Post-Hysterectomy women - hoping for some feedback!?

Question

I'm scheduled next week for a hysterectomy due to fibroids that have been basically ruining my life for over 3 years now. While this is a GOOD thing, I'm starting to get a little nervous about what to expect post-op? Looking for input from ladies who've been thru this to tell me what I can expect to feel like afterwards... and how quickly you were able to return to "full duty"?

I'm also curious about whether there's anything specific I should take to the hospital with me?

Any and all advice is VERY appreciated!

Answer 1

I had a total hysterectomy about three years ago. If you are going to have to have your ovaries removed, it is a good thing to talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. I was sent home with none and would have uncontrollable crying spells and depression. after a while, I got off of them, but maybe it would have made my recovery easier had they sent me home with a hormone patch.
nausea after surgery can be a real problem for me, so I asked to NOT be given any morphine, which makes me throw up and to be given something for nausea before they brought me out of surgery. I had the hysterectomy and tummy tuck all at once and did fine with a lydocain pain pump dripping "Novocain" right into the incision area by little tubes, and Motrin.
I read something about packing gauze in one of the other responses, but I had none of that, just a wrap over the incision.

Answer 2

Hi. I had this same procedure done for the same reason in 2004. You will be so grateful you had it done. Keep at least one of your ovaries if possible so you don't have to use artificial hormones.
Being nervous is understandable. The worst part of the surgery for me was the pre-op stuff I had to do at home; not eating, liquids only, cleaning out your system, and just plain being nervous.
The surgery I had was laproscopic. So, in other words, they went in through tiny holes in my abdomen (6) vs. vaginally or making a large incision.
Yes, you'll be sore for a few days but you'll have pain killers. My advice is stay on top of the pain for the first few days. In other words, don't wait to take the pain killers until you are in a lot of pain, take them on a regular schedule for at least the first few days. Also, it's very important to take stool softeners. The pain meds will make you constipated, at which point, you will have two problems.
I think I was in the hospital for 3 days and I think I was out of work two weeks but by the end of the first week I felt pretty good.
Again, the worst part was the pre-op and the nervousness. Barring any complications the rest of it should be a breeze as long as you follow doctors orders.
Now, I am so glad I had it done. Wish I had done it years ago!

Hope this gives you a little comfort.

Answer 3

I had my hysterectomy at age 25 ten years ago due to ovarian cysts and endometriosis. Even though I had been dealing with alot of pain for several years, I also started to get a little nervous once my surgery date was approaching. Afterwards, it took about 6 weeks before I was able to get around well and return to work. I don't want to scare you, but it was difficult, but you will get through it fine. The hardest part for me was the hot flashes - I started getting them right away. Other than that, just alot of tenderness in my abdomen. I took hormone replacements for a year or two, but found I felt better without them. I will tell you that it was worth it, but it was a longer recovery time than with the other surgeries I had (appendix and gallbladder removed). I don't have any regrets though! My only advice for you is to take it easy for those six weeks. You may have people who will try to get you to get back into your normal routine early, but that is a mistake. It will prolong your recovery time. Even though you will feel better after two weeks, you want to take as much time as you can to allow your body to fully heal. I tried to go grocery shopping after two weeks, and ended up leaving the store without purchasing what was in my basket. I just had to get home to lay down. So be careful, and don't try to do too much too fast. As for what to take to the hospital, I took my nightgowns, my robe and slippers. I also took a book I had been wanting to read and a few magazines. I hope your surgery goes well and good luck to you!

After reading the answer below me, I did forget to mention that I did have a significant decrease in sex drive that didn't return until a few years ago. It's still not what it once was.

Answer 4

Are you having a total hysterectomy or a partial? You will not feel too great at first...till the hormones kick in. Hot flashes and night sweats are no picnic. You can have sex as soon as you can handle it. There are so many other options available now other than hysterectomies. If I am to be honest...I wish I had not had mine... even though my periods were horrible. In time (for some women who have TOTAL hysterectomies) it dramatically reduces sex drive...I was warned about this by more than one person...but, unfortunately I thought that would not be the case for me.

Answer 5

I had a hysterectomy when I was 18. I had some problems, but it was due to being exposed to something I was allergic to. Once I was out of ICU after 3 days I was placed in a regular room for 2 then was released. They do pack you full of gauze which makes everything more uncomfortable. That comes out a few days after surgery. You might also have a drain if they are doing an incision. They will of course give you pain medications to make you feel better. If you want you can take like a pillow you use to make you feel more comfortable. If you like music then take something to listen to. I wasn't allowed to lift anything heavy for a while, but I was almost back to normal 2-3 weeks after.

Answer 6

I haven't had a hysterectomy, but I do suffer from fibroids and very heavy bleeding. Well, actually, I did (past tense). Instead of a hysterectomy, my doctor advised an endometrial ablation. Much less invasive (30 minutes, outpatient) and 100% successful. I hope you and your doctor have discussed that as an option and ruled it out for whatever reasons. If not, please look into it before going ahead with the hysterectomy, especially if your only problem is fibroids.

Answer 7

You will be fine post op. You will be very cold right after the operation (I was.) It will take you 3 months for your internal sutures to heal. You will be put on a regimen of laxatives (Your doctor will want you to have a bowel movement before they let you go home-ask your doctor why) depending on how you're healing you could be home in a couple of days (I was in the hospital for five days.) Over all, you will be fine and you will feel worlds better and you will never miss your menstrual cycle! Sex will be great! Don't worry and good luck!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

HRT isn't recommended for long term use if you start taking it after natural menopause. But if you have your ovaries removed then it's recommended you keep taking the hormones until natural menopausal age, because it causes health problems and shortens lifespan to not have those hormones during the age when you're supposed to naturally be making those hormones. But even after natural menopause, if you really have that many problems when you are NOT taking hormones, then you may want to take them anyway, since the risks are actually relatively small. As for trans taking them: Not sure, but estrogen is safer to take than testosterone, so it may be safer to be trans and taking estrogen than to have balls that make lots of lifespan reducing testosterone.

Answer 10

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