Vaginal hysterectomy with ovary laparoscopy

[KathieFerrars]

Hi

Due this in a couple of weeks. I'm on hysterectomy sisters on facebook but frankly am finding it all a bit overwhelming and people seem to be suffering quite a bit but then they may well have had abdominal ops plus other stuff.

Has anyone had this type of hysterectomy and can you give me any tips on what to take into hosp and for the aftermath. Ideas as to what to expect re pain and being able to totter about afterwards. How long till you returned to work. Any info gratefully received. I've been so desperate to get this op and now wondering whether I am doing the right thing.

[CocteauTwin]

I didn't have exactly this type of hysterectomy - mine was robotic keyhole, but I did also have an incision to remove fibroids. Mine was for cancer. I am also on that Facebook group and understand there are a lot of different experiences. I think pain varies a lot. Mine was quite bad for 6 weeks but I think that was because of the incision for the fibroids. I also was in ICU for a couple of nights due to a collapsed lung affecting my breathing. That was scary and the worst pain, but morphine was available! I didn't take anything specific into hospital but loose clothing will be a must. Slippers, and for when you get out, slip on shoes - the best are Skechers Slip Ins. You will struggle to bend at first so they are a lifesaver. I was walking within a few days but it was painful at first. I was off work in total for nearly 7 months but this was due to the effect having cancer had on my mental health. I think again this varies greatly. I couldn't do any housework or much at all really for 6 weeks. I don't drive but I found being a passenger in a car difficult for a few weeks. I am sure you are doing the right thing - I was petrified the morning of the operation but it's now been over 9 months and although I faced some challenges, it was worth it. I hope this is helpful despite my experience being different to yours - I couldn't just scroll past. Best of luck :)

[KathieFerrars]

@CocteauTwin Thank you. Glad you are mending well. I had breast cancer six years ago so understand the added mental health burden. I landed up having four operations in four months to clear margins and I did too much after each one trying to be normal for the family. This time, I'm going to be useless. Thanks for the flip on shoes tip.

[JemOfAWoman]

I had this type of hysterectomy nearly 20 years ago. Hospital for 3 days but got a kidney infection and ended up back in hospital for a week. Tbh the kidney infection was worse than the hysterectomy!

I'd managed to plan it inbetween jobs so didn't need time off work and I was sailing a boat round the med 8 weeks later!

Never had any problems since! Good luck 🤞

[CointreauVersial]

I had this operation in 2019 after a diagnosis of uterine cancer.

I actually recovered pretty quickly, and was back at work and driving after less than 4 weeks (I had a holiday booked to visit the Christmas Markets in France that I was determined not to miss, which motivated my recovery!). But certainly the first week I was very achy and weak, and happy to be waited on by the family. Even though the incisions/scars are tiny there is a lot of internal healing to go through, and you feel very tired.

Actually the worst thing was injecting myself daily with anti-clotting stuff. I never got used to that.

I was only in hospital for 24 hours, but the most useful thing I took in was a long charging cable for my phone, to minimise stretching/reaching. And a cushion to put across my tummy for the car journey home.

[ohthejoys21]

I had a total hysterectomy a year ago. I was having it laparoscopically but my surgeon called me the night before to ask if I'd consider having it done robotically.. apparently the scars are smaller.

The main problem I had was weeing after the op. I couldn't, was sent home after a couple of days with a bag and NO antibiotics (despite asking for them), so promptly got a nasty UTI which took months to get rid of.

Apart from that, all was fine, I was given exercises to do which I found easy, and was sprinting up two flights of stairs after a couple of days. Very quick recovery. I don't work but they will tell you exactly when you can go back depending on the type of work you do. Good luck!

[groundhogday2day]

I had a lap assisted vaginal hysterectomy almost 6 weeks ago. I was also on hysterectomy sisters, but tbh, it started to make me worry as everyone seemed to have issues, so i came off it. I can honestly say i have had no issues. I was worried as bleeding heavy when i went in that morning, they werent bothered but i was! that is the last time i have had any bleeding. I hadnt had any abdominal surgery before, so dont know if that is why everything is smoothly healing. i have been careful not to lift etc, and take things easy. worst part was pooping after, but the surgeon did discover a rectal prolapse during surgery, so expect that part of this is due to that. I did find the tip to put all your things you will need after the op in a wash bag good, i put some sweets, kindle, phone and charger etc in a wash bag and asked them to pass me it and kept it on the bed as found turning and twisting hard with the drip and catheter. I only stayed in one night as found the ward hard for sleeping. Any questions please ask, but less than 6 weeks on and am feeling really good.

[KathieFerrars]

@groundhogday2day Thank you so much. This is really helpful. I'm having it done due to prolapse so hoping that is it. I've stopped hysterectomy sisters as just wound me up too much. Sorry to ask but did you prep down below at all in terms of shaving. Very aware that I am not exactly trim down there and don't know if I should or not. Really glad you are well. When did you start driving again and are you back at work?

[groundhogday2day]

i did have a 'good tidy' but i dont go bare on the shaving, have you had your pre op yet? i got given some soap/shampoo to use everyday for the 5 days before, and some high energy pre op drinks that had to be drunk between 6 and half past on the morning. i was then in the theatre by 8. the leaflet with the soap said no shaving for 48hrs before the op due to risk of infection if you nip yourself. so you might want to shave 3 days before, like myself. The drinks, if you get them, are best chilled. they are like flat lucozade. apparently the soap and drinks are part of a new enhanced recovery programme they are trying out.
I started driving on thursday due to DS having an appointment, this was just under 6wks, but I do feel i could have earlier, especially as no big adominal cut. However, for the first time in 30 years, i didnt have to do school runs so enjoyed the chance not to! I am actually signed off till may half term due to the nature of my work, but if i was not manual i think i could do an office based job now. my advice will be just go slow. the times i have tried to walk to far etc has made me feel a bit sick and very tired, so just go abit slower than you think you can do. especially those first 2 weeks, you think you can do alot, but best not to. especially if you are having a prolapse repair too? or is it just the uterus? I am just so pleased to have had this done. I only had 4wks notice as it was under the pathway urgent referal. I am honestly surprised at how easy the recovery has been.