Total hysterectomy

[Anonymous]

I need a total hysterectomy (uterus/cervix/tubes/ovaries) due to endometrial hyperplasia. I am premenopausal. It will be a robotic procedure. If you’ve had the same procedure, please share your recovery time and how much time off work you took. I am also interested in any issues you had with immediate surgical menopause - weight gain? Libido tanking? Anything else I should prepare for? I cannot take any estrogen replacement due to a history of breast cancer. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I have not had a hysterectomy so I can't comment on that, but I was wondering if you take Tamoxifen and if that's related to your endometrial problems? I'm also a breast cancer survivor, fwiw.

I wish you the best with the surgery and recovery.

[Anonymous]

I had one last year for the same reason. Surgery at 7:30, in the car going home by 1ish. Maybe 2. Apparently I had undiagnosed endometriosis so surgery took a little longer, and more rooting around than planned.
This was on a Friday. I didn’t have pain, but I took pain meds the first and second day “just in case”. Monday I drove a short distance. I didn’t get the gas bubble or pain in my shoulder that I was warned about.
The only way I knew something had been done was if I rolled over to get up. It wasn’t pain, more of a soreness or tugging. I just held my abdomen and got up. That lasted about a week. Went for a checkup at week two and was told I could return to work if I didn’t lift anything. I took the full six weeks, anyway.
I read that constipation from anesthesia and pain meds would be a problem so I drank half a bottle of Swan’s magnesium and some water. Problem avoided.
I haven’t noticed any problems mentioned, and I don’t take HRT.
I do remember that at week three I got extremely tired. Lasted a few days.
I didn’t overdue it, but I didn’t stop doing much. Puttered around the house, mostly. I went shopping etc. Just don’t lift anything beyond a few pounds. I can’t remember when I was cleared to exercise again. Either six or twelve weeks. I don’t work out much so it didn’t stick in my mind.
I wish you the best of luck! Happy to answer any questions.

[Anonymous]

PS. To clarify….the doctor told me I “could” return to work if I had to, but if I had the time, take the full six weeks.

[Anonymous]

Very similar experience to 07:52.

I took the time to heal, but felt quite normal pretty quickly. Never even took the pain meds.

There is a web forum called “Hyster Sisters”—I learned a lot from that beforehand.

[Anonymous]

I’m the PP, and yes, I had been on Tamoxifen, too.

[Anonymous]

OP after you have healed ask your oncologists about topical estrogen. I had estrogen sensitive breast cancer and resisted using it until vaginal dryness and UTIs became compelling. My oncologist and a gynecological oncologist I got a second opinion from said Estrace 1 gram twice a week "forever" would be safe.
Not saying to use it but suggesting you might decide to ask.
Best wishes!

[Anonymous]

I had one almost three years ago - experience was largely the same as above, but my operation was early afternoon and I stayed in the hospital overnight, which I needed. The pain wasn't so bad, but I was extremely nauseous and the IV Zofran actually induced vomiting.

My Dr. was fairly insistent that I take it easy for 8 weeks and I did. I think I took 4-5 days off of work and then went back 1/2 days for a couple more days.

As far as menopause effects - I was probably right at menopause and was already on the estrogen patch. I don't have a history of breast cancer, but what I had was a mucosal uterine tumor. My Dr. was fine with me staying on the estrogen patch and I also use topical estrogen. The vaginal dryness was awful. Also, it took some time for the incision in my vagina to heal.

It wasn't a hard recovery, but the effects of the surgery were noticeable.

[Anonymous]

OP: thank you for the helpful replies. Yes, this is due to tamoxifen after taking it for only one year. I did 5 years of complete ovarian suppression/chemically induced menopause to treat the breast cancer before switching to tamoxifen, so I am familiar with menopause from that too. Was hoping I would not have to go back to it until natural menopause, but oh well…