Hysterectomy success stories

Hello Sarah

As has been said by a number of people already, everyone has a different experience.  It is natural to be apprehensive about any surgery.  My own experience was an extremely positive one.  I had a total hysterectomy in May because a biopsy had shown some changes that my gynaecologist was concerned about so I elected to have a hysterectomy on his advice.  A week after the op I felt as though I had not had surgery, other than feeling tired.  The histology showed complex hyperplasia so no cancer but with the hysterectomy I've eliminated four possible cancers - endometrial, cervical, tubal, and ovarian.  I was on HRT previously and I'm still on oestrogen.  I feel absolutely marvellous.  I've had 6 surgeries in 4 years for other non-related conditions and I'm categorised as "awkward to intubate" so the anaesthetic has always been my concern rather than surgery.  Having confidence in your surgeon is very important.  I went privately so knew the consultant who was operating on me.  My care was excellent and I stayed in hospital for 3 nights.  

All the best Sarah - do let us know how things go for you.  

Re positive experiences, I've stayed on this site because I think that it's important to contribute and support others who might be apprehensive.  Lyn

i had a full abdominal hysterectomy 11 weeks ago to remove a 24 cm fibroid and I wish I had done it 5 years ago rather carry that extra bulk around, I did try embolisation and the medication Esmaya to shrink this and it did not work. I am 43 and have started taking HRT, I feel great still get a little tired if I do too much and the odd ache if I over do things,but on the whole it has not been as bad as I thought it was going to be.  My surgeon gave me the option to keep my ovaries and cervix, however also explained the risks of keeping them, so my decision was to take that risk away and I now don’t have the worries of those types of cancers or cysts growing.

I am sure you would not have been advised to have this type of surgery if they did not think it was necessary.

Stay positive, from my own experience I am so glad I had the surgery. There is a lot of support on this site and as you can see you only need to ask a question and someone will be able to share their experience.

I wish you well

Anita xx

Thank you Anita, 

Wow that was a big one! Did you have long, heavy periods? 

It's good to hear that esmya didn't work as I was prescribed this but couldn't get it from my Trust. 

It's great to hear HRT is working for you, has it evened out your moods?

You have really put my mind at ease, I was seriously considering opting out in the naïve hope that things would just get better naturally. 

Glad to have been of some help.  I had no issues with my periods, not very heavy and lasting only two days and that was part of the issue that I didn’t realise anything was wrong, apart from a swollen stomach and pain in my right side. 

I took Esmya for four months and the cramps and hot flushes were not worth the results of very little shrinkage. 

To be honest the first 24 hours after the operation are not great and quite painful, but after that that I was able to get up and go for short walks and by the end of the first week I was able to walk about half a mile and have continued to build on that until back to normal. As for the HRT, I started that in the first week after the operation as the surgeon explained my body still needed those hormones, so don’t really know what it would have been without them.

Now 11 weeks on I still have some numbness across my stomach and the odd twinges when I picked up something to heavy. Don’t do anything for those first 6 weeks apart from rest, don’t lift anything heavier than 2.5 kilos, but take short walks and then rest again.

if you need anything send me a message and I will try to help.

xx

Do you feel better now the mass has been removed? 

Do you have more energy? 

I really appreciate the support

Sarah

Xx 

Hi Sarah- I had a DaVinci hysterectomy on July 20.  They took my uterus , cervix and Fallopian tubes but I kept the ovaries.  I had two fibroids that were giving me issues.  I was in the hospital overnight and then went home.  First week was tough but after that not too bad.  Although it was about three weeks until I could stand anything touching my stomach.  I still get an occasional twinge but it is not painful.  Recovery in general hasn't been too bad although I had an issue with yeast infections and now I have trouble sleeping and am not sure if that is tied to the surgery or not.  Other than that, I have felt great!  I hope you are able to come to a decision.  I know it was tough for me but I'm glad I did it!  

Thank you so much Cara. 

I feel such a wuss! 

It's great to hear the success stories! 

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience 😊

Sometimes we just need someone to tell us it will all be just fine! 

Soooo, operation cancelled again! I was all set, waiting in the gown and surgical stockings, anaesthetist at the ready when I was told to go home as there were no beds. 7 hours I sat there, waiting. What an appalling state of affairs we are in with NHS 😖