Does anyone have a hysterectomy success story? I'm booked in next week and am having serious doubts about whether I should go ahead with it.
Hi Sarah
It’s the best thing I ever did health wise.
no more pain or periods.
i was 42, didn’t need my bits anymore, had a full hysterectomy and as I see it,
3 less things to go wrong with my body, womb, ovarian and cervical cancer.
I’m on HRT have been for 15 years and have no plans on stopping at the moment.
im sure you will be fine.
Good Luck with whatever you decide
It would be helpful to know why you're having one, and what type you're having. Its not that simple. Many women have hysterectomies because they have no choice--such as in cancer. That's why I had mine.
Some women who've had hysterectomies have had bad experiences, but I think that women whose go well and recover easily aren't apt to visit sites like this, where you're somewhat more likely not to see success stories, unfortunately. Those women are more likely to respond negatively to questions like yours.
Also I would like to add that I had ovarian cysts on both ovaries and endermetrosis which had attached to my bowel, cervix and making its way up to my kidneys.
I was operated on 2 weeks after being seen by the consultant, because they didn’t no what they where dealing with.
i am one of those success stories and hope you are to.
Why are you having a hysterectomy Sarah, can you give more info such as are they keeping your cervix and fallopian tubes, how old are you etc, thanks.
I'm 46 with a 7cm fibroid that has caused an umbilical hernia. I am keeping my cervix and ovaries (hopefully) but don't know if these reasons justify such major surgery. Am I just having a nervous wobble?
Keeping the cervix and ovaries would, to me, be better than removing them, just wondering if there is any way they can take the fibroid out without the hysterectomy. For the record, I take on board all the comments about hysterectomy for some women, being the best thing that every happened to them. Also appreciate that success stories are not written about as, presumably, these lucky women just go about their lives with a happy outcome and don't post online, However, for me, if I had the choice again I would not have had a hysterectomy. Wish someone had, in fact, been negative about their outcome as I wouldn't have gone ahead. It's a lottery, I think, on the skills of the surgeon as to how you end up afterwards, what they take out and what major nerves are cut. So at the expense of some ladies on this forum hating me, no one can guarantee their experience with what could happen with someone else's experience. Are you in the UK Sarah? If you can go to the expense of getting another opinion from a private surgeon, I would recommend it. All the best to you in your decision.
I think every opinion is valid as everyone's experience is unique. I have been backwards and forwards to the consultants and sought lots of opinions from women who have had the op. I'm totally on the fence and scared stiff to be honest. So worried about regretting it and there will be no going back
Sarah, you are quite correct. No one's physiology is the same, and no one's body reacts to surgical procedures similarly. Despite what many physicians believe. The skill of the surgeon is important, too.
Is your doctor concerned that your body will still form fibroids in your uterus, unless your uterus is removed?
Yes I had a TCRE to remove my endometrial lining 3 years ago and the fibroids continued to grow within the lining of the uterus. I'm just not sure whether I should hang on for a few years until they begin to shrink naturally during menopause?
I'm sure that could be hoped for...but perhaps your doctor is concerned about more abnormal types of growths. Your fibroids seem to have caused you some major difficulty already. And menopause doesn't always mean fibroids shrink, you still retain some estrogen. I know. Enough estrogen to cause endometrial cancer, for instance.
Hello Sarah
As has been said by a number of people already, everyone has a different experience. It is natural to be apprehensive about any surgery. My own experience was an extremely positive one. I had a total hysterectomy in May because a biopsy had shown some changes that my gynaecologist was concerned about so I elected to have a hysterectomy on his advice. A week after the op I felt as though I had not had surgery, other than feeling tired. The histology showed complex hyperplasia so no cancer but with the hysterectomy I've eliminated four possible cancers - endometrial, cervical, tubal, and ovarian. I was on HRT previously and I'm still on oestrogen. I feel absolutely marvellous. I've had 6 surgeries in 4 years for other non-related conditions and I'm categorised as "awkward to intubate" so the anaesthetic has always been my concern rather than surgery. Having confidence in your surgeon is very important. I went privately so knew the consultant who was operating on me. My care was excellent and I stayed in hospital for 3 nights.
All the best Sarah - do let us know how things go for you.
Re positive experiences, I've stayed on this site because I think that it's important to contribute and support others who might be apprehensive. Lyn
Hi Sarah
i had a full abdominal hysterectomy 11 weeks ago to remove a 24 cm fibroid and I wish I had done it 5 years ago rather carry that extra bulk around, I did try embolisation and the medication Esmaya to shrink this and it did not work. I am 43 and have started taking HRT, I feel great still get a little tired if I do too much and the odd ache if I over do things,but on the whole it has not been as bad as I thought it was going to be. My surgeon gave me the option to keep my ovaries and cervix, however also explained the risks of keeping them, so my decision was to take that risk away and I now don’t have the worries of those types of cancers or cysts growing.
I am sure you would not have been advised to have this type of surgery if they did not think it was necessary.
Stay positive, from my own experience I am so glad I had the surgery. There is a lot of support on this site and as you can see you only need to ask a question and someone will be able to share their experience.
I wish you well
Anita xx
Thank you Anita,
Wow that was a big one! Did you have long, heavy periods?
It's good to hear that esmya didn't work as I was prescribed this but couldn't get it from my Trust.
It's great to hear HRT is working for you, has it evened out your moods?
You have really put my mind at ease, I was seriously considering opting out in the naïve hope that things would just get better naturally.
Hi Sarah
Glad to have been of some help. I had no issues with my periods, not very heavy and lasting only two days and that was part of the issue that I didn’t realise anything was wrong, apart from a swollen stomach and pain in my right side.
I took Esmya for four months and the cramps and hot flushes were not worth the results of very little shrinkage.
To be honest the first 24 hours after the operation are not great and quite painful, but after that that I was able to get up and go for short walks and by the end of the first week I was able to walk about half a mile and have continued to build on that until back to normal. As for the HRT, I started that in the first week after the operation as the surgeon explained my body still needed those hormones, so don’t really know what it would have been without them.
Now 11 weeks on I still have some numbness across my stomach and the odd twinges when I picked up something to heavy. Don’t do anything for those first 6 weeks apart from rest, don’t lift anything heavier than 2.5 kilos, but take short walks and then rest again.
if you need anything send me a message and I will try to help.
xx
Thank you so so much Anita.
Do you feel better now the mass has been removed?
Do you have more energy?
I really appreciate the support
Sarah
Xx
Hi Sarah- I had a DaVinci hysterectomy on July 20. They took my uterus , cervix and Fallopian tubes but I kept the ovaries. I had two fibroids that were giving me issues. I was in the hospital overnight and then went home. First week was tough but after that not too bad. Although it was about three weeks until I could stand anything touching my stomach. I still get an occasional twinge but it is not painful. Recovery in general hasn't been too bad although I had an issue with yeast infections and now I have trouble sleeping and am not sure if that is tied to the surgery or not. Other than that, I have felt great! I hope you are able to come to a decision. I know it was tough for me but I'm glad I did it!
As soon as I woke up I could feel the difference, even though I was very sore i knew I had made the right decision. As for energy I felt great when I was off work full of beans and ready to take on the world. Going back to work has been tiring but I am adjusting again. I have taken up a ballet and tap class to help with posture and something I really enjoyed in my teenage years.
xx
Hello
I'm sorry to hear about your negative experiences. I had a very positive experience (see my reply to Sarah). I've stayed on this site so that I can contribute so that there are balanced views. Of course the ultimate decision has to be made by the individual but my advice would be to read and be well informed plus choose a surgeon with an excellent reputation. I paid privately for mine as I wish only to be operated on by consultants. I also had the benefit of having gone to this gynaecologist for three years for HRT so had built a good rapport and relationship with him. He was young and up with the latest knowledge. He said "if you were my mother, I'd want you to have a hysterectomy". That was sufficient for me as sons love their Mums and want the best for them. (I don't have a son!).
Kind regards
Lyn
I had my surgery in July! I never had any pain or bleeding. I was uncomfortable and tired for a few weeks but all in all it was the best decision ever made. You are going to be just fine!