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Total abdominal hysterectomy due next week - what to expect?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Biggles72030
Biggles72030

Due to have a total abdominal hysterectomy next week and I am absolutely petrified.  My consultant said I would be in hospital for 3-4 days but when I went for my pre-op I was told that I would only be in one night!

I had a caesarean 21 years ago and despite blood thinning injections had a blood clot - one on each lung.  They have assured me I will be on a higher dose of injection this time. This also means that HRT s not an option.   Feeling very apprehensive.  

 Any advice/tips gratefully received on how I’m going to feel after the big H and how to deal with the onset of menopause 

 

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Creedes
    Creedes Biggles72030

    Posted

    Hi,

    Can I tell you that if you anticipate being scared you will be scared. How about saying you will feel so much better when they do the surgery and you will have a speedy recovery “be positive” it will help you. I had emergency hysterectomy last year I was walking the next day and remained positive and said a lot of prayers. I too had a massive blood clot in my leg I was on lovenox shots. Please take care and be positive you will be ok and feeling better than ever. Instant flat tummy!

    😘

  • leah50274
    leah50274 Biggles72030

    Posted

    It's hard to say what to expect because everyone is different, but I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 8 weeks ago. I was in the hospital for 2 nights, but I was up walking and had a shower the next day. Be prepared to have a swollen belly for a while (still having some swelling). Also, I bought a belly binder online that I felt helped a lot the first few weeks. I also borrowed a recliner so that my feet were always up. Don't overdo! You really need to take a full 6 weeks off to recover! Anytime I overdid it, I paid for it for the next 2-3 days. It's hard, but you have to rest and recover. I didn't do HRT either but the only thing I've really had issues with are the hot flashes. Invest in fans and cool pillows!

  • roma25492
    roma25492 Biggles72030

    Posted

    I had a tah 7 weeks ago. I too was terrified. However Days before I adopted a positive attitude and I prayed for good results. I was up walking the next day, home the following. I rested for two weeks and returned to my desk job because i had to. I still get very tired in the middle of the day but have had zero complications. I do have a very swollen belly which seems to grow as the day progresses. I have been very good at camoflaging it in my work clothes. 

    Everyone is different and i always say i can only speak of my experience. I wish everyone’s experience can be as good as mine.  I pray you have a speedy recovery and hope you check back in after your surgery. Good luck. 

  • sharon_59597
    sharon_59597 Biggles72030

    Posted

    Hi I had tah in January its normal to be feeling scared I was but its not as bad as you imagine you will be home probs 3 days after take it easy plenty of resting im 55 nor on HRT getting hot flushes and night sweats but managing them good luck and the aftercare from the nurses is brilliant xx
  • Creedes
    Creedes Biggles72030

    Posted

    Yes I agree a belly binder is very helpful I bought Bellifit it is a really tight corset that helps you move around a lot easier. 
  • tina95476
    tina95476 Biggles72030

    Posted

    Hi i hope your op went well. I am almost 2 weeks post TAH and had everything removed. I also had a bad experience after ceasarean 22 years ago and was scared it would happen again. It did! Body shut down and could neither wee nor poo and could hardly move but with laxatives and rest and lots of fluids I got through it and after 5 days I could then start my recovery properly. Feel stronger each day even if have a swollen tum at end of the day and can wee for England! Good luck x
    • Biggles72030
      Biggles72030 tina95476

      Posted

      Hi Tine

      My op went very well and I am now 4 weeks post TAH.  I had a few problems like you, my bladder wasn’t emptying properly, so I came home with a catheter for a few days - such fun (not).  I’m moving around quite well but I too end up with the swollen belly at the end of the day.  I’m only getting a few hot sweats but the thing that is really bothering me is I feel so miserable.  It’s like having the baby blues again but with no baby. I could just sit and I don’t know why.  I guess it’s all down to hormones.  Just wish I could snap out of it.

    • tina95476
      tina95476 Biggles72030

      Posted

      Oh no poor you. I started HRT patches and they've been great. Are you going to use them?

    • roma25492
      roma25492 Biggles72030

      Posted

      Glad to hear your surgery went well. Being down is all apart of the healing. Remember you are still healing mind and body.  I’m a firm believer in food being medicine. Eating good whole foods will eleviate some of that feeling. Staying well hydrated as well. I hope you continue well on the road to recovery
    • Biggles72030
      Biggles72030 roma25492

      Posted

      Thank you for your comment.  It helps so much to hear from others.  Thanks xx
    • welshgirl67
      welshgirl67 Biggles72030

      Posted

      It's surprising the chemicals that are flushed through us with anaesthetic,drugs in surgery. This all affects our bodies and has to surface somewhere.

      Its early days yet,you have away to go yet. It takes 12 mths to recover fully internally.x

  • welshgirl67
    welshgirl67 Biggles72030

    Posted

    Hi

    I had a vaginal hysterectomy in January.. Even though it was fine vaginal the internal healing is the same.

    Do nothing but rest for 6 weeks only light walks, due to stitches healing. After that you can move around more but no lifting anything heavy for up to 12 wks.. This is due to the fragile tissues healing. You don't want to prolapse as this is the risk if You do anything like lifting and bending too much.

    If you have your ovaries you will not go through menopause but I'm guessing you will be? I went through menopause at age 45 so when I had mine at 50 I didn't suffer that way only very mild.

    If say you will be in for 2 nights all being well and you wee ok.

    Good luck it will all be absolutely finex

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