Hysterectomy- what should I expect

[Feralpeg]

I had a complete hysterectomy at age 50. I have had more surgeries than I can count, but this one knocked me on my butt! The doctor had told my family to expect that I would be in surgery for about 3 hours. It took 5 hours. It turned out that I had a ton of lesions that the doctor pealed off. I also had adenomyosis.

After the surgery, I was in a lot of pain. The nurse gave me as much pain reliever as allowed, but it just didn't cut it. Normally, I have a very high pain tolerance. They ended up calling anesthesia to put in a block. I also had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Not unexpected for me. I vomited every time I moved for two days.

I was supposed to be discharged after three days. I spiked a fever and had to stay two more days.

After I got home, I really didn't have that much pain. I didn't need the pain meds. I was, however, so fatigued. A couple of weeks after my surgery, I had to take my daughter to our GP. He told me I looked like I'd been hit by a truck. I felt the same. After three months, I went to my doctor to get the release to return to work. She really didn't want to send me back, but I needed to get back for financial reasons.

After the fact, I was so very glad I went ahead with the surgery. It was very hard, but I no longer had to live in constant pain.

 

[rwdavis2]

I don't think so...it was for a particular drug whose name escapes me. I was very jazzed about participating but I just never had pain. The nurse would always seem so disappointed when she would come in to ask if I was ready for pain meds LOL!

That's pretty funny.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Be kind to yourself, it can be rough but so worth it!

I’ll share my story
i had pcos and endo, stage 4. My first surgery was when I was 16. Removed multiple cysts from both varies, the largest the size of a lemon! This was a full open abdominal surgery when I was a junior in high school
18 was my next surgery. Endo was dx.
3 more laparoscopic surgeries for the endo. It was ugly. Including an emergency surgery on dec 30th
my last surgery was at 25. Full hysterectomy. I was open for over e hours. The endo has an ovary adhered to my bowel, so a bowel resection was required. This was 30 years ago. I was a week in the hospital, on iv antibiotics, kept running a fever.
I had to monitor my temp when I got home. If it got over a certain temp and stayed there I had to go back. It was close, but it came back down.

I was out of work 8 weeks. FYI vomiting days after really really really sucked.

i has issues after. Put me into immediate menopause. That was fun.
because my endo was so severe I refused hrt for a year or so. Was not going to risk any endo they missed growing.

so my story sucks. my situation was unique and absolutely no where near the norm.

it’s been 30 years and zero regrets. I really had zero quality of life before. I was in agony a week a month. At least. Surgery every 12-18 months. Different therapies that really took their toll on me.

best of luck! Oh and have a pillow in the car for the ride home. Hug it over your tummy to help w the jarring. If you share a bed, kick them out for a couple weeks.

 

[nicolita3]

I had a robotic surgical hysterectomy. Everything removed except ovaries. I had a big fibroid. The original plan was to remove the uterus/fibroid through an incision. But when they did my surgery the found out my fibroid was the size of a 5 month pregnancy. They ended up having to remove everything vaginally but the doctor had a hard time removing it and that's where my pain originated. I had no pain in my incisions at all. I only stayed in the hospital overnight. The drive home was bad as it hurt to sit. After that first night I no longer needed pain meds, I was sore but could deal with it. It took my internal stitches awhile to heal and I had to keep going back for follow up appointments. I took a month off from work.

 

[can'tgetenufofwdw]

I had a robotic surgical hysterectomy. Everything removed except ovaries. I had a big fibroid. The original plan was to remove the uterus/fibroid through an incision. But when they did my surgery the found out my fibroid was the size of a 5 month pregnancy. They ended up having to remove everything vaginally but the doctor had a hard time removing it and that's where my pain originated. I had no pain in my incisions at all. I only stayed in the hospital overnight. The drive home was bad as it hurt to sit. After that first night I no longer needed pain meds, I was sore but could deal with it. It took my internal stitches awhile to heal and I had to keep going back for follow up appointments. I took a month off from work.

I'm having the robotic procedure as well. She is taking everything but my ovaries. She told me they will "deliver" my uterus and cervix vaginally. She said its about a 2-3 hour procedure and I should only have to stay overnight. I have multiple fibroids.

 

[nicolita3]

I'm having the robotic procedure as well. She is taking everything but my ovaries. She told me they will "deliver" my uterus and cervix vaginally. She said its about a 2-3 hour procedure and I should only have to stay overnight. I have multiple fibroids.

My surgery took about 5 hours. My mom and husband were freaking out. I took so long because my fibroids were stuck when I had to deliver them. The incisions and abdominal area did not hurt at all after the surgery. I did buy some nightgowns before my surgery because I was worried about anything with a waistband, I lived in those for about a week. Oh and another thing I forgot, since the "delivery" part was so hard i was put on bed rest for 3 weeks and only allowed to walk household distances. It took about 8 or so weeks for my internal stitches healed and during that time I wasn't allowed to lift or do any heavy exercise or be intimate.

 

[izzy]

I had a robotic surgical hysterectomy. Everything removed except ovaries. I had a big fibroid. The original plan was to remove the uterus/fibroid through an incision. But when they did my surgery the found out my fibroid was the size of a 5 month pregnancy. They ended up having to remove everything vaginally but the doctor had a hard time removing it and that's where my pain originated. I had no pain in my incisions at all. I only stayed in the hospital overnight. The drive home was bad as it hurt to sit. After that first night I no longer needed pain meds, I was sore but could deal with it. It took my internal stitches awhile to heal and I had to keep going back for follow up appointments. I took a month off from work.

This was almost exactly my same operation and experience. I didn’t have the gas pains that so many people report. My only problem was that my sinuses went haywire. When I had the surgery they tilted the table some so that my head was lower than my feet. My sinuses took that opportunity to drain completely down my throat and into my lungs. I had more problem with that than the surgery!

 

[nicolita3]

This was almost exactly my same operation and experience. I didn’t have the gas pains that so many people report. My only problem was that my sinuses went haywire. When I had the surgery they tilted the table some so that my head was lower than my feet. My sinuses took that opportunity to drain completely down my throat and into my lungs. I had more problem with that than the surgery!

Yes they told me that since the table was tilted for so long that my face may be redder than usual for a few days, but I never experienced that.

 

[Geomom]

Hugs! I'm 49, had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy (vaginal) in May for endometrial hyperplasia (precancerous... although they did find a small area with cancer cells on the post op biopsy.) It was same day surgery. Once home I was nauseous from the anesthesia (despite the scopalomine patch they put on me), couldn't keep anything down for a while. Was finally able to stomach a half Gatorade half water mix that night. Didn't have much appetite for a few days, ate mild bland food. The worst part for me was my bloated belly from them inflating the abdomen for the surgery, I was so uncomfortable for a week. Know that you will have good and bad days following the surgery, but you will gradually feel much better. You will tire easily, rest as needed and just take it easy. Follow all the doctors orders. When you can, go walking to slowly get your strength back...it will take longer than you think to get back to 100%. I just had my 8 week post op and my vaginal cuff is healed, I'm cleared for everything. I feel mostly back to normal, still tire more easily than before.

For one of those weird after effects...I started leaking urine 10 days post op, got really bad. At my 2 week post op I told my gyn, she sent me to get a CT urogram to make sure they hadn't caused a hole in the bladder. There wasn't, but my right kidney was dilated and ureter blocked... nothing to do with the surgery. Went to a urologist, incontinence miraculously cleared up the day before I had a stent inserted for 2 weeks. Urologist thinks the incontinence was caused by inflammation from the surgery. It was probably a mix of that and bladder no longer being supported by the enlarged uterus. Incontinence cleared up around day 23 post op on its own.

I hope everything goes well for you! Just know you're not alone!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, if I recall, the bladder has to be moved out of the way so the surgeon can get to the other structures to take out, and they take pains not to harm it, as well as check it once everything is out. Strange about the sinuses, but that is the routine positioning I believe for the procedure - head is down low and, well, you know the rest! (Good thing they put you out before they position you!) My doctor asked me if I would mind if medical students were present. Ummm... then she added, they help hold things and such. Well, isn’t this just special?

I wasn’t going to mention it but my uterus was the size of a four month pregnancy too and it also took extra time to get it out. I was under anesthesia for an extra two hours and my family was getting worried, but I was fine. I also had a little difficulty swallowing for a few days I figured it was from the intubation tube. They seemed surprised by that but to me it’s not unusual. I had no gas pains (although I did w my c-section). As I said the worst part of my recovery was the bladder discomfort for about five days or so after the surgery. Someone on my team told me pyridium wouldn’t help, but I saw another person on the team for something else and mentioned how uncomfortable I was, and they ordered puridium. It was the first relief I had and I wished they’d given it to me earlier.

 

[jerseygal]

BEST of luck to you and be kind to yourself. One day at a time with healing, DO NOT overdo it. I was 45, delayed having it done for at least a year. Ovaries were left because I didn't want to go into immediate menopause at the time. I was blessed, my Mom and Dad were retired at the time, so they came for about 10 days to help out with cooking, laundry, chauffering our youngest to sports, school functions, etc. My DH was extremely helpful as well during the "rougher" recuperation period. Sometimes you get to the point that you can't put it off anymore. Hope that the surgery went well!

 

[Jennasis]

Yes, if I recall, the bladder has to be moved out of the way so the surgeon can get to the other structures to take out, and they take pains not to harm it, as well as check it once everything is out. Strange about the sinuses, but that is the routine positioning I believe for the procedure - head is down low and, well, you know the rest! (Good thing they put you out before they position you!) My doctor asked me if I would mind if medical students were present. Ummm... then she added, they help hold things and such. Well, isn’t this just special?

I wasn’t going to mention it but my uterus was the size of a four month pregnancy too and it also took extra time to get it out. I was under anesthesia for an extra two hours and my family was getting worried, but I was fine. I also had a little difficulty swallowing for a few days I figured it was from the intubation tube. They seemed surprised by that but to me it’s not unusual. I had no gas pains (although I did w my c-section). As I said the worst part of my recovery was the bladder discomfort for about five days or so after the surgery. Someone on my team told me pyridium wouldn’t help, but I saw another person on the team for something else and mentioned how uncomfortable I was, and they ordered puridium. It was the first relief I had and I wished they’d given it to me earlier.

I have been asked if med students could observe at every surgery ive had (2 spine, 1 hysterectomy). I always say an enthusiastic yes. I am always happy to help provide an education to the future generations of doctors. Plus...I'm knocked out. What do I know or care who sees what?

Fun note...at each surgery as I am about to be knocked out in the OR I have invited the crew in the OR to enjoy their time with me. Wanna draw smiley face on my butt and take pictures? Have at it....just FIX ME.

 

[can'tgetenufofwdw]

BEST of luck to you and be kind to yourself. One day at a time with healing, DO NOT overdo it. I was 45, delayed having it done for at least a year. Ovaries were left because I didn't want to go into immediate menopause at the time. I was blessed, my Mom and Dad were retired at the time, so they came for about 10 days to help out with cooking, laundry, chauffering our youngest to sports, school functions, etc. My DH was extremely helpful as well during the "rougher" recuperation period. Sometimes you get to the point that you can't put it off anymore. Hope that the surgery went well!

My surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday 7/15/20. I will post after I'm home to share my experience. I appreciate the stories that you ladies are sharing.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

My hysterectomy in 2016 was an open one. I had severe Endometriosis, fibroids, chocolate cysts, bleeding heavily with clots for months on end, etc. I also had very bad scarring from the endo. I got to see pics of my uterus. It was a tight little lump of scar tissue, and my ovaries were fused to it. They took it all except for my cervix, because they felt that was too much of a bleeding risk.

I was in the hospital for two days, well, a day-and-a-half. They gave me a drip with Dilaudid that I could push every hour for pain. I wasn't pushing it because I wasn't really in any pain, just the residual soreness that you'd expect. The nurse came in once to check my drip and told me to stop being a hero and press the button. I told her to just bring me a couple of Tylenol. The first time they sat me up to go and sit in a chair was a bit dicey, but that was really the extent of it. I was sent home with a cough pillow and instructions for how to take care of the incision. They told me to not do stairs for a few days and no heavy lifting for six weeks.

It was truly the best decision I ever made. All of my "female" troubles went away in exchange for a few minor hot flashes a day.

 

[can'tgetenufofwdw]

So I had the surgery yesterday and got home this afternoon. My hospital experience wasn't horrible. They took the catheter out last evening and that felt much better. Also unhooked me from the my IV pole I went to bed. Other than not getting much sleep because they have a job to do, it wasn't bad. I'm quite sore today but other than that I'm ok. The gas and bloating though are awful though. I hope that goes away in another day or two. Thank you all for your experiences.

 

[nicolita3]

So I had the surgery yesterday and got home this afternoon. My hospital experience wasn't horrible. They took the catheter out last evening and that felt much better. Also unhooked me from the my IV pole I went to bed. Other than not getting much sleep because they have a job to do, it wasn't bad. I'm quite sore today but other than that I'm ok. The gas and bloating though are awful though. I hope that goes away in another day or two. Thank you all for your experiences.

Glad to hear you are doing well. I begged the doctor before my surgery to take the catheter out before I woke up, and she did so I didn't have to deal with that. It is so hard trying to sleep in a hospital. You may be uncomfortable the next week or so, I felt like I could never position myself correctly to sleep.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Glad it went pretty well and that it’s behind you now! Remember to keep watching the Hystersisters post op videos that go over what’s normal and what your activity levels should and shouldn’t be.

https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/view_pst.htm

 

[lovesmurfs]

I had a full (not laparoscopic) hysterectomy in 2009. I took the full 8 weeks off from work -- helped that at the time, one of my supervisors was an OBGYN. It wasn't so much the recovery, but my brain didn't function as well following the anesthesia, etc. Take the pain meds they offer. You're not proving anything to anyone for toughing it out.

The older I get, the longer it takes for me to recover from anesthetic.

 

[LovesTimone]

Best thing I ever did....

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I had my open surgery hysterectomy at the age of 28. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. My daughter had the laparoscopy hysterectomy and it was much easier on her because she wasn't cut. Down time and recuperation was shorter for her. She, too, thinks it was the best thing ever. The best advice that I can give you was given to me by a nurse. Take a pain pill before it gets too bad because "catch up" takes a lot longer to take affect.