I am having a hysterectomy on October 1st. I am scared to say the least. I am wondering if it is any worse then having a C-section? I had two of those and was fine pain wise. It is medically necessary for me to have the surgery due to Adenomyosis. Any in-sight and helpful suggestions for before and after would be nice. Thank you.
By wacky camper from Westland, MI
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I had a C-section in 1971 when our son was born, and had a hysterectomy years later. Surgery is something that no one looks forwards to, and you won't do yourself any good to get stressed out about it.
The hospitals have drugs to alleviate the pain during surgery and your recovery after surgery. If you believe in a higher power, prayer definitely works. Share your fears with family and friends, and ask them to say at least one prayer for you.
I had a hysterectomy last Nov 17th, came home on the 19th, and made thanksgiving dinner on the 28th, only thing was I could not lift the turkey from the oven, which I normally don't do anyway. only pain was when I went to get up from the bed, chair or toilet seat. I would say if you can get one of those high cushions for the toilet, get it, also try and sit on your highest chairs, and curl your legs up when getting out of bed, this takes the strain from your stomach.
On the 9th day, my pain completely when away. I was scared also as I had never had any surgery, I had a complete hysterectomy due to cancer, it had to be done, and boy do I feel so much better, as I'm sure you will, you'll do fine, and think back later and say, that wasn't so bad, good luck to you!
Hi! I had 4 c-sections and the last one I had my tubes tied. Then I ended up getting a hysterectomy a couple of years after that because of fibrioid tumors. Actually, I think the c-sections were more painful than the hysterectomy while recovering. You will be just fine because you had a c-section before and you know what type of pain to expect afterward.
Do not walk up any steps from the hospital. My hubby took me up the steps. You really need to rest 6 weeks after the surgery, no cooking & etc., just be lazy for at least 6 weeks. My Dr told me the above, I did very well, as most will admit you will be crying for a few days after you get back home for no reason, because of the changes in your body.
I had a the surgery years ago for fibroids and it was the worst mistake I ever made. If you can postpone your surgery Do So Now Rsch the net, check Webb MD,Go to Hyster Sisters(sp) on the net.don't do it unless its for reasons of cancer.
I just checked for Hyster-sisters their web site is going as strong as ever www.hysterSisters.com Tarlo
It also depends on whether you are having an abdominal hyster or a vaginal one! I had abdominal {1973} and no one told me to take it easy...big mistake! The best thing they did for me is to give me a flat "girdle" to wear, it helped wonderfully and kept me from feeling like everything was falling out. lol
I had a lot of female probs before the surgery and after I healed there was so much relief! I was only 22 but I am glad I did it.
Main thing to remember is to follow your doctor's advice on aftercare. Don't lift etc. You may feel you can quite soon afterwards but this can lead to major problems. Just because you're healing nicely on the outside, doesn't mean you're healing at the same rate 'inside'. Go for it - you'll feel loads better:-))
When you have your surgery, please be sure that your ovaries are removed! My friend had a hysterectomy years ago and her ovaries were left. She later died of ovarian cancer.
Every one is an individual so don't let the ones that had a bad time scare you. Many years ago I had a total hysterectomy due to endometrial cancer & it was abdominal. I was very fortunate that my husband took a week off from work to be with me when I came home. When I got up in the morning I bathed & then made breakfast & tidied up. He was with me as I went down 1 flight of stairs to do laundry & I even hung the laundry outside on the clothesline. Then I rested on the couch either reading, watching tv, talking with friends on the phone or taking a nap.
At lunchtime I repeated the morning ritual & then rested again & took a nap. Mealtime @ dinner time was repeated & then after enjoying the evening by resting again bedtime came. I never needed any pain medication as I had no pain. Your Dr. will prescribe pain medication should you need it. Don't hesitate taking it if you need it. I made sure that my nutrition was good. With my husband close to me I took a little walk every day in my yard. I did not do any heavy lifting nor any vacuuming until I got the ok @ my 1 month check up. Company was kept to a minimal of family & an occasional close friend. You may be able to do more or even less. You have to take one day @ a time & use common sense.
I hope you are able to have some one to help you, if needed. Don't worry about the little things as in time they will get the attention needed. Right now you are the number 1 priority. I will keep you in my prayers & hope you have as little discomfort as I did. Be well.
Whoa, don't scare the gal! Just because your friend died of ovarian cancer doesn't mean this woman should have her ovaries removed! The two events may not have even been connected!
I had a hysterectomy nearly fifteen years ago because of a huge fibroid and the ovaries were left so I wouldn't go through menopause at such an early age. I get checkups every year and I can honestly say, I have not had one bit of trouble.
Just a couple words of advice - take them with a grain of salt if you wish. Take the full six weeks before you go back to work. I went back three weeks early and I was practically immobilized by the end of the day for nearly two weeks. I also found out that if you put vitamin E & C on the incision, it greatly lessens the scar. You can hardly see mine now.
Also, if you feel bad about no more children or you think it will change your sex drive or whatever concerns you have, talk with someone. I carried some emotional weight that I shouldn't have for no good reason. When I did talk it out with my husband, he was amazingly supportive and full of encouragement which only made our relationship much stronger!
I had a complete hysterectomy about 9 years ago and I got along good. Just do what the doctor says because if you don't and you fall or hurt yourself and have to go to the doctor and your insurance finds out you were doing something your doctor said not to do the insurance will not pay! I can't believe the people here trying to scare you. Don't listen to them. I do know some people don't do as well as others but most do fine. If you had c-section you should be fine. I had 2 c-sections. Leaving ovaries will not give you cancer later on!
A lot depends how they are doing it..if it is a full cut, laproscopic (couple of small incisions) or through the vagina (and pull it out backward). I had my vaginally done. other surgery lapo. All was good, but as a nurse and patient I always advise to call your doctor and have him order you pain medicine before surgery so you can have it pick up and at home. If you are having pain take the meds on a reg schedule rather than waiting for it to wear off...that is the key to pain control, but you should be just fine. Hug a pillow when you cough or get up helps and please deep breath and cough often every couple of hours while for 3 weeks. Get the anesthetic drugs out of your lungs. You might be foggy headed for the 3 weeks if you don't. Enjoy your down time, we don't have enough of it with a good excuse. No vacuuming, promise?
I had two cesareans and a hysterectomy-complete, vaginal, and I will take the hysterectomy any day. It was a walk in the park compared to the c-sections, because it was vaginal, there was no cutting of muscle tissue. Sitting on the toilet with no support to the perineal area was a trifle uncomfortable the first two or three days, but by the end of the week I was back to myself, just waiting out the healing to go back for my post op Dr.visit. If you have a complete, though, take the hormones! I didn't, and felt 90 years old within about 3 months!
I had a Hysterectomy (Complete) 12 years ago. I have never felt better and my energy level went up. I listened to my body and when it hurt, I stopped what I was doing. I walked around little by little with my Hubby and I slept when I was
tired. God bless and take care and think positive.
Everyone is, of course, different. You have experienced C-sections so I would think that would be a clue for you. I had hysterectomy in 1994 at age 53, had no problems afterwards. When nurse got me up to walk, I beat her down the hall. I could feel the pressure when walking up a slight incline. There was some slight pain at first but not enough to keep me down. My daughter, age 44, just had one and she has had terrible pain, still does at times. So as I said we are all different, hope things go well for you, I think they will.
Listen, we are all different.No surgery is pleasant, but I will tell you it is the best thing I ever did in my life. No more menstrual cramps from the devil and I feel so healthy now! Don't be scared. You will probably sleep the first couple of days anyhow! I will pray for you to be as comfortable as possible. Don't let negative people scare you. They had to take my ovaries because of fibroid tumors but I still feel so much better! God Bless!
We're all different. If you have to have an incision, it will still be an easier surgery than the C-section, and this time you won't have a newborn to take care of during the recovery period ;)
I had everything removed, was in the hospital for 5 nights and came home feeling tired but fine. I walked up my front stairs. I needed almost no pain medication by the time I got home. I had no hormone therapy and never noticed the difference. However I was out of work a full 8 weeks completely exhausted and only realized years later it wasn't the surgery; I was anemic.
None of us can tell you how you will react BUT: *Plan ahead so that you don't have to cook,*rest! Don't plan any "projects." Forget about it.
*Don't let anybody tell you how you ought to be feeling or what you ought to be doing.
*If you want to go lie down, do so. I did towards the end of my own birthday party. It took them a while to miss me.
Hospital tip: Men's extra big t-shirts make great cheap hospital nighties. Soft cotton with no window in the back; and they can cut holes in them wherever they want. Buy a couple of packs. Bleed on 'em. Poop on 'em. Wash 'em and toss 'em in with the rags when you get home. I still wear some of mine 9 years later for dirty house cleaning. The picture is my first day back to work. Good luck!
Having the hysterectomy was the best decision I ever made. I had it vaginally and had very little pain after. I'm a veteran, so I ended up in a private room hooked to a morphine pump, but I only used it a couple of times. The VA volunteers gave me a heavy little pillow to hold against me when I coughed, and to lie on my tummy when I was resting. The weight of that little pillow really helped. One thing, if you are an asthmatic, tell your anesthesiologist and she or he can send a puff of medication down the tube before pulling it out of your throat after the surgery. Before I had one do this, every time I went under I woke up with an asthma attack. Since then, those puffs have prevented any attacks.
I had a full hysterectomy 6yrs ago having an incision in my abdomen. Of course you will feel some pain and discomfort afterward. You are having surgery! Yes, I was absolutely terrified beforehand. a week after the op, I was so glad it was over and I was overjoyed that I had it done. I was put on HRT almost immediately and I have never looked back. I copied what KIDENA did almost to the letter except that as a single parent. I had my daughter to come and stay with me for two weeks after the op to help me out. It was the best thing I did. No more bleeding, cramps and mood swings and best of all, the awful pain I had due to massive fibroids were a thing of the past! It's only uncomfortable for a couple of weeks and then things will improve drastically. Trust me, and ignore all the negative comments. Just take it easy afterward and you will be fine.
Hi, Wacky, I'm a nurse, and I have had a hyst (vaginally). I have 2 tips for you. The first is that I did well afterward because I made sure to really rest for the full 8 weeks. This is vital; otherwise, it'll take up to a year for you to feel like yourself again. The uterus is very vascular (has a good supply of blood) so removing it takes that blood away from your body, and as a result you will be tired.
The second tip is that if your surgery is laparascopic, where the surgeon gently inflates your abdomen with carbon dioxide gas to aid in visualizing the surgical site, be SURE that, no matter how good you feel on the first and second day after surgery, you follow the surgeon's aftercare instructions about lying flat or nearly flat afterward.
I had my ovaries removed laparoscopically in an outpatient surgical center, and I felt SO good the next day that I sat at my computer for hours. That night, because the CO2 gas had risen up in my abdomen to press against my diaphragm, I had really hard pain that nothing except the passage of time could help.
I'm always nervous, too, before procedures, but this is the way I am. Try to calm your mind in whatever way works best for you, and remember how experienced your OR staff is! Let us know how you are afterward - and good luck!
Nancy in NC
I gained a lot of information from a website called Hystersisters.com. I strongly encourage you to go to this website and become aquainted with the steps/follow-up involving this procedure. You can then post your experience and questions about this operation and get others opinions/experiences as well. This site will help educate you and make you feel you are in more control before undergoing this surgery. My hints to you are: get meals prepared before hand so they can be easily warmed up and such; get some books to read or videos to watch as you will have some downtime; dont be afraid to ask for help, you are not going to be at 100% for a bit so dont overdo; thinks comfy and stretchy clothes. Good luck to you and I wish you a speedy recovery.
I had a hysterectomy 18 years ago and was cut in my abdomen. One thing I always worried about was having appendix problems so I asked the dr if he could remove them while he was in there. He did and I healed great but do take the 6 or 8 weeks healing per drs. orders! I really had so much more energy then pre-surgery!
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