Hysterectomy & Hormones

[BlueMocktail]

Hi all, I'm booked in for a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy next month and wondered if anyone will check my hormone levels as part of the follow up? I've been on Prostap injection for 2months now (due my 3rd this week) and have gained a stone already. I read that a surgical menopause is likely the cause more weight gain which is really stressing me out.... I'm reluctant to have progesterone HRT as I had a bad reaction to Mirena coil in the past. I know weight gain should be the least of my worries but I'm getting to a very uncomfortable size now. Just wondered what my options were and if anyone had any advice? Thanks x

[Moon_maiden]

unfortunately it’s not standard procedure yet, I got GP to test mine. Try and get them tested before hysterectomy so you have a guide to go by.

I have probably gained a very small amount of weight since hysterectomy but I’d lost loads due to Endo/adhesions.

[BlueMocktail in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thank you. I asked the nurse at my GP surgery today and she said they should check my bloods as part of the Pre-Op assessment so have emailed the hospital to check x

[Moon_maiden in reply to BlueMocktail]

That’ll be interesting, I didn’t notice that mine were checked at pre op but a great idea. Let us know when they reply 🤞

[Catskils]

I agree with comment below, GP will test if you ask. The consultant might discuss hrt around time of op to prepare you for post op hormone changes. I think the guidance is that where endo is involved you should have progesterone as well, at least for first few months after hysterectomy.

Each person is different, but if it helps I didn't add any further weight following my hysterectomy but it took a while to shift weight that had gone on in the year due to symptoms pre-surgery. It is slowly coming off now. You'll be bloated for a bit post-surgery so get some comfy and loose clothing and go gentle on yourself.

[BlueMocktail in reply to Catskils]

Thank you, have been on a shopping spree for comfy pyjamas and lounge wear!! X

[MrsPaddingtonBear]

Hello

I had a total hysterectomy last October. My ovaries were stuck to the pelvis on both sides, they found lumps in my womb which had to be tested, and my bowel was stuck to my womb with a large plaque of endometriosis. This resulted in a medical emergency as the bowel was cut. I ended up having major bowel surgery, a stoma being formed and I now have a colostomy bag. It was 50/50 I’d pull through surgery and they had to call my husband twice. I spent 11 days in hospital 4 of those I don’t really remember I was on so many drips and a morphine pump. I’d spent two years almost on zoladex, prostap and evorel hrt patches. I’ve gained about half a stone which I really hate. I have other medical issues and medications that affect my weight but I’d lost 3 stone pre op so to see that creep up again is very disheartening. Currently waiting for more surgery to fix the bowel, that will be after Christmas or in January. Then yet another recovery time. Last time it was 3 months. It can then take up to a year for the bowel to settle and work normally. Not looking forward to that bit but it will be what it will be and I will do what we all do pick my self up and go forward day by day. There might be some grumbling along the way and maybe some slightly unladylike words now and then under my breath but I will get there. I never had any hormone blood tests post op just got told to continue with her for 5 years, so that will be 7 years of hrt. Good luck hope all goes well.

[BlueMocktail in reply to MrsPaddingtonBear]

Wow you've really been through it, you poor thing. I'm definitely worried about damage to my bowel in the surgery as they've advised I'm high risk for bowel adhesions so there will be a 2nd surgeon in the operating table. Really hope you get back to some sort of normality soon x

[Petitechili]

Hello, I recently had a hysterectomy and removal of my ovaries so I am on hrt Evorel Conti patches. I haven't noticed any weight gain. I tend to try not to weigh myself, we have been through so much as endometriosis sufferers I just don't want to put myself through any more. My consultant said to stay on the patches for as long as possible, like 20+ years. I'm only 38. I was told that if I felt the balance wasn't right I could go privately and get my hormones tested. So far I'm only 3months in so I haven't felt the need yet to change anything. Good luck with everything x

[BlueMocktail in reply to Petitechili]

Thank you. I asked at the surgery today and they said they should do blood tests as part of the Pre-Op so will check with the hospital x

[BlueMocktail in reply to Petitechili]

Thank you, I'm going through try and get them checked before and then again after x

[Bakewey]

understandably you are right to feel concerned about the impact of a total hysterectomy, before having mine I read and researched everything I could; however, the research only helped me to get a ‘grounding’ as every situation with this horrid condition is individual.

It’s a scary thing to consider as often pre op medical staff only appear to want to talk about the risks! From when I entered the hospital car park I started crying and I continued to cry all the way to the theatre (good job I was first on the list)! It’s fair to say I was petrified and desperate in equal measures.

I had my total hysterectomy just over a week ago and am currently bloated, lost my waist and at some point soon I really need to wash my hair! However, for me the pain that I have endured for years has magically disappeared, and I never thought it would go as after my lap (earlier this year) things got a whole lot worse.

After the hysterectomy, I need to wait 28 days and then see my GP to discuss hormones and what is needed. I have been discharged from the specialist endo centre and will not even have a check up by them…

I called the pharmacy yesterday and they said it would be fine for me to use meno balance while on blood thinning injections. Hopefully, these will aid the night sweats.

I got a last minute surgery slot (1weeks notice) and due to the fact I was on HRT I need 28 injections post op- if I’d stopped sooner then this would have reduced to 7 days. I started a low residue diet the day I was given notice and I’m sure this helped post op (last time my bowels hurt so much after).

In my body and mind I am feeling better than I have in years and am ready planning on taking up yoga or similar (I already enjoy tennis). Like someone before me wrote, I plan on being kinder to myself going forward: when in constant pain, it is hard to even think about the next day let alone forward planning.

I wish everyone in this thread good health and happiness. We deserve it.

[BlueMocktail in reply to Bakewey]

So glad to hear that the pain has gone since the surgery and pray for you that that continues 🙏 like you I'm feeling a mixture of emotions - desperate for relief but also a sadness at the finality of it. I'm 44 and never had children (would have liked but just didn't happen) and imagine I'll get more upset the closer it gets. Will definitely get onto the low residue diet the week before though. Wishing you a speedy recovery x

[Sunset-lady]

Please remember that the coil is progestin not progesterone. Your body will probably be OK on natural progesterone like utrogestan x

[BlueMocktail in reply to Sunset-lady]

Ahhh that's interesting as I didn't know that. Sounds like I need to do more research!! Thank you x

[F1Lucy]

hey! I wasn’t tested at all. Once I had my op (same as yours) I was put onto HRT after 7 days, a combination one but only for the first 6 months and then moved onto an oestrogen only one. I put on a lot of weight having zoladex injections for 9 months before the op, but post op and on the HRT I haven’t gained any more. It’s proving hard to lose any at the moment though (had my op in November 2023). Were all different so make sure you speak to the team or doctor about the concerns, there may be different types of HRT and they might not have as much of an impact weight wise

[BlueMocktail in reply to F1Lucy]

Thank you, yes I think I need to have a detailed chat with my GP afterwards about the various options as it just blows my mind!! X

[F1Lucy in reply to BlueMocktail]

It did with me too! Hope all goes well for you, and have a good recovery x