Total Hysterectomy aged 53 due to fibroids and heavy bleeding

Mine was for double prolapse, but you will feel so much better afterwards. Let's hope they can do keyhole as you can recover so much quicker, but if not, you will still be a new woman by Christmas! Hope all goes well and you have lots of help whilst you recover.

I had a total hysterectomy when I was 47 due to multiple fibroids and it transformed my life.

After the necessary rest following a major operation (you do feel very, very tired) I was full of beans because all the pain and discomfort had gone.

When in doubt, get it all out!!

I opted for a sub- total hysterectomy at 54 because of very painful periods, fibroids and endometriosis and felt absolutely terrific afterwards.

I had one at 50 and the releif of not flooding everywhere was immense.

Same here. Have it all taken away including ovaries to reduce the risk of cancer. You will feel heaps better after, good luck.

I had a hysterectomy at the age of 44 because I had extremely heavy periods caused by fibroids. The op was meant to be by keyhole surgery but unfortunately had to have major surgery. I did not have my ovaries removed because of my age.

The difference the op made to my life was amazing as I had been so anaemic for years.

I had a hysterectomy when I was 42 because of fibroids but kept my ovaries because of my age. Not having to worry any more about very heavy painful periods was brilliant. Recovery was quicker and easier than I expected

Thankyou so much for all your messages this is very reassuring to hear such positive outcomes xx

Laparoscopic total hyst at 45 due to cancer risk. I've never had a single side effect (other than instant menopause, but we all get that at some point anyway). The relief of no more heavy, painful periods! No more mood swings! Wonderful.

41 when fibroids forced a hysterectomy. I thought and still think it was the best thing I have ever done. Listen to the advice from your surgeon over the recovery period jools and you’ll find life is so much better afterwards.

I had a hysterectomy at 36 because of very heavy and almost constant periods with lots of pain - the day I had the surgery was day 16 of constant flooding. Felt wonderful from then on and absolutely loved walking straight past the sanitary protection shelves. Never had any regrets.

Had a hysterectomy in my thirties, felt better as soon as I woke from the anaesthetic! Diagnosis was endometriosis. Look after yourself when you get home and your recovery will be speedy!

I had hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries at 42 due to severe endometriosis. Oh the relief of no more heavy bleeding and pain! Wonderful. Good luck ?

Same story here Jools I had mine over 25 years ago. Best thing I ever did, I felt so much better afterwards. No regrets and never had any problems since. Good luck.

I always say it was the best day's sleep I ever had.

I did not have keyhole; but not a problem. The scar is lost in the forest!

I had an abdominal hysterectomy and oophorectomy (womb and ovaries) 6 years ago. My consultant told me it’s a straight forward operation and I didn’t believe him. He was right.

I was sitting up in a chair the morning after. I was home from hospital after three days and was back at work on a phased return after 6 weeks.
Honestly, it is straight forward and it’s not painful. I have had no issues since my op.

Hope all progresses positively for you Jools. Best wishes ?

My sil had womb and ovaries taken away last year it was a long operation due to her having adhesions. She did amazingly well, she came home the same day with paracetamol. and even managed to visit her daughter two days later best thing she ever did.

You haven’t mentioned your age but I am assuming you are 40-55.
One of the huge benefits of a combined hysterectomy, oopherectomy and removal of the cervix is that you then have 3 fewer “bits” which can become cancerous plus you can use oestrogen only HRT which has huge benefits with few of the possible problems of combined HRT.
I’m ancient. The operation today is a dawdle compared to my day and I was delighted with the results of my major op. all that time ago.
If you were my daughter I’d say go for it. Ask for an oestrogen pellet to be inserted before you get sewn/ taped up and good luck.

I had fibroids and was always glad when my periods came because the bleeding was much lighter on those days. I couldn't have the hysterectomy via keyhole because everything is joined up inside me with superfluous tissue.

I had the hysterectomy when I was 42 but have kept my ovaries. Unlike everyone else, I have not felt great ever since (apart from no more bleeding). It can give you mild depression or at least knock your confidence for 6. I never really regained my confidence and had recurring dreams about being pregnant.

The mental effect is therefore not to be ignored, but no way could I have carried on with the bleeding, so it is best to take the chance.

Whichever way you have the operation done, make sure you find a physiotherapist or exercise regime to get your tummy muscles working again. You may put on weight afterwards and this can also dent your confidence.

Sorry to spoil the thread with negative comments but this could be one of the side effects.

The operation itself is no problem and you really don't need to worry about the physical side of it.

I had mine at 53. The ward sister came and talked to me (and a friend!) about having my ovaries out. She was lovely, and sensible. I had it all out. They gave me an implant automatically during the op, and then later I was prescribed HRT pills. They did not suit me, and eventually my lovely female doctor prescribed some Swiss patches. Wonderful! When it was time to come off HRT I just lengthened the time between patches. I never looked back.

Esspee I am 53 and currently taking combined patches Everol sequi, to be honest they are not great, still have a lot of symptoms which I think is down to the progesterone in them, perhaps I need a slightly higher dose but because I am awaiting a date, probably be end of October which is at my request, I will wait and change to oestrogen only after the op, I have an appointment with Louise newson menopause specialist who will prescribe the correct dosage for me, I believe the benefits of oestrogen in the body far outweigh the negatives at my age so int3nd to take it long term, I didn’t know they offered pellet at time of surgery, this was not mentioned? Xx

Jools1x It wasn’t discussed with me either. This was 31 years ago and I was being operated on to remove ovarian cysts. The consultant had discussed with me the possibility that once she operated she might feel that I would be better off with everything removed. She understood that I wanted my ovaries saved if possible as at 40 I wasn’t prepared for the menopause.
I woke from the anaesthetic and she came to my bedside immediately to explain why she had decided to remove everything. She had photographed my ovaries, and explained the danger of leaving them in, had removed the womb and cervix as they were potential sites for cancer and popped an oestrogen implant in before stitching me up so that I wouldn’t have the added stress of menopausal symptoms.
I recovered very rapidly compared to the three other ladies who were operated on by different surgeons the same day. In fact I felt amazingly well and was running around helping the nurses and even repotting all the day room plants. Being on oestrogen was a complete revelation to me. Clearly my ovaries had not been working properly before the op.

It is now 31 years on. I am still on oestrogen and will be for the rest of my life. I am in my 70s and full of life.

Hope all goes well for you.

JackyB. Usually the ovaries, even if left, start to pack up once you have your womb removed. Did you try HRT?

Jools1x, if (as the title says) you are 53, have you had your hormones checked? Many women find that (after a time of heavy bleeding) their periods stop at about that age.