Hysterectomy?

[Robinrs]

My sister is having a hysterectomy next month and I was wondering if anyone had any experiences to share... the aftercare, what to probably expect, etc...

She is staying over her daughter's house during the time she is off after the surgery. Her daughter has an apartment in her lower level. Will she have problems with the stairs? She's a wreck and I have no clue.

Thanks in advance....

 

[quentina]

I had one...it was super easy. I had it done on Friday, left hospital on Saturday (1 day early) and got on a plane to WDW on Tuesday. Had no pain at all and never took a pain killer.

Mine was done lapersoptic (Spelling?) so, I did not have the big cut and I also have had this surgury many times since I had endiometrious. So, I imagine I was used to the pain of it.

I think recovery has alot to due with if you are cut, how well you normally heal (I am like a miracle healer), tolerance to pain and how quickly you become active. I always took a deep breath and moved. I was never one to lie in bed if it hurt.

 

[ckmommy]

I had one 7 weeks ago. It was easy!! I went in at 7 am (on a Thrus.) and was in my own bed by 2:30 that afternoon. I was sent home with a pain pump and pain meds. Took a few meds, Friday. I was walking a 1/2 a mile by Sunday Afternoon. By week three I was doing my normal workout of 4.5 miles.

 

[Starfish106]

I had a supracervical hysterectomy in 07. I had reoccuring fibroids that kept coming back bigger and badder every 4 years. My journey was not fun at all but I am so happy (and healthier) now that it is over.

If you have a laproscopic hysterectomy they seem to have the quickiest recovery time because it is not so open. I had an abdominal hysterectomy and my recovery time was 6-8 weeks.

If she is having abdominal, stairs should be done on a need to do basis. Excessive going up and down will not help her healing. Please tell her to do what her doctor says (no heavy lifting, rest when she is tired, and no overdoing it). Our bodies only have 1 chance to heal correctly and if you don't you may set yourself up for major issues later on.

I found a website that is for women who are having upcoming hysterectomies and for those who are post-surgery whether it is 5 minutes or 5 years later. She can ask ANYTHING on this site and there are women out there who can relate and talk to her about what our bodies are doing/not doing and how it is affecting our daily lives. It is free and it is called

http://www.hystersisters.com/

They discuss everything from pre-surgery, post surgery, hormone issues, sexual dysfunction, different options you name it. It helped mefind other women to talk to who were young when they had it since no one in my peer group could relate (I was 36 at the time and had only my mom to understand having it at an early age).

I wish her the best with her surgery and if you have any other ?? feel free to PM me.

HTH

 

[HunnyPots]

I had mine two years ago and though it was through an abdominal incision, I had no problems with the surgery or recovery. That does not mean it was easy and painless - just uncomplicated!

Stairs will be somewhat difficult for the first weeks if she is having abdominal surgery. It is amazing how many simple tasks use your abdominal muscles! I found this out when I tried to push a shopping cart about a week after mine.

Upon my discharge from the hospital, my doctor told me to keep moving and do not give in to the urge to lay in bed or on the couch all day. He said to start going for walks as soon as possible. I did as instructed and healed very quickly. I've known women who did nothing but lay in bed for six weeks and ended up taking much longer to recover.

Tell her congratulations! Having mine was the best thing I ever did for myself!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Recovery and how fast she bounces back will depend on a few things. Lap, or abdominal for sure will factor in.

If it is a lap procedure they will give her aftercare instructions, but its most generally- no baths for awhile, and keep the incisions clean, and let the steri-strips fall off on their own. An abdominal incision will have staples or sutures that will need removed. and bathing will be more limited. She will want to make sure she has clothes that don't rub the incisions, no matter which procedure she has.

How is her health other than the need for a hysterectomy. Is she overweight, does she have diabetes, or any other chronic conditions. These things can complicate things too.

As for the steps, she won't be able to climb the stairmaster, but a few steps into the apt is doable. Make sure she takes her pain meds before leaving the hospital.

Best wishes, and I must say, I'm a bit jealous. I've had all the signs/symptoms of needing one, and my Dr just keeps telling me it's the normal perimenopause crap. I'm going for a second opinion next month.

 

[Robinrs]

Wow! I knew I'd get great info from the DIS!

Thanks for all of your responses. It will definitely calm my sister's nerves AND mine!

She's in generally good health but lately has had major female problems. Most recently she has had so much pain the dr suggested this since she is 54 and definitely never having any more children. My Mom died of ovarian cancer and she is literally freaking out.

 

[chrismiss56]

Hi

I had mine done last year and it was done ******lly. The doctor went in through the ****** and took everything out - cervix and all. I was in the hospital for 2 nights and then went home. Stopped the pain meds after the first night.

My DH had to sit on me because I felt so good. Just got tired easily......stairs, sitting, standing not a problem except for a slight twinge in the pelvic area from the internal stitches......a breeze.

Wish I had done it years ago.

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[SydSim]

I had mine eight years ago. I had previously had a c-section and was running around like nothing after that. As for the hyster, it was totally different. I had it done thru my old c-section scar. I was in my thirties, a dancer and very fit. That being said, my recovery was painful. I thought that it was going to be like my c-section, but mine wasn't. Everyone is different, but I don't want you to think that something is grossly abnormal if your sister's recovery isn't as wonderful as you have heard others were

 

[Kirby]

I had a hysterectomy last year and did fine. Mine was through the abdomen and was the bikini cut. My sister and mother both had one last year and theirs was an incision up the abdomen. They did fine too.

As far as being able to do things, I was unable to lay on my side for about a week while my mother and sister were able to in a couple of days. Beyond that, none of us had any trouble.

My sister had an upstairs bedroom and she to go up the stairs she would just sit on her rear and go up that way. I think that it took about a week for her to walk up stairs normally. Of course, everyone is different.

 

[Orangeandwild]

I had an abdominal one ten years ago and I took 7 weeks off work to recover, and glad I did. My DH took the first week off I was home to help me around and keep the house running. Second week I was ok with just having my teenage boys around to help me if I needed it. With an abdominal no way would I have been able to go to WDW anytime soon after the surgery.

Everyone is differnt, just like childbirth and one may breeze through even an abdominal and another may take months to heal.

My best advice is do what your doctor says and you will heal well. I remember I was so proud that at 4 weeks after my surgery I could "finally" put on a pair of jeans with a zipper without it hurting my incision area

 

[Feralpeg]

I had a complete hysterectomy about six years ago. I had previously had a c-section. The c-section was a breeze. The hysterectomy was not. I had the laproscopic procedure. I had a lot of scar tissue that the doctor had to remove during the procedure. I felt totally beat up after the procedure. I was off work for six weeks and still not up to par when I returned. Of course, I was 50 years old when I had the procedure vs. 36 when I had the c-section.

OP, I hope your sister has an easy time.