Bit scared

Women's health
1

Hiya im due to have a hysterectomy on the 7th of january feel nervous about it know that will have a bit of pain but need to know how long before I can do normal things ect like shopping and going back to work any advice much appreciated Thanks x

2

Linda, 

Will all de

3

Hi  Linda

it's perfectly normal to feel a bit scared...

Not sure what type of surgery  you're  having but my experience was  a total abdominal  hysterectomy with conservation of ovaries.

spent 3 nights in hospital and yes it was a little sore, you might experience some wind pain too- peppermint tea or anything else you can find to help ease it!

As for recovery at home my main advice would be to do the exercises that the hospital give you, it really helps strengthen the abdomen. For the first couple of weeks I found having an afternoon nap was a necessary treat too smile

But don't lift! I was told nothing heavier than a kettle of water. 

You will find you have good days and bad days...around a week after I kind of had a spell of mood similar to Baby blues...again all normal. ..effect of hormones and anaesthetic etc

Go with the flow,  be sensible  you'll  be just fine x

4

Linda, will all depend on type of surgery. Keyhole is supposed to be quickest recovery time. Vaginal next and open surgery the longest recovery time. All depends on how healthy and fit you are also going in for operation. Keep eye on iron levels, good tonic, plenty of veg, protein to help repair and heal. Constipation may be an issue afterwards but can be sorted - prune juice very good for that. Arnica (30c) in herbal shop will help healing tossues also. If you haven't gone through menopause yet and having both ovaries removed in Jan, try get something in herbal shop to help "surgical menopause" after op. Main thing is to listen to your body and only do what you can and gradually increase bit by bit each day as tiredness can set in very easily.... 

5

Thanks Amanda as far as I know im having keyhole surgery my job involves a lot of heavy lifting I work in a care home laundry so don't think I will be going back to soon x

6

Thanks gail think it's keyhole im having leaving ovaries I've started menopause eg hot flushes mood swings the usual l can't have hrt had allergic reaction to it :-( so now taking black koosh and b12 so far ok x

7

Hi Linda

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy in June this year and it wasn't even half as bad as I had feared.  They keep you pain free although it is a bit hard to sit up as its a bit sore and lying on your side in bed is out for a couple of weeks.  I would think you would need to be off work around 6 to 8 weeks.  I lifted things I shouldn't like baskets of heavy washing to hang out after a couple of weeks and I was fine.  Didn't use the Hoover until after 4 weeks though.   You do get tired more easily so just rest when you feel the need smile

8

Hi Linda...

OMG... that's EXACTLY how I felt!

I even went on Utube to watch one done.

I had so many nervous thoughts/feelings going in... but once I was on that table and they were moving around getting things ready... I WAS OUT! 

Next thing you know... you are in recovery waking up.......

My operation was 2.5 hours, I had a 4 lb. tumor there also...but it felt like 15 min. by the time I woke up!

Tip.... when they say you need to try and walk.. DO IT!  It helped me SOOOOO much!  You don't get gas... and you DON'T want that!  omg... any sneeze, cough, laugh or a gas issue would be very uncomfortable..

I was walking hours later.. came home and continued to move.. it helped me heal, and NO BLOD CLOTS!  If you don't move, you can get a blood clot!

Hope this helps you a bit!

All the best.... your hyster sister in CT.

Mary smile 

9

Thank you so much Mary made me feel so much better reading this ive done the Google and everything else you can even had my daughter who is a nurse bend doctors ears brilliant advice u gave me gunna follow this once again thanks and merry Xmas xx

10

Hi I'm 50 and up untill few weeks ago never had any probs at all.but due to sudden acute urine retention,which resulted in few weeks of having catheter in it was discovered I had one very large fibroid,I was shocked and worried about hysterectomy.thought of nothing else googled none stop..decided to keep my ovaries but had uterus n cervix removed laparoscopicly 14 days ago..i was up and about few hours after coming back on ward.had bit tea.went home next day.no probs what so ever 3/4days doing fine with toilet etc..ive been Xmas shopping out and about for a week now..not lifting anything heavy..think positive you will feel better each morning.move about drink plenty water have some visitors over you,ll be back to normal in no time..good luck xx

11

Thanks calli much appreciated x

12

hi linda.know how your feeling as going in hospital on the 8th jan for my full abdominal hysterectomy.i too am feeling very nervous but know its for the best as i have been rushed to hospital 3 times in the last month with bleeding and passing out and had to have 2 blood transfusions.i have a 11cm fibroid.hope everything goes ok which im sure it will.karen x

13

Hi kazandnell.  Just to let you know, I am going in on 9th January for the same thing, so will be thinking of you.

xxxKathy

14

thanks kathy,will have to keep in touch on here while we are resting and doing nothing,going to find that hard but everyone says you really must.will be thinking of you too and wish you all the best.karenx

15

Yes, it will be good to keep in touch.  Wishing you all the best also.

xxKathy

16

Hi Linda,

I'll be a few weeks after you, I'm due to have a TAH (retaining ovaries as I'm only 42 so too young to go on HRT) at the end of Jan, I'm not sure how I feel atm a bit nervous but at the same time I am looking forward to being able to have a full life again without all the problems that I'm having now...the best bit of course is no more periods or smears smile

17

Me four! but mine is end of Jan, looks like we might all be having our feet up for the first part of 2015 x

18

Hi janet You have just put mind at rest a bit as I just picked up a bag not realising it had two bottles of cola in it and I am 7 weeks post op from TAH I got a sharp pulling pain for a while but lay down so hopefully I have not done any damage 

19

I am having TAH on 19th Jan, i am not worried about op at all as know its for the best. I am approaching it with the most positive attitude i can and setting myself mini goals now to do once i'm out of hospital ie: walk for quarter of a mile 2nd week working up to a mile by about week 4 or 5. My real worry is how the washing and hoovering etc is going to get done as i'm sure my other half thinks we have fairies that help with all of that and he can't cook either so god knows what i will be presented with and told its edible lol, and we all know that no one can do our housework as good as we do and i know i will be tempted to wash, cook and clean etc

20

Hi all ladies ..just joined this forum today because. Like all those in here have either been in or waiting too I'm due to go in the 9th ..and since having my pre-ad letter am starting. To worry ..my hubby have been reading the cons and cons ..(cheers for that ) as he is starting. To worry for me bless him ..im having the abdominal as well as have large fibroids and a few small nice 10 cm one ..i don't have periods since I had the marina coil 5 years ago which is a plus sign ..but am starting. To panic now and could quite easily cancel the way in feeling ..my hubby has called the hospital just to see what to expect on Tuesday when I see the nurse ..im having it done in a private hosp on the nhs result. So I know I will be looked after but really am sweating about it all ..im physically well and get pressure from the fibroids in the bowel and bladder sometimes and in the playpen area if you get my drift ..and apart from being a couple of stone overweight ..i blame the fibroid for that lol ..im thinking. Shall I help xx