Date for surgery

[KimPV]

Got my date for surgery , for total hysterectomy. It’s Jan 2nd :/ any advice?

Thanks

K

[AllthatGlitters]

Hi Kim I hope it goes well for you.

I don’t have any advice as not been through it but wanted to say good luck & hope afterwards you can live a pain free life x

[KimPV in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thank you for that , means a lot x

[ccsmith]

Best wishes I’m waiting myself and finding it hard not having a date. Best wishes & I hope it brings you relief x

[KimPV in reply to ccsmith]

Thank you, I hope you get a date soon xx

[maaf]

Hi KimPV, I haven’t had one but looked after my mum when she had a full hysterectomy. From that point of view I would say make sure you have as much support as possible at home. Someone to lift your cup for you, hold your plate, help you wash. Mum didn’t have keyhole either which may have contributed to her needing so much help. I remember her saying she never realised how much you use those muscles until you simply want a drink or food! Hope it all goes well for you x

[EndofEndo18]

I’m waiting for date now too could be around the same time x

[ChloeV]

Hello,

Great news you have a date for surgery. Just had it myself 6 days ago. It was such a relief. I had been on zoladex and oestrogen HRT for 5 weeks so was chemically already in the menopause. The symptoms for that are different for each of us. So far I have been lucky as there have not been any problems. That is still the case after the op now. A few minor headaches but that was it.

I’m bloated and sore from surgery, but feel so positive about having had all of the Endo removed and not going through another menstrual cycle again. One doctor told me to prepare for “grieving my nest” (didn’t happen).... but rightly/wrongly this just feels like a fresh start for me to live the rest of my life (I’m 41) with a lot less pain.

The surgery is different for everyone. I had loads of bowel Endo removed, total hysterectomy and pelvic repair. It was open surgery and I have two scars. The tummy one is quite large because of the Endo removal. It would have been smaller with just a hysterectomy. The pain is ok. I’m off all opiates now. I can walk for 5 minutes at a time comfortably. I’m still very constipated but the surgeon said that was due to surgery generally and them handling my bowels. The scar is with dissolvable stitches and is very smooth and thin. You get a waterproof cover so fine to take showers etc. I only needed to use a pad for three days for light spotting.

The first night/was rough but you are so medicated I can now barely remember it. The catheter removal is not great and going to open my bowels for the first time was tense. Once you get home and find your bearings and routine you will be ok.

You will need help when you get home, I still can’t put my own socks on yet and sometimes need help getting up. I take a few naps a day too (but that is just a luxury I can’t refuse with two small kids in the house!).

Things that hurt are bending down, coughing, sneezing and hiccups. All of that pain is short-lasting and nothing compared to period pain! I’m on less meds after surgery then I was before it.

I hope everything goes well for you and that you recover quickly. Feel free to message if you have any specific questions (I’m stuck in bed with nothing to do!).

Be well.

[KimPV in reply to ChloeV]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. I hope you are still recovering well and enjoy Christmas and a pain free new year xxxx