Hysterectomy

[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

[Tokie]

I have had everything(cervix,uterus and ovaries) removed, and am quite happy. I called my ovaries the Little Time Bombs (I'd had two prior surgeries to take stubborn complex cysts off of them) and was glad to get them out. Less parts to worry about getting cancer in!And I always think of this type of surgery as a 50,000 mile check up. The doctor can even see your liver when he's working in there, how great is that? (Ok, I am a nurse, so I think that's great). The question of hormone replacement is important if you haven't gone through menopause yet - it might be hard to stay positive during your resting and healing time if you were troubled by hot flashes. I am 52, and will stay on estrogen for 1 more year because I have osteoporosis. Then my doctor is going to wean me off of it over a period of maybe 4 to 6 months, decreasing my dose by 25% at a time. Hopefully, this will help my body get used to the idea! And I highly recommend vaginal estrogen(my favorite is the expensive Vagifem tiny vaginal suppository) It helps keep your mucous membranes and vulva in sturdier condition than menopause does. Do be patient with yourself - don't compare yourself and your progress in recovery to anyone else! This can be your year to make a great comeback after surgery! Be sure to eat a healthy balanced diet as you recover, even if you feel like a slug. Sleep in, pamper yourself,take nice walks and experience life at a different pace! Wishing you a great recovery! Tokie

[rocknrollgirl]

I had mine three years ago. They had to open me up. Took my uterus and a huge tumor. Left the ovaries. It was a full 6 weeks before I could move without thinking about it and 8 weeks for me to be up and going again.

I walked every day. Day one was to the corner...and then to the end of the block, etc.

My advice is take it slow and easy the first time around. It is major surgery. You do need time to heal and you don't want to have set backs.

[Melalvai]

I still have an ovary, which I appreciate every day.

Me too!
I was back on my bike 15 days later, though the dr. said no. Full incision, hysterectomy + one ovary. Do what makes you happy. No point waiting around for some magical "6 week" number if you are ready to go 15 days later, and no use feeling guilty about not being ready at week 7 though you have the dr's blessings to ride at week 6.