Hysterectomy

[shewhobikes]

Happy New Year, everybody!

I have just learned that I will need a total H, now scheduled mid-Feb. They will try laproscopic but may need to open, just depending. Doc says 4-6 weeks off work. Down here in Alabama, I am usually on the bike by March getting ready for the season, so this is a bummer.

Anybody else with experience coming back after this surgery? I know it will be important to give my body time to recover. I also know I will be impatient and frustrated.

Thanks.

[Thorn]

It goes without saying...take the time your body needs to heal. Don't push it.

I had a laproscopic hysterectomy eons ago. I expected the 4-6 weeks, but was out taking slow walks a week in and back to work at 3 weeks. I didn't bike at the time, so I can't comment on getting back to ride.

I did make the mistake during the first week of accepting delivery of a plant at the door sent by my coworkers. Oops....a bit too heavy and I paid for it for a day.

The scope makes you think that they didn't do too much cutting....yes, you don't have the big abdominal incision, but you have all the internal slices and dices. Take the time to heal.

Good luck!

[makbike]

I underwent a laproscopic procedure in June. They removed a softball size mass and my left ovary. My doctor encouraged me to start walking the day after the surgery. She told me I would have to stay off my bike for 3 weeks That said I walked short distances three times daily while increasing the distance each day by a mile. I did end up having to carry a 40 lb bag of dog food in 4 days post-op (that is a long story). A week following my surgery I was given permission to start riding again - short, flat, easy pedaling - no hills, no traffic. I did this for a week and two weeks post-op I was back on my bike full force. I rode a century three weeks after my surgery. Getting back on my bike was extremely important to my mental well being given my partner at the time (now my ex) decided to end our relationship four days after my operation. Riding was life saver!

Listen to your body and your doctor. I would have climbed on my bike had my doctor said no way. The last thing you want to do is pop an internal suture or tear mending tissues.

Take care, stock up on soom good books, DVD's, music, etc. Keep us posted.

[indysteel]

Listen to your body and your doctor.....The last thing you want to do is pop an internal suture or tear mending tissues.

I hope the surgery and recovery goes well. T

To echo the cautions that others have given, let me share a friend's recent experience. She had a hysterectomy this past June (full surgery). She was supposed to take 8 weeks off from her usual activities of running, biking and tennis, but she started walking right away and was taking some really long walks several times a day long before her doctor gave her the green light for her to go back to her regular routine. At least that's what she told us. In truth, she started to run before she was supposed to.

The first week of January, she woke up and realized, to her horror, that her bowel had abrupted and was essentially hanging out of her body. She had emergency surgery and was able to save the bowel, but it was a close call. She just ended another 6-week layoff. Her doctor read her the riot act about how her own refusal to take it easy after the first surgery was the biggest contributor to the abruption.

I share this only to reinforce what others have said. Listen to your doctor. My friend felt "fine" during her recovery, so while I generally agree with "listening to your body," keep in mind that you may have to take it easy even if you otherwise feel good.

[divingbiker]

Mine was two years ago. They tried laparoscopic, but I had adhesions and when they pulled my ovary/uterus (don't remember what they said) away from my bladder, it tore a hole in the bladder. Not good. Another major emergency surgery, with two catheters, resulting in lots of scars on my belly.

I don't mean to scare you, but it's best not to minimize the seriousness of a hysterectomy and to be prepared for complications...I wasn't. I was out of work for 6 weeks, though I was doing well enough to travel for Christmas after 3 weeks. No lifting of suitcases, of course.

Don't push it. As Thorn said, they did a lot of cutting in there and it takes time to heal.

[SouthernBelle]

It's been about 10 years since I had mine. Complete and they opened me up. I was back to work at 3 weeks. That wasn't really a good idea as my hormones were wonked and I had a tendency to bite people's heads off. I'd guess I was able to do whatever by 5-6 weeks.

[shewhobikes]

Thanks, all, for both the cautions and the encouragement. Sounds like this is what I expected in terms of taking it slowly, listening to the doc and paying attention to my body.

As you all know, it's not just the physical, but emotional/mental health the bike ride brings. It has meant so much to me these last few years I get a little squirrely thinking of doing without (not that I ride hard in the winter much anyway.)

Have a good weekend!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have not had one but my mother did a few years back. The advice of preparing for complications is gold. My own mother knew it probably wouldn't be laprascopic due to the tumor placement but no one prepared her for what ended up coming. The tumor was much larger and she lost a lot of blood. It was definitely 6 weeks of recovery for her. I will say she was not in good shape prior to the surgery and I am sure this slowed recovery. Best wishes for a smooth recovery.

[sarahkonamojo]

Had mine in 2004. I still have an ovary, which I appreciate every day.

I was opened up. I was able to walk 1 mile within the week. Cycling took much longer than I expected. My abs were shot, as would be expected. I wasn't at full strength for a few months. It was a little frustrating. In the long run my life is much better and much less painful.

I wish you a speedy recovery both emotional and physical.

sarah

[Nora]

What is the reason that you're scheduled for a hysterectomy?

Some basic anatomical information about the functions of the uterus may be helpful to you.

The uterus is a hormone responsive reproductive sex organ that supports the bladder and the bowel. The vagina is shortened when a hysterectomy is performed, and women who experience uterine orgasm cannot experience it without a uterus. Women who have only their uterus removed have a three times greater incidence of heart disease. When the ovaries are removed the incidence of heart disease is 7 times greater.

There is a 12-minute video: Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs that will give you information you may want to discuss with your doctor before signing a Hysterectomy Consent form. This is a surgery with serious, permanent consequences. If you are not in a life-threatening emergency you may want to take your time and gather more information before making this irreversible decision.

You can view and download the video at www.hersfoundation.org/anatomy

[Melalvai]

One more thing--Hyster Sisters was a great site, lovely community like this one. Funny ladies. There will be a lot of people with the same surgery day as you. It was my first major surgery and I was scared, so I appreciated having their experiences ahead of me, and their support.

[Tuckervill]

I know this was a measured decision for most of you, but we sound so glib about it. My goal is to get to the grave with all my parts. My mom had one at 45 (my age, now) because of fibroids. I have fibroids, but no problems with them normally. Two of my SILs had hysterectomies with barely a blink of thought beforehand.

Am I the only one who questions how quickly we seem to want to do this in this country? Did any of you consider alternatives before you agreed, or did you just not want to know?

Karen

[sundial]

I had a total hysterectomy 3 years ago. I've never regretted it.

I had the abdominal incision and I recovered well from it. I spent 4 days in the hospital and I was up and walking quickly post-op. What I learned was that 6 weeks is the average period of recovery before assuming work, but it will actually take you a full year before you're feeling 100%. I noticed that I would get fatigued quickly and would need to sit or lay down more often, but around 6 months I was feeling much better and had more endurance. I also noticed that mentally I wasn't as sharp, that I would forget easily or not remain on task very well. On the up side, I don't have the mood swings, cravings, bloating or tenderness that came with my period. It is so nice to not have to plan for that monthly inconvenience.

It was nice to be pampered by hubby and friends during my recovery. And when the doctor says to not lift anything over 5 lbs, he means it. You will need someone to help you with housekeeping, grocery shopping, cooking, etc. You'll probably won't be driving for the first 2 weeks post-op either.

You'll probably want to stock up on pj's with a drawstring waist for your swelly belly. And also shoes that you can slip on without tying.

Here's a fun website that offers a lot of information about hysterectomies, hormone replacement therapy, bio-identical hormone therapy, changes in your love life, your body, fun forums, and fun stuff to wear and use during your recovery.

www.hystersisters.com

Good luck and please feel free to pm me if you have any more questions.
Cathy

[IFjane]

I know this was a measured decision for most of you, but we sound so glib about it. My goal is to get to the grave with all my parts. My mom had one at 45 (my age, now) because of fibroids. I have fibroids, but no problems with them normally. Two of my SILs had hysterectomies with barely a blink of thought beforehand.

Am I the only one who questions how quickly we seem to want to do this in this country? Did any of you consider alternatives before you agreed, or did you just not want to know?

Karen

Karen - I did consider alternatives and tried them. April 7 I had a D&C that helped for exactly one week. Prior to that I had tried any number of remedies to stop the bleeding - everything except hormones because I am at high risk for breast cancer. Nothing stopped it because of one fibroid that was so embedded in the wall of the uterus that it could not be removed by the D&C. My doctor said he could try to cauterize it (I know there is another term for the procedure but I can't think of it right now) but he did not hold out much hope that it would solve the problem. By that time - I had been bleeding uncontrollably since before Christmas 2006 - I was at my wits' end and just wanted it all to stop.

There were times when I would change everything, re-load so to speak, and get 10 feet from the bathroom and have to run back again. I cannot tell you how awful it was. I could not ride my bike; I could not go out; if I was at my office I could not go out into the field like I should because I could not be away from a bathroom. The doctor had no idea how long it would last.

Finally, on a bike ride on March 31, 2007, I realized I was so weak I had to do something. I could not climb hills that are usually easily manageable for me. I had to cut a 54 mile birthday ride with a friend short because I did not have the energy to make it.

The hysterectomy was the best thing I ever did. Glib or not, it solved the problem for me and enabled me to return (slowly) to a normal life. I would not have it any other way. I will not use HRT and because of that I was thrown headlong into menopause two weeks after my surgery. I can stand the hot flashes and everything else that goes with it because at least I am not bleeding to death and embarrassing myself in public....

It may not be the best choice for everyone and I do not recommend having it done on a whim - it IS major surgery, after all - but if it is the most logical and sensible choice, then go for it.

[sarahkonamojo]

Tuckerville,

I don't think most people walk into major surgery glibly. My story was similar to IFJane, but I had fibroids and endometriosis. There gets to be a point where there is no point in dealing with the pain, discomfort, and lack of life. Seriously, your life revolves around access to a toilet at all times.

There have been advances in surgery that lessen the severity of the procedure, but it doesn't make the surgery easy.

Everyone must (and may) make their own choices and the more voices the better.

sarah