After tips, suggestions, stories about hysterectomies. I'm having one in 2 weeks and starting to get worried!
After tips, suggestions, stories about hysterectomies. I'm having one in 2 weeks and starting to get worried!
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4 Replies
A lot will depend on what type of hysterectomy you are having. Is it a full (take uterus and ovaries) or partial (leave ovaries). What reasons you are having it and how they plan to do the surgery (keyhole or a full incesion).
My sister had partial done two weeks ago. She had to have the full incision due to how severe her endo was, and the position of uterus. They left her ovaries so she won’t go into menopause. She was in hospital 3 days.
She can’t lift anything much, for a few weeks and can’t reach with her arms or drive for about 6 weeks post surgery. Otherwise she seems very well and only really needed some daytime naps the first week.
Had a partial two years ago. Best thing I ever did!
I had laparoscopic surgery. Still recovery was two full weeks.
Hardest part (most uncomfortable) was pooping after - but a kind nurse gave me a tightly rolled blanket to hold against my abdomen while I went- helped a lot!
No side effects unless you count the freedom of no periods and no chance of ever getting pregnant. 👍🏻
No bladder issues
And sex afterwards- just as good if not better.
I'm the poster.
They are leaving my ovaries and it's a full cut. Possibly navel to public bone. Mine is due to cervical cancer.
Hoping it all goes well.
I had an open abdominal, cervix removed, but with ovaries conserved, 5 years ago. My incision was along the bikini line, the same as my c-sections, only a bit longer. The vertical is very unusual these days. My recovery was long as I had some complications from endometriosis and adenomyosis, including my bladder being adhered to my uterus, which caused bladder spasms, by far the most painful part of the recovery, but treatable with medication once identified.
I was in hospital for five days, and had a return to ER at 7 days post-op for pain management review due to a conservative surgeon discharging me on ridiculously insufficient medication. Registrar review sorted it after reviewing case notes.
It was 2 weeks on lots of medication before I felt like I was starting to be human again, after which the healing improved rapidly. It was 6 weeks before I was allowed to drive or lift anything. This is not to try and scare you, more to prepare, and say to speak up if your pain is not being adequately managed.
My biggest tips are take your pain medication regularly, like clockwork in the early recovery days. If you’re feeling good don’t make the mistake of thinking I don’t need that 4 hourly dose yet, and wait until your pain is out of control and you’re gritting your teeth. It’s easier to manage when you stay on top of it, than trying to wrestle it back into submission, and it saps you of so much energy. Laxatives will become your bestie. The hospital often give movicol or similar. And I found sleep was better when I had a pillow against my stomach. Also great for holding against you when you cough.
I have absolutely no regrets. Evicting my uterus was one of the best things I ever did.
Wishing you the very best of luck.