Any positive laparoscopic Hysterectomy (including ovaries removal) stories?

Hi I am due to have a laparoscopic Hysterectomy and ovary removal in a few weeks due to excessive bleeding - I currently bleed more than I don’t 😞 like a lot a ladies I’ve been searching the internet for other experiences of this op but find so many negative ones it’s making me worry. I would very much appreciate hearing experiences that anyone on here had had any any advice on preparing for the sudden menopause onset I’m expecting. I’m 51 (21 in my head!) and peri menopausal. Thanks 👍 xx

[RachaelE]

Hi, I had the same operation for more or less the same reason a couple of years ago. I was bleeding heavily, in a lot of pain and having the perimenopause from hell. The surgery itself is ok, but you will experience some pain so just keep taking the pain killers. As long as you rest when you’re body tells you to and don’t overdo things you should be fine. I did develop complications, but I ignored them and ended up back in theatre twice, but that was my own fault for not insisting my GP examined me at the first sign of trouble. My complications are rare, however, and most women make a good recovery. Give yourself 6 weeks at least because there is a lot of healing on the inside, even when it has all healed up on the outside. The scars are tiny and I can’t even see mine anymore. Online, people only talk about the bad experiences whilst, in fact, the majority of women have a good outcome. I feel great these days.

With regard to menopause, has anyone discussed HRT with you? Without a womb you will be able to go on oestrogen only, maybe with some localised oestrogen for vaginal atrophy. I was actually already on combined HRT before my surgery so never really experienced menopause itself, but it has been a life saver for me because my perimenopause was horrendous. I feel “normal” again, whatever “normal” is. Patches work best for me but there are other options. HRT has many benefits as well as helping with menopause symptoms, such as protecting your bones and reducing the risk of heart disease. For women without a womb, using oestrogen patches, the risks are almost negligible. If you do develop VA, as well as the localised oestrogen, I’d recommend getting a really good vaginal moisturiser, my favourite being YES VM, which is available on prescription or you can buy it online at The Yes Company. Their products are organic, have the correct pH and do not contain ingredients that can cause thrush, etc. I’d also recommend a vitamin D supplement. It has done my immune system a power of good!

If you need good, sound advice on menopause you can’t go wrong with Dr Louise Newson whose website has all the answers you’d need.

menopausedoctor.co.uk/

Good luck. Hope it all goes well. X

[Hidden in reply to RachaelE]

Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate it. I will check out the websites you’ve mentioned 👍

[EmmaSmith33]

Hi I had total hysterectomy bso and cervix removal laparoscopically April last year. I was in overnight and went home the next day just had paracetamol as pain relief as it was all I needed. I did also have adhesions removed from bowel and bladder! Anyway recovery was fine Ithe first couple of days felt sick first thing as lying on back to sleep so got up very early everyday which consequently lead to me having a bad day 4 days into it but other than that the recovery was fine I made sure I walked a little everyday to build myself up and I went back to work after 5 weeks( I’m a sister in the nhs) however I did do phases return for the first 2 weeks. I’m on oestrogen only and been fine no menopause symptoms!! I’m 45 and due to bad periods and generally feeling rough nearly everyday I’m feel fantastic now so it was the best thing I ever did. Everyone’s experience is different but mine was positive. If you need any more questions answering just message me.x good luck.x

[Hidden in reply to EmmaSmith33]

Thank you very much for your reply and sharing your experience I look forward to feeling fantastic too 😀

[Bridget007]

Hi 😊 I had a total abdominal hysterectomy on 15th January for bleeding due to enormous fibroids and hugely enlarged uterus. I had it done late afternoon on 15th January and was in the shower on the morning of 16th January! Although it is a big op they take really good care of you and give you excellent pain relief. 8 weeks later I’m back riding my bike and doing everything as before except lifting my 23kg old dog in and out of the car!! I’m 53 so have got HRT patches and I feel absolutely fine! I’m glad I had it done. So don’t worry, you will be absolutely fine! I also read way too many horror stories online but that’s because the people who sailed through it probably didn’t have anything much to write about!

[Hidden in reply to Bridget007]

Thank you for sharing your experience, I’m glad all went well for you. I’ve stopped googling stuff now and I already feel a bit better for it. It is really helpful for me to read your experience and hear positive story 🙂

[Bridget007 in reply to Hidden]

You will be absolutely fine 😊 I have spoken to a few people who have had a hysterectomy laparoscopic and abdominal and they have all said they are glad they have had it done xx