Hystêrectomy - What Do I Need To Know

[JustLurkin]

I've been going to the doctor complaining of lower back pain for almost 2 years...the pain comes and goes for months at a time...this go 'round it hurts for me to function...things like sitting down, inhaling, exhaling...I wonder if I look funny when I walk. Thankfully, they found something wrong with my uterus...I say thankfully because I have noooo doubt my doctor was this close | | to sending me to a psychiatrist.

I'm having a few more tests just to rule out anything wrong with my back--assuming everything comes back normal (as it has for the last 2 years, including that !@#$ nerve test for MS), they will proceed with the hysterectomy.

Is there anything I need to know? Having already surfed for information, and been scared/horrified to tears, I'll give examples:

Helpful: "I had a hysterectomy, and my blue eyes turned brown."

Helpful: "I had a hysterectomy, took 2 days off work, and played in a badminton tournament that weekend."

Not Helpful: "I was sitting on the toilet and my uterus fell out."

I don't even know what specific questions I can/should ask, I'm just so relieved at the possibility of my pain stopping--and the doctor finally seeing I really do hurt and giving me "the good drugs", instead of crap like double anaprox! (I already have Alleve in my bathroom cabinet, thanks anyway )

[pig]

Sorry, I can't help you as I do not have a uterus. However, I've known several woman who've had them done and it's no joke.....very serious surgery. Good luck and I hope it relieves your pain.

[Deleted]

I put it off for a couple years until I couldn't stand the pain any longer. Full recovery and back to work in 6 wks. Best decision I have ever made. It's worth it , good luck.
oh yes, keep the ovaries.

[thyme4change]

Helpful: "I had a hysterectomy, and my blue eyes turned brown."

What??

[JustLurkin]

Jun 29, 2011 11:36:02 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

Be sure and get a second opinion. I don't think I needed my surgery.

Yea, I didn't include everything. I'm 37, finished having kids. My uterus has always tilted "the other way", but never caused me discomfort. Cut out all the gross stuff--but basically right now my uterus is not where it's supposed to be and is not shaped the way it's supposed to be. There is a "retroflexed" notation on the MRI paperwork, but she said she's never felt this shape before.

My regular doctor has been way more direct about things than my gyn--my gyn said said she'd decide about putting it back or removing it during surgery, my primary said it will be removed. It's weird my gyn wasn't more straight about my condition, usually she tells it like it is a little too much, so that has me nervous. Yea, maybe I will get a 2nd opinion.

[JustLurkin]

Jun 29, 2011 12:02:41 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Helpful: "I had a hysterectomy, and my blue eyes turned brown."

What??

Oh, thyme, you must not listen to side effect statements during commercials!

[JustLurkin]

Thanks everyone for responding.

[thyme4change]

First off - I can't wait for something to go wrong so they can remove mine. I'm done with it.

Secondly

Oh, thyme, you must not listen to side effect statements during commercials!

Remember the Saturday Night Live skit where they broke down the warning for some drug and one of the warnings was "Do not taunt Propecia." I still laugh whenever I think about it. I say it often when my husband is making jokes about something, taunting me or the kids.

[Genuine GA Peach]

Lurkin - it was the BEST thing I ever did & I wish I hadn't waited as long as I did.

Yes, it's major surgery. Depending on how they go about it, lots of muscle will be cut. I have a bad reaction to anesthesia, and retching with a belly full of staples is not pleasant.

You MUST follow your surgeon's orders about activity level after the surgery. My mom didn't, and she's had all kinds of issues. I did as I was told, and I've had no problems.

ask lots of questions. Take somebody with you to your consultations, so they can listen to the answers & ask questions too.

[Deleted]

Jun 29, 2011 16:58:53 GMT -5 Genuine GA Peach said:

Depending on how they go about it, lots of muscle will be cut. I have a bad reaction to anesthesia, and retching with a belly full of staples is not pleasant.

I think there are ways to do it without slicing up your abdomen but maybe they don't work for everyone.

My sister is an OB-Gyn and had one in her 40s. She had so much bleeding every month she was never sure if she'd make it through whatever surgery she was doing on a patient before her Embarrassing Personal Hygiene Products failed. She finally told one of the partners in her practice, "if you won't do a hysterectomy on me I'll find someone who will". Well, I'd find it kinda weird to have a male co-worker go to work on my nether parts, but that's me. I don't remember her having any problems other than having to be out of work for awhile. And it sure did resolve her bleeding issues!

[Artemis Windsong]

My DD had an emergency hysterectomy for life threatening bleeding. She was allergic to the pain killers they gave her and was vomiting for 12 hours after. Ouch, ouch, ouch is right. She had just started a new job six weeks earlier and was so stressed about being off work that she went back at 3 weeks. I don't recall if she worked half time or what.

A few years later she did experience the grief that people who lose a limb go through. By that time she was living in another town.

All is well that ends well.

ETA: There is a vaginal hysterecomy option.

[whoisjohngalt]

It might effect your bladder- I would ask questions about that....

Lena

[busymom]

Sometimes back pain can be caused by ulcers. Please rule that out before having a hysterectomy. My Mom lost most of her bladder control years ago after her hysterectomy. (Whatever the cause of your back pain is, I hope they figure it out!)

[constanz22]

I'm 41 and scheduled to have one the end of August. I've had fibroids for about 3 years. They are getting larger and causing more problems, my cycle is wacky, and, since I'm not having children, my OB/GYN felt the hysterectomy was the best option. They offered Ablation, which I thought about, but, they said the fibroids tend to come back and being at least 10 years from menopause, the hysterctomy makes most sense. They are doing the da Vinci, (robot guided laproscopic-just 4 small incisions) which from everything I've read is such an easier surgery and recovery. They are leaving my ovaries. I'm still scared. I've only had surgery once in my life. I hate anasthesia, I hate fasting and I hate pain, but, I'm trying to look on the bright side, NO MORE PERIODS and 4 weeks off of work, which I desparately need.

[Deleted]

First, so I don't forget, hystersisters.com is a great support site. They have message boards focussing on both before and after.

I had mine because of fibroids. Because of the size the doctor thought he would have to do a vertical cut, but I luck out and the day of the surgery he managed to do a bikini cut. A lot less destructive. It is absolutely the best thing ever. I wear white pants all the time now! It did take the full six weeks to be work ready again. Not just to recover physically but to mentally come out of the fog of recovering. Follow directions on amount of excercise. It goes much easier when you do. Did you know you are under doctors orders not to do housework for a while. How's that for a prescription? They covered coughing and potty breaks. The only other thing I can think of is that the area around the incision went numb from having the nerves cut. It feels really strange at first. It is still numb but I am used to it now.

Good luck. I consider it one of my best moves.

[Genuine GA Peach]

you'll be so happy when it's over, Constanz! Laproscopic was not an option for me, but I'm still glad I did it

[Genuine GA Peach]

nah...let the guys read it. The info may be handy when their gal has to go thru this!

Later - it is weird to be standing at the counter or a high table and only feel the pressure of something touching you. And it's funny that you mentioned white pants. I was in the Jockey outlet store & commented that I didn't have to buy so much black underwear any more...I can buy ALL colors! ;D

[NancysSummerSip]

Had my hysterectomy 10 years ago, thanks to severe fibroids causing internal bleeding. My surgery was the standard (bikini cut), because the doctor knew there was at least one large fibroid, per ultrasound. He eventually found a second one - and 26 smaller ones. I was well enough to go back to work in a month and completely back to normal in just six weeks. But I was relatively young when I had it done. Six weeks' recovery time is not necessarily normal for everyone. I've heard of eight or even ten weeks being needed.

[Artemis Windsong]

Jul 9, 2011 15:28:49 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

Yes, you will be numb where you're cut and if you have any belly fat at all you will end up with a smile across your lower belly. ;D

My cousins had a tummy tuck at the same time.

As far as the bladder prolapse, that takes a few years and there is surgery that can be done that supports the bladder. If you are concerned, ask them to reinforce the bladder.

[Deleted]

Causing bladder prolapse??? I had nothing like that. Not even a little bit. I suspect that is an issue the person had as well as needing the hysterectomy. Not caused by it.

[JustLurkin]

Wow, thanks everyone for all the responses! Lots of things for me to consider.

I am scheduled for a sonogram next week (I can't believe how much time has passed so quickly) and they are supposed to be the doctors more information about the uterus position and provide updated measurements on my fibroids and cysts. I've been told if they are very large they could be the reason the uterus is out of place.

There's the *possibility* I may not need the hysterectomy because they have found something wrong with my back--but it has not been decided whether the two problems are related or if I just "happen" to have 2 problems at the same time.

Thanks everyone for sharing your very personal stories.

[constanz22]

Just wanted to stop by and let you know that I had my daVinci hysterctomy 16 days ago. It went really well. Pain was minimal. Recovery has been pretty smooth so far. None of it was as bad as I had expected (or worried about!). Except for the normal recovery and recouperation stuff, I already feel better than I have in years. An NO more periods! ;D A small pillow is a godsend. I bought a pillow pet and it honestly has not left my side since I got out of surgery. It's the perfect size to lay on the tummy. I also love my tummy binder. Even with the daVinci, I think it's a necessity. It just helps so much with support for awhile. I wore it pretty much non-stop the first 2 weeks. Yesterday and today I have felt really good, more and more normal every day and haven't felt I needed the binder. It is hard not being able to lift over 10 pounds, vacuum, etc since I live on my own. Had a bit of a setback last week cuz my basement got about 3" of water in the floods and I did way more than I should have, cuz I had to, but after a couple days of pure nothingness, I feel great. I've only been taking Advil since about 5 days post op. I have my post op doctor appointment tomorrow and am looking forward to it. (Was supposed to be Wed but had to reschedule due to floods.) I think everything's going great though. Thinking about when to go back to work...although not in any big rush to. I still tire really easy.