Very anxious- Hysterectomy

[IstillloveKingThistle]

Hi all..

I’m having a laparoscopic hysterectomy and ovary removal next week. I’m absolutely dreading it.

It’s classed as urgent. My GP said yesterday my cervix will also be removed. That’s not my understanding- do I query this as I want to retain as much of me as possible. If that makes sense .

Jeez I am worrying. And straight into a surgical menopause too. Hideous.
Can anyone who has had this procedure help/ ease my anxiety?
Recovery time- how long please ?
Man I feel sick with worry.

I was in and out of hospital the same day.

You'll need some extra support at home for a few days I'd have thought although mine was just friends dropping in a few times a day.

Back on my feet within 10 days I'd say.

Good luck

I was in for three days because they also found invasive endometriosis which made the op much longer than normal. I recovered really quickly and the only regret I have is that I did not have the op 20 years earlier.

I did go into menopause virtually overnight and eventually went on HRT, which I still use 18 years later. I did try all the herbal products before HRT, none of which worked but did please the health supplements store as I tried product after product.

I wish you a speedy recovery.😀

I'm waiting for a date for mine, which will be very soon, too.
I wish you all the best. Better out than in and all that, 🤞

If it is classed as urgent then this may be the reason why they are taking your cervix too. My surgeon said they didn't want to go in, take biopsies then have to go back in at a later date. Mine was thankfully all clear. I haven't had any issues with having cervix removed.

You may wish to ask for HRT in case you feel you need it. You will only need gel. You didn't say what age you are but you may want it for general support of your genitourinary system anyway as well as other benefits.

I had full incision so had a more difficult recovery. Good luck. I'm sure you will be fine.

I was home the next day. A bit sore for the next week. It really wasn't all that bad, the anticipation was worse than the reality. I also lost my cervix and it hasn't changed anything.

Good luck with it all.

I had mine done at 6.00pm, was sat up in bed watching the soaps by 8.00pm, had my drain & catheter out at 5.00am & was up & dressed with full make up on by 7.30am & on my way home by 8.30am. I managed to walk to our local pharmacy a couple of hours after I got home as my drain site was leaking, then lazed around at home for a couple of days. I had mine done on a Friday & was out for a pub lunch on the Monday & drove myself to see my consultant for my final appointment to have my wounds checked & be discharged on the Friday after. I was back on the school run 10 days after having it done. I had no pain after leaving hospital, bleeding stopped within 5 days & other than no lifting was back to normal.

I started HRT a week after having mine done, I kept my cervix & have had no problems.

Do you have monthly bleeding because you kept your cervix?

No I don't, my consultant told me that he had made sure that there was no tissue left that would cause monthly bleeding.

Thank you for all your replies.

It’s a total hysterectomy. I don’t know why I thought that I could keep my cervix.
I am also worried how it will affect my sex life ( least of my worries for now) but it is at the back of my mind too, in all honesty.

I feel incredibly anxious about the whole
thing to be honest.

I had full hysterectomy, ovaries and cervix out too. HRT after. Like others, no problems with recovery and no problems with sex life. I looked on the ovaries and cervix out as a bonus as these are potential cancer sites and you don’t need them post menopause.

Really appreciate your reply . Pleased everything went well for you.
It feels deeply personal and I am a very private person so being able to talk about it on here rather than Rl makes it less difficult.

There is no reason why having no cervix will impact on your sex life.

I had womb and cervix removed, ovaries retained. The lack of cervix has caused zero problems.

Had the full shebang removed. Straight onto HRT. No problems at all. Bit of weight gain from HRT...but could also be the slowing of my metabolism as I get older. Surgery went well, and recovery time was good. Just make sure you follow all pre and post op instructions. I was given a pre op prep drink to have the day before surgery and advised that research had shown that it aided recovery. I was out of hospital the morning after surgery. Good luck op.

Thank you all 🩷

Yep. I’m scared . Necking baileys like it’s going out of fashion and really panicking. A family member isn’t well at the moment and I won’t be there for them in person as I usually am due to this . I keep bursting into tears.
Hoping recovery is swift.
Thank you all again. So much.

Hi, good luck with your surgery.
I had open but the same surgery this year.
Started on 100 oestrogen patches 5 weeks after operation, if you are having ovaries out and you can have oestrogen definitely have it.
Regarding cervix removal, some uterus cells can be left on the cervix so if it’s not removed there is a possibility of the cells thickening but progesterone will prevent that. That’s one reason to have it removed but obvs your decision.

A few things that helped me a lot:

• Cold pads for wound site
• chewing gum to get out the gas
• peppermint tea also for gas
• big knickers lol
• mouthwash for after the surgery
• sodium docusate laxative for post op constipation
• drink lots of water when you get home post op and make sure you wee it all out to prevent uti

PM me any questions if you need to . Mine was also emergency and I was terrified

Two years waiting list for me. I hope I am moving up. Looks very straightforward, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Thank you so much.
I am ridiculously scared.

Really appreciate your support and I am
pleased it all went well for you.
Will let you know how it goes.
🩷

Thank you.
That’s a long wait for you. I hope that they move you up the list soon.

Good luck with everything.

Had a total done laparoscopicaly 3 years ago. It wasn't planned to take the lot but my (female) surgeon said she'd prefer to as if she left ovaries or cervix in her experience I'd be back within a few years for them to be removed.
Home next morning, back at work 2 weeks later, pretty much normal in 6 weeks. Tiredness in the first week or so is horrendous, naps and rest as much as possible.

Personally, I don't know a single woman who has said they regret having a hysterectomy. Some were very reasonably scared/apprehensive, some found the idea emotionally difficult, others practically sprinted to the hospital (well, they would have done were it not for the symptoms that made the operation necessary) - but every single one said it was absolutely worth it for them once they'd had it. It's the only operation I've experienced everybody saying positive things about.

I hope that you're another one of those women, OP.

Had mine last Monday, home on the Tuesday and compared to what I was expecting it's been a breeze so far.
Minimal gas pain, off painkillers by day 4. Tiredness is the main issue but I'm napping every afternoon.
I would say walking around really helps in the early stages as well.
Make sure you have loose elasticated bottoms to wear (high waisted if possible)
I really swelled up but it's going down nicely now.
Take the laxatives as well as the last thing you want is constipation!!
Honestly I had got myself so worked up over this surgery for some reason but I have been so pleasantly surprised with how good I felt afterwards compared to what I expected.
Good luck and I hope all goes well

I agree!

Just want to second this post.