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Original poster

Hysterectomy - Hints and tips for post surgery

94 replies

SolitudeNotLoneliness · 20/02/2023 19:55

Hi

I'm going in for a hysterectomy shortly, and wondered if anyone had any useful hints and tips for surgery / post surgery.

I haven't been in hospital overnight since having dc who are now late teens so I'm not familiar with hospitals!

DH has booked the week after work off so I will be having rest forced upon me!

I've seen someone recommend having a pillow for drive home to have on lap so the area isn't aggregated by the seat belt (it is planned to be abdominal)

I've got big high waisted leggings that are loose on me to wear home.

Anything else anyone can share?

Thank you!

OP posts:
ConfusedGin · 17/03/2023 13:58

@Paq The woman in the bed next to me had an open hysterectomy (I was open myomectomy) and we came on the ward and left together. I arrived in discharge lounge exactly 48 hours after arriving at admissions.

Paq · 28/03/2023 18:37

Just shut down my work laptop for the last time for eight weeks, surgery is tomorrow. I have a cold 😞 please tell me they won't cancel as a result!

Pegsmum · 28/03/2023 22:42

🤞crossed for you that it goes ahead, I suppose it might depend if you are coughing and/or chesty? Good luck

Paq · 29/03/2023 12:23

Anaesthesist is recommending postponement,she's just talking to the surgeon now. I've already waited 54 weeks from referral on top of the five months before that waiting for a consultant appointment.

Who knows when I'll be rescheduled for, I've had 4 months of menopause in preparation and have handed all my work over. What a mess!

Pegsmum · 29/03/2023 16:21

Wishing you all the best however today has panned out.

Paq · 29/03/2023 18:55

Thanks @Pegsmum. Turns out that my cold is covid so I was discharged. Now in bed trying to get my head round it all. I spent prepping my team for my absence, now I'll be shuffling in shamefacedly next week.

It's a minimum 7 week wait post a negative covid test before an op so I'm now looking at the end of May!

Pegsmum · 29/03/2023 19:27

Oh no! The only positive you can take is that your recovery will hopefully be in some sunshine!
i know the mental preparation for this op and stress to sort out work is immense, so you must be feeling well and truly fed up.
Hope you recover quickly…onwards and upwards. 💐

ConfusedGin · 29/03/2023 20:49

Hi @Paq - I was you at various times. Got covid a month before surgery so it was pushed 3 weeks without me even stepping in the hospital (I did the reading - waiting is the right, if frustrating thing). On the rearranged date, they cancelled me on the morning so I'd handed everything over and then had to go back.

My best advice, if you're well enough and able to work with covid, is to be gentle with yourself. Yes, you can pick up where you left off like nothing happened, but mentally I found myself distracted and under a bit of a cloud - I kept coming back to "but I shouldn't be here." Those appointments were 1 year after making the decision to have surgery and 18 months after starting investigations.

Take a couple of days to fly under the radar whilst people think you're off if you can. Rest, make some plans for the weekends and Easter, or enjoy that you can do nothing.

Paq · 23/05/2023 21:18

Thanks @ConfusedGin. Your timeline is identical to mine! 18 months since I could feel the fibroids in my abdomen.

Anyway, I'm back in tomorrow! Hoping it's all goes according to plan this time!

grandmashotdoodlebugs · 24/05/2023 23:19

@Paq hope you got there in the end and by now you are feeling much better

Paq · 25/05/2023 05:08

@grandmashotdoodlebugs thank you. Currently on the ward after my op around 2pm yesterday. They had to do a full abdominal as the fibroid was so big and they also found some endometriosis.

The pain was awful when I came round but they gave me as much pain relief as I asked for. I couldn't eat anything last night but have been trying to drink plenty of water. My blood pressure is too low still apparently.

Not much chance of rest in here. It's so noisy with staff and machines etc. Not much they can do about it, they're looking after people.

grandmashotdoodlebugs · 25/05/2023 06:30

@Paq good morning hyster-sister

There's a great Facebook group too if you use it. Hysterectomy Sisters UK.

Take it easy now. Don't be in a hurry and a full abdo is a longer recovery. I had 12 weeks off and a staggered return over a month to my desk job.

Ovaries gone? Don't leave without HRT - surgical menopause is hard hitting.

Hope you get some more sleep a bit later once nurses have done their rounds.

Hysterectomy2023 · 25/05/2023 07:09

Hello all - wish I had found this thread sooner !
I am due to be discharged today after 3 nights in post full abdominal hysterectomy due to a large fibroid.
So far so good the pain has been manageable ( with drugs !) and I can get up and down to go to the loo ok but am nervous about sitting in the car later on.

Totally relate to PPs describing how gingerly you walk while wondering if you are actually held together ok!
I am holding a rolled up towel in front of me when I walk like a security blanket.
Signed off work for 8 weeks but no idea if I will need it all yet.
My surgeon has told me to shower dress and take a short walk each day so hopefully I can just focus on that for the next few days.

Hysterectomy2023 · 25/05/2023 07:11

Paq · 25/05/2023 05:08

@grandmashotdoodlebugs thank you. Currently on the ward after my op around 2pm yesterday. They had to do a full abdominal as the fibroid was so big and they also found some endometriosis.

The pain was awful when I came round but they gave me as much pain relief as I asked for. I couldn't eat anything last night but have been trying to drink plenty of water. My blood pressure is too low still apparently.

Not much chance of rest in here. It's so noisy with staff and machines etc. Not much they can do about it, they're looking after people.

@Paq it's a relief once it's done isn't it. Hope you can get some rest.

Paq · 25/05/2023 09:36

@Hysterectomy2023 good luck with your recovery.

Any tips on how to pee? I seem to have lost the ability...

Hysterectomy2023 · 25/05/2023 09:41

Thanks @Paq !
Have they recently removed a Catheter ? It took me a while to get going but I was thirsty I drank absolutely loads of fluid which
Made it easier I think.
It is very unnerving as I just feel like my innards are a big bag of jelly.

I have the fear about the post op poo today as think it needs to happen but am terrified!

Paq · 25/05/2023 22:53

I failed to pee so they sent me home with a catheter 😕

Also, how is it possible to get rid of a giant fibroid and gain weight?😄 I weighed myself before and after and have apparently gained 0.6lb!

Hysterectomy2023 · 26/05/2023 16:28

Paq · 25/05/2023 22:53

I failed to pee so they sent me home with a catheter 😕

Also, how is it possible to get rid of a giant fibroid and gain weight?😄 I weighed myself before and after and have apparently gained 0.6lb!

Oh gosh will you have to go back to have it removed ?
It is hard isn't it as I feel like my insides are just all in shock !

I haven't made it upstairs where the scales are yet but would have also been tempted to weigh myself - I assume it is just swelling weight that will eventually disappear?

My latest ups and downs are - I managed to have a shower and wash my hair which felt so good - but I have a back ache from sitting and sleeping in bed with so many awakened pillows trying to keep myself comfortable!

Paq · 27/05/2023 08:00

How are you feeling today @Hysterectomy2023? Yes, I have to wait until Thursday to get the catheter out which I am really struggling with. Although I am trying to enjoy the novelty of peeing standing up 😀 (I have a valve instead of a bag).

The scales now say that I weigh 5lb less than the day I went in but I'm looking forward to seeing my detailed notes to find out how big the bastard was in the end.

I'm also mostly bored and sore with sitting in bed but have brain fog so can't concentrate on anything for long.

Hysterectomy2023 · 27/05/2023 14:32

Having a downer of a day today - got hit with the dreaded constipation unexpectedly as things had seemed ok. Been really uncomfortable and worried I will do myself a mischief!

Also just seen my dressing has lifted a bit and there is some sort of seepage which will wasn't expecting so am feeling a bit squeamish about that.

Annoying as was feeling quite upbeat and looking forward to spending a bit of time with the family but am just in bed really .

In better news I received some lovely flowers from work which gave me a bit of a boost.

How are you @Paq ?

Sorry for all the moaning!

vipersnest1 · 27/05/2023 15:42

@Paq, I too have had the joy of peeing like a bloke! It's the weirdest thing ever. If you're feeling normal urge, that's a good thing.

Paq · 27/05/2023 17:24

Sorry you are feeling down @Hysterectomy2023, but it's still early days so to be expected. I've had nice (short) visits from family, I sat in the garden for a bit and I went in the car to the coast to look at the sea (5 mins drive) and walk up and down a bit. I'm feeling much less pain but really foggy headed and irritable. I've now retreated back upstairs and will close my eyes for a bit with an audio book.

Hysterectomy2023 · 27/05/2023 17:37

Paq · 27/05/2023 17:24

Sorry you are feeling down @Hysterectomy2023, but it's still early days so to be expected. I've had nice (short) visits from family, I sat in the garden for a bit and I went in the car to the coast to look at the sea (5 mins drive) and walk up and down a bit. I'm feeling much less pain but really foggy headed and irritable. I've now retreated back upstairs and will close my eyes for a bit with an audio book.

Wow @Paq sounds like you are doing really well - the coast is always uplifting- hopefully I will have a better day tomorrow!
The weather is amazing but I have barely been outside so I need to make an effort to do that as well.

Hysterectomy2023 · 27/05/2023 17:39

Oh and I did smile at the 5lbs weight loss that would be a pleasing result for me too - will get on the scales in the next few days too.

Paq · 30/05/2023 06:58

Morning, quick question. My recovery is still going well in terms of wound pain and mobility but I feel completely wiped out, have no energy or appetite and constant headaches. Im assuming this is normal?