Hysterectomy

[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!