I had my hysterectomy including removal of cervix (plus anterior prolapse repair) just about a year ago. Mine was vaginal, as I still have my ovaries. So your recovery will be different in some ways because you have had abdominal surgery. But I am absolutely delighted with the outcome and wish I’d had this so much sooner. I spent years in unnecessary discomfort, and literally feel like a new woman.
Pads and big pants were a great tip from Gransnetters back then. Comfy clothes obviously- elasticated waists etc. I also took drinks and snacks in to hospital (for some reason I was craving chocolate for a couple of days!). As well as not lifting, you mustn’t stretch. My hairdryer is quite heavy and I couldn’t blow dry my hair - my DIL came and did one day for me, but between DH acting as a human hairdryer stand, and popping to the hairdressers I managed.
I was anxious about having general anaesthetic - I think that’s very normal. But of course everything was fine. But recovery is crucial and I was very strict with myself. DH is pretty useless with general cleaning (shops, cooks and does the laundry though) so I got a cleaner from an agency initially for three months to make sure I was fully recovered (actually I liked having the cleaner so much that she’s still coming a year later).
For the first six weeks, I was very careful not to lift anything even nearly heavy. When I started to cook, I got DH to lift things in and out of the oven. I didn’t put too much water in the kettle and only used small saucepans. I did no gardening, only very light laundry and no hoovering or driving. I was tired anyway and rest is essential to good recovery so I maxed out on that. For six weeks, I made sure that I had a proper lying down rest every afternoon. I did try to walk as much as possible - our town is very hilly so I was a little bit careful with the steep hills. And I didn’t drive for about six weeks.
I continue to be careful for further six weeks, especially trying to avoid lifting grandson, who was over 2 then and tall for his age. I know it’s always hard, but I just didn’t do stuff and made a conscious choice to invest in my recovery. I thought it would be best for me and for everyone else and that’s how it’s turned out.
I realise I’ve never said nothing about pain and this is another area where a fellow Gransnetter was a great help to me, as she understood slightly more about the surgical procedure than I had. In order to hold up your remaining pelvic organs, surgeon sometimes construct something called a ‘sacral sling’. It holds up the top end of your vagina, which helps to keep everything elsewhere it should be, once uterus and cervix is gone. I had persistent and uncomfortable pain in my lower back (bottom of the spine - what we used to call the tailbone) and down into my buttocks. I thought it might have been from the position I had been in during surgery, and I couldn’t understand why it was so persistent. Once I realised what had been done and the need for this all to heal properly, it made perfect sense. So whilst still uncomfortable, I was not at all anxious as I knew what was happening. Regular paracetamol kept on top of it. I was given other painkillers too, but I mostly don’t get on with them and anyway I found regular paracetamol to be enough, as long as I did rest regularly.
My sister-in-law lives in France, and would agree with everything else that people have said here about the excellence of the French medical service - I’m sure you’re in absolutely excellent hands. Good luck and do let us know how you get on.
