Finally had the operation

[Bassem1979]

HI All

Finally had my hysterectomy yesterday still in hospital recovering the pain is horrendous it so glad it’s been done.

Anyone got any advice on recovery tips ??

Hopefully home tomorrow

Em x

[Avourneen]

It takes a long time don't try to go too fast. Do not under any circumstances lift anything heavier than a kettele for 6 weeks or do anything that pullls or strains. Ask for as much help as you can from friends and family. When you are up to it start walking very short distances and increas the distance very slighty every day. I started with walking from bedroom to kitchen,then from our house to next door, then to the following house, building up to round the black and eventually up to 5 miles a day. Take your phone everywhere with you in case you feel you cant manage and need to call a taxi or help. But the main thing is go really really slowly don't push yourself to do too much at all for the first few weeks. Ask your surgeon for tips. also expect to need painkillers fora couple of months til you heal a bit. Good luck and take it slowly.xx

[Bassem1979 in reply to Avourneen]

thank you am only 2 days post op, they are sending me home on gabapentin which has been helping. Today am so emotional keep crying and I don’t know why.

Personal question but any tips on having a bowel movement I was bad going before and am so scared

Thanks for replying xx

[Misswah in reply to Bassem1979]

I had to take laxatives and stool softeners for over a week until everything started going back to normal but I was on opioids for pain relief so that didn't help. Just make sure you drink lots of water, and as much as you can eat fruit and veg! And regular movement will help as well,- try going for short walks to get things going. But just give yourself and your body time to heal. Good luck on your recovery!

[Hidden]

I hope you have a speedy recovery 🥰.

I had a TAH & part BSO (one ovary remaining) last week. My advice, don’t do too much - your head will be saying you’re feeling great but your body will not agree 😊.

Today, I am going to stay in my pjs and do nothing. Yesterday, I made the bed & even though I took it gently I have been in pain 😳.

Take care xx

[Jingles11 in reply to Hidden]

I’ve decided to stay in my pyjamas for now and this is day 13 for me, I think it helps to remind yourself that you shouldn’t be doing things and you’re not yet back to normal.. or maybe i’m just slovenly

[Bassem1979 in reply to Jingles11]

I keep thinking am soft and my friend said it’s only day 3 stop putting pressure on ur self. Am going home today spent 2 days in here now and that’s enough.

Thank you everyone for ur advice I just need to take each day as it comes and stop looking to fat forward.

Thanks xx

[Avourneen]

It really hurt me the I tried to poo after my op. The painkillers and the anesthetic cuase constipation so I would suggest taking a really mild laxative like Magnesium citrate (has to be citrate there is another type which has the opposite affect). You can take that and drink lots of water and hopefully it should help. You can buy it online from Holland and Barrat. It is much less ferocious in effect than Senna. I would plan to do very little at all for the first couple of weeks but do try to walk around a bit it is imprtant for healing and stopping constipation. Good luck and take it easy XX

[Jingles11]

Hi Em

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy including removal of ovaries 13 days ago. I was tearful too, apart from the procedure itself the anaesthesia can make you feel really wobbly When that’s out of your system you’ll feel a lot better! I was given HRT the day after the op which I think helped.

Make sure you take a laxative like Movicol or similar (a softener rather than a stimulant) and try not stress about the bowel situation.My surgeon said it would take 4/5 to have a bowel movement after a hysterectomy (he was right).

I second what Avoureen says, I’m just pottering about doing very short walks, I over did it one day and felt wiped out with a lot of painful twinges.

It’s still early days for me so I’m taking paracetamol 3 x a day and that’s ok.I don’t have too much pain apart from a weird bladder spasm/ pressure when going to the loo! I hope that goes.

Hope you feel better soon

Janet x

[Saffie123]

Really hope you are doing ok so far! As said above, stool softeners and laxatives seem to be standard with keyhole. Ask/speak to the nursing team about it whilst you are in hospital, especially if they are dressing your pain with any opioids. Better not to leave it too late to start treatment. I was also told it can be normal to not go for a number of days, but I got to day 7 and I will say it did make the pain worse so can’t stress enough to speak with your nurses/doctor/gp and pre-empt a slow lazy bowel!

[Bassem1979]

Hi All

Am finally home and do feel much better but just a few questions please to people who had already.

Baths or showers ?

Am just feeling a little sore internally so didn’t know if bath would be good.

Sorry but if not bleeding is it best to wear underwear or not ?

Am just panicking the hospital staff were not that good to be honest.

Thanks

Emma

[Saffie123]

I’d say shower for at least the first few days home at least due to the surgical sites, but possibly no bath for a while depending on what else they have done/vaginal sutures. Maybe ring the ward number on the discharge letter tomo am or your gp surgery nurses?

Also shower will likely be easier to get in/out of and less risk of overheating and getting faint.

Wishing you a good recovery, glad you are home

[Jingles11]

Hi Emma

Glad you’re feeling a bit better now you’re home! I was told I can’t bath until 4 weeks ..but I guess it depends on whether you’ve had keyhole or abdominal surgery and if your cervix has been removed etc.

[Bassem1979]

hi all

Thanks for the reply

I have had key hole and vaginal as had total hysterectomy leaving ovaries as am only 43.

Am day 6 post op trying to do things and take it easy at same time. Am no longer on my sting pain killers just taking paracetamol and ibuprofen, but I feel so sickly all the time hoping that passes in the next couple of days.

Thanks