Tell me about your hysterectomy
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Anonymous
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I am getting the procedure done in a few weeks after years of heavy bleeding and cramps due to fibroids. I’m 47 and obviously done with kids so there is no reason to keep the uterus but I’m having so much anxiety about it. Am I going to miss having my periods? I know that sounds like a joke but it’s kinda the end of an era. What was recovery like? Was there a lot of pain? I have a very active family with two teens who depend on me for driving, how did you manage kid’s practices and activities. DH is ready to take over but I don’t think he understands what that will entail.
Any tips to get through this would be appreciated. |
Anonymous
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Recovery was a big nothing-burger. I was back at work a week later (and probably could have gone back sooner, but J6 happened and I was glued to the news for a few days). It did not hurt at all — maybe I have a high pain tolerance? I had some other procedures at the same time that hurt worse (bladder repair, cystocele/rectocele), but overall I was fine.
I absolutely did not miss my periods — are you crazy?!?!?!?!. So happy to have had the hysterectomy! |
Anonymous
| Very easy recovery. I took it slow and did not lift anything for a few weeks. I was told not to drive for one week. But walked everyday, starting the day after the procedure. Good luck. |
Anonymous
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I had a radical hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and they took my appendix too just to be safe.
Recovery was not a big deal, but do not push it on the lifting even if you feel good. |
Anonymous
How long ago did you have it out? How much weight have you gained? |
Anonymous
| Mine was 3 years ago for similar reasons. Honestly so easy. I was driving and doing whatever maybe two days later. I’ve gained no weight. I did go on the estrogen patch for a few years after but off it now. Smartest thing I ever did. |
Anonymous
| I had mine in 2022 for similar reasons. I was really anxious to have it and put it off far longer than I should have. Mine was laparoscopic and recovery was a breeze. Not having periods is great, but it’s also just nice to not have the whole thing taking up space in your brain. I was also feeling constantly bloated and looked pregnant due to the size and number of fibroids I had so moving on from that was another benefit. |
Anonymous
I had the surgery at the end of 2020. I felt no real hormonal changes (including to my weight) other than cold (!!) flashes. Lol. I did not do any hormone treatment due to a underlying risk of cancer. |
Anonymous
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Had mine in 2023. Not painful afterwards at all; never even took the pain meds prescribed.
Recovery was quick and straightforward. I took very seriously all advice regarding rest, exercise, and lifting. Never looked back. |
Anonymous
| Op here, this is really helpful because my doc said I needed to take 4 weeks off of work and that seemed excessive to me. Glad to know recovery is not that bad. Mine will be laparoscopic but with 5 incisions instead of 3 so a little more recovery than regular surgery, but it it doesn’t seem like it will be that bad. |
Anonymous
It’s major surgery—four weeks off is reasonable. Many people take more than that. Better to preemptively take a few weeks off and return to work early if you’re up to it. There are plentiful stories of people pushing too hard after this and other surgeries, which ultimately just delays recovery (similar to sports injuries: being patient is sometimes the hardest part). The recovery often doesn’t feel difficult, but you really want everything to heal deeply and well the first time. |
Anonymous
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I had mine 4 years ago and it was the best thing ever. I'm 47 now for what it's worth.
The recovery was much easier than my c section or knee suregery. I would say I needed two weeks to feel back to normal. I did not lift anything heavy for as long as the doctor ordered it and didn't have any complications. I absolutely do not miss my periods. It's the best benefit of not having a uterus any more. |
Anonymous
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I had an open abdominal one when I was 43 (49 now) and I kept my ovaries.
Recovery for me wasn't bad except that my stomach felt weird healing from the big incision. The doctor said that had that been a c-section scar, I'd probably be feeling better since the hormones would help me bounce back quicker. But, no such hormones without being pregnant. Remember, even if you do it laprascopically, there are hundreds of internal stitches. Take it easy. |
Anonymous
NP. I could’ve written this exact statement. Easy procedure at 49 y/o with two incisions, and I was fine walking around at a street festival two weeks later. There was very slight tenderness the first few months with certain workouts (yoga/stretching) but no real pain after the first couple days. It wasn’t until after surgery I realized how often I was taking ibuprofen to manage pain from fibroids. I kept my ovaries and am so glad I had the procedure. It’s a weight lifted. |
Anonymous
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So easy. I had 3 weeks off, but went back early. Couple days of soreness and sort of getting out of bed on my side instead of a sit up motion. But after that pretty much normal.
I did have a couple of weeks of tenderness with one of the incision points from nerve damage, but it fully resolved. Yes, it was an end of an era, but i celebrated the new me with a great pair of white pants. |