Abdominal Hysterectomy

[Rgrg]

HelloI was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer stage 3c in June 2022 just before my 30th birthday. I had six cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin only as I had allergic reaction to taxol. Im a BRCA2 positive and responded quite well to chemotherapy. My initial CA125 was around 3000 and it dropped to 7 after my sixth cycle. However there was still residual tumor seen on CT scan and I have been booked to have abdominal hysterectomy on 30th November followed by 2 more chemotherapy, avastin and parp inhibitors. I wanted to ask if anyone had hysterectomy and how was the recovery?

[Trickysite]

I had a keyhole hysterectomy post menopause, plus a lot of other organs removed as I was stage 4 Oc. It took me about 6 weeks to get over the fatigue. Apart from that, my recovery was uneventful. Wishing you every good wish. X

[Coco32]

Hi Rgrg, sounds like you have been through the mill a bit already, so I understand you feel nervous about the op. I had the full abdominal hysterectomy, ovary & omentum removal plus peritoneal stripping, back in March this year. I won’t lie it was tough & recovery takes a while, but the body is amazing at healing itself and each day you will see improvement.

I was off the pain killers within 2-3 weeks and by week 4 I was taking short walks & gradually building up. After 3 months I was back at work full time, although still got tired easily. By 6 months I felt completely ‘healed’ in the sense of the op.

Also age is on your side too, so try not to worry too much, Good luck.

[OrdinarySoul]

Hello. I had an abdominal hysterectomy in July this year. I found that I recovered pretty well, I was mobile from the day after the surgery although I would only shuffle up and down the hospital corridors! I think I had painkillers regularly for the first 2-3 weeks and had to remind myself not to do too much from about week 3 as I was feeling like I could. The staples were a bit uncomfortable so moving felt easier after they were taken out. I found it hard to get comfy but one of those long body pillows that are made for sleeping in pregnancy really helped me. I was back at work in September - my job is not physical though so a mix of office and home based working has been manageable and I’m having an occupational health assessment this week to ensure all the adjustments I need are in place. Hope all goes well for you x

[Annie2021]

Like the other replies, I had total hysterectomy and omentum removal. I healed very quickly from the actual operation but for me personally mental healing has been and will be much longer process. You will start healing much quicker once the staples come out around 10 days after the operation. Yes body is amazing in healing after what it goes through. Annie x 🥰

[Rgrg]

Thank you so much for the replies. It is very reassuring to know that you all had a good recovery. I guess time will heal everything 🤗

[Lind58]

prayers are with you 🙏🏽

[Belindajw]

Hi Rgig I was diagnosed with stage 4 OC inMay, I had 5 cycles Carbo Taxol then hysterectomy BSO omentectomy and pelvic peritoneal stripping in Sept and another 2 cycles just completed. Start Avastin and Olaparib in a couple of weeks. I was really scared about surgery but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought, first couple of weeks were sore and tiring but fairly comfortable so long as took painkillers and rested but also walked and kept moving as able too all good. Seven weeks post op I was driving and even did a 20 mike bike ride ( slight cheat as electric bike) feeling very well and normal now. Advice I found helpful was buy some bigger size pants soft vests and dungerees! Wishing you all the best for your operation. Stay strong. Xxx

[Tezzaa66]

Had mine 2 years ago 6 days in hospital due to bowel problems and 6 weeks of not overdoing it but was fine was 65 Hugs and good luck xx

[SopSinger]

I had total abdominal hysterectomy at age 48. It is tough but you can do it. It's really important to rest, but also to start gentle exercise (walking) as soon as possible after surgery. Start with walking to the front door and back, then the front gate and back, and keep building up SLOWLY until you are covering a mile or so every day. Don't lift anything heavier than a half full kettle for six weeks and don't twist or bend if you can avoid it. Wishing you the best!

[purfekt10]

I had a hysterectomy through robotic surgery and I only took pain meds for a day. The recovery is quick with this type of surgery.

[Django123]

My advice to anyone having abdominal surgery is to bring a small pillow to put between your incision and the seat belt for the ride home. Best wishes for your recovery. --Lani

[Leniko]

hi I had a total abdominal hysterectomy and they couldn’t do it laparoscopically so I had to have the big incision running vertically on my belly button downward. I took about 4 to 6 weeks to regain control of those muscles. I was relieved to have the surgery because I didn’t want the cancer to spread to surrounding organs. I hope this is helpful.

[K95m]

I’m just wondering ladies why your surgeons used staples to close your wounds ? I would imagine they are very uncomfortable. I was closed using dissolving stitches for both my surgeries. Very neat scars too , considering they opened me twice within a year.

RGRG you will be ok, at your age you will heal well. It is major surgery though so will take time. The thing I hated most was the daily injections for 6 weeks and the tight stockings to prevent DVT.

Get some big knickers and some warm loose pyjamas , you won’t be able to wear anything tight for a while. Get some good box sets and make the most of your enforced downtime. Snuggle up and be kind to yourself. Very good luck.

Kay

[Rgrg in reply to K95m]

Thank you. Can I ask what the daily injections were for? I havent been told anything about that 😨😨

[K95m]

blood thinners to prevent deep vein thrombosis (clots)

[Bluetilly]

Dear Rgrg

I agree with everything the other ladies have said but I would like to add one thing. When I had my hysterectomy I was post-menopausal and had four children ... so I was absolutely staggered to find myself, after about 6 months when I was physically recovered, feeling a great visceral longing for a baby! It was such a vivid, intense and emotional feeling but luckily it only lasted for a few weeks. I realised that I had been so relieved to have the hysterectomy to get rid of the cancer that I hadn't taken on board that it was all my reproductive organs that were going to be taken out.... I hadn't said goodbye to my womb and ovaries! Ridiculous at the age I was, but real nevertheless! You are young so please do be prepared for an emotional reaction as well and do talk about it to family or friends or your nurses. I think it's probably better to face up to the loss, look it squarely in the face, and realise that this surgery is life-saving and that you are actively choosing it. I wish you good health and every happiness.

Love

Bluetilly

[Goodgirl98]

I had a total hysterectomy along with appendix and omentum lining removal, and some other organs lining where it had spread. I was off pain killer after 3 days, discharged after 10 days as electrolytes were very erratic post surgery. Had 60 staples in the abdomen. I also had the HIPEC at the same time. Hence it took me 3 months to completely stand up straight and another 3 to complete my regular 4km run. Slow and steady is the way to go. We will def recover although it might not seem so sometimes. The only difference in our situation is I have 2 kids and hence the loss of reproductive organs meant nothing to be emotionally. I am sorry you are having to face this so young, so please have an emotional counselling done before your proceed. Best wishes.

[Rgrg]

Thank you everyone for your advice. It has been 5 weeks since my surgery and the recovery has been going really well. I am able to do daily walks and almost back to my normal routine. I hope all of you are doing well too.