Having hysterectomy - help me get organised!

[itsgettingweird]

Finally after years of awful periods and taking northisterone I'm having a hysterectomy in a few weeks.

Laparoscopic vaginal surgery.

I'm early 40's and wouldn't be having more children anyway as Carey a faulty gene that made ds disabled. Keeping my ovaries.

I'm already struggling with how I'll cope emotionally as my mums died just a few weeks ago. Although so I'm happy to get it done.

Practically what do I need to prepare?

I'm thinking sachets of coffee. Easy food such as biscuits handy for if I need to eat but don't feel hungry (iyswim?)

Fibre-gel? I've heard constipation can be an issue.

Fresh juices?

I'll make dinners for freezer as will need to do ds dinner and can just heat up for first few days.

What about bleeding afterwards? How heavy is it likely to be? When I had periods I'd flood maternity pads through a tampon in a hour. The amount of bleeding is the thing that's most haunting me about recovery as I think it'll trigger awful memories and I'll worry about how long I'll bleed for. (I need daily for 8 months and it left me pretty ill)

I've heard most people say they have been fine after 4-5 days with this surgery and I was driving and carrying ds in a sling 6 days after a c section - so I'm hoping I will be able to take walks after a few days? Or am I just kidding myself 🤦‍♀️

Any advice tips or experiences greatly received.

I had a quick recovery too, I was walking around the park fairly normally in five days. I got some bleeding around two weeks and had to tone things down a bit, I think this is common as the stitches dissolve. My consultant said four weeks for driving originally, and this was what it said on my discharge info, but then she said two weeks minimum, need to be able to do an emergency stop. I probably would have been okay driving before two weeks but thought I'd be on dodgy ground with insurers if anything happened.

Peppermint oil for the wind - the pain (wind pain) was horrendous. I was cut belly button down and was out in 4 days, but was up and waking on the day after. Ear plugs and a long phone charger for hospital plus eye mask. Get some easy reading in / plan some Netflix binges. Good luck! You’ll be delighted you did it. (Agree pillow for the car between you and the seatbelt).

I had a quick recovery too. Back at work in a physically demanding job after 5 weeks, up and about much sooner. I was swollen/bloated (or just fat from reduced exercise) for about 2-3 months after though. I would recommend getting some full briefs in a larger size (will avoid rubbing in incisions) and a couple of pairs of high waisted or loose trousers a size up.

My hysterectomy (age 36)was via a bikini-line incision. I was walking around the ward after 48 hours.. Bleeding minimal. Because of the incision I was told to lift nothing heavier than a kettle and no driving for 6 weeks. I went straight back to normal diet. No bowel issues apart from a day or two of post-op lotsa fartiness . No regrets sadness or emotions at all, other than relief (not cancer, and no more flood periods, yay).

What I hadn't anticipated was how incredibly sleepy and lethargic I felt during recovery at home , until the district nurse told me its very common for about 6 weeks after abdo hysterectomy. So I just took life easy till it went away on time like magic. Get out in the fresh air for gentle walks. Eat well and sleep well. You'll be fine.

Liberation from periods is so lifechanging, enjoy!

So on my 3rd day of isolation ready for op tomorrow.

I've got sanitary pads - although it says light bleeding I've brought the long heavy pads - and tbh I have no idea what light is considered. I was flooding a tampon and maternity lad every 20 minutes.

Stopped northisterone Saturday night (took last one then) and so far no cramps or bleeding (I did have my "period" Thursday which always consisted on period symptoms and 1 wipe of blood on the northisterone )

Been taking fibre-gel for a few days to make sure I'm regular and will take it with me to hospital.

Clean bedding on today and having a bath etc later.

Will download some stuff to iPad (any recommendations welcome!)

Will pack my bag at some point today.

Any other things I've not though of I need to do?

Mine was a long time ago but I remember the worst part was getting over the anaesthetic that always makes me sick as a dog. I was in hospital for a couple of days but glad to get home to get some sleep. Make sure you take an eyemask and earplugs in with you.

I drove locally as soon as the anaesthetic was out of my system and I drove the family from London to Florence 4 weeks afterwards.

It is probably a good idea to prepare some meals in advance for yourself and little one in case you are feeling under the weather.

Probably not a good idea to do what my Mum did a week after her hysterectomy - she chopped down a 30ft tree with only a handsaw!

I have a gardener and no trees so safe of that front 🤣🤣

Eye mask is a good call. I think I have one some where.

Well I went in yesterday morning for my hysterectomy and came home last night!!!!

Consultant said my uterus was really bulky and heavy and much larger than the average one with adenomyosis!!! Feel quite proud!!

Pain not too bad but my god the trapped wind. I'm so glad you all warned me!!!!

Glad it went well and you are safely home OP.

Hi OP - thank you for starting this thread. I’ve got a hysterectomy booked for next Tuesday and I’ve been reading some total horror stories (from the US hystersisters users) and honestly wanted to just cancel it.

how are you feeling today?

Hi. Avoid groups like that! I find that people in SM tend to gather to be negative and feed off each other.

I'm doing really well. Just taken an Ibuorofen which is the first painkiller I've taken since last night before end! And that's all I've taken since Saturday.

I was very very tired for the first 5 days. Friday - Saturday I slept about 19 hours from going to bed at 8pm Friday!

But I'm able to drive again.
Can walk for 10-15 minutes (albeit not at my usual pace)
I've just started bleeding today (light atm but you can have a gush around day 10) which shows the internal swelling is going down.
Glue is almost off the keyhole scars and they look good.
Some weeping from belly button but cleans daily and not alarming and common.

Make sure you get windeeze and lactulose for afterwards. They were my lifesavers!

And good luck

@itsgettingweird
thank you so much for this thread, ever so helpful. Hope you are recovering and feeling well.
I’m having mine done in September and also trying to get organised. I’m a single mum so lots to plan!
I had my right ovary and Fallopian tube removed just over 1 month ago through Palmers cut (like a cesarian) and although recovery went well, I felt very badly equipped.
Things I’m concerned about are:

• will I be able to manage stairs? I have quite steep stairs at home and no downstairs loo, so camping in the living room is not an option.


• wound caring, What should I use for cleaning it?


• back pain: I’ve got lots of pain on my lower back now, and am worried about how this will be after next surgery. Has anyone been treated by osteopath before and after surgery?


• compression socks: did you wear those?


• do you get to see your doctor a few weeks later for discharge?

thank you!

@MPP good luck for September. With a little planning you will be ok.
if you can find a family member or good friend to pop in and help you, life will be easier. After your last op, I’m sure you now have a list of things you wish others could do for you.
stairs - yes with great care and slowly one at a time. Gets easier surprisingly quickly.
wound care - just keep it clean with warm soapy water and pat dry it well. I used a sanitary pad over the top of my incision to protect it. (abdominal surgery).
only wore compression socks in hospital whilst in bed more than I was up. Once I was able to potter around they were off! (So maybe only for a day after surgery. Rules may have changed so ask a nurse.
Saw the outpatients dr after 8 weeks. Not sure if this is still done. There wasn’t really any need to do so. Staples were taken out at hospital and stitches and glue just dissolved over 10 days or so. Obviously if you show signs of infection go back to your GP and follow any post discharge instructions.

Thank you so much 🤞fingers crossed!
good luck everyone and speedy recovery!

I had a vaginal hysterectomy 18 months ago. I second granny pants, I did mix it up a bit with leopard print granny pants from asda. Ginger ale worked well for wind but the constipation is real. I remember sitting on the toilet crying cos I didn't dare strain. I was on oramorph for a few days which didn't help the constipation but kept me comfortable. Climbed a big hill after a week although did have a big bleed after so when people to you to relax please do as although you may feel quite able you are not.