Hysterectomy fun

Hysterectomy fun (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Health and Safety

Message

Lucylastic -> Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 3:45:59 PM)
Ok the long and short of it I need to have my hystericals out Uterus and ovaries.. Cysts have been plaguing me, fibroids are growing like wild flowers. This has been n ongoing issue since I had an ectopic pregnancy 20 years ago.Ive been spayed but now its time to lose everything. Ive had the MRI Ive had the ultrasounds etc, blood tests I also have something dark growing behind my uterus that has to come out too. Its gonna be happening in the next couple of weeks. Ok, my questions are not medical., my doc is pretty good at the technical stuff and I have a nursing background so they are for personal stories or comments from women and the people that love them. I know the good stuff...no periods, I know im liable to need lubrication and maybe some kind of hormonal therapy. Thats in the future. Im basically looking for insight as to how your surgery went, ...scarring, healing, infections in the wounds, how did you feel, after the op, the first few days after, any advice you can give me for the recovery period, something passed on from someone who had a partial or total. I have googled tons of stuff, but id rather have some input from the people here. I also realise that we are all unique and have different outlooks, expectations and bodies but Im just needing some input to help process my feelings. my baby making parts haven't been functional for 21 years so Im not worried about losing my "womanhood" Anyone out there feel like sharing? either here or in cmail if you don't wanna share publicly? Thanks in advance Lucy

gothikbutterfly -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 3:50:27 PM)
EEP! I may have to have the same surgery as well, and now I am kind of curious, and a bit scared at the same time.

sunshinemiss -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 3:58:05 PM)
Hi Lucy - I've not had the experience directly, but I have been able to support two of my closest friends go through this. Here is what we did that was helpful. Both women had already gone through menopause or was in peri-menopause, so they were both in the "no mo' babies" phase. One friend had a "Last Period Party" - all red food (I know!) She wanted to celebrate her sexuality in a whole other way. So.... the women danced, talked about their first kiss, first loves, their lesbian experiences, having children, the expectations of grandchildren, all their wild sexcapades. It was a way to acknowledge that this was just another step, another phase in her "womanness". (Sadly, I wasn't able to attend the party, but I did help her celebrate by taking her out for strawberry daiquiris). The other woman had a month long recovery (I was much more involved with this lady's experience than the other's). She had a month long recovery. During that time a different person came to visit her every day. Each person brought with them something to support her through this time. One of the musicians came and played lullabyes to her, a chef came and cooked her favorite meal. A woman who drove everywhere took her for a ride down by the river, a fellow who worked in a video store brought her a dozen movies. I was there with her grand children and brought a bunch of costumes and we made up a play for her and the children put on this little performance for her in her bedroom. Invariably there were 2 or 3 women who had also had the surgery - they brought with them certain ungents / lotions that had helped them. They were able to sit and talk with her about how it had been for them. She found all these people and their different experience and talents wonderfully helpful. It relieved her boredom, supported her mother who was her primary caregive (the mother got to have a break every day), and she was able to see how many people cared about her. Honestly, she didn't know all the people that well, but we were all in a large community that stepped up to the plate. It was really a great thing to see. I tell you this to remind you that there is more than just the physical recovery from what my friends have shared with me. Love, support, laughter - these are all important as well. Both women found ways to support themselves that also allowed the people around them to actively love and nurture these women that were going into a new phase of womanhood. May you have all that as well, sunshine

petmonkey -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 4:11:01 PM)
When comparing two women of similar ages i know who had them: Woman A did not do any core, back or ab strength training exercises before or after her surgery, nor did she opt to take hormone therapy afterward. She lacks a strength she used to have as well as a sex drive. On the bright side, she gets other people to carry things for her and puts-up with less BS. Woman B started doing specific exercises for her core, back and ab strength as soon as she decided to have surgery, and continued to do them as soon as her doctor gave the okay afterward. She decided to take some moderate hormone therapy along with upping her intake of soy products and other naturopathic suppliments. She regularly states that she "feels fucking fantastic" and has a rather nice young man visiting on a regular basis. She calls him her "inspiration coach", but i'm not buying it--i think it's a euphemism.

Lucylastic -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 4:14:33 PM)
Gothik, Ihope you dont need it, but in case you do, good luck and keep watching this space:) Sunshine, thankyou hon, that made me smile, How lucky for her that she had all that love and caring given:) Ive been on skype daily with my sisters in the UK, I feel blessed that I have the internet to keep in touch with people, I tend to be a bit of a hermit at times in real life. Im pre menopausal, but instead of losing the odd period, Im now having a heavy duty one every 20 days with pain, hormonal shifts and 40 tampons for the first three days, Im ready to enter the new phase of womanhood:) Would have preferred to go the natural route, but Im not into this much pain any more. Thankyou so much to the both of you:) Hugs Lucy

mummyman321 -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 4:29:55 PM)
Hi Lucy, My older sister had a similar problem with fibroids. In her mid 40's her periods ended up being 6 to 8 weeks long with 3 weeks of heavy flow. Luckily they were able to leave 1 set of ovaries in so she will not need hormone therapy. It took my sister about 6 months to fully recover. Maybe about 2.5 months to get to 75%. Her biggest loss was abdominal strength. She really did not have a lot of soreness. They actually put a small catheter in the incision below the skin. It was hooked up to a pain ball (small fist sized ball with numbing medicine). The catheter was kept in for 5 days after the surgery. She was totally numb for a good 10 days. My sister was very glad to have it. I have heard some controversy over the pain pump balls and not sure if they offer them up North but you might ask your doctor about it. I wish you good luck with your surgery.

Lucylastic -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 4:42:32 PM)
Thankyou Pet Monkey, I appreciate your input, Ive found a couple of new exercises to try before surgery and Im really glad I am not smoking anymore so Im hoping it wont be that bad:) As long as I can still have damn fine nookie after the op, I will be fine Im sure, :) Ilook forward to feeling fucking fantastic hehehhe:) Mummy Man, hugs you tight thankyou hon:) I love hearing from you in so many ways:) ya my ovaries are cystic right now and have grown between the ultrasound and the MRI and the pain is getting nasty. THe last time I had surgery, was 20 years ago and I havent a clue what they use now, so that will be interesting to see, I lost a lot of abdominal strength and nerve endings last time, so I kinda expect the same. Thankyou for the well wishes :) and I will talk to you soon

Lockit -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 5:20:54 PM)
I had mine in 87 and the only problem I had was with the medication, which made me sick for the first couple days in the hospital. After that, I took it easy for a week and within a month, I was doing everything I wanted to do. I have had no problems with dryness, strength or anything else. The scar isn't bad and fades with each year. Of course with my sick humor, I kind of have fun with it because my back surgery scar is directly in the same spot in back and I tell people I got stuck with a sword. Considering how I felt before, anything would have been an improvement, but all went well and I have been free of so many things ever since. I've even forgotten what it was like to buy those monthly necessities. lol The only problem came because I didn't have the ovaries removed and they were a major problem for me with excessive ovulation. The doctor promised to take at least one while he was in there, but he said afterwards... they were too pretty and we would have to wait and prove they were enough of a problem to remove them. (Because of the hospital.) Then later with the menopause stuff, but a lot of that trouble has been because I couldn't take anything that others could take to help with it. If you are suffering like it sounds like you are... you will be very happy, even if you have a bit of a rough time with one thing or another. Think pain free... hard to imagine I bet, but... you will see! My best to you!

peppermint -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/5/2011 10:07:35 PM)
I had the surgery 2 years ago. Everythng was removed vaginally. I had no pain ever. Never needed any pain meds, even in hospital. No soreness. No drainage. The morning after surgery I went home, and it was as if nothing at all had happened. I know that is not normal for everyone. Since I was older I didn't need hormones. I don't need any lubrication for sex.

LadyConstanze -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/6/2011 2:58:34 AM)
Friend of mine had the same surgery, she didn't cope very well with the hormone therapy, she said she had a permanent feeling of seasickness and was very dizzy, she swapped to a bunch of herbal remedies, I think it was soy, yams, red clover and evening primrose oil mainly (don't pin me down on it exactly) and she said she felt much better and the hormones could be lowered. The most important thing is to make sure you get it from a very reliable supplier, because the concentration can vary wildly, additionally make sure you see a good endocrinologist regarding your thyroid, any hormonal changes often affect the female thyroid production, which can contribute to feeling really low and having all sorts of additional problems...

Lucylastic -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/6/2011 2:53:59 PM)
Lockit, thankyou hon:) Im pretty hopeful, and will take it day to day, right now Ive been looking at surgery as the end of five months of prodding and poking mounds of tests n stuff, I just want it out, gone, no hurt no more thankyou VERY much. I dont give much worry to scars as my belly looks like a relief map of the london undergroud, Ive got stretchmarks in places most dont even have places!! so another scar isnt a worry:) I gave up wearing bikinis a few millenia ago for the good of humankind. I am more focussed on the after effects of the surgery, and having had momentous hormonal clashes for the past nine years I have no clue what it feels like to be without them:) Hugs you tight Ill be in touch my friend. Peppermint, thankyou :) Im glad you appear to have had a good experience. I know Im gonna be losing everything, and it wont be vaginally, unfortunately. Im glad they are making strides in that area by the sound of it, I will be fine as long as it doesnt impede sex in any way!!! the rest of it isnt as "important" right now. Thankyou for sharing. Lady C:) nice to see you and thankyou, Im quite prepared to go natural remedies, not to keen on the HRT Ive heard about, apparently the women in my family have had problems with it, but if I have many issues, I will not turn down anything:) I have severalissues to go thru after the surgery and thyroid is almmost at the top of the list. Luckily I have a bunch of really good docs so I feel blessed. I appreciate the thoughts:)

MistressDarkArt -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/6/2011 4:42:44 PM)
Mail on the other side, Luc...

peppermint -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/6/2011 5:41:35 PM)
Wish you all the best, Lucy. Hopefully you'll come through it all with the least discomfort possible.

Lucylastic -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/6/2011 5:56:08 PM)
Thankyou so much for the cmail ladies, it is so much appreciated and I will respond as soon as i can, so many wonderful thoughts coming from you. THankyou too Peppermint again:)

LadyConstanze -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/10/2011 3:35:18 AM)
It might be a good idea to get your thyroid readings taken now, when you feel quite good, as within the "normal range" your individual levels can differ quite a bit and it can make a major difference to how you feel, it would be possibly helpful for after the surgery to have a reference of which levels are right for you individually...

freyjasdottir -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/10/2011 4:46:57 PM)
I love my doctor, my hysterectomy was the best thing I have ever had in my life. I had cysts and fibroids that we knew of but when she opened me up I was also full of scar tissue from prior surgeries. I was walking in my room that night, off the morphine the next day and never really slowed down much for my recovery. I'm not in the world's best shape and the pain I was in before surgery left me doubled over for days on end so I didn't do any pre hysto exercises and the only planning I did was to stock up on microwavable meals to eat if I was too sore to cook and I mowed my lawn down nearly to the dirt so I wouldn't have to worry about it for a bit. I hope your surgery goes 100 times better than mine.

DRAGONHEART69 -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/13/2011 9:39:43 AM)
i had a hysterectomy on my 27th b day poly cystic ovaries found on may 4th i went back in for full hysterectomy july 5th i had no time to prepare mentally for either op. the previous may 4th was the day my daughter had been born . she was 18 the other wk. so i gave birth 1 yr b4 1st op i was cut across my abdomen when i was expecting to wake with 3 little x marks the spot s. not happy bunny i can tell you, back in on july 5th had been told by hosp and dr do it now or youll be begging for it soon and it will be too late, i never had chance to think of any questions to ask. they dont tell you a lot of women suffer mental health problems after. how you can feel less of a woman. i had hrt various types and the best one for me was the implant others made me ill bad migraines, we are going back 17yrs they dont do implants anymore well not in my docs. at first i was ok then with time the hormones built up the levels became too high they had not been testing me. so they stopped the hrt toally its a bloody nightmare hot flushes more like volcano episodes, i hate going shopping i sleep with a cold water bottle too i would say ask as many questions as you can and be prepared for lack of support after also buy some oil of olay your skin will dry quickly and your hair will start to turn grey too your hormones keep you female and keep you young its nature

Lucylastic -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/15/2011 10:54:41 AM)
All of you thank you so much for your input and sharing, thank you also to all the CMails I have on the other side, I will get around to responding to you soon I promise. Just an update of sorts I have a seven inch mass/tumour between my bowel and uterus along with multiple cysts n fibroids. The keyhole surgery doesnt seem to be an option according to the surgeon. I joined the forum at HysterSisters, which seems to be helpful in many ways, Im sharing the link with all of you in case anyone can get some comfort from it. http://www.hystersisters.com/ This is my support Dragon:) There are some awesome people here who are holding my hands:) Thankyou again with much humbility Lucy

Vendaval -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/21/2011 12:32:23 AM)
Mail on the other side, Lucy.

witchywoman47 -> RE: Hysterectomy fun (5/21/2011 1:42:47 AM)
I had a hystectomy a few years ago and I have never been more happier. I had a cross cut with ten staples and the surgeon was good, I have no scars, but I had six children and no stretchmarks either. Yay. lol My surgeons nurse gave me the best advice. She said she had it done so she knew first hand. She said get up. So don't lay around and it will be painful. Yes it was. However she was right, I went home after just 36 hours and I washed dishes. I stayed out of the bed as much as possible and I healed in record time. My surgeon was very amazed. And the only thing I took for pain was ibuprophen. It was all I needed. Now I will be honest it was not a picnic, but I got through it pretty good. I did have the dry issue but that was easily remedied. I did find something else out a couple of years later. You shrink. I asked my doctor about in when I noticed it. He said because that part of your anatony is controlled by testosterone. That was one heck of a great side effect. I had the surgery initially for back pain relief. Come to find out I had cancer and no one knew. So I honestly have no regrets and do have alot to be greatful for having that surgery. I wish you the best of luck and hope your experience is as good as mine.

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.046875