Hysterectomy

[Klom81]

Evening everyone

Just wondering if anyone might be able to tell me which method might be the most likely that the surgeon will use to perform my hysterectomy.

I am waiting for an appointment at St Mary’s Manchester and they have told me it is likely to be December before I get an appointment but I’m thinking it might be longer with Covid.

My referring gynaecologist has already told me I will need radical surgery with a full hysterectomy including removal of the ovaries, removal of any areas of endometriosis, possibly removal of a section of my bowel. The tube to my left kidney is also affected by the Endo and may need a stent fitting.

So I was wondering if anyone else has gone through a similar procedure and was it done via keyhole or open surgery. Also what was the recovery time, e.g. how long before you were able to drive etc.

[Moon_maiden]

Initially on a phone call with gynae it was going to be robotic lap, when he saw me face to face he changed it to open due to anatomy. Still waiting date as well.

How are you feeling about it?

[Klom81 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Hmm I don’t know, I think I’ve just been avoiding thinking about it really 😬

[Moon_maiden in reply to Klom81]

I know the feeling but at the same time desperately wanting it asap 🤣

[Klom81 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Exactly 😂

[PS1978]

I am having same surgery in December except stent . So far been told it’s going to be laparoscopic. How long have they told you need to be off work?

[Klom81 in reply to PS1978]

Hi I have no idea, apart from the referring gynaecologist telling me what needs doing they haven’t told me anything yet.

I am office based and currently working from home so I was hoping I could at least do bits as there are parts of my job that others can’t do. I have horses too and I’m dreading how long it will be before I can start doing them again properly as it is going to cost me to get someone else to do them although I have been saving some money to cover this.

[Marcia71]

If at all possible they should do by lap. I had open surgery and it caused more problems with adhesions and longer recovery. If you have that much going on and needed you must be at a bsge centre so hope you are.

At least 8 weeks off work will be needed. I do an office job and had 3 months off. You’ll be amazed how tired you are and don’t forget you’ve had the main core muscle removed so you’ll find it hard to sit up for a long time at once. It takes time to retrain the other muscles. I’m pretty sure they say 6 weeks of no horse riding and you won’t be able to clean them out. In fact all household chores are impossible for first few weeks. It truly amazed me how little I could do and how my body told me that as well. I seriously couldn’t open the freezer for several weeks 😊

[Klom81 in reply to Marcia71]

I’m hoping it will be by lap but wasn’t sure if it would be too much to do by this method.

I am being referred to a bsge centre (or bagel centre as my phone tried to change it to 😂). The gynaecologist who referred me and did my diagnostic lap in January said he wouldn’t recommend it being done by anyone but a specialist as was quite extensive.

My work are very supportive and I think they will let me do part time if needs be. My horses are on a lovely yard too and can be completely cared for by the yard staff (& ridden if I want) but obviously all at a cost but I can budget for this if I know roughly how long it might be. Thanks, I know everyone if different but it helps to have a idea.

Sounds like a good excuse not to have to do any housework too 😂

[45Bumbleb]

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy in March and it's the best thing and outcome I could have hoped for . My CA125 blood test had raised markers- but I did have cysts. Polyps, multiple fibroids .... but a raised marker can be cancer or endometriosis or any one of those ailments... my surgery was 4 hours long because once 'open' I had level 4 endometriosis everywhere! Bladder, bowel, appendix, omentum, ovaries, Fallopian tubes. I had everything removed - my womb, Cervix., Appendix and my amazing consultant ' unstuck' the endo adhesions to my bladder and bowel . I don't have a stoma as a result , but I am finally free of excruciating pain! It's a good 12 weeks to recovery, and even now I still get tired and I am actually in a surgically induced menopause (challenging. It bearable ). I'm 46 years old and I feel free of years and years of pain . I have a 15 inch vertical scar from above my tummy button, and I am proud of it! A battle scar that is worth it ! They will do everything not to remove a section of your bowel I am sure ... lots of tips on recovery , let us know how it goes !