Any ladies with hysterectomy experience? Update!

[cluvsdisney]

I had an abdominal hysterectomy 5 years ago for ginormous fibroids. I still have my ovaries but that's it. The surgery was on Friday and I was released from the hospital on Sunday. The first week, I had a lot of surgical pain...each day I felt better but it was tough moving around, getting up from bed that sort of thing. Week 2, I was still moving slow but the pain decreased tremendously and I started getting out of the house a little. But I would get tired very easily and it was uncomfortable to sit for stretches of time. Week 3, the pain was gone, I was getting around ok and went back to driving but still very very tired. Week 4, I felt pretty good but would be really tired at the end of the day. If I drove to work, I would have gone back at this point. Since I take a commuter train, I stayed home this last week bc I knew hiking in and out of Penn Station would basically kick my butt.

I was careful for the full 6 weeks and after about 2 months I felt better than I felt in years. I didn't realize how the fibroids were effecting my body...I was anemic, they caused my uterus to push up against my diaphragm so I never really caught my breath, etc. I just regret not doing it sooner.

Question for you ladies - can you feel that your uterus is missing after the surgery? I know I will need a hysterectomy at some point not the future to stop mybendometriosis from progressing, so I'm just wondering if you feel like something is missing.

For the first few weeks, I felt like things were settling in a bit. It didn't hurt, it just felt weird. I don't know if it was in my head or not but that's how it was for me.

 

[Jennasis]

I want to cry. Was actually feeling guilty or maybe "over-reacty" about pushing for the hysterectomy...even as I sent off the "let's do this" email to my gynecologist this afternoon. Had that nagging "maybe things are gonna change" going on in the back of my head. My period had stopped Saturday (after having been instructed last Monday to double up on my pills for 3 days and then resume the one a day).

Guess who's baaaaack?...It's MONDAY. Frickin' a total of a little over 48 hours of reprieve. This is nonsense.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I want to cry. Was actually feeling guilty or maybe "over-reacty" about pushing for the hysterectomy...even as I sent off the "let's do this" email to my gynecologist this afternoon. Had that nagging "maybe things are gonna change" going on in the back of my head. My period had stopped Saturday (after having been instructed last Monday to double up on my pills for 3 days and then resume the one a day).

Guess who's baaaaack?...It's MONDAY. Frickin' a total of a little over 48 hours of reprieve. This is nonsense.

Classic!

 

[McKelly]

I want to cry. Was actually feeling guilty or maybe "over-reacty" about pushing for the hysterectomy...even as I sent off the "let's do this" email to my gynecologist this afternoon. Had that nagging "maybe things are gonna change" going on in the back of my head. My period had stopped Saturday (after having been instructed last Monday to double up on my pills for 3 days and then resume the one a day).

Guess who's baaaaack?...It's MONDAY. Frickin' a total of a little over 48 hours of reprieve. This is nonsense.

The same thing happened to me.......I was put on birth control, got a blood clot from it. Then they tried ablation - didn't work, I had too many large fibroids. Then they put me on Depo, bleed for SIX months. I said ENOUGH! A week before my surgery, my period stopped, and I thought, maybe it's finally fixed itself, maybe I shouldn't do this, nope, two days before surgery it started up again. Just do the hysterectomy, everyone told me I would feel so much better after, and they were right. No regrets!

 

[lilia78]

Which is why I suggested she talk to her surgeon. I know of other women who have had permanent lifting restrictions after hysterectomy depending on the type of surgery and what the surgeon needed to do once they got in there. Most women I know don't have to routinely lift 75 lbs.

I am on permanent resctrictions and will be for the rest of my life. My hysterectomy seems like it has caused me more trouble than it saved me.

Good luck to you, I hope the surgery goes well and you recover quickly and are back to riding your horses in now time!

 

[Jennasis]

I sent an email to my doctor on Monday, as she requested I do when I spoke to her last week, to schedule the surgery but I haven't gotten a reply or phone call back yet. Typically when I call or send a msg through our web portal I get a response same day or next. How long should I wait before calling the office? theThe doc specifically said to message her through the portal directly because calling the office to schedule would result in waiting 4 months to get on her surgical schedule.

 

[minniebeth]

I sent an email to my doctor on Monday, as she requested I do when I spoke to her last week, to schedule the surgery but I haven't gotten a reply or phone call back yet. Typically when I call or send a msg through our web portal I get a response same day or next. How long should I wait before calling the office? theThe doc specifically said to message her through the portal directly because calling the office to schedule would result in waiting 4 months to get on her surgical schedule.

Send another message? With the same info you just posted, and see if you get a reply from that?

I've been following this thread and haven't gotten a chance to post~ I obsessively read HysterSisters and the advice on there was invaluable for me.
The best thing I read and was my mantra through surgery and recovery with complications was: YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO HEAL RIGHT!! So follow the rules closely, listen to your body, let others help for as long as you need it, and be good to yourself!
It truly is a journey and it's good to share and hear others' experiences!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I had everything removed in Feb of 2014. One of the best things I have ever done.

I was in the hospital for 3 days. No stairs, no driving, "no bending, no lifting, pushing or pulling more then 10 pounds" for 6 weeks. She was ready to relax the stairs restrictions, until she realized that I don't have stairs in my house. So she said to not try them out somewhere else.

I am more than happy to answer any questions. I had an open surgery.

 

[Jennasis]

I did call this morning and got a very sympathetic receptionist who sent a request to my doc's nurse. A couple hours later the nurse called, very kind and apologetic. My doctor is out with the flu! She was very helpful and sent off an email directly to the doctor (though I told her I feel bad and don't want to harass the woman while she's out sick!) to try to get the ball rolling.

Hystersisters can be a bit overwhelming (the site...particularly the forums). Reminds me of when I was going through my spine surgery and was hanging out on spine-health.com forum and all the stories there (both positive and horror.) it was enough to make you want to reconsider! Information is a good thing though, as is trust and communication with your doc. I'm trying to be a well-informed patient.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I did call this morning and got a very sympathetic receptionist who sent a request to my doc's nurse. A couple hours later the nurse called, very kind and apologetic. My doctor is out with the flu! She was very helpful and sent off an email directly to the doctor (though I told her I feel bad and don't want to harass the woman while she's out sick!) to try to get the ball rolling.

Hystersisters can be a bit overwhelming (the site...particularly the forums). Reminds me of when I was going through my spine surgery and was hanging out on spine-health.com forum and all the stories there (both positive and horror.) it was enough to make you want to reconsider! Information is a good thing though, as is trust and communication with your doc. I'm trying to be a well-informed patient.

I have to agree. It got to where I couldn't go on the site.

I had an open hysterectomy. And I never got a second opinion.

Two huge no-nos on that site.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I did call this morning and got a very sympathetic receptionist who sent a request to my doc's nurse. A couple hours later the nurse called, very kind and apologetic. My doctor is out with the flu! She was very helpful and sent off an email directly to the doctor (though I told her I feel bad and don't want to harass the woman while she's out sick!) to try to get the ball rolling.

Hystersisters can be a bit overwhelming (the site...particularly the forums). Reminds me of when I was going through my spine surgery and was hanging out on spine-health.com forum and all the stories there (both positive and horror.) it was enough to make you want to reconsider! Information is a good thing though, as is trust and communication with your doc. I'm trying to be a well-informed patient.

Stick with just the videos!

 

[cluvsdisney]

I did call this morning and got a very sympathetic receptionist who sent a request to my doc's nurse. A couple hours later the nurse called, very kind and apologetic. My doctor is out with the flu! She was very helpful and sent off an email directly to the doctor (though I told her I feel bad and don't want to harass the woman while she's out sick!) to try to get the ball rolling.

Hystersisters can be a bit overwhelming (the site...particularly the forums). Reminds me of when I was going through my spine surgery and was hanging out on spine-health.com forum and all the stories there (both positive and horror.) it was enough to make you want to reconsider! Information is a good thing though, as is trust and communication with your doc. I'm trying to be a well-informed patient.

I'm glad you heard from the doctor's office so you know they are working on this.

I found hystersisters very overwhelming and quite frankly scary before my surgery but I found them useful after. They have weekly threads based on your surgery date so I was able to follow along with other people on the same time table. It was comforting to know that some things were normal or if it warranted a call to the doctor.

 

[Jennasis]

Bless her! My doctor emailed me from home while she's recovering from the flu (I really adore her!). I'm going in for pre-surgical exam on Wednesday so we can discuss the best type of surgery (she generally prefers laparoscopically if possible). I apologized for pestering her while she's sick but thanked her profusely. Fingers crossed!

 

[minniebeth]

I'm glad you were able to connect with your Dr. and that you can get the ball rolling!

I also wanted to say that I'm really sorry you are in this situation~ and for all the women who find themselves here. It really stinks!! It's hard to talk about it with people who don't have experience with it~ there's only so much they can understand and help with. That's why its great to be able to support each other! Put me in the group that says it was heck to get here, but life is SO much better now after surgery and recovery!
I know that Hystersisters is very overwhelming.
I agree with following the post-surgery threads where you can follow others' progress....somewhat. I read along, but never posted. The problem I had with it is that one, I had complications, so that I wasn't healing as fast as many, and it was very frustrating for me. Two... there were some "interesting" people so depending on my mood, I was either entertained, or just annoyed.

I can prattle on forever, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask. From preparing for surgery before hand, to recovery and beyond.

It's good to just get that first step, meeting with your Dr. behind you, then you know which direction you'll be heading in.

In the mean time, take care of yourself!

 

[Jennasis]

Is my pre-op exam something DH should attend with me? He typically never goes to doctor's appointments with me (especially not the gyno haha), but he did go with me to my pre op appointments for my spine surgeries (partly because I was unable to drive myself lol but also so he would know what was happening and what he would need to do for me). I'm not a wuss or anything, but will there be information given that he should be there for? I don't want to drag him in needlessly. This isn't my pre-surgical visit where they do routine pre-op bloodwork and prep me for surgery the next day or so. this would be the pelvic exam and fact finding exam for the doctor and I to decide the best type of surgery and get me on her surgical schedule.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Is my pre-op exam something DH should attend with me? He typically never goes to doctor's appointments with me (especially not the gyno haha), but he did go with me to my pre op appointments for my spine surgeries (partly because I was unable to drive myself lol but also so he would know what was happening and what he would need to do for me). I'm not a wuss or anything, but will there be information given that he should be there for? I don't want to drag him in needlessly. This isn't my pre-surgical visit where they do routine pre-op bloodwork and prep me for surgery the next day or so. this would be the pelvic exam and fact finding exam for the doctor and I to decide the best type of surgery and get me on her surgical schedule.

I would say, yes he should go.

My doctor did the exam in private. Then invited him in after I was dressed. She wanted him to know my restrictions. Mine were pretty heavy duty, restrictive. But I'd had many surgeries and she knew she would find a mess in there.

I think she was afraid I wouldn't share all of them with him. I can be a bit hard headed.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Is my pre-op exam something DH should attend with me? He typically never goes to doctor's appointments with me (especially not the gyno haha), but he did go with me to my pre op appointments for my spine surgeries (partly because I was unable to drive myself lol but also so he would know what was happening and what he would need to do for me). I'm not a wuss or anything, but will there be information given that he should be there for? I don't want to drag him in needlessly. This isn't my pre-surgical visit where they do routine pre-op bloodwork and prep me for surgery the next day or so. this would be the pelvic exam and fact finding exam for the doctor and I to decide the best type of surgery and get me on her surgical schedule.

This is just me, but personally, I don't think he needs to be there. I think his time (and I know you guys run a busy farm) would be better spent a) watching the hystersisters post-op videos and b) helping you later. I went to my appts by myself and it was fine. (Most men aren't wild about sitting around an OB/GYN waiting room anyway!) As I mentioned in my first post on this thread, my medical team wasn't all that helpful in telling me the really important things I needed to know OR gettting me what I needed when I needed things. Sad, but true. The information I really needed came from the videos. I mean, I got booklets and had my questions answered and whatnot, but I needed more detailed information than that. General things that the hystersisters addressed. Like hearing that if you overdo it one day, you'll pay for it the next day. That really helped me (and my DH) understand that recovery was a process and often contrary to other things we'd heard from various people. I think this happens in lots of medical areas; too bad there weren't these types of EXPLICIT videos for other issues, too. That's why I think they're so good. Now, of course, if you have specific issues you need advice on, then by all means, check it out with your care team. But for general support and information about normal course of recovery, I think the videos are really great. Not sure whether your husband has watched them yet, Jennasis, but if not, show them to him and see how that goes. It may be enough information for him to get a good snapshot of what your recovery might be like, pending no other difficulties.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

This is just me, but personally, I don't think he needs to be there. I think his time (and I know you guys run a busy farm) would be better spent a) watching the hystersisters post-op videos and b) helping you later. I went to my appts by myself and it was fine. (Most men aren't wild about sitting around an OB/GYN waiting room anyway!) As I mentioned in my first post on this thread, my medical team wasn't all that helpful in telling me the really important things I needed to know OR gettting me what I needed when I needed things. Sad, but true. The information I really needed came from the videos. I mean, I got booklets and had my questions answered and whatnot, but I needed more detailed information than that. General things that the hystersisters addressed. Like hearing that if you overdo it one day, you'll pay for it the next day. That really helped me (and my DH) understand that recovery was a process and often contrary to other things we'd heard from various people. I think this happens in lots of medical areas; too bad there weren't these types of EXPLICIT videos for other issues, too. That's why I think they're so good. Now, of course, if you have specific issues you need advice on, then by all means, check it out with your care team. But for general support and information about normal course of recovery, I think the videos are really great. Not sure whether your husband has watched them yet, Jennasis, but if not, show them to him and see how that goes. It may be enough information for him to get a good snapshot of what your recovery might be like, pending no other difficulties.

See, and I got all of that from my doctor and her office.

And honestly, I am glad that I got my information from my medical team rather than the internet. But that is just me. I didn't watch a single video on the website.

I am sure hundreds of women watch the videos and are fine. And if your medical office isn't helpful, then a web site is the next best place.

But I would give your medical team a chance.

 

[Jennasis]

My mother has offered to fly down here (NY to NC) to take care of me for those first few critical days after surgery. I KNOW Dh is desperate to avoid that LOL. So I want him to be prepared for the aftermath and to do what I need him to do...help me out of bed....help me off the toilet...get me food...get my ice packs etc. And he does have 5 days of family medical leave he can take to do this. He was good about it when I had back surgery but only stayed home with me for 1 day. After that he went back to work for half days and I kind of had to fend for myself (dropped the remote? Too bad. Gotta pee? Gotta wait.) I know this surgery is more invasive than my spine was. Heck, the spine was out patient! They only had to make an incision and then push the muscles aside to get to my vertebrae. This involves cutting muscle, internal sutures and organ removal.

If he doesn't come with me, I 'll be sure to take a notebook. DH is great...he cooks...he cleans...he does laundry (all of which I typically do not do). But he's very laid back about surgery, even his own. He thought he'd bounce right back from his many knee surgeries and each one has kicked his butt. I hope he's ready to have a come-to-Jesus moment with his orthopedic surgeon when he talks about his upcoming knee replacement LOL!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

See, and I got all of that from my doctor and her office.

And honestly, I am glad that I got my information from my medical team rather than the internet. But that is just me. I didn't watch a single video on the website.

I am sure hundreds of women watch the videos and are fine. And if your medical office isn't helpful, then a web site is the next best place.

But I would give your medical team a chance.

I sort of think the whole reason hystersisters exists is because women needed more information than they got from their medical teams. Don't get me wrong, I got basic information from mine. But it wasn't enough for me. Especially where I had complications going into it, and afterward, and had a surprisingly (to me) slow recovery. And this, from a nurse of thirty years. I can imagine how it is for people with no medical background.