Hysterectomy due to large ovarian cyst

I had a full abdo hysterectomy on march 27th and as id had 2 caesareans knew the sort of pains to expect.

Best piece of advice get up as soon as they allow you and although you will feel like you cant walk or stand up straight the quicker you do the quicker you will get over the op.

The wind pain you get as your bowel gets back to normal can be awful but walking about helps. X

Wish you well with your operation and a speedy recovery. There are lots of tips on here for post op, like a v cushion for lying and cushion or rolled towel for car home. And peppermint tea for the trapped gas. And BIG knickers! Good luck x

First of all, don't worry.  My ovarian cyst was 12 cms x 10cms.  I had a vertical incision and appendix removed as well, as cyst and ovary had wound round my appendix. I was given paracetamol and codeine for the pain and a button which when pressed dispersed small amounts of morphine if needed.  I didn't need it and anyway I lost it in the bedclothes somewhere!  However I didn't get much pain anyway.  Best to take a nightdress or nightshirt in with you and a light dressing gown, not pj's. Do as you are told and listen to their advice, you will recover more quickly that way.  The Physio may come and see you the next day and tell you what exercises you can do.  When you get out of bed, straighten up, don't be afraid as walking straight and not bent over is more comfortable.  Your tummy will be swollen at first, so take loose clothing with you, like stretchy waist trousers or track suit bottoms.  It does go down eventually but does take time.  Don't wear jeans as the button digs in.  Be patient, don't worry about housework when you get home, take it easy, don't lift anything, let everyone else do it for you.  You can make a cup of tea but only fill the kettle with a small amount of water enough for one cup.  I found that the Nurses were all brilliant and helpful.  Stop worrying, you will be okay, they will look after you.  I was only in hospital for two nights.  I had my surgery last September and am now feeling great.  The bonus is I can get into nearly all my trousers now.

I hope everything goes well for you, go in with a positive attitude and you will be okay.

There's no need to worry it will be over before you know it i had mine in Nov 2015 and was very scared but I needn't have been just take it easy when you come home no housework the hard part is the recovery just take it one day at time good luck

I am also 41. I had a hysterectomy ten months ago for an ovarian cyst & fibroid tumors. I was suppose to have robotic surgery, woke up to a ten inch incision due to a very bad case of undiagnosed endometriosis. I don't regret my surgery as all the issues I'm going to bring up are way better than the constant pain I was dealing with before surgery.

Here's the brutal truth I wish someone had let me in on -

1) it's going to be painful, but it's not the same pain as what you currently experience. Your incisions will burn, your muscles will be sore, but it will improve a little each day.

2) Morphine is not your friend. Wean yourself off as quickly as possible. Morphine also does not help with the gas pressure/pain you will experience in the hospital. It is intense, but slowly sitting up will help alleviate the pressure. Morphine also causes constipation, which is no fun after surgery.

3) it's okay to take it easy. Listen to your body. While moving & walking help, don't overdo it. You will start walking in the hospital, add a few more steps or minted each day.

4) do not lift, push, or vacuum until your doctor clears you. It will just set your recovery back.

5) there will be lots of swelling for months. It's natural. Your body will slowly return to its presurgery self. Every time you overdo it, the swelling will come back, but a little less each time.

6) HRT is your friend. Discuss options win your doctor. I went with an estridol patch - believe me, it helps.

7) HRT does not resolve all issues - you will be moody, have hot flashes, & occasionally feel despressed. Remember - all of this is still better than the horrific pain you've been in.

8) you may experience extreme vaginal dryness after things heal up. Discuss this with your doctor. It is extremely common. HRT can help. There also is an over the counter suppository that I swear by. Of all the advice I have received, this was the one that i needed the most. No one wants to talk about it, because really who goes around discussing the state of ones private areas, but this is the one thing I struggled with the most.

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I don't get why a cyst on an ovary makes it necessary to do a full hysterectomy? Why can't just the cyst be dealt with?