I had one and I am mixed about it.

My recovery was fast! Honestly. I have two HUGE incisions due to ovarian cysts. The initial one was wrapped around kidneys and the second one (the one that caused the hysterectomy) was attached to my bowel.

I am stubborn so I don't think I took the time to heal. I was walking hills in less than a week and was back to work in a week. I have an 8" scar and a 6" scar from incisions. I was riding within two weeks though I couldn't even pick up my bike.

I think physically you can recover quickly if you're in shape for it. Mentally it's iffy. You have to sign a "permanent sterilization" form. I didn't want children so it was ok but still, it was kind of harsh. My stomach muscles just didn't come back the same way. I think in some ways, I didn't go through normal "female" stuff and I kind of miss that.

I only had the hysterectomy on the advice of my surgeon. He felt I was at a huge risk for cancer with the cysts and then the hormones so he felt it best. I trust his judgment though I kind of wish I had at least ONE ovary!! And while at the time I thought I made the best decision, I wish I would have investigated somewhere that would have left me more intact.

But as far as healing goes, it's not so bad. I figure it's all in what you make of it. I wish in a lot of ways none of it would have ever happened but if you do everything you can and make the most informed decision you can make, it's ok.

Oh and in less than a year, I rode a lot of the Calif coast on a 580 mile bike ride. THAT was fun