as the anaesthetic goes in. I was told to count to 5 and only got to 2 and I was out. Next thing I knew I was in the recovery room and honestly no pain at all. Was up and walking around the ward the following day.

You will be totally fine and nobody I know who has ever had this procedure has either regretted it or had any issue.

we look forward to welcoming you to the Wombless Club very soon! Best of luck. X

Oh I also took some peppermint tea bags and my favourite tea bags and was so glad i did.

Ahh Thankyou so much
xx
im going in Monday morning but I’ve literally today just started a really heavy painful period to the extent that I can’t stand up without gushing
sorry for tmi
will they still go ahead on Monday if I’m bleeding so badly down their
worried now incase they postpone due to this x

It doesn't matter if you are having a period, you can wear a pad in your fancy paper knickers. When you wake up you will be on a puppy pad with a pad between your legs, you may have a catheter for a few hours, it is just so they know your bladder is working properly. Make sure you have some big knickers that coke above your scar.