Any ladies with hysterectomy experience? Update!

[Pea-n-Me]

My first 20 days were miserable. I am a hearty stock, high pain tolerance girl but this surgery kicked my *** all over the place. I think because I had laparoscopic surgery I expected it to be nothing not a big deal and just bounce back like I did after having cysts and other things removed earlier last year and my gallbladder removed. Hysterectomy is a big deal. I had to really understand that the uterus is a big piece of my body and very vascular part as well.
I suggest if you have somewhere to sleep on a couch half sitting up or in a recliner you do that. Also invest in some pads. Just saying..

I recall you had had quite a time going into it, Tina! You had had multiple procedures, and lots of stress and worry, etc., right? Things like that take kind of a lot out of you beforehand (and this happened to me, too), so coming out can be a little more difficult than if we go into it feeling pretty well. Jennasis is probably in a similar situation. Many women probably are. Because we wait, we're busy, and we want to try other things first to try to avoid surgery and such, so by the time we get to it, we're wiped!

 

[lovemygoofy]

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.

So I never had children but had really bad endometriosis and scar tissue build up. I also had my cervix removed.
Immediately after surgery I felt weird and continued to physically feel weird for a few weeks. My muscles in my lower abs were sore and my stomach just bloated. Going to pee was a chore just to use the muscles so I couldn't really grasp my uterus was out. Now couple months later, I'm not having pain and no longer having the bloating and swelling that was prominent. I remember waking up after surgery with relief that I finally had the surgery and it was over

 

[lilia78]

I had a partial laparoscopic hysterectomy in 2010 at 30 years old. They removed my tubes, uterus and part of my cervix, left the ovaries. I had endometriosis and adenomyosis and the surgery was to remove those and hopefully help with my pain.

Unfortunately for me the surgery did not correct my pain issues and ended up having my ovaries removed in 2012. With the ovary removal they also had to clean up scar tissue. I still have chronic pain that stems back to living with endometriosis for over 12 years.

My recovery for the surgery was expected to be 6-8 weeks, but unfortunately for me the recovery was much much longer, due to infections that followed during my recovery. As of right now I am still on restrictions and will be forever. Between my gynecologist and pain doctor we are working on alternative pain meds as I have been on morphine for too long.

Good luck. I hope your surgery helps and you heal quickly.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I recall you had had quite a time going into it, Tina! You had had multiple procedures, and lots of stress and worry, etc., right? Things like that take kind of a lot out of you beforehand (and this happened to me, too), so coming out can be a little more difficult than if we go into it feeling pretty well. Jennasis is probably in a similar situation. Many women probably are. Because we wait, we're busy, and we want to try other things first to try to avoid surgery and such, so by the time we get to it, we're wiped!

I agree! And I was not at all prepared for the hormone problem. I have one ovary but it was like *bump this, I'm taking a nap* and my hormones were everywhere which didn't help anything. I remember it being college playoff football time and me on the couch just crying because I felt so sad that some of those boys would never play football again. I told someone I could probably run my husband over in anger but be crying at the same time. For those going to have surgery, I really recommend talking to your doctor about an estrogen supplement for at least a little bit even if you keep an ovary or both.

 

[Jennasis]

So many wildly varying experiences! I almost feel foolish for even considering a partial when "all" I've got is a golf ball sized fibroid and uncontrolled bleeding. I'm grateful I don't have the horrible pain or endometriosis or worse. I did have a biopsy to make sure there wasn't anything more nefarious at play. I have been playing wait-and-see for so long now. My mother and grandmother both had partials at my age for the same reason as I am.

 

[Pamlur]

I had a partial (left the ovaries) many years ago, when I was 30. They didn't use the word prolapse, but my uterus was dropped and tilted, is that what it is? Mine was done vaginally; I drove to get my hair done in a week, and flew to St. Louis a day or so later (my dad was dying of cancer and asked for me. By the time I got there, he didn't remember asking for me, but at least I got to see him one more time).

 

[BlueStarryHat]

So many wildly varying experiences! I almost feel foolish for even considering a partial when "all" I've got is a golf ball sized fibroid and uncontrolled bleeding. I'm grateful I don't have the horrible pain or endometriosis or worse. I did have a biopsy to make sure there wasn't anything more nefarious at play. I have been playing wait-and-see for so long now. My mother and grandmother both had partials at my age for the same reason as I am.

Everyone's different, don't feel foolish. Me, I didn't have pain, I *did* have my period really badly (I mean *really* badly) for 8 months before surgery while they tried other things. I finally went to my gyno crying that I couldn't take it anymore, and that's when they finally got it and my insurance finally agreed to pay for it. I don't feel that my uterus is gone, but good riddance to it. I have not had a problem since. But reading these posts, I guess I was lucky in my recovery that it was so quick.

 

[jt'smom]

I had a partial last May (uterus and cervix) for a prolapse issue. Mine was done vaginally. I spent the night in the hospital and really had very little pain. By the following morning I didn't feel like I really had "pain," I was just a little uncomfortable which was easily controlled by alternating Tylenol and motrin every four hours. By two days after the surgery I was walking about a mile a day (slow easy pace, no hills) and by a week out I was up to about three miles a day. No heavy lifting, housework, etc. for 6 weeks. Because I had a prolapse I have internal stitches tying everything up (ovaries, vaginal vault, etc.) since the prolapse pulled everything out of place. Because of that I have a permanent lifting restriction and I can't do some things because I could put too much strain on the stitches and pop them. If that happens I have to have a much bigger surgery with mesh (which I want to avoid). You should talk to your doctor about whether you'll have any permanent restrictions after surgery.

I don't know if this will make you feel any better, but my prolapse was a stage 3, and while I definitely feel like I'm a little bottomed out after almost 18 years post hysterectomy, I haven't had any issues that I can't live with. I was never told that I had permanent restrictions by my surgeon, and I worked out regularly with weights until I had brain surgery. Now of course, I can't lift much weight due to the threat of brain herniation, but I didn't have further problems even with my severe prolapse. Having gone through the discomfort of a prolapse, I was so happy after my hysterectomy!

 

[McKelly]

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.

I can't tell...

 

[LovesTimone]

I had the robotic surgery, about 8 years ago and left my ovaries in, there were some fibroids so out they came. When I had my surgery the trend if leaving the ovaries had just started, why take something out not unless is medically necessary. I was in my mid forties. I elected to keep them, which I am glad I did, they were in good shape and no reason for them to go, the doctor was talking about the types of med's I would be on, then said like when you took birth control pills, I repeated told her that I could not take the pill... I could not take the pill over and over... they really really messes me up, like crazy lady, crying, major mood swing, nutts'o ..... the doctor was like you'll be fine on them.. I stood firm with keeping my ovaries and not going the medication route... my mom went nutts after her hyst due to the estrogen and whatever else they were giving her, finally she changed doctors ( I pushed her into going) and they put her on herbal remedies and it was like night and day in about a week and in a 3 months she was back to herself and all her sisters, my cousins, DD, and niece's can't take it ( the pill), I guess its hereditary.

As far as the surgery, I stayed one night I spiked a temp, then went home late the next day... I will agree with get some Gas-X med's and stool softener, and something like Tums for indigestion and ginger ale, also a huge bottle of Ibuprofen. I slept for the first couple of days, then went between the couch and bed for the next week or so, I walked laps in the house which really helped with some of the gas issues, then back and forth to the mail box... by week 3 was going stir crazy, but a ride over to the beach and back... did a world of good, Maybe a 3 hour trip 2 in the car and 1 on the beach sitting in a chair listening to the waves, I did not realize how weak I was, I slept the rest of that day. So make sure you have something to do, I sew so I cut out a lot of patterns, and hand sewed and finished some projects, read all of the Harry Potter books, and a pile of Nora Robert and what ever else, I could get at the library, worked on my recipes, I could sew at my machine but honestly only for short burst. I planned 2 trips, one to Vegas, and one to see Mickey ...

I was bad and tried to do some laundry which I ended up back at the doctors office, and spent 3 days in bed... So do what the doctor tells you, take the time off, take the med's, I ended up being out of work 8 almost 9 weeks, Luckily I had short term disability, and the 1st week back I was only allowed half days. Boy was I glad, I would go home and sleep. by the 3rd week back at work I was 100% for me it took 3 months to get back to my normal routine.

Honestly it the best thing I ever did for myself, I do take herbal OTC for hot flashes, and something to help me sleep, and a vitamins for gals over 50.

 

[North of Mouse]

Haven't had a hysterectomy, but did have emergency abdominal surgery (ovarian ectopic pregnancy).

First week - 'everything' painful, but gradually better, but not back to complete normal for 6 weeks. Will say that each person is different, and age plays an important roll in bouncing back. Mine was a bikini cut.

The best to you -

 

[jsmla]

I had a partial hysterectomy back in 2009 (uterine fibroids) and it was really much, much easier than I had anticipated. I had the robotic laparoscopic type. Spent one night in the hospital and needed no pain meds.

I was a little sore for a few days but it was nothing when compared to the awful pain with my periods that I'd been experiencing. I was back to normal activity in less than a week although I did avoid any heavy lifting. I'm thinking now that I was very, very lucky.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I couldn't take HRT for the same reason I had to have my ovaries out, ie my history of breast cancer. (But not sure I would have anyway.) I've had to tough it out. I think my moods were ok, the worst were the insomnia and the temperature fluctuations - more so the latter. I wish I could've kept my ovaries, too, my GYN couldn't believe how well functioning they were for my age. Estrogen in its natural state is thought to have a protective affect for women, health wise. I'd asked her about leaving one in, but she said she'd never be able to find it again as it often migrates when in there alone, and as I said, my oncologist was very concerned about the potential for ovarian cancer, so out they both came. They GYN also really recommended getting the tubes out because she said the latest research shows that that's where many ovarian cancers are found to first start now. She wanted the cervix out because I'd been in so much pain, we really couldn't be sure exactly where it was coming from, and nothing worse than going through that whole surgery for pain and still having pain afterward. (I have a friend this happened to.) A lot of people mentioned fibroids. I had just one on the outside of my uterus. We thought that's what was causing my pain, but turned out it was adenomyosis that had done a number on me. (And it's a long story of how I most likely got that.) I could've insisted, if I'd wanted to, on keeping my ovaries or my cervix or whatever. But I had to put my trust in both the doctors I'd chosen (my GYN had also delivered my babies), so I elected to heed their recommendations. I have no regrets. I do worry that my health will be negatively affected from lack of estrogen, but I was also worried about the potential for ovarian cancer, so I guess it's a wash. We all make the best decisions we can with the information we have at the time. (Too bad we didn't have a crystal ball.) I find the thing that helps me the most is when I eat well. And of course, I don't always. But I try. Exercise is also great for health, and i try to do that, also. (It's hard this time of year, though, when it's freezing cold outside.) Even the sun on my face for a while helps me feel well. And, of course, stress management, which I'm not always great at, either, but again, I try. (What can I say, I have a busy, demanding life, as do most of you, I'm sure.) I try to do nice things for myself (something I learned when I had cancer), for example I will almost always have fresh flowers in the house even if I buy them myself, because they make me feel good. I think when we get to a certain age and have worked so hard to get there, almost always taking care of others more than we've cared for ourselves, we deserve to reward ourselves, and even slow down the pace a bit, if we can. Keep this in mind when you're recovering and going forward.

 

[lilia78]

I was 32 when I got my ovaries out and I couldn't function without HRT. I use a patch that I change twice a week, I will be on HRT for at least 20 years.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I have chosen not to use HRT. I've been lucky in that I only get what I think are small hot flashes, and not too bad. My face heats up and then the rest of my body suddenly feels too warm. It lasts about 30-60 seconds, and happens mostly at night. I have not had any other menopause symptoms other than palpitations, which I've had checked. The only big change I've noticed is that I'm not as, shall we say, "frisky" as I once was and I've had some weight gain around the belly.

 

[Jennasis]

I'd be keeping my ovaries so hormone replacement wouldn't be part of the deal.

 

[Jennasis]

Oh fart. Just found out that DH probably will need KNEE REPLACEMENT this year too! I offered to let him have his surgery first since I know how much pain he is in, but he insists on me going first. I'd have to be COMPLETELY recouped before he has the knee replaced because I'll have to take care of the farm while he recovers. UGH! Plus we have a vacation booked for September (Orlando...staying at SSR but going to SeaWorld, Discovery Cover, Bush Gardens).

Ay yi yi.

 

[daemom]

First of all--check out hystersisters.com. There are so many people going through the exact thing as you are. Everyone is different and has different experiences with surgery. My friend had a complete hysterectomy using robotic laparoscopy two weeks before I had a complete hysterectomy by laparoscopy--non robotic. I left the hospital the next day, she was in for two days with morphine. She had a more difficult recuperation, while I was very fortunate and had relatively no pain afterward. I took pain pills for two days because my DH wanted to "stay ahead of the pain". I had several large fibroids that were only growing the closer I was getting to menopause. I'm so glad I had this taken care of! Because of those darn fibroids, I never knew when I would be drenched waist to knees! Just do what they say and do not push yourself just because you feel like you can. You only get the chance to heal correctly one time.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Oh fart. Just found out that DH probably will need KNEE REPLACEMENT this year too! I offered to let him have his surgery first since I know how much pain he is in, but he insists on me going first. I'd have to be COMPLETELY recouped before he has the knee replaced because I'll have to take care of the farm while he recovers. UGH! Plus we have a vacation booked for September (Orlando...staying at SSR but going to SeaWorld, Discovery Cover, Bush Gardens).

Ay yi yi.

When it rains, it pours. I hope that you can somehow fit both of these in and still enjoy your Sep vacation.

No advice to give, but sending you both lots of !

 

[Darcy03231]

I think Darcy's experience was different because she had a prolapse. Most people with routine hysterectomies will not have permanent restrictions, just temporary ones, and again, those are to prevent adhesions, or scar tissue that builds up when newly healing tissue is repeatedly ripped from too much activity, too soon. Adhesions cause pain down the road, and sometimes require re-op to fix, and part of why many women have this surgery in the first place is because of pain, so we definitely don't want to do anything right after the surgery that's going to create more pain down the road. ETA and fatigue is a real issue as well. It gets better, but it takes time. We have to remind ourselves that even though they're pushing us out the door it is a MAJOR SURGERY and as such, takes us a while to recover from it.

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.