Hysterectomy Booked :-(

Hi funny I had mine on Nov 12 last year there is no need to worry as the ditches will be dissolvable you need to rest as much as possible I found I was in a lot of pain the first week I was at home but took pain killers they gave me and some stronger ones to ease it if I needed you can just take small walks about ten minutes a day and more gradually no housework let your other half do everything and don't go back to work for about eight weeks

Hi karen i am 4weeks in recovery after my full hysterectamy,i had dissovable stitches and a drain which when it was fetched out i didnt feel, i had a catheter as well and didnt feel that been fetched out, you will have injections in your tummie to stop clots but they never hurt, and when your in hospitail and when you home you will have to wear these white knee socks for 6 weeks to stop clots,you will be fine, just ask for some peppermint as well it will help with wind, i also rocked my knees slowely from side to side on the bed , it helps with wind as well, i just had a acheing pain a bit like a period but slightly more, but trust me if i can get through it anyone can,good luck hope all goes well.

Hi karen again, dont do a thing as well when you come out as i found the first 2 weeks you will be in some pain, im not going to lie,but it gets better as weeks go on, your brave finding out what to expect as i never could, im still in some pain but not as bad, and still windy some days and some sickness feeling days as well, hope all this helps.

Hello Karen, my oldest daughter's name is Karen, in reguards to the total hysterectomy.I am 59 years old, and I had a complete hysterectomy on July 18th of this year.I had  lots of staples and several layers of stiches  from the top of my stomach to the bottom, the staples were uncomfortable , but mine  were removed 10 days later,  No it did not hurt when they were removed. Yes the catheter hurts  when removed but it comes out very fast  "Seconds",I wouldn't worry about that ..It is pretty tough getting up & down for a few weeks , but it gets easier  each day, I would say you are back to normal at 8 weeks. Be careful not to lift anything heavy, it is hard to lift and bend  for a few weeks,I busted stitches at the top of my stomach,left a bad scar, bottom healed nicely.. Unfortunly I was shocked to find out I had a rare form of Carsonima, it was in the 3rd stage and I wasn't even sick.They think they got it all,I go back Oct 26 to make sure it hasn't come back..I had no chemo, or radiation as there is no cure for the type of cancer I had.. So I am praying all goes well on the 26th for me . I have a good doctor, and the hospital stay was just over night just get lots of rest and follow your doctor's instructions and you should do fine...They should give you instrutions as of  do's and don'ts.. Just try not worry ....Pray everthing goes well for you..

7 weeks post op total abdominal hysterectomy and removal of ovaries. I had blood thinning jabs for 4 weeks they sting a tiny bit but better that than having blood clot. Anti embolus stockings and dissolvable stitches . In hospital 4 nights. It was a bit sore once they took catheter out because of swelling inside but pain control is so important. I fasted for 24 hours pre op because I didn't want worry of constipation post op and that really helped. I also drank a good amount of clear fluid post op and very small diet . Please please don't lift stretch of bend for 6 weeks post op this is vital . I have now got a femoral hernia because I lifted a shopping bag 3 weeks post op I completely forgot myself. Now I am suffering and need further surgery. Don't be scared just remain positive and be patient with yourself . Good luck

Thank you so much!!! I feel so much better :-) positive posts :-) I will take note of everything you have advised :-) dreading it and mostly scared of the needles/cannula believe it or not :-) I'm fretting about the school run but will pull on school mums and the other half will need to unpacked the shopping for a change lol

Again thank you for all your advice it means a lot x

Hi karen,

Im 6 weeks post abdominal total hysterectomy.. I had severe adhesions removed also from bowel and bladder.

I was very anxious prior to the op and think i read too much that made me even worse.

After the op it was quite sore but they gave me a personal pain relief button which you use when needed but cant overdose on for 24hrs.

I stayed in for 3 nights and that first time they get you out of bed which was the day after for me was quite uncomfortable but it had to be done.

My stiches where dissolvable, but keep this area dry after washing.?

Make sure you get plenty of rest when home and listen to your body, it certainly lets you know when you overdo it.

My son stayed off work with me for first 2 weeks which i was so appreciative of, and im usually very independent but i needed someone to help..

Im struggling now as had my remaining ovary removed when having my hysterectomy and its thrown me straight into the menopause so im not feeling too good at the min but awaiting to see my gp now with regards to HRT and whether i should go on it.

My best buy was my 2 v neck pillows,one of which i used in bed at night to support my tummy as i sleep on my side and my grabber for picking things up off the floor so not having to bend all the time.

Good luck and make sure you take care of you......

Hi Karen,you will be fine trust me.I had my total abdominal hysterectomy at the end of January,i went back to work as a Staff Nurse about 4 months post op.I had dissolvable stitches so nothing to remove after.The catheter doesnt hurt coming out,mine came out the eveing after the surgery.When i came round from the op i was comfortable but drowsy,i had PCA(patient controlled analgesia)basically it is a pump which you dicatate how often you get pain relief by pressing a small button,you cant overdose by the way cos there is a timeout control on it to stop you administering too much morphine...lol.This was removed the day after surgery and all i was given thereafter was Paracetemol.It will hurt the first time you get out of bed,remember they will have cut through your stomach muscles to do the op,but this will get easier the more you become mobile.I was encouraged to walk up and down the ward on the second day post op,it will lessen complications of DVT etc,move about as much as you can but dont over tire yourself.I had the blood thinning injections whilst in the hospital but not when i came out.I had to wear the surgical stockings for 6 weeks though.I would reccommend you buy some peppermint capsules or water as i got really bad wind pains post op.The physio told me what i could and couldnt do before i was discharged.Basically no hoovering,no mopping,no over stretching,no pushing shopping trolley or carrying roasting tin with joint in it..for example.I was in hospital for 5 nights but i did go in the night before my op,so 4 really....as i say,i am fine now,back at work,feel great,am on Hrt.Good luck Karen xx

They usually only use staples if you are overweight. Just tell the staff as soon as you feel pain & they will give you medication to keep on top of it. Better to hit pain on head early on than wait till it's bad. Catheters don't hurt. Just feels weird while in and feels like a tampon when coming out. The staff in hospital will get you up when they know it's ok to. Then ask them how mobile you need to be after discharge. There's a useful attachment on Gynae homepage here called "Useful Resources".

hii karen again , dont get worrieing im a bit over weight and they used dissovable stitches not staples , you will be given a button so you can have morphin for pain, ive not gone on hrt yet my consultant and doctor said seehow i go in the 6 weeks,my skin is getting greesy now and had a few spots in the last 4 weeks im going hot on and off , but im not sure i want to go on hrt , my mom never had it 30 odd years ago, she said she was ok , but did have flushes , so im going to try and do with out for as long as i can.

Funnily enough, even though I am a nurse and work on gynae I was still nervous so don't think that you are unusual.