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Hi Irish, I'm glad you're doing good after your operation, I hope I'm as lucky.

As I've already said I'm not that bothered about the operation, it's the aftermath - dramatic? Probably, lol I do tend to worry and though I know it'll be best all round, under the circumstances, I'm scared I'll end up regretting the removal of my ovaries.

Thinking about it, it's better to regret it with hot flashes and whatever else menopause has to offer than, well, leaving them in and other stuff happening. And of course I can have help with the symptoms of menopause, something is bound to work positive thinking, that's what I need; having said that I'll be back to worrying tomorrow, I'm just going round and round in circles. Wish it was all over so I can deal with the consequences instead of making stuff up in my head.

x

Hi Irishwales,

Just wondered how you were fairing, now that you're a little further down the line. Mine was cancelled  due to there being no anaesthetist so not getting "done" until 21st April.

Still, there's nothing I can do about it and I'm not the only one disappointed - understatement  At first it was looking like I might have to wait at least a month but the Dr said due to my Prostap injections I shouldn't wait too long so I guess I'm luckier than some might be.

To console myself we're off to spend a week at the caravan over Easter, which we should have been doing anyway before I was having my op.

Hope all is good with you x

You have the same date as me Esmay! 21st April. I'm worried mine will be cancelled last minute - still waiting for my admission letter though - so that doesn't make me feel so confident! I am having a break at Easter too - take my mind off things!

Hi Glennie,

Oh I really do hope they don't cancel on you. At least for me it happened before Easter which gives me the chance to get away for a while.

I will keep everything crossed that both of our operations go through on the 21st. Please have a lovely relaxing break and try not to worry about it. Easier said than done I know.

Take care m'dear x

Good luck Esmay, and Glennie. Hope all goes well for you both. We'll be thinking if you, xxx

Hi Glennie and Esmay,

Hope both of your surgeries went forward and were successful!  Please be gentle with yourselves and take the time to recover that you need! xx

Hi Lynda. Had my surgery today at 11am. Was in theatre for 2 hours - and came round about 1.15pm - feeling not bad at all!!! No sickness and the pain quite bearable! Even got some food at teatime!!!!

That's great!  I'm so glad it wasn't cancelled.  I found that my pain was quite bearable, too.  Do take care of yourself, and take it easy, giving yourself plenty of time to heal!

And, keep in touch!  Others on this site will benefit from your caring and experience! xx

To be honest the surgery site is less painful than the back pain i got on a bad day! Thanks for getting in touch.

Did you get sorted today Esmay? Hope so!!! Xxx

You mioght find yourself feeling a bit more pain later on.  But my pain wasn't unbearable.  I used tylenol or advil.  Those worked fine.  

Because your hormones will be off, I suggest that you start a probiotic, that will work in your intestines and uro/genital system to keep your bacteria in balance.  If you decide to use one, make sure that it can survive the trip through your stomach.  This will help with UTI's, too.  xx

Hi Lynda,

Thanks for the advice! I did a fair bit of research before the op - think that is why I came around so quickly - I also had an amazing anaesthetist - which helps immensely. Had women surgeon working on me too - which I think can be an advantage! I will be back on my high fibre/ well watered and laxido diet asap to get my bowel balanced again. Although post-op I have fpund drinking easy - already gone through 5 water jugs!!!!

Hi Glennie,

I'm so glad you're doing so well!  Please keep in touch! xx

Hi Glennie

Sorry for the late reply. Everything went we'll with my surgery and felt fine till I was sick over night, just as well I didn't have anything to eat, lol.

Feeling semi okay now, at least better than I expected, though I do have a swelling above my scar which is bigger on one side; weird.

Have you been advised to wear an abdominal binder at all? Or maybe support underwear?

Hope you're recovering well xx

Hi Esmay,

Good to know you have had your op and are on the mend. I had a very sore swollen area on my right hand side - ended up on antibiotics for a while. They said it was old blood - I didn't have any drain in post op.

Not using an abdominal binder or support pants - just leggings and big knickers!!!

Did you end up with a big cut? I got a large bikini line cut with dissolving stitches. Was very uncomfortable for the first 10 days - easing off now! Hope you are feeling a bit stronger each day!

Haha I bought big knickers. As well as being bigger than I usually wear I got a size up, well I really wasn't sure. So glad I did though and I've just bought another pack but in my right size.

I never thought of leggings. I got a couple of pairs of jogging bottoms but mostly been wearing nighties.

I'm not sure if my cut is big or not, think it's about 7-8 inches, or probably nothing like that, lol. I'm just thankful it was a bikini cut. Looks like those injections I had before surgery shrank those fibroids.

You didn't have a drain? Why was that? I had one until the Saturday evening, was the weirdest feeling when they took it out; like something slithering under my skin, yuck.

I do feel a lot better/stronger but so, so bored. Now that I can't do anything, everything is getting on my nerves, lol. It's okay though I just walk away, well it's the only exercise I get haha.

I hope you continue to heal well. Make sure you and everyone else looks after you.

Hugs xx

Hi Esmay!

I have know idea why i had no drain - kind of expected it - but a friend of mine in ICU reckons its to do with infection control.

Did you get sent home with blood thinning injections? I did - that was a bit of a shock. Lucky for me my hubby administered them - I hate needles! I have a numb area around my cut and that is really weird.

Did they remove your ovaries in the end? I had my 1 remaining ovary removed - and within a few days my menopause symptoms came back with vengeance. I have gone back on HRT now - luckily my GP decided I was mobile enough to take again.

Hope you go from strength to strength xx

Hi Glennie,

Maybe it depends what hospital you go to, whether or not they put a drain in, funny though.

Yes I was given the blood thinners, had to inject myself before I left the hospital. I was a bit apprehensive at first but it wasn't bad at all. In fact I made less of a mess on my tummy than they did on my arms, more fat I guess lol. I too am numb around my incision but the area isn't as large as it was. Really weird feeling when you know you're touching it but can't feel anything. Get twinges and sharp pains now and again as if someone is sticking a pin in me. Apparently that's just the nerves regenerating (or whatever)

They did take my ovaries, took everything. Have you any idea how long it takes for oestrogen levels to be fully depleted? I was at the doc's today but I got the feeling she couldn't be bothered as she was running late. I was supposed to have a 10 minute appointment but don't think I even had 5. Cheeky mare making up time on my appointment - sorry, mini rant over.

I am having hot flushes but so far they aren't that bad. Bed clothes on off on. Window open then closed, lol. Got the whole king size bed to myself for now as my OH is scared in case he knocks me. I secretly think it's also to do with my fidgeting.

I did say to the doc that I might be back to talk hrt. I'll make sure I get ALL of my appointment time too.

Ooh would you look at that essay, sorry, lol x

They don't use a drain most of the time. No point putting one in if Surgeon can see there will be nothing to drain!

Drains aren't a hospital policy - it's entirely up to the Surgeon to decide if everything is all tied off and looks good inside before he closes up. If that's the case then there is absolutely no need to put a drain.

Hi Esmay,

I was on high dose HRT prior to op and had to stop taking beforehand - so it took about 3 weeks for it to get out of my system - 1 week post-op and all hell broke loose for me. Night sweats so bad I could literally wring my nightie out - and bad heads as I was dehydrated! I was told to get my HRT sorted asap by gynae at the hospital. I had a very unhelpful GP at the surgery who didn't even see me (talked over the phone) and said I could not have HRT until 6 weeks post-op. Went a few more days and managed to get in to see another GP - who checked me over and said I was well enough to go on HRT. It takes 3 weeks to get into your system - although I have noticed a reduction in hot flushes and mood swings already. Just see how you go. I am quite lucky in respect my body is already used to artificial hormones!

Keep well and happy!

Hi Robyn

Never having gone through major surgery before I wouldn't know anything about that.

Still, all good in the end ?

Hi Glennie,

I'm pleased you managed to get sorted eventually. I'm going to do a little research into hrt just in case and hope if

I need it I won't have any problems with drs or the hrt itself.

If it takes 3 weeks to get into your system I wonder if it takes 3 weeks to get out. We'll see 😨

So tired today. 😴

Take care x