Women Only: Hysterectomy Question

[LuvMyPepper]

A follow up to my other thread... I was wondering if some of you can tell me what this entails. How long of a surgery was it and how long were in the hospital? How long were you laid up at home? Was it painful? Could you drive? I'm just preparing myself... just in case. Thanks!

[swood]

I'm so sorry to see this! I don't have personal experience but my mother had a hysterectomy at age 30 upon finding out she had Multiple Sclerosis. I can ask her some of the specifics the next time I speak to her.

Until then, I'll be thinking about you!

[MrGruntGrunt]

Best thing that ever happened to me! I had mine 8/1/05. I was only in the hospital for 1 1/2 days. They were surprised I was ready to go home so soon. I was so ready for it. I'd had about 3 years of bad pain and about half of that had severe bleeding. Wish I could have done it 20 years ago. I had to ditch my male doctor for a female one just to get the operation He had wanted me to wait a few more years! My gosh, I was already 41. I don't think men should be allowed to be gyonos. Anyway, remember a pillow will be your best friend. Hold it over your stomach when getting up and down. Cuts down the pain a lot! And don't sit in your computer chair thinking it will be more comfortable than your recliner. I'll never forget that burning. Oh, the operation was the best sleep I'd ever had. I woke up feeling so rested. Yes, it hurts for a while. I had a morphine pump. Only used it twice. I really couldn't tell it did any good. I was able to drive after 5 weeks. I was out of work for six. Go here: www.hystersisters.com You should find answers to all of your questions. Good luck with whatever happens.

[Multi Dog Zoo Mom]

I'm having a LSCH on 1/22 at the age of 40. After several years of pain and bleeding, not to mention 2 surgeries to remove fibroids, the doc finally agreed it was time. I am nervous and anticipating at the same time. I was told I will be in the hospital overnight and only out of work for a week or 2.

[auntnene]

I second the www.hystersisters.com I moderated there for four years and the information and support is wonderful!

[Rudys Mum]

I have no regrets with this surgery. I had surgery at the age of 34 in 2006. My surgery was done vaginally and they removed my cervix and uterus. I still have my ovaries. I was in the hospital for 24 hours, then released to go home. After about a week, I felt so good, I overdid it a couple of times and ended up getting very sore, thankfully I did not bleed internally, but that can happen if you over do it. I had a ten pound weight restriction for 6 weeks and no housework.
Please feel free to PM me with any other questions you may have. I was constantly on hystersisters.com too. They were a great support network. Good luck and I am sorry you are faced with this.

Heidi

I had a hysterectomy a year ago at age 52. I spent alot of time on www.hystersisters.com too. There is alot of info on this board. Check it out. I got all the answers I wanted from there. Best wishes on your surgery. Just remember to take care of yourself first during this time. Let your family take care of you.

[3lablady]

Best thing I did too! I had a complete Hysterectomy with ovaries removed at age 43. That was 10 yrs ago. I was in the hospital a couple of days but couldn't go back to work for about 6 weeks since I'm a nurse and would be doing patient lifting my doctor didn't want that to be on the safe side. Others have gone back to work sooner but with my job I couldn't.

If you have any questions that as a nurse I can answer just pm me.

[Sweet Sadie]

fibroid tumors, lots of pain. I spent two nights in the hospital and went home on the 3rd day. The healing was slower than I anticipated; thought I'd be out shopping in two weeks; I was out of work 6 weeks and then returned part time for the first week. My only complaint, after the healing process, was the hot flashes. Had no idea they would be so bad; they last almost 2 years. Wish I hadn't waited as long as I did to have it done.

[Beau's Mum]

I think I am the odd one out here......but then again I had mine done in England.
6 hour operation, in hospital for 10 days and off work for 6 months. I did have complications though. I had mine done through my stomach BUT they forgot to stitch me up at the top of my vagina where they removed what ever they removed. So they had to open me back up again and give me a blood transfusion. I had another op 16 days later for lesions and intestinal twisting and then got pneumonia in hospital and then got pleuracy to boot
I was 37 and very fit but it took me a long time to get over the ops and in the year after I put on 53lbs
THIS IS NOT NORMAL..............I think the janitor did my operation:

[HunterBoozer]

I had mine (complete) back in 1982 - I was 1 week shy of my 23rd birthday. Back then, I had 5 days in the hospital (but I did have some complications and lost quite a bit of blood - needed 4 pints during the surgery). I couldn't drive for 6 weeks and was out of work for 8. Like the other's said, a pillow will be your best friend.

The number 1 rule? FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S ORDERS! I'm a thick-headed Italian woman (so I"ve been told!) and because I FELT good, I thought I could start cleaning my house. I brought the vacuum out, all was good. I started vacuuming and was "caught" by my ex coming home to see if "I was being good and following orders". Even though I didn't vacuum the whole floor, the little bit I did do, I paid for.

Let your family take care of you for the few weeks you'lll need it. Once you heal, you'll find it was the best thing you could have done.

Good luck!

[Findemonium]

Mine was in 2002 and I was 45. I should have done it at 40 when the Dr. first recommended but I was afraid. I was in the Hospital 2 nights and was glad to get home on the third day. I came back to work part time after 3 weeks and full after 5. I am quite sure that I prolonged my recovery by not following orders and doing too much. Rest, relax, recover. Make sure you get pain pills to last the first 2 weeks. And I started walking my regular route to the park after 1 week, it makes the blood flow to the injury for healing. I also followed www.hystersisters.com and it was very informative.

So, while not a walk in the park, I would do this again in a heartbeat. Just not having the monthly hell for 5 or 6 years was worth it! Good luck!