Hysterectomy, what to expect, what to ask

[QuietlyStorming]

I have quite a high chance of having a hysterectomy when I have my c-section in a few weeks’ time. Haven’t yet had a chance to speak to the specialist.

I believe they will keep my ovaries in and it’s just the womb that is likely to go. I’ve been told by one of the team that this means it won’t trigger early menopause. Being 41 I could be expected to be peri sometime soon anyway but women in my family tend to have late menopause and no real symptoms until closer to 50, but who knows!

I’m wondering if anyone’s had similar and what your experience was like. Are there any questions I should be asking?

I was wondering what happens to the empty space where the womb would be and what happens to the eggs that are still release every month?!

I’ve come to terms with losing my womb, very ok with it. Just a bit daunted by the prospect of recovering from a c-section/hysterectomy combo with a newborn. (I have had a c section before though.)

Many thanks x

I had one at 38 now 45, it's hell, body ages over night , even with hrt you will never feel the same again.
Sore joints , lack of sleep , weight gain, bowel issues brain fog , dry skin , full menopause.
If I were you I would hold onto my ovaries as long as possible.
The only advantage is no periods but it depends on why you are getting the operation in the first place . ..
Best of luck

it's relatively unusual to do a caesarean-hysterectomy and quite a bit of the recovery/things you'll want to know will depend on the reason that you're needing the hysterectomy. Hopefully your obstetrician will be able to answer your questions and help with planning your recovery period (and the anaesthetist will be able to go through the anaesthetic side of things too).

Nothing happens to the empty space. If you keep your ovaries, your eggs are just released into your body and will disintegrate. The incision for an abdominal hysterectomy is similar to a c-section. I can't advise on how to manage your recovery alongside a newborn baby, but I hope you will have some help and support because you'll need to rest a lot as your body heals.
Another thing - take some san pro with you, as you will bleed after the operation (the blood from the wound coming out). I bled on and off for a few weeks but after that, no more bleeding ever!
Keep your ovaries if you can.
Wishing you the best for the procedure. I have never regretted mine, and I was about the same age as you when I had it.

@Dollydimpledoo I have read some of this (and part of the reason I was a little worried about it) but am keeping my ovaries so was hoping I’ll have a slower ‘in’ to menopause? Reason for hysterectomy is placenta accreta in this pregnancy (where the placenta embeds way too deeply and sometimes through the womb wall)

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such a tough journey of it x

You’re right @Greybeardy I’m sure they will answer what I need. I’ve got a great medical team and meetings booked in with both the surgeon and anaesthetist in the new year so I can meet them beforehand and they can meet me. I think I’m just a bit antsy and wondering what others have experienced. But perhaps I just need to let my mind rest on the subject for a bit whilst I can 😅

Thanks @UndeniablyGenX great reminder. I was given some san pro by the hospital when I had my first c section and didn’t bleed much at all so it didn’t really enter my mind this time but this is a bit different so should definitely get some prepped in my go bag. Added to the list!
I’ll be honest, I am quite looking forward to not having to deal with monthly bleeding!

I’ll be keeping my ovaries, or at least that’s what’s been discussed. There’s no medical need to remove them as far as I know so I will make sure to clarify.

In my mind the whole thing about spacing is funny because I’ve been slowly growing this little one that is pushing and squishing my organs aside and creating space. Then usually after birth the womb takes time to contract back down as everything reshuffles. I can’t imagine giving birth at the same time this whole expanded womb just gets whipped out and how the body rearranges itself without something just falling into the ‘gap’ it created 😅😂

Since you are having an hysterectomy, ask them to remove your Fallopian tubes as well. This will cut your risk of ovarian cancer by 95% and will not put you in menopause. 95% of ovarian cancers start in the Fallopian tubes, In the Netherlands, every woman who has abdominal surgery who is done with having children is asked if they would like this surgery done at the same time of whichever surgery they are having.

I've had a laparoscopic hysterectomy with everything gone including ovaries, but other than hot flushes, I haven't had any terrible menopausal symptoms, I do exercise a lot and eat well, which I think helps. One of the positive effects of having my womb removed is that there seems to be more space for my bladder so so I don't have to pee so often! You won't be able to lift anything heavy for a couple of weeks, so that's something to think about with a new baby. And have the person who's picking you up take a cushion so that you can put it between your stomach and the seatbelt when you travel home. Good luck!

I would say the same after losing my ovaries (and I'm nearly ten years on from it). But I can't lay claim to a very healthy lifestyle and lots of exercise like you😃. My mum had an easy natural menopause so I wonder if you just get the menopause you were destined to have, but earlier and all at once. OP shouldn't get any meno symptoms at this stage if she's able to keep her ovaries as she won't be in hormonal menopause, just yay-no-more-periods menopause.

I had aged 41, it wasn’t too bad! And I had ovaries out. Make sure you have got hot and cold pads and sodium docusate. Drink loads and make sure you pass lots of urine. My uterus was massive but apparently the intestines move into any open space. With ovaries kept in you still have a cycle and the eggs are absorbed in the abdomen. Also big knickers a must.