Hysterectomy

[sundial]

She, I would consider doing abdominal work prior to surgery. It will help strengthen the muscles and you'll have a quicker recovery.

My abdominals are a little slower to respond to training but they are hanging in there. Oh, and I got that cute little pooch as a parting gift for playing Wreck My History.

[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

[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.

[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!

[luv'nAustin]

It has been nearly two years to the day that I had mine and I couldn't be happier. I just wonder why I didn't do it sooner...not only do I feel soooooo, soooooo much better but I am now free to live my life to the fullest EVERY day!

Be sure to take care of yourself and listen to your doc. You will feel better much sooner than you think, but inside you are still healing and you really do need to let it all heal before you jump into exercising. Walking is good.

Oh, here is a tip. Be careful when you do start back to exercising again...I was tired in the beginning but soon I gained strength and endurance and within a week or so of my clearance I was back to boot camp and tri training. It didn't take long before I was suffering from plantar fas. (sorry, I'm lazy and don't want to look up the spelling) and I had to see a doc for it as it was so severe that it was even bothering me on the bike...couldn't run at all! Long story short, the doc got after me for jumping right into my old routine and said that after 6 weeks off it was too much too soon and even if my mind thought these were "normal" workouts my body didn't agree!

So, be good to yourself while you heal and I hope you are as happy about your decision as I am about mine!

[auntiebobo]

Last Friday was my two year hysterversary as they call it. And I too couldn't be happier. I hope your recovery goes as well. I was 20 pounds heavier then and not fit at all. So, I recovered slowly, walked a lot, listened to the doc etc. For me having the surgery is the reason I'm able to ride now and attend a boot camp 4 days a week. I just can't believe how much better I feel.

Just a couple of weeks ago something made me remember this thread and I wondered how you were doing. I meant to search for it and ping you so I'm glad you gave us an update.

Take care!

One last caution - be careful of eBay. Those boring, taking it easy days led me to lots of surfing and I'm now the proud owner of a vintage camera collection. Stay on the TE boards and you'll be much safer.

[sundial]

Auntiebobo, lol!

Shewhobikes, it's good to hear your progress report and that the surgery went smoothly. Now you can get into the habit of being pampered and to allow proper healing. I'll be happy to pour you a nice cup of hot herbal tea. Get plenty of rest and drop in after your little naps.

[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?