Hysterectomy

[sundial]

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

Well, yes and no. I had tried to treat my problems for years. In the end, I had cysts, a pelvic mass, endometriosis, a polyp, you name it. It all needed to come out before cancer developed. I have never regretted my decision, particularly since I gave it a fair shot before resorting to must-have surgery. Some of these things you can't prevent, even with diet and exercise.

[bikerchic]

shewhobikes I feel for you. This time last year I was totally thinking I would be a candidate for the big H and I was dreading it! No health insurance, heck I didn't even have a Doctor since I moved away from my Doctor 5 years ago!

I finally got a Doctor to see me......seems most won't if you haven't got insurance! I was very relieved to find that this Doctor felt that even though yes I had a prolapsed uterus and everything was hanging out! She didn't want to remove healthy organs so I ended up getting fitted for a pessary and it's working ok....I may end up having my bladder tied up as it's not hanging in there too well but good news is we have health insurance now! yay!

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.)

The best advise I can give you is from my own experience. You will feel so much better shortly after surgery that you will "think" you can do all the things you weren't doing pre-opp, but DON'T!! Even though you can physically do stuff you will pay for it later, years later.......like I am now.

So take this time to heal it's a great excuse to get some hobbies done, catch up on some good books and magazines. Give your bike a good tune up! Shine it up nice for the warm months to come. There are lots of things you can do which won't cause you harm later. Enjoy the down time we don't often have a good excuse to lay around and do *coff*coff* 'nufin!

Wishing much success with your surgery and a complete recovery!

~Kate

[rocknrollgirl]

No thought on my part. My fibroid pushed up out of the back of my uterus and nestled in to my bowel, blocked it and almost killed me. I was so sick they could have cut my head off and I would not have cared.

[sundial]

I may end up having my bladder tied up as it's not hanging in there too well....

I had this procedure and I've been very happy with the results. I didn't have pain and could work the next day.

Precision Tack® Transvaginal Anchor System is a device that restores urinary function by returning the urinary anatomy to its proper position in a minimally invasive procedure.

No abdominal incision is required and a small incision is made in the vaginal wall. Two small tacks are placed in the pubic bone and a sling is inserted into the vagina and attached to the tacks with sutures. The sling supports the bladder, bladder neck, urethra, and urethral sphincter so urine can flow and be held properly.

www.urologychannel.com

[Zen]

Wow. After reading all this I realize how lucky I was to get everything taken care of with the NovaSure procedure.

[teigyr]

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

[Tuckervill]

I've never heard anyone else say that their stomach muscles were affected by surgery. I had two c-sections--one scar up and down and one side-to-side. (The resulting "anchor" on my belly would be funny if it weren't so horrific.)

I don't think my muscles respond like they should, either, especially very low. Annoying as h***.

Karen

[Tokie]

Hi again Shewhobikes (and Tuckerville) Not glib here either, just happy to have my life healthy and strong. My uterus was the size of a 14 week pregnancy, and I had to lift it off of my urethra to be able to urinate in the last month before my surgery. My periods were irregular and unbelieveably heavy. I was lucky to avoid transfusions, and by the end of my uterus's life the Dr was surpressing my ovaries with drugs to prevent blood loss. One low point was when I was on an airplane with no bathroom, and I just started to gush. I soaked not only my clothes, but the cloth airplane seat. Well those memories do make it easy to be glib now! Anyway, I have had 3 laparotomies (the bikini line type incision, wide, but low) and one laparoscopic surgery. And I am pleased to say that I have a strong flat tummy. The lower bikini line incision that has been opened 3 times ( 2 ovarian cysts and hysterectomy) is a bit indented, but not that noticeable. The laparoscopy was to remove my ovaries when the 3rd ovarian cyst occurred. Those scars are barely noticeable. As a nurse, I have had patients with ovarian cancer. So I am glad to have them both gone. One thing to consider before surgery, since you have time, is to build up your core strength. When your stomach is sore, standing up straight and using your core and back muscles instead of bending forward will be easier. I like Mark Verstegen's book and his stability ball core workout DVD. The core strength has really helped my cycling! Best wishes for a healthy recovery! Carol

[silver]

Wow. After reading all this I realize how lucky I was to get everything taken care of with the NovaSure procedure.

Zen, thanks for mentioning this. I clicked on your link and am now hoping to get one on Tuesday. I'd never heard of it and am just starting to have trouble with the constant bleeding. I am so glad to hear that there is an alternative. I can't believe that this is not more widely used, maybe because it's new?

Do you mind giving more info about your experience? I'm going to start a thread in health, maybe we can move the discussion there?

[bikerchic]

I had this procedure and I've been very happy with the results. I didn't have pain and could work the next day.



www.urologychannel.com

Sundial thanks for that link I've been reading there now for hours! I have lots of options now to discuss with my gyno on my next (soon) visit.

Also good advise on the abb work outs!

~Kate

[shewhobikes]

Hi ladies!

Lots of you offered well wishes, which I was grateful for, so I wanted to update you. Surgery was Monday a week ago. Took a bit longer than usual because Doc was determined to stay with laproscopy if she could, rather than go in, and good for her, she did it.

Came home last Tuesday afternoon, and, long story short, I'm feeling so much better than I anticipated feeling at this point. Nowhere near ready to get on my bike, but I'm moving around, walking a bit, but mostly taking it easy and pampering myself. Feels weird. I'm so used to multi-tasking at home and work (singlel mom of 2, ages 17 and 20). But it's a good thing and I remain positive about the fact that I'm taking good care of myself. Yay!

Weather has been chilly and damp and not good for riding anyway, so yes, this weekend, if I'm feeling some energy, I'll sit on a footstool and pamper the bike with some cleaning and checking parts.

Let's hope spring gets here soon!
Thanks,
SWB

[rij73]

Wow... You're handling it bravely! Good for you... Just think, it would have been much worse in the middle of the season, say May or June. This way it might delay the start of the bike season for you, but it will feel all that much sweeter when you are ready to ride.

Continue healing well and taking good care of yourself!

[Melalvai]

but mostly taking it easy and pampering myself. Feels weird. I'm so used to multi-tasking at home and work (singlel mom of 2, ages 17 and 20).

At those ages, they should be helping take care of you. My daughter was 10 at the time and she got a big kick out of taking care of me and ordering me to take it easy. For a few days, anyway.

[IFjane]

SWB - I am glad it is all over and you are well on the road to recovery! The hard part is over - now heal and get back on the bike after the weather breaks!