Healing and Recovery from Hysterectomy?

[Catrin]

Another recommendation for Hystersisters, it really is a great supportive forum with lots of good, solid information. My surgery was in 2008, but I still get an email from them on the anniversary of my surgery. I was very thankful for them, and you don't have to wait for the surgery to go there

[indysteel]

That's so nice that they send emails to you on the anniversary of your surgery!

[Catrin]

That's so nice that they send emails to you on the anniversary of your surgery!

They do quite a few supportive things, as I remember I got messages from them frequently during the first 8 weeks after my surgery. The messages provided good information regarding my stage of recovery. Then it decreased to once a month, then once every few months and so forth. While I don't visit the site any longer, it is nice to get those annual emails. They made a difficult situation easier than it would have been without the support.

[indysteel]

I'll have to remember that if and when I or friends/family are in facing a hysterectomy. What a great resource.

[AppleTree]

They do quite a few supportive things, as I remember I got messages from them frequently during the first 8 weeks after my surgery. The messages provided good information regarding my stage of recovery. Then it decreased to once a month, then once every few months and so forth. While I don't visit the site any longer, it is nice to get those annual emails. They made a difficult situation easier than it would have been without the support.

Just being on the site (I haven't signed up YET, but I am going to) I have learned so much on what to BRING to the hospital...so many things the doctor either doesn't have time to tell you or doesn't think about. Gas X??

I have to say I am little nervous reading about this "swelly belly" stuff... I'm not sure I'm ready for that, I already have a swelly belly.

[Catrin]

Just being on the site (I haven't signed up YET, but I am going to) I have learned so much on what to BRING to the hospital...so many things the doctor either doesn't have time to tell you or doesn't think about. Gas X??

I have to say I am little nervous reading about this "swelly belly" stuff... I'm not sure I'm ready for that, I already have a swelly belly.

Unless it turns out that you need to go the full incision route, you will likely only be in the hospital just under 24 hours - or at least that is how they do it around here. I am still amazed that a total hysterectomy is considered "out-patient surgery", but they do consider it that if you've not had the full incision. I had that years ago due to an ectopic pregnancy, and you do NOT what to go that route recovery is so much nicer with the less invasive procedures.

That being said, just make sure you have your Gas X at home I didn't really have a problem with "swelly belly", though some women do, I think this differs from woman to woman. I live alone, and also was at the time. I had someone with me overnight after my surgery, but then I was alone. Just lived on the couch for a couple of days...MUCH nicer than my first abdominal surgery... I was off work the full time, and really I did need it.

[indysteel]

LOL @ "swelly belly!" I may have to use that term at home where we eat a lot of beans.

[Melalvai]

That's so nice that they send emails to you on the anniversary of your surgery!

They call it your hysterversary.
My hysterversary is Oct 5!

[Chinook]

Interesting. The summer of 2005 my first year of bike racing was abruptly interrupted with an emergency abdominal surgery. Laparotomy for the removal of an ovarian cyst. I was over-zealous - I overdid it after the first week of recovery and ended up being bedridden for an extra few weeks. I still show a slight swelly-belly even though everything is intact. I was an outlier as far as my recovery was concerned. All I can say is that you can always regain your strength and fitness but you only have one chance to heal right. Take it easy and the best of luck to you!

[AppleTree]

Hysterversary, what a hoot... does Hallmark make a card for that one yet?

Chinook, thanks for sharing your story. I would be so tempted to overdo it myself. My cycling fitness thus far has been really hard won over the past few years, and I just hate the thought of losing it in a few months, but that's the way it goes. So far everyone's advice has been GO SLOW. I think I will take it.

To everything there is a season! A time to crank the pedals and a time to plant your butt on the couch and knit.

Thanks again TE sisters, for sharing your experiences with me.

[goldfinch]

I found my hysterectomy very freeing. No more birth control, no more bleeding. Nice

[AppleTree]

After reading a small selection of the hystersisters tales of recovery I am beginning to have 2nd thoughts about doing the surgery now. From what I've read it sounds like it will be at least six weeks and more like eight weeks to even begin any serious activity. And that is IF all goes well.

I am thinking of putting it off until October or so. At least then I'd have the summer to be active and achieve my cycling goals...and the winter to recover and slowly work my way back into shape.

There isn't a terrible urgency to have the surgery, my diagnosis was adenomyosis... nothing life threatening. The worst that could happen between now and then might be another horrible menstrual cycle, but I'm thinking there might be something the doctor could do to prevent that in the meanwhile? Hormone shots?

I feel like I am moving back from the brink, and I'm afraid my family might think I am crazy. Maybe I am??

[Catrin]

I had this, and it got quite painful before the end - and not just during my periods...my surgery was actually precipitated by an ovarian cancer scare, but in the end it turned out I had a bad case of adenomyosis and while my ovaries were quite scarred I didn't have cancer

It is your body and your decision to make, but it is only early Jan, if you have the surgery now you will be back on the bike by spring.

FWIW, my specialist told me that the only trustworthy way of diagnosing adenomyosis was after the uterus was removed. Now my surgery was in 2008 (and no one thought about adenomyosis at the time), so perhaps diagnostic tools have progressed since that time.