Healing and Recovery from Hysterectomy?

[AppleTree]

In a few weeks I am scheduled to have surgery to remove my uterus & ovaries. I was hoping to get some encouraging advice regarding recovery times, how soon you were able and felt like getting back on the bicycle, and any other helpful hints or shared experiences. I am in my mid-50s, and in fairly good health and cycle often, usually about 50 miles a week or so.

I am hoping to get back on the bicycle in mid-February if possible, at least for a few miles. I really want to be fit enough to do the Seattle to Portland ride again this July (200 miles in two days).

This is a laparoscopic procedure, which they "say" the recovery time is faster, maybe two weeks to feeling good and four to six weeks feeling completely back to normal. No lifting for at least six weeks.

Just worried how this is going to affect getting back to my cycling routine.

[indysteel]

I do not have personal experience with this, but one if my best friends does. She had a laproscopic hysterectomy, too. All I can do is urge you to respect your doctor's orders as to how long to rest. My friend started walking and running before she was cleared. Her bowel prolapsed months later. She got one heck of a lecture about it from her doc (and another surgery). The doc said that even when you start to feel fine, you are still healing internally. So, please be patient with the recovery process. Your bike will still be there when you're ready. I'm sorry to scare you; I just think it's important advice.

[Catrin]

I had the same surgery in 2008, it was with the DaVinci machine which was a bit different. Recovery took longer than I was told..

Don't rush it, and you will want to make certain the wounds heal properly. You will be tempted to speed things up because externally it doesn't seem as major of a surgery as when they do it the old-fashioned way, but your body will need time to recover and heal properly. Your bikes will be there when you are fully cleared. If you go back too soon then your recovery period will take longer.

Good luck on your surgery and hope things go well!

[goldfinch]

I had a hysterectomy back in about 1990 or thereabouts. I felt great after a couple of weeks. Went on a trip to Florida with spouse, figuring to take advantage of the 6 weeks leave I had from work. Overdid it on a walk and couldn't make it back. Spouse went and got the car while I sat on the side of the road. I thought we were going to have to call an ambulance I felt so awful.

[Melalvai]

It's so individual it's hard to say. Listen to your body and do it gradually. I was back in action in about a week after an abdominal hysterectomy! But I was (unfortunately) young (31 yrs old).

I highly recommend Hyster Sisters forum. They are very supportive and knowledgeable.

[AppleTree]

It's so individual it's hard to say. Listen to your body and do it gradually. I was back in action in about a week after an abdominal hysterectomy! But I was (unfortunately) young (31 yrs old).

I highly recommend Hyster Sisters forum. They are very supportive and knowledgeable.

This link was exactly what I was hoping to find. Thank you so much Melavai. Yes, youth makes all the difference in recovery time.

Indysteel, that was a cautionary tale for sure... omg.

Thank you all for the warning to take it slow and easy. It is so helpful to hear from women who have gone through this experience. Somehow reassuring to know that I'll get through this eventually! Maybe not as quickly as I wanted, but still, will live to bike another day.

[Catrin]

Another recommendation for Hystersisters, it really is a great supportive forum with lots of good, solid information. My surgery was in 2008, but I still get an email from them on the anniversary of my surgery. I was very thankful for them, and you don't have to wait for the surgery to go there

[indysteel]

That's so nice that they send emails to you on the anniversary of your surgery!

[Catrin]

That's so nice that they send emails to you on the anniversary of your surgery!

They do quite a few supportive things, as I remember I got messages from them frequently during the first 8 weeks after my surgery. The messages provided good information regarding my stage of recovery. Then it decreased to once a month, then once every few months and so forth. While I don't visit the site any longer, it is nice to get those annual emails. They made a difficult situation easier than it would have been without the support.

[indysteel]

I'll have to remember that if and when I or friends/family are in facing a hysterectomy. What a great resource.

[AppleTree]

They do quite a few supportive things, as I remember I got messages from them frequently during the first 8 weeks after my surgery. The messages provided good information regarding my stage of recovery. Then it decreased to once a month, then once every few months and so forth. While I don't visit the site any longer, it is nice to get those annual emails. They made a difficult situation easier than it would have been without the support.

Just being on the site (I haven't signed up YET, but I am going to) I have learned so much on what to BRING to the hospital...so many things the doctor either doesn't have time to tell you or doesn't think about. Gas X??

I have to say I am little nervous reading about this "swelly belly" stuff... I'm not sure I'm ready for that, I already have a swelly belly.

[Catrin]

Just being on the site (I haven't signed up YET, but I am going to) I have learned so much on what to BRING to the hospital...so many things the doctor either doesn't have time to tell you or doesn't think about. Gas X??

I have to say I am little nervous reading about this "swelly belly" stuff... I'm not sure I'm ready for that, I already have a swelly belly.

Unless it turns out that you need to go the full incision route, you will likely only be in the hospital just under 24 hours - or at least that is how they do it around here. I am still amazed that a total hysterectomy is considered "out-patient surgery", but they do consider it that if you've not had the full incision. I had that years ago due to an ectopic pregnancy, and you do NOT what to go that route recovery is so much nicer with the less invasive procedures.

That being said, just make sure you have your Gas X at home I didn't really have a problem with "swelly belly", though some women do, I think this differs from woman to woman. I live alone, and also was at the time. I had someone with me overnight after my surgery, but then I was alone. Just lived on the couch for a couple of days...MUCH nicer than my first abdominal surgery... I was off work the full time, and really I did need it.

[indysteel]

LOL @ "swelly belly!" I may have to use that term at home where we eat a lot of beans.

[Melalvai]

That's so nice that they send emails to you on the anniversary of your surgery!

They call it your hysterversary.
My hysterversary is Oct 5!

[Chinook]

Interesting. The summer of 2005 my first year of bike racing was abruptly interrupted with an emergency abdominal surgery. Laparotomy for the removal of an ovarian cyst. I was over-zealous - I overdid it after the first week of recovery and ended up being bedridden for an extra few weeks. I still show a slight swelly-belly even though everything is intact. I was an outlier as far as my recovery was concerned. All I can say is that you can always regain your strength and fitness but you only have one chance to heal right. Take it easy and the best of luck to you!