Hysterectomy

[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.

[auntiebobo]

I had mine almost 2 years ago. Best thing I ever did. Lost 20 pounds and still losing. Feel great. I had severe endometriosis and had everything removed.

Recovery was fine - I was 5 weeks out of work. I did a lot of walking in that time. As for biking - I wasn't a rider before the surgery. But bought my Trek hybrid that summer after surgery - because I could and I felt so great! Started commuting on my bike. I just ordered a road bike today and am planning on the STP this summer!

Anyway, all the other advice you got is great. Don't push too hard, listen to your body. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions of your Dr. if you don't understand what's going on. My doc still chuckles at what a hard time I gave him but in then end I'm glad I did. I made the right choices for me in terms of surgery vs other treatments. And HRT afterwards. No regrets.

[IFjane]

SWB - I had a complete hysterectomy last April 25. Vaginal. No incisions but yes, slices and dices. My doctor is a marathoner and understood my desire to get back on the bike. He told me to wait a week, then get on the trainer & see how I felt. I did - and felt great. I asked him (just after surgery) if my planned flat century on May 5 (10 days out of surgery) was too much to consider. He said yes, to take it easy. So....(fellow TE'er KayTee will vouch for me here!)....I only rode 75 miles that day (because it was COLD and RAINY).

My point here is, listen to your body and don't overdo it. I did find that I could ride all day long on the flat - we don't have much of that around here - but mountains and climbing were VERY tough all year due to blood loss and almost non-existent iron reserves. My hematocrit was not up to normal levels until late September.

Good luck!

[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.