Full hysterectomy

[Bethalex]

Hi everyone!

I am finally in the last 10 days before my full radical hysterectomy at only 31!

can anyone please give me advice on how to prepare for this, what are the essentials that I need to buy and do to help before and after the surgery.

Thanks everyone

[HolsBamboozledwomb]

Hi Bethalex!

I am now 2 and a half weeks after having a total hysterectomy and 33! It's the best thing that has ever happened! My operation was around 2 hours and went well, I had it done as a laparoscopy so I have 4 incisions, belly button left and right of stomach and lower stomach.

My advice would be, wear nighties rather than pjs, it's much more comfortable! Take an extra pillow for comfort and also for travelling home to put over your stomach. Take snacks, a water bottle and activities, I took a colouring book, it helps take your mind off things because even though your looking forward to it in a weird way it still a little nerve wracking. Take a list of your medications too, you will be asked by everyone who sees you what you're taking.

After you come around from the operation, you will be a little groggy, the more water you drink the better you will feel, it helps to get you to the toilet faster too!

Get up and walk as soon as you feel ready, you can ask one of the nurses to walk with you if you feel unsteady! Moving and drinking will really help you feel a little better.

I am 2 and half weeks after now and the only thing noone mentioned to me was the tiredness I feel, which feels strange because my body is recovering and I feel so much better in myself but the tiredness is like nothing I've ever felt! Also I had alot of pain around my bladder, and ended up going back in to check that over but all was well and I just had extra swelling on the left side, but the pain I was in before hysterectomy was always so much worse on the left so I'm guessing they had to be a little more forceful with the removal.

You might be discharged with blood thinning needles to inject in the stomach, a nurse told me the trick is to push the needle in gently and slowly release the medicine in, leave the needle in for a about 5 seconds then remove slowly, apparently this helps with bruising.

Sorry it's lengthy 🤣 good luck with your hysterectomy. I hope it all goes well for you!

[1Poppy1234]

Peppermint tea, helping hand thingy that older folk use after hip replacement (godsend). I've been wearing cycling shorts the cotton ones in bed and they've been fab and comfy. When you come home with the blood thinners injections use ice on the bit your going to jab as they sting. I took a nightie to the hospital but wore my PJ's at home as long as they are loose. Be kind to yourself after it's a marathon not a sprint!! My op took a lot longer than they thought so it seems to be taking me longer to get over it. I'm 52 though so loads older. 🥰

[the4ts]

⁸Hi, a friend who is a former theatre nurse suggested Manuka honey lozenges as your throat can often be quite sore afterwards and they were a godsend. I also found those net-like disposable knickers so comfortable too. I was discharged from the hospital with one and found it the best thing to wear to hold pads in and to wear in general for a few weeks. You can easily buy those online (and even gently handwash them too).

I didn't have any blood thinner injections, thank goodness as I am severely needle-phobic!

Hystersisters is also a great website and the community really friendly and knowledgeable. I'd suggest looking there as well for advice and general support before and afterwards.

I think the other useful bits have been covered elsewhere (e.g. a small cushion for going home to put under the seatbelt and supporting your abdomen if coughing and laughing too and a grabby stick). Oh, and I also found sleeping with either a body pillow or extra pillows next to my stomach to gently support my abdomen really helped the first couple of weeks too (I'm a side sleeper).

Good luck!

[MrsPaddingtonBear]

Hello

I had a total hysterectomy last October. I seriously couldn’t wait to get into that theatre! Comfy pjs for post op are essential. You may also have a catheter in for a few days. You may also have drains in your abdomen. Something I wasn’t expecting. Also when the catheter is removed you may have some bladder control issues so some pads may be a good thing to pack, along with a few changes of clothes etc. Have you been told which way they will perform the surgery? It could be one of 3 ways. Keyhole, vaginaly or open surgery via a cut on your tummy. Sadly I wasn’t expecting the emergency colostomy I had along with it as my womb was stuck to my bowel. It was 50/50 I’d pull through, but here I am a year on. Currently waiting for reversal surgery and then up to a year recovery. Then I will be “normal” if there is such a thing. Don’t know how that will feel after 20+ years. No more hospital no more surgeries etc. Be gentle with yourself afterwards, take time to recover, follow the hospital instructions and enjoy some rest time. Hope all goes well. You’ve got this you will be ok.

[Bakewey]

adding to the previous comments, I’d also suggest wetwipes (for some reason I smell differently after surgery)! Mints, lip balm and a water bottle.

At home, it’s really used to have a baby step to elevate your legs when going to the toilet. I also use mine to access cupboards without over reaching.

I’ve currently recovering from a total hysterectomy and endo removal from various places. Nearly at week 7, I’m not back at work yet but am starting to feel more like me each day.

you will need to have a discussion about HRT. Get this sorted before the surgery. Hot flushes are v strange and emotional instability is hard to deal with. You may decide HRT is not for you (I was not going to take it), but if you need it you will thank yourself for forward thinking.

Good luck with everything 🍀