hysterectomy on Tuesday, feeling anxious any suggestions to aid recovery?

[susan1]

Hi I have been diagnosed with having a tumour on my ovary. the consultant said it may not be cancer so am keeping my fingers crossed. have to have full hysterectomy on Tuesday so would welcome any tips for recovery.

[charlie12]

Hi there

Welcome and I am so pleased that you found us , but sorry that you needed to.

I and many many others on this board felt that the operation was not half as bad as we feared. Surgical techniques and anaesthetic regimens are so good now that within a day or two you will feel human again.However you must must rest and it is imperative that you take at least two months and even better three months off work. when cancer is a consideration the incision is bigger and far more rummaging about is required than a normal hysterectomy. Also we had the shock and stress of the possibility of cancer and this affects your pain threshold.

Be aware too that many "masses" turn out not to be cancer and your consultant would not say this without it being quiet likely , so stay cautiously optimistic. Regardless of how many tests you have untill you are operated on and the mass analysed nobody can say for certain what you have got.

There is a brilliant website called hysterectomy forum which give you lots of information about this. I used it for ages infill I graduated to this one !!

Take care and if you have any question please post again.

Good luck

Love and hugs

Charlie xxx

[susan1 in reply to charlie12]

thank you so much, will have a look on the hysterectomy forum and try and keep positvexx

[Hidden]

I'm really sorry you have to have a hysterectomy. My tips. I'd take it easy if I were you... having gone through it myself. It's not a difficult operation in terms of recovery but it's a time for pampering and having some time to yourself. Don't push anything including a pushchair or a hoover as examples. Or lift, for instance, things from the oven which are heavy. You might get people saying,' Oh, I did this,' but this in my experience, leads a lot to hernias in the long run. I hope you get on well. X X

[Pimkin81]

I didn't have a full hysterectomy but had a laparotomy - so big incision. My advice would be to take it easy- I didn't do much for a week or so post op but I would try and walk around my flat every hour however sore I was. They will tell you moving is as important as resting and it really is. Plus make sure you do the exercises they recommend- definitely worth it. I was up and about normally after 3 weeks albeit needing to rest more in the afternoon- I never would have believed it when I first got home from hospital!!

Make sure you take your pain meds as they recommend and you will hate the nurses for making you get out of bed the next day but it is so important. The lady next to me didn't and she was still there hooked up when I was leaving to go home.

Hope your op goes well and best of luck!

Claire

[HerThing]

My wife Angie had a hysterectomy a few weeks ago and is doing really well in terms of recovering from it. Its me that gets the hard part as I have had to learn to be the housewife while she puts her feet up and directs me in the various domestic arts!

Of course I don't mind doing it one jot because it is so important that she takes time to recover properly. I say to her she has only one chance of recovery and must take it.

I hope everything turns out well for you.

Andy x

[Hidden]

It's a scary time, huh. Check out the horrendously named but still useful hystersisters website for loads on this. From me though I think the main things are

1. Beware the wind! You won't be comfortable for a little while after, you MUST move and walk because its vital to... ahem... get rid of it

2. take big knickers and loose pyjamas 2+ sizes bigger than normal. You won't want any restrictions either in hospital or when you come home

3. Seconding the above. You may lift a cup of tea. That's about it.

4. Start pelvic floor exercises while still in hospital, and keep them up. Risk of prolapse is real. Also start stomach exercises right away - but NOT usual ones you would do. No double leg lifts or crunches. Check out the Australian site here its the best I have found for what is both advisable and safe pelvicexercises.com.au/pelv...

Best of luck with it all. Fingers crossed it all turns out ok for you

Love

Sue xxx

[Hidden]

Hernia,s seem a common after effect so I cannot stress enough not to over exert in chores or exercise. Hold your tummy for support when getting up or bending. Try and bed rest more often than normal. Good luck. Love Paul and Sandra xx

[Langara]

I had a TAH in March, and there is no doubt at all that the waiting is the worst part. Like you I had a large tumour which was found to be attached to a fallopian tube - although, following scans, I had initially been told it was attached to my right ovary. Thankfully the tumour proved to be benign, and I very much hope you will be blessed the same way. This site and the hysterectomy forum were so supportive, and the hyst. forum is chock full of helpful advice for both pre & post-op.

Wishing you all the very best.......Anthea

[nessie1965]

Hi, Recently had full hysterectomy end of Feb and i also recommend big knickers, elasticated waist trousers/skirts or pyjama bottoms for comfort. Take things slowly and easily ( i had 30 staples after surgery). The other thing i suggest is that if you sleep on your side take an extra pillow to bed and prop it under your hip so that your stomach has support, used this method for a couple of weeks. Also when turning over in bed take it in stages. Hope this helps. Nessie

[wendydee]

Have a look on the blogs section of this site and type in preparing for surgery or hysterectomy in the search box. There are loads of hints from women who have been through this. My top tips: take mint tea bags in with you (good for getting rid of the wind), BIG knickers, I took arnica homeopathic tablets before my op, it can't do any harm and I healed quickly with no problems. You never know whether things like this work.....but they might!

As Charlie said, waiting is the worst bit. Do follow any advice the hospital gives you and try to get lots of rest and a little bit more gentle walking around every day. I tried to get out for a tiny, short walk after about a week. I also found I needed a mid-afternoon nap every day.

Hope it goes well and that the docs find that it's not as serious as you're understandably fearing.

Let us know how you get on

Love Wendy xx

[susan1]

Thanks so much for this Wendy will make sure I get some arnica, mint tea and big Knicks before I go in

Suexx

[susan1]

Thank you for all the lovely helpful comments will let you know how it goes, feel much more positive since using the site and the others that you have all recommended. I think at first when you find out it is so scary but when I found this site and realized how many of you had got through and a lot worse beside and were getting on with life I have felt so much better and determined to get back to my usually positvie self, thank you allxx