Wellness

[tama]

I just learned that I must have a complete hysterectomy later this month. There is a mass the size of an orange on my left ovary. I am hoping someone can tell me what I might expect as far as pain and healing afterward; will it be a while before I can use the stairs, and so on. Thank you so much.

[Sweet_Serenity]

Ladies will help with experience. Take care.

[Mmsfoxxie]

I'm sorry, can't answer your question @tam but I just wanted to wish you well during your surgery.

[tama]

Sorry you went through it but I appreciate your feedback. I just turned 57 yesterday and post-menopausal bleeding and pain is what prompted me to see the dr. Thank you!

[tama]

Thank you for the kind throughts! They truly help.

[panda1234]

@tama, my story is almost the same as yours. Pace yourself even if you are feeling good. You will not be able to use you stomach muscles to get in and out of bed. I put a chair next to the bed and pulled myself up. Best of luck to you, keep us posted.

[hoosieroriginal]

Had my uterus taken out at age 30, ovaries were left.  My operation was done vaginally.  The woman across from me had a total hysterectomy and had an incision and didn't do near as well as I did.  I was up and about right away, she was having a very difficult time.  I felt like I could have gone back to work right away, but stayed home the 6 weeks.  I did find if I vacuumed or did anything heavy, I had bleeding, so you do need to take it easy.  I had stairs and managed the stairs.  Good luck!

[hoosieroriginal]

Oh by the way, I had some unexpected good things happened when I had my hysterectomy.  My uterus was tilted backward, enlarged, and engorged in blood.  (Dr. asked if I had been feeling tired all the time and I was.)  After the operation I no longer had back pain and I could finally empty my bladder - it was crushing my bladder and I could never completely empty my bladder.  Having a hysterectomy was the best thing I ever did - I felt energetic again. 

[geezerette]

I had my surgery twenty years ago, so it all has changed since then.  But a lot of post-op pain and mobility will depend on how the surgery itself is performed.  If they can use what used to be called "band-aid" surgery, laparoscopy, or better yet, vaginally, the pain and down time is not bad.  However, if the abdominal muscles have to be cut, it's more intense.  I had the latter.  My problem was more recovery from the anesthesia than the surgery itself, but I'm sensitive to that.  

Like any any major surgery you'll be pretty sore for a while.  But your body will tell you pretty much what you can do and not do.  For instance, it was recommended to me to use a pillow against my stomach and turn on my side to get out of bed gently.  You'll quickly discover how much your abdominal muscles work in just about everything you do!  If you hurt, don't do it.  

Just take it easy and slowly work back to normal.  And don't be afraid to ask questions about anything along the way.  Like @Sweet_Serenity said, it was life-changing for me, but I had mine at an earlier age.  Best of luck to you, I'm sure you'll do fine.  Being in the hospital was the worst part for

me--once I got home to my own bed I felt much better right away!

[LonestarBabs]

Go to a medical supply store or Walgreens, etc and get one of those toilet chairs to put over your regular toilet -- it will raise you higher. Believe me, getting off the toilet was one of the most difficult and painful things to do after surgery!

Rest a lot -- you will be tired. Don't lift, carry, bend. Bathing might consist of sitting on a chair in your tub -- total submersion might not be allowed for awhile. If you shower, cover the incision and be sure to shower sitting down.