Wellness

[dsky]

I had my hysterectomy early December of last year.  My doctor changed her mind about doing it laproscopically after looking at my uterus via a tiny incision on top of my belly button.  So I had the traditional bikini cut.  I also wanted my ovaries and was able to keep one.  I am 56 and had been in menopause for maybe a year and a half when I had one drop of blood which propelled be to the doctor.  I also had been living with a very large fibroid and was hoping it would shrink during menopause, which it had by a couple of centimeters, however it was time for this to come out, plus my Mom had uterine cancer so now I was scared.  I must tell you I drove myself nuts prior to this surgery, as I saw the blood in early September, so I had a long time to become petrified about it.  I will tell you now I am so much better off without that glob in me, which was a five month pregnancy size, it weighed 2 and a half pounds.  I stayed over one night and was home the next day.  Yes it was painful but I was surprised by how everyday it was a lot less painful.  I took one of the Tylenol pills they gave me, then all the other days I took Advil, and no more than 2 each day.  I would suggest the raised toilet seat, like someone told you, in fact I still have it on and think I will keep it on, haha.  Also get a maternity belt (ebay sells a pink one) and put ice coolers under it where the incision is, you will need less pain pills and this will be your best friend.  Keep a water bottle in your bed at night and pain pills close by in case in the night you want a drink, etc.  You will not be able to move that well in the beginning, but please keep in mind each hour, each day you will see remarkable improvement.  Your bowels will be loose for a while also, or constipated, mine were loose, and your stomach will seem weird, like sore after you eat, but after about 2 weeks will simmer down, don't be alarmed.  I wish you well, you will do great.  I went back to work in 3 and a half weeks, and I am a hairdresser.  I wore a black stretchy belt on my incision area for a while because it felt like it was holding me in.   If I can answer any more questions please ask, also do not look up hystersisters, that site made me so nervous.

[Moonchilde]

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@Shelbelle wrote:

I would suggest you visit a webste called HysterSisters. I am sure they will be of great help to you. Best of luck.

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Excellent and extremely helpful site. I don't think I could have survived without them. They still email me anniversary "Hi's."

Everyone I came in contact with on the site was kind, informative and super-helpful. The site was a great experience for me

[Moonchilde]

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@Hondagirl wrote:

Had a hystrectomy several years ago...Dr. used tape to close me up and those were taken off within a week.  Because I live alone recovery was not that easy... I did not have that much pain and was very careful taking showers and walkin g around the house.  Could not drive for 4 weeks and had friends bring me supplies that I needed.  I stocked up the house before the surgery so I was ok for awhile.  Not to much pain and had to get in and out of bed carefully because it felt like I tore something and I did not...It was very lonely being alone all day and nite but I hired a friend to clean the house twice - that was heaven... Take  care of yourself and treat yourself like a pincess... Write to me again if  you are up to it.

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I too was utterly alone before, during and after my hysterectomy. I had to take cabs (in the days before Uber) and have groceries delivered by the one market who did. I had stocked up somewhat before surgery.

I had a 12 cm fibroid that had pushed everything out of whack. My chronic reflux flat disappeared after surgery. I had waited decades to have the surgery and I never would have if I'd known it wasn't as catastrophic as I'd feared.

Get yourself one or two small squishy pillows to hold against your abdomen & pelvis for getting up out of bed, chair, potty, etc and any time you might strain your abdominal muscles. Make sure you're not constipated or you'll be sorry. Dulcolax is your friend.

I lived up a steep flight of stairs, so had to walk up to get home; I didn't go up and down after that for 2 weeks, though. I could drive once I was off controlled substance pain pills and pushing the pedals didn't make me scream ;-) I think it was somewhere between 31/2 to 4 weeks. I actually didn't need much codeine and pretty much stopped after 7-10 days.

I only felt really uncomfortable for about 2 weeks; after that it just got better and better. I enjoyed the last 2 weeks going all over the place, just not walking/standing a lot.

Good luck!

[rrpell]

I had my hysterectomy 20 years ago, when I was 43,  due to a large fibroid tumor.  It had been reduced in size, by a Lupron injection, months before, in order to make my surgery easier. It ended up being the size of a large orange. My incision was horizontal.  I'm sorry you are facing surgery as I know the anxiety I felt leading up to the day. I can tell you the surgery wasn't as bad as I had imagined and I wish I hadn't worried as much!  However, I underestimated how I would feel afterwards along with my total healing time. 

My advice would be:

1.  Have extra pillows in your bed. They are your friends.   The first couple of days there was pain every time I moved. The pillows made me feel better,  as I could "cocooned" in one place. I clutched them when I rolled to another side.   (I needed my husband's help getting out of bed every time I went to the bathroom.) I used them to sneeze and cough.

2. Have "granny style" underwear available.  I had pairs that were 2 sizes larger than I normally wore and made sure the elastic fit way up on my waist.  You will want nothing resting on your incision. 

3.  Have lightweight sweatpants (I liked flannel) that are loose, very comfortable and very easy to get in and out of.  It will be painful to wear anything tight, or restrictive.

4. See if you can arrange to get your pain medicine, from the pharmacy, before you come home from the hospital.  My hospital medication had worn off before I got home and I was in REAL pain while we drove back and were waiting for them to be filled at the pharmacy.   You will need meds for at least a couple of days as they will help you sleep. Every move to the left or right will be painful. 

5.  As others have mentioned, have a stool softener ready to go, and take it asap.   You will not be able to "push".  Your bowels will not feel normal and it is wise to give them a little help. 

6. Except for my trips to the bathroom, I stayed in bed for a good portion of the first week.  I listened to my body😀 My husband brought my meals to me. 😀😀 I ate very simply, no heavy food.  I think it was two weeks before I felt like I wanted to go up and down stairs.   (My bedroom was on the second floor).  

7. The doctor told me it would take 5 weeks before I should go back to work, and he was right!  Healing takes time and I did not have the stamina to work, full time, until the sixth week. 

I hope you will keep in touch with us as you are convalescing!   💕💕  

[tama]

I continue to read each and every post and I truly have learned from all of you as well as received great comfort. Both are priceless to me in this difficult time. I went for pre-admission testing yesterday (bloodwork, chest x-ray and EKG) and will see my primary care dr. next week for results and clearance for surgery.

[sophiamarie]

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@tama wrote:

I continue to read each and every post and I truly have learned from all of you as well as received great comfort. Both are priceless to me in this difficult time. I went for pre-admission testing yesterday (bloodwork, chest x-ray and EKG) and will see my primary care dr. next week for results and clearance for surgery.

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@tama  My suggestion to you would be to stop reading this thread.  It seems like most posters have nothing but "horror" stories to tell you.  I think this is wrong.  Some people have problems, but that's not the norm.  If it was, then nobody would be doing this kind of surgery.  ASK YOUR DOCTOR.

For a nurse to say "severe pain is a given" is absolutely wrong.  It's NOT a given. My surgery was 30 years ago, actually 2 months after a heart attack, and I was in the hospital for less than 48 hours.  I had ZERO pain, no pain pills that I remember and went back to work in 3 weeks.  I don't understand why people feel it necessary to tell you horror stories, but it's human nature, I guess.  Surgery has come a long way in 30 year, so I would tell you to listen to your doctor, ask questions and stop reading this thread.  If I were to be getting this surgery now, I think I would have cancelled it after all this nonsense I'm reading.  JMO   "diapers, pillows, etc., ????"   PUHLEEZ

@tama  ETA - You should write down any questions you may have and bring them to your doctor.  He/she will answer you truthfully and believe me, there won't be any horror stories or tell you diapers, pillows, meals on wheels, etc., are your "friends".  This is a relatively simple surgery, compared to some others and these posts are written here just to tell everyone "their" horror stories.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Instead of putting your mind at ease, they are doing just the opposite.  Sorry for the novela here, but you can't compare yourself  to anyone here.  As you can see, everyone has their own "story".  Your doctor is the only person you should trust and I hope you do trust him/her..... Again, good luck.

[dsky]

One other thing which is good to have, even on a good day, is a stick with a claw on the end to pick up things off the floor.  You will use it even when you feel better, I love it.  I got it on Amazon.

[happycat]

I had a hysterectomy about 5 years ago, and it wasn't that bad to me. They will give you pain meds, and if they say to take them every 5 hours, I would at first. Cause if you wait till you are hurting it will take longer for them to take effect. That is with any surgery and you probably already know that, if you have had to have anything else.

Like some of the other posters, try to think of anything you may need and try to have those items on hand. Try to do as little as possible.

A couple of weeks or so after my hysterectomy, I was feeling alot better. I don't remember what I had the dumb idea to do, but whatever it was, I shouldn't have done it, cause then it was like I had a relapse and had to go back to bed for a couple of days. Not smart.

Just don't do anything dumb like that. Because whatever it is, it can wait.

Good Luck.