Help I’ve got to have a hysterectomy

I had one and it was the best tho I I ever had done

PS we both had keyhole surgery.

MsDaisy

Please don’t worry and good luck.

Although a major operation recovery times are good and I’d say 6-8 weeks is the norm now.

My friend and I both had our ops at the same time, I had a full hysterectomy, she retained one ovary (we have a history of ovarian cancer). My op was slightly longer in terms of recovery because I experience some very rare internal bleeding, so I was off work for 13 weeks, she was back at work by week 8.

Good luck x

I had a hysterectomy at 32, was told 12 weeks recovery as I had a job that required some heavy lifting. My daughter had her hysterectomy in July last year.She's 44, had it done laparoscopically, and was back working from home in 4 weeks, though she was told to be careful doing any lifting. Best thing we've both done, for different reasons, but both felt better almost immediately. Good luck with yours.

I am currently recovering from a hysterectomy that was done on 21/11/2022. Mine was done because of a large fibroid. I was told at first because of its size I would have an abdominal hysterectomy but on the day they decided to try a robot and this was successful. My recovery has been slow but without any problems including no bleeding. I am 8 and a half weeks post operation and can do most things and feel back to normal until I do too much bending or stretching which is just doing normal things and nothing strenuous. I think you have to be very mindful of what you attempt to do for quite a long time. I hesitate before I do anything to consider if it would be ok or if I could do it another way. I still word as an Administrator and plan to return to work on 29/1/24. I am 65.

Sounds similar to what HRH Catherine Princess of Wales has been suffering from, with the difference that she is 42!
Good luck and good health

Yes, I had a laparospically(?) assisted vaginal total hysterectomy for early stage endometrial cancer, about 6 years ago. I was 57. So pleased I had it, there is nothing to match the freedom from heavy bleeding and PMT after 45 years of periods.
I had 2 nights in hospital and went back to work on the 43rd day.
And as a bonus, while he had me there the consultant kindly re-did my botched episiotomy scar from 1988. I'm like a new woman!

In 2017, when I was 68. it was discovered I had cancer of the womb. I had a hysterectomy on a Friday afternoon and went home on Saturday afternoon. I was told not to lift things, but other than that the only slight drawback was that I had to jab my thigh every day for a couple of weeks with blood thinners.
I'm not anyone's image of a fit healthy woman, but it really was a doddle. ! Make sure you have keyhole surgery if at alll possible
And just in case you have seen it, coincidentally I've put a very similar message on another forum - yesterday, I think! Can't remember why!
And finally - the plus side is all your sympathetic friends who think you've had a really major op and shower you with gifts and visits!!Good luck!

I had mine a few years ago. Keyhole surgery is wonderful. Op on the Thursday and home on Friday evening. I took 6 weeks off work but could have gone back sooner if my job hadn't involved heavy lifting.

I had one a few years ago because of a prolapse. It was done vaginally so no big abdominal scar. Advised not to drive for 6 weeks, otherwise gradually eased back into activity as pain allowed.

Another teacher here who had a hysterectomy; mine was also due to large fibroids, I was in my early fifties. Also conveniently for school was towards the end of the summer term so I was recovered to go back after the summer holidays. Went on HRT afterwards. Had a total hysterectomy, the surgeon said it was better as it takes away the risk of ovarian or cervical cancer. No problems at all afterwards.

I had a vaginal hysterectomy in ‘99, best decision ever. Full recovery was about 6 weeks though 12 weeks before I was allowed to drive. I was ‘allowed’ home from the hospital for the weekend on the agreement that I would take it easy. I was so well I spent the following day at Hyde Park dancing away to Bryan Adams 😂

I had mine done in 2010. As it was also a bladder and bowel repair I wasn’t able to have keyhole surgery. If you don’t push yourself too much in the first few weeks recovery can be quite quick.
It’s the best thing I’ve ever had done.

I had mine done through the scar of my 4 previous Caesarians and I was healed within the 6 weeks for most things. I was told to avoid heavy lifting for longer but apart from that, the relief from the hormonal problems as I went on to HRT immediately, was amazing.

I had my hysterectomy aged 31 years, 34 years ago due to heavy bleeding. I was a nurse, so had 12 weeks off work by which time I was feeling good. I've never regretted it. I already had two lovely children. Just wanted the heavy bleeding to stop. Make sure you make the right decision for you. If you still have questions contact your consultants secretary and ask for an appointment to discuss your concerns. Write your questions down and take someone with you. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

I had a vaginal hysterectomy at the end of November because of significant uterine prolapse. As others have said, it was the best thing I’ve ever done. All the symptoms I had been suffering with have been eradicated. Apart from a very slight period pain-type of pain for a couple of days, I have felt absolutely brilliant post operatively.

Best thing I ever had done was a hysterectomy in my early 40s. It was done vaginally so no visible scars and I was off work for just 6 weeks.

i had mine at 47 in 1995. i was referred for bleeding between periods. i had an arguement before i went in with my gynae as he said "in view of your age we'll do a hysterectomy". so i told him "no". i'd had my "tubes" removed in the 1980s as i had an ectopic pregnancy. we compromised and agreed that if he didn't like when he "got in there" then he could do the hysterectomy.
anyway i presented myself for an exploratory op to see why i had a mass on one ovary.
the following day my gynae told me that i'd had ovarian cancer and didn't like what he'd seen so did the full hysterectomy - he said "we took the nursery but left you the playground".
i was off work for about 2 months afterwards - my job was headteacher's pa so mostly sedentary.
but, apart from having to have ct scans for 10 years, it was the best thing and i'm so glad i had it. i went straight on to hrt and i've been taking it ever since having weighed up the pros and cons.
so please don't worry about the op - you can go back on hrt and you'll feel so much better.

I had mine done in May last year. It was keyhole surgery, so healed quickly, and, apart from not being allowed to lift anything heavy for a few weeks, I was otherwise back on my feet in a fortnight. I think keyhole surgery may be the way to a quicker recovery. Good luck with your op. Let us know how you get on.

Mine was over 30 years ago too. After a prolonged period of very heavy bleeding and ovarian cysts, I had an emergency hysterectomy. I couldn’t believe how well I felt immediately afterwards. I felt transformed - and in order to avoid an early menopause, an HRT pellet was inserted subcutaneously. This was renewed every six months. Enjoy your recovery period and spoil yourself with good books, light exercise and coffee with friends. You’ll be better than ever in no time!

Thank you for sharing your experiences it really helps. I am hoping to have keyhole surgery as I believe the recovery period is quicker. I’m keen to resume hrt ad the cancer risks are minimal my consultant has said as the uterus, ovaries etc are removed. I feel so much better when taking hrt less aching, hair,skin nails etc but more important my moods are more stable

Mine was even longer ago but I felt better as soon as I woke from the anaesthetic! I’d say do as they advise and you will mend really quickly, ignore them and it takes longer!

I had mine in mid my 30's another teacher. It changed my life they went in through a Section scar I had and I was soon up and about in fact they had me out of bed the first night.
It made my life normal again and I could wear light-coloured clothes.

I too had fibroids. I looked about 7months pregnant felt awful due to blood loss and anaemia under active thyroid. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy due to size of fibroids - melon sized and grapefruit sized. I felt amazing mentally as soon as i woke up and within couple of weeks not too bad physically wise. Was back driving and working before 6wks. No HRT unfortunately due to cancer risk.

I had mine done when I was 40, so a long time ago. I’m sure medicine has moved on a bit since then, I was off work for 3 months as I had various other problems. But really it was such a relief to get back to having a normal life.