Hysterectomy - hand hold / scared

[subolooo]

I'm going into hospital for a full hysterectomy and bowel resection next week and I'm terrified. I've never had an operation before in my life and I cant remember if I've ever had anaesthetic (I had my kids with no pain relief). I'm just after any stories from you lovely people and how to prepare for my stay and what to expect. Please dont sugar coat things either, I need to be realistic about this and prepare for the worst I guess.

I have my hospital bag packed with the usual stuff including ear plugs and eye mask as I've heard the wards can be noisy and bright. I've got my toiletries including sanitary pads.

Anyone?

Suboloo- I didn't want to read and run. I've not had a hysterectomy but I have had anaesthetics and a c section and there's nothing to be afraid of.

Hey I've had surgery recently. Not a full hysterectomy but similar.

I felt very well looked after in hospital. The anaesthetist will come and see you first - they're the loveliest of people and very reassuring. Also found the gynae ward an okay place to be after, definitely not as bad as previous wards I've been on.

Ask for pain relief before you really need it. Ask for help and have things ready at home for after. I'm home now and this is physically much harder than hospital because the beds etc were much more set up to help in hospital! Although mentally nice to be home.

You are brought into a room to meet the anaesthetist and they are very good at putting you at ease. I was asked to count backwards from ten I think I got to eight 😁 . You might remember waking up in recovery where they keep an eye on you before bringing you back to the ward.

When I had a c section I had a catheter inserted to drain urine until I was well enough to get to the toilet. This was done on the operating table and I didn't feel a thing.

This is all routine for the medical staff.

My experience was abroad, and I was lucky enough to have a private room, so wasn’t on a ward, but I actually found the whole experience a lot less traumatic than I was expecting. I also had bowel surgery too.

Tbh, I think we take on board experiences that our mothers and aunts went through, and forget that techniques and medicines evolve and operations that were very serious twenty years ago are much more comfortable now.

It’s still a big op and you need to take recovery very steadily - I was lucky enough to have my sister with me for a week afterwards - but honestly overall it was hugely better than I was expecting.

The only bit I found distressing was when a nurse yanked my catheter out when I was half asleep during the first night after the op.

Good luck op 💐

I had a full hysterectomy including both ovaries a few years ago. I remember waking up feeling very cosy and comfortable thanks to the drugs! My recovery was fine, in hospital for 4 nights until my wound drain was removed. It was hard getting about to being with and it was painful to straighten up for a week or so. But it was definitely doable! Emotionally I was fine too, glad to get rid of all those bits that were causing me problems tbh! Good luck x

Had a total hysterectomy when I was 50, wish I had had it done when I was 25. I was unable to have children.

It took me about 2 weeks to recover and was amazing. No flooding, no pain, no periods every 16 days and completely stopped the awful migraines. I was driving after 3 weeks.

Honestly the changes it made to my life were just fantastic.

@Crimsonbow Thank you for your reply - I'm so pleased you had a good hospital stay, it sounds very positive. Get well soon :)

@Finaglefilly I am a bit worried about the catheter bit but after the pain I've been going through I'm sure I can deal with that.

@Singsonggsu I'm hoping for key hole surgery but looking forward to the comfy feeling snuggled in bed on my own :)

@FiveShelties Thats amazing recovery time. I've been told by so many people that its the best thing they've ever had done and as long as it stops the constant pain and also migraines I'll be happy :)

I had a total hysterectomy in July.
I have been absolutely fine. TBH after the first few weeks I almost forgot I’d had it. I did have it done vaginally though.

Hysterectomy Sisters Uk is a good Facebook group to join.

@Abra1t Thank you, i'll had over to FB now and join that group :)

I had a total hysterectomy when I was 35, best thing ever. I had a catheter for a couple of days which was bliss as it meant I didnt have to get up or use a bed pan to pee ! Up walking after two days ( though bent over clutching my tummy ).

Home after 5 days, and was glad to have my mum there because I was very tired and could barely lift the kettle. Back at work after 4 weeks, driving , everything back to normal.

Best wishes to you, you'll be fine and you'll wish you had it done before !

I haven't had one, but my sister-in-law had a hysterectomy two weeks ago. She's doing brilliantly! Like you, she'd never had a general anaesthetic and never had surgery - she was freaking out beforehand and very teary on the day. But she said that the whole thing was a breeze, she was off pain killers in about four days and she passed her two week follow up with flying colours!

Try not to be scared, I know it's hard not to fear the unknown. Ask the anaesthetist for something to help you chill out - I've never known them having a problem with that.

I've had lots of surgeries and I actually find the surgery part quite fun because of the anaesthetic! It always amazes me how one minute you're talking to someone while you're on the operating table, then the next thing you know is that you're waking up in recovery and everything is done. Magic! Sure, recovery can be a bit shit at times. But you'll do just fine, I'm sure. All the very best of luck to you!

I had a keyhole hysterectomy everything other than ovaries out due to my age. I hadn't had surgery before and I was quite worried. I was prepped by a nurse and taken to theatre where I met the anaesthetist. They offered a spinal block for pain relief which I accepted and then I was put to sleep very calmly and gently. I woke up in recovery and felt no pain at all. I was given some water and monitored before being taken to the ward, I did have a private room. I was checked a couple of times and given some antibiotics to prevent any infection and then left to sleep. The next morning I was checked again and had my catheter remove (this did not hurt at all, which is what I was worried about) and then I was discharged. My pain relief was paracetamol and I also had blood thinners for 28 days, which aren't the e nicest but tolerable. Week 2 I worked a little bit from home and by 4 weeks I had gone back to the office on reduced hours. I didn't feel pain, I did take things slowly even though I went back to work. I rested for the first few days and then I walked a small distance each day (they do tell you to do this) thankfully no further complications. Everyone does recover differently but you have to see what you feel comfortable doing and spend at least a few days in the house, no lifting, no housework

I've been waiting quite a while for this so to have a date is amazing.

@SmokeyToo I love your outlook, I'll make sure I enjoy the anaesthetic and a good sleep :)

@Winewednesday Thank you, thats a really good description of what happens. I am a bit worried about the catheter and also the spinal block. The consultant said the surgery will probably last about 5 hours due to the complications with my bowel too (I have adenomyosis so my uterus is fused to my bowel) and they are removing everything.

I had a hysterectomy a few months ago and it's the best thing I've ever done, absolutely life changing. I'd recommend the Hysterectomy Sisters Facebook group (which is private) as people have put lists etc on there.

@subolooo the spinal block was sold to me as a great piece of pain relief and I really didn't feel any pain. I didn't realise the catheter was in until a little later when I thought I should use the toilet and the removal didn't hurt it just felt a bit odd.

I had a hysterectomy with bladder and bowel repair for prolapse. the staff were all really nice, as were the other women on the ward afterwards. I had minimal pain.
For me the biggest issue was being set up at home to manage for the first couple of weeks when you are unable to lift much and are tired from the anaesthetic. It took me a long time to get back to normal levels of activity but I was over 60 so probably makes a difference.

Hope everything goes well OP. Just remember to follow all the advice your drs give you, especially the ones about taking it easy, remember you are healing on the inside as well as the outside, so no carrying, lifting, driving, stretching, reaching or running marathons until you are given the all clear to do so.

Thanks everyone, you've all really put my mind at ease.

I'm looking forward to getting home after my op and having my partner and DD look after me for a bit :) I think we're pretty much prepared at home and once I'm out of this current pain I know it'll be worth it )

At least it will be behind you for the festive season. Take it easy over the next few weeks.

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy and was expected to have a bowel resection too, luckily I didn’t need that once in surgery but I did have my ureter cut because of complications. This meant I had a stent fitted and was catheterised for a week post surgery. You will be able to move about with your catheter and it’s very straightforward to have it removed.
As a pp said you should wake up quite comfy in a haze and the worst pain I experienced was the wind pain from the gas they use. Take some peppermint cordial/teabags with you to help with that.
Standing up straight isn’t easy for a while, but I was told to get up the day after 🤣 and get moving. One tip I would give you once your home is to have your painkillers by your bedside so you can take them in the morning before you move, this helped me a lot. I can honestly say the recovery for me was nowhere near as long or painful as I’d been told and I hope you are the same. I actually look back at my recovery very fondly because it was a great excuse to relax! Enjoy the rest!!

@subolooo I echo what folk here have said. Anaesthetic is fine, drugs lovely after. For me the worst bit was the constipation/trapped wind but that goes. Take the dulcoease! I was walking after 24 hours and home after 48, and my surgery was open not keyhole. I was tired for some weeks, but I’d been very anaemic. Take it easy! You’ll also likely have to self inject blood thinners but that’s way easier than it sounds. I’d have said beforehand that I wouldn’t be able to do it, but I was fine. So glad I had it done.

I had a hysterectomy 7 years so, kept ovaries and cervix intact. Here were the things I learned:

1. Support from a good forum that was there when I had questions. Just Google and find one you like.
2. The realisation that recovery isn’t linear (or quick). Some days I felt I was going backwards but you’re not, that just how it goes sometimes and it won’t be exactly the same as anyone else and
3. my mantra was ‘be kind to myself’ - rest when you need to and take ANY help on offer. I wasn’t even able to lift the kettle.

I was still on the morphine when they removed the catheter so whilst it was a bit weird, it was fine. Make sure you take pain relief, remember that codeine can make you constipated, so take the laxatives they recommend. Good luck!

Love hearts sweets work wonders for trapped wind. I was expecting to stay in for 2 nights but came home the next day, the hardest thing was resting as I felt so great (I'd had similar symptoms to you)! I was driving after two weeks and had a couple of months off work