Hysterectomy and menopause

[Littlemissbedford]

Hi all

I had a total hysterectomy last july and went straight into surgical menopause. There's a few issues I would like advise on. One is I've been left with a lot of loose skin around my belly which has made me very self conscious. I wondered if anyone else has this. Also I've gained alot of weight since going on hrt patches, about 3 stone. I'm so upset about it all and I don't know who to talk to about it 😞 can anyone give any advise? I'm only 39

[meggiemog]

Hi there!

You won't have fully recovered your op yet - it takes a long time! I was still having a swollen belly 18 months after my op. It changes your body shape too as your internal scaffolding has gone. I unfortunately have the sagging skin too - although I am less bothered by it now - can't afford a tummy tuck. It does become less of an issue as the swelling stops. I suppose it depends how you were cut during the op too - I am guessing you had a bikini cut. As for your weight gain - why not have a chat with your GP and make sure all your bloods are ok and it isn't something else that's caused the weight gain.

Don't be hard on yourself- you have had major surgery and it take time to heal and for you body to adjust.

[Lunje]

Dear Littlemissbedford,

Yes. Yes. I got lose skin especially on the sides flapping down abit. Then weight gain yes. Wait till You're healed then start exercising gently.

Just to mention, that doesn't bother me with time. When I look back at the bouts of bleeding and anaemia I suffered,,,I feel much better. And also I got the other side effects to deal with do a little flesh here or there caused by the vacuum left in my belly doesn't make me feel less of a woman.

Stand tall with your chin held high.

Smile. Pat yourself. 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌😁😁😁

For it is OKAY to be ... different.

[LouiseD1]

I agree with the other ladies who have replied. Although it may not seem like it, it is still early days. I am now 15 months post TAH and only really starting to feel like I am getting my body shape back now. It takes a long long time to heal properly inside and even longer to start building core strength and muscles again. And for me, if I can’t exercise a lot, then weight gain is always a problem, HRT or no HRT. I went into surgical menopause and went on to HRT after 12 weeks of suffering awful menopause symptoms, and definitely believe HRT is a lifesaver even if it does have a few downsides too.

Focus on the positives and start to very slowly build up an exercise routine that works for you. It may have to be very gradual but it will all help you to feel better x

[riceandpeas567]

Hi there ,I went through the same thing on the 6th of June last year and I have the same issues with my belly .It does seem to be improving month by month and the other ladies are right it takes a very long time to fully recover from this surgery.I am still battling with surgical menopause and have been determined not to take HRT exactly for the fact of further weight gain .Already 2stone heavier than before and I completely understand how you feel with the self confidence.It is having a massive effect on my relationship and am beginning to wonder if I will ever feel the same again .I don’t think there is a quick fix to this Unfortunately.

[Littlemissbedford]

Thanks everyone. I'm still considering coming off hrt I'm feeling so out of shape. I didn't realise it would take that long to get fit again. Im doing yoga 4 nights a week. It's the weight I'm concerned about. I lost 3 stone on slimming world before this and although I've been sticking to the diet the weight is not coming off, it's so frustrating. It's nice to know I'm not alone and that I'm not the only one left with a saggy belly x

[Katmatty]

Sounds like we had our hysterectomys around the same time though I’m 10 years older than you! I too had one last July. Mine was all a bit of a shock as, even though I had heavy periods and knew I had fibroids, I’d always ‘got on with it’. Then all of a sudden my symptoms changed, I felt like my insides were going to fall out, and I was having a hysterectomy due to possible womb cancer. Thankfully my womb full of polyps came back all pre-cancerous so I had no further treatment and could go on hrt. But I had to wait weeks for my biopsy results and ended up on anti-depressants for a couple of months as the menopause symptoms were so bad and I couldn’t cope. Once I got on hrt I felt so much better. Yes I’ve still got a swelly belly (I was told to expect it at least 12 months post op) and I’ve put on a bit of weight but life is so much better than before and I’d rather have ‘now than then’. No more bleeding, no pain, no constipation from the endless iron tablets (and the fact my weak womb had glued itself to my bowel for support). Every day I look in the mirror and ‘wear my scars & patches with pride’ as they are now part of the ‘new me’. Yes I worry about my weight - I normally swim and do aqua aerobics but obviously can’t with lockdown - but I’m much happier and healthier now so willing to watch what I eat and diet if necessary. If I’m lucky and have a flatter belly some mornings then yes I get a bit of saggy skin but my clothes soon hide it and my husband couldn’t care less - he just wanted a healthy me back and loves me no matter what I look like. For me hrt has been a life saver! Without it i was depressed, couldn’t concentrate, mood swings,hot sweats, no sleep - I had never experienced anything like it and would rather not. I can deal with a few pounds but feeling like that again would destroy me. Looking a bit different doesn’t bother me but feeling like a zombie does. I have one life and feel like I’m finally living it and if patches, scars, and a bit of extra weight need to come along for the ride then so be it 😉 I think you need to weigh up what makes you feel your best. Try ditching your hrt and see how you feel - we are all different and different things make us feel better/happier. You can always go back to it. But be proud of your body no matter what - it’s yours and it’s been through an awful lot. Don’t be so hard on yourself, be proud of what you’ve been through and where you are now. Take care of yourself x