Hysterectomy girls,what do I need to know about after..

You may want to skip this post if you’re worried about complications.....

A friend just had one in early June. She had cervix and everything removed. Apparently, to close the top of the vagina, the surgeons do what’s called a vaginal cuff. My friend was given the go ahead to resume life after 8 weeks. Life was great. Feeling awesome. 3 days later she was horrible pain. Went in, it opened back up!!! Emergency surgery! The surgeon double stitched it this time. The 8 weeks of nothing more than 5 lbs of lifting had to be restarted!

I had a total hysterectomy (ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix) in December (6 weeks after a C section). Mine was done robotically, so I have 4 tiny incisions including one in my belly button, then the organs were all removed through the vagina. If you are having the robotic/DaVinci surgery, be aware that you will have a ton of bloating afterwards. They pump air in to make space to do the surgery and it is pretty uncomfortable for a few weeks. I took Mylicon/simethicone and that was incredibly helpful.

My surgery went fine (I talked them into letting me go home that same day and was able to pick my toddler up and drive her to daycare the next morning), and I've had no issues from that standpoint at all. I am still having massive hot flashes and drenching night sweats, but those I'm told will fade with time (they told me two years. Yeesh).

Because of my cancer history, I can't take any hormones and the other two options (effexor and gabapentin) both did not work well for me, so I'm just dealing with it. I took Effexor when I was in chemical menopause from chemo and found it helpful, but not so much this time. Be warned--that medication is AWFUL to wean off of. I had to take half of the smallest dose they make every other day for over a month to wean myself off and had awful withdrawal symptoms.

You literally will wake up in a pool of sweat almost every night. We have a ceiling fan over our bed, which is helpful. I've also found that I just have a general temperature intolerance now--I get chilled really easily, then hot really easily. It's hard for me to distinguish sometimes if it is hot in a room or if it is just me. Dressing in layers is helpful.

Do any of you regret it ? Nope. not one bit. Best thing I ever did.

did it cause any medical issues? None . I have NO hot flashes. No bladder weakness. There is dryness but my Estring takes care of that.

hair/skin changes? Thinning hair. Skin is good.

My sister just had her hysterectomy 3 weeks ago. So far so good. Her recovery  was a bit more uncomfortable and she had a bit more bruising. She took three weeks off from work. I had no bruising and I was back to work in 6 days.

Good luck with your procedure!

I had mine done about 8 years ago (mid 30's). Never regretted a second.

Easy surgery in the grand scheme of things. Arrived at the hospital in the am, surgery mid-day - laproscopic, spent the night in the hospital, they had me getting up pretty quick after surgery to move around. Went home the next afternoon. I remember it was a Thursday. I spent the weekend pretty much lying low, taking pain meds as needed. On Monday night I went to a work dinner with DH. I was tired, but fine.

Worst part was the car ride home. Take a pillow to hold against your body for bumps! Tired, achy, definitely was 2-3 weeks before I was 100% again, but it went great. Second worst part was expelling all the gas (that they use to inflate you with). I had a lot of cramps for about 36 hours.

Had mine 10 years ago at the age of 36. I had three previous c sections and the recovery was so much easier for the hysterectomy. It was the best thing to ever happen to me! Hydrate and rest, stay on top of your pain meds. I had a total abdominal and was back to work by 6 weeks out. I wanted to go back at 4 weeks but dr wouldn't let me.

Everyone is different and heals differently. Do what your body tells you to. Walk as quickly as you can!

Don't be afraid it really is amazing!

Yes! My number one bit of advice, based just on your post, is DO NOT BACK OUT!!! After the birth of my kids I swear it was THE BEST thing that ever happened to me. Freedom! lol

Personally I had no complications whatsoever. My doctor told me that most complications are caused by people who do not follow doctor's orders. So if they say no lifting for whatever amount of time then you DO NOT lift. If they say no bending for whatever amount of time then you DO NOT bend. etc. She told me that although we may feel absolutely fine after three weeks or so there's still internal healing that needs to continue. I loved it actually... "honey, you know the doctor said no lifting, so could you carry up all the laundry...?" or "you'll have to do the grocery shopping this weekend, I'll make the list" or "oh sweetie, the living room needs to be vacuumed..."  

But seriously, I had no complications, and almost no hot flashes or any other issues. I had everything out so it did put me immediately into menopause but it was fine. I don't take any HRT because I've had breast cancer, but I've never had any complaints.

Best. Thing. Ever.

Good luck to you! I'm sure you will do fine. Just follow the discharge instructions.

I had an emergency hysterectomy 16 years ago (I was 24). They removed my ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix. I have a vertical scar that I do not like, but its tolerable. Recovery for me was 6 weeks. I had small children (a preemie still in the NICU, a 3 year old and a 5 year old) so recovery was hard because I couldn't just lay around and heal.

Would I do it again? Yes. I had bad hormonal issues afterwards until I got my hormones lined out with BioTe Pellets. Otherwise, no regrets.

Hair/SKin Changes - not really but I have always had thick, long hair. I do get pimples now when I get my hormone pellets, but I'd rather have pimples than deal with the mood swings. 

I had a complete hysterectomy 3 years ago and have absolutely no regrets.  I had everything removed, went home the same day, and had no pain at all.  They put in 2 "Q-balls", which are 2 external pumps that slowly pump numbing medication (not pain medication) directly into my abdomen.  Those stayed for 3 days, then I removed them myself and that's when I thought, now I'm going to feel some pain.  Nope, not one second of pain at all.  The hardest part for me was remembering not to lift for 6 weeks.

I don't know why, but for 5 years I fought getting the surgery.  I had severe post-menopausal bleeding and had 4 D&C's and an endometrial ablation, none of which worked for me.  I finally gave in and had the hysterectomy and it was the best decision ever!

Best wishes to you for a complication-free surgery and a pain-free recovery.