Hysterectomy

Hi I had mine 3 months ago and bloating gone now. It's only temporary as your body protects your internal wounds. It's not proper weight. Think about benefits long term. No heavy periods or pain from fibroid. You may even get smaller tummy after healing if its big fibroid. Yes it's major op and you'll need time to recover. Having an op is scary the first time but the surgeon does so many it's like a conveyor belt to them. It's actually ok. I was petrified but one minute you are having injection next your in recovery waking up and they give you strong pain killers for first day or so so it's not too bad. I didn't take any pain relief after first 3 days. Good luck with your decision

Hi Ann Marie and welcome to this forum, though sorry also that you have the need to be on here.

I'm afraid that the swelling of the tummy is generally part and parcel of the recovery from hysterectomy, it's your bodys way of protecting itself from injury, kind of like when you twist your ankle and your ankle swells, I am 9 months post op and on occasion it still happens but now only if I am stupid and lift something really heavy, for the first few weeks I did occasionally look 10 months pregnant, got some really strange looks as I am 62, I was the gossip of the village lol , it's a small price to pay and way better than the alternative, in my case I had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer so it was definitely the better option, I am certain you will get tons of support on here, come here as often as you need to we are here for you.

Take care

Phoebe x

I would also like to add that since my op I have experienced no pain whatsoever, have never had to take pain relief right from coming around from the anaesthetic, it has only ever been tummy swelling or 'swelly belly' as it is 'affectionately' called.

Hi Ann Marie

I had a full abdominal hysterectomy in May. Your body can take up to 12 months to recover. My belly was swollen but not everyday. It all depends on what your doing I found the first 3 weeks with my feet up doing nothing wasn't so bad. once you get mobile and start doing too much it starts to swell. That's your body telling you to rest. I returned back to work after 5 and a half weeks and have been fine. As for the weight thing I lost 1 stone 3lb in the 5 weeks I was off work and haven't regained it. The only thing I suffer with is hot flushes but that's something I will have to deal with as I can't have hormone replacement due to the history of breast cancer in my very close relatives. It was the best decision I ever made, no more days off sick at work because I was in so much pain I couldn't walk, and no more really bad heavy periods.

Hi AM.

You may be lucky and not get the bloating...I didn't. Not sure if that was because I had a vertical cut, but I am thankful.

Fear of the unknown is perfectly ok...we were all like that on the lead up to our operations. But once it is over, and you are back on your feet, you can leave it all behind and move on.

Just be sure to follow the hospital's orders about not doing very much for the first couple of weeks - and then not lifting anything more than a couple of pounds for the next couple of weeks. Then a little bit more as the weeks follow. Don't be tempted to do too much, even if you feel ok...you will do damage to yourself, and then it will take longer to recover.

Lots of walking - it helps the healing. Start off with just ten minutes,

then add a few minutes each day.

Let us know when you get your date, and we will guide you through it. xx

 

Hi

The surgery will free you. Yes as with anything there are issues after, but I think once the healing is done, you will be a new woman.

Mine was a vaginal removal of the uterus do to 4 fibroids, so a much less invasive procedure. I still wish you luck, trust me it is worth it!