Having a hysterectomy in your 70s?

I honestly don’t know as never had one, but it is a big operation to have at any age. I had a big op at 70 which took me a long time to get over. I think you should talk it through well with your doctor and get him to advise you of the effects after the operation. Good luck whatever you decide.

Hi Grianne - no personal experience but didn't want to read and run as they say. What a dilemma for you but I think I'd go for it now if I was you. From experience [medical background] the problem is likely to get worse with aging and could cause worsening incontinence etc as muscle tone deteriorates as you age. Have you discussed the options with your consultant? Personally, I'd do that - ask specifically about outcomes with or without the surgery. In any event, I doubt any consultant would recommend major surgery like this unless they thought it was necessary and would improve your quality of life. I think recovery from such surgery these days is normally very good. Good luck whatever you decide.

I had a hysterectomy many years ago. I would say go for it now. Try and get yourself as fit as you can and give yourself a long time to get over it. The kinder and more careful you are to start with the quicker your recovery. You are probably not planning on popping your clogs any time soon so go for it!

I was scheduled for a hysterectomy at 69 due to what was thought to be fibroids. However, it turned out to be a massive ovarian cyst and as my uterus was healthy, the surgeon decided to remove both ovaries and leave my uterus.

He couldn't consult me about this, as I was on the operating table when he realised that he was dealing with an ovarian cyst and looking at a healthy uterus.

Certainly, a hysterectomy is a big operation at any age, but age itself doesn't make it more hazardous. Obviously your general health must be good, or your gynaecologist would not be advising operating.

Perhaps you should ask for a second opinion from another surgeon before agreeing to the op. The result will probably be the same advice, but you will doubtless feel less anxious if you have another opinion.

Another point to consider is whether you really want to live with your existing condition? I imagine it must restrict your daily life.

After a hysterectomy, you will need to take care for some time, but will, I am sure be offered after-care such as physiotherapy.

There is one certain benefit: the risk of uterine cancer disappears if you no longer have your uterus and that of ovarian cancer if they are contemplating removing the ovaries too, which is standard procedure in some hospitals in women who have finished the menopause.

The cervix remains, so women are usually advised to continue having smear tests done for cervical cancer, but I believe the risk is greatly minimized after a hysterectomy.

In your place, I imagine I would consent to the operation, but not being a doctor I cannot really adivise you.

I hope you find a solution that suits you.

I had a total hysterectomy when I was 38. Cyst on my left ovary with 2litres of fluid in it which they thought was benign because of the size but right on was cover in tiny cysts. As I had 2 children by emergency c section and they where going to use the same scar I was given choices but opted for total hysterectomy they took everything including my cervix. Because it was my choice I think that's why I got over it so well. Took 6 weeks to heal. Had to have 32 Heparin injections to stop blood clots. Luckily the tiny cysts where all benign. I am now 63.

I know it doesn't really answer your questions. But as you say you need a hysterectomy you might as well have it done now while you are fit enough as you don't know how you are going to be in the future.

The usual question is to ask the surgeon 'if I was your mother, would you recommend the op?' I don't think it would have been suggested if if wouldn't make a dramatic difference to your life. I love the idea of having a peccary up there, I think you mean a pessary, rather than a little South American pig?

A total hysterectomy will remove womb and cervix, and probably ovaries as well, all those troublemakers out of the way.

I had an early hysterectomy and prolapse repair, and then 25 years later a vault repair. Both major open abdominal operations but the results were worth it.

One other thing to ask, I would ask your surgeon to avoid the use of mesh if at all possible, there are alternatives now. Most people are all right, but that have been a few horrible permanent side effects to the mesh.

Go for it, you will be a new woman!

I was 66 which is not far off (am now 71) and it was part of a pelvic clearance following appendiceal cancer. Am so pleased I no longer have to worry about ovarian or uterine cancer and can have oestrogen only HRT. It was a much larger operation than you would so my recovery was longer than for a straightforward hysterectomy. Have it sooner rather than later IMO.

I had one years ago only 45;because of a cyst. There were some complications due to endometriosis which hadn’t been diagnosed before. It did take me a while to feel better but I had lost some blood and needed iron tablets for months after. But saying that it probably saved my life and life is precious definitely have a talk with your consultant.

Thank you so much, everyone, for all this really constructive help and advice. The overall message I'm getting is to be as healthy as possible and talk it all over thoroughly with the surgeon. I'm going to work on both! And I loved the idea of having a small south American pig up my vagina- thank you B9exchange!!!

Yes...nursing background. Of course, talk over all concerns with your doctor, but in my experience, things left tend to get worse, and you’ll be older...so harder to deal with.

All the best, and hope it goes well whatever you decide to do.

I had a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy, 7 years ago when I was 56, as I had uterine cancer.

It was an entirely manageable operation, with virtually no pain. I was out of bed sitting in a chair the next morning. I went home after 3 days and had only paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain management. Constipation was my only problem and some post anaesthetic tiredness.

I was back at work on a phased return after 6 weeks.
I have had no issues since.
I wasn’t particularly fit beforehand and I recovered really well.

My advice is to go for it.
Wishing you the very best of luck. ?

I've still got all my innards, thankfully.

I'd say it depends upon your general health how quick a recovery you make after such an operation, or any major operation for that matter.

I had a hysterectomy along with bladder and bowel prolapse repairs at 65. It was a great relief to get rid of the prolapse and it had got too severe for a pessary to work.
Initially my GP recommended the surgery as she thought it preferable to possibly still be having a pessary re-fitted in your 80s.
The surgery did have a long recovery but there was very little pain and it was just a case of taking it easy for a few months. Do your research on what you can do post op and get your house set up to make things easy initially.

I had a hysterectomy at 56 because of fibroids. The consultant asked me again, just as I went into theatre, what exactly I wanted removed in addition to the extras I’d grown! He was pleased when I said ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix. It was entirely my choice but I was glad to exclude the possibility of ovarian or uterine cancer and escape the smear test.
A friend who is a nurse advised me to take pain killers offered even if not in pain at the time. This is a good move and something I’d have stoically avoided. Also you’ll have a morphine button you can press but I hardly used it. The nurses washed me but didn’t clean my teeth; if this happens to you, ask for it as it hindered me eating.
I deliberately got myself up and walked down the corridor on the second night, cheered on and challenged to go further by the nurses, and sent home after 48 hours. Yippee!
As I’d had a C section at 28 I knew to pick things up between my big toe and second toe then bend my knee to pass items up to my hand (so no bending forward). I asked DH to bring a small cushion to use as a pad between my tummy and the seat belt when he picked me up.
Pre op I’d batch cooked to make life easier when I returned home. For 2 nights he steadied me as I got into bed. After that I was absolutely fine as I gradually returned to normal.
I hope this allays any concerns you have and gives you some ideas. The decision is yours but I have no regrets. Yes, you’ll be 14 years older than I was but the consultant must not be concerned by your age.

they can do it all by keyhole now
my friend had a recent hysterectomy for uterine cancer and they did it via keyhole, they took ovaries, womb, cervix and any growth at the same time xx

Thank you all so much, the detailed descriptions are so helpful and reassuring. Elusive Butterfly's point about not wanting to be having pessaries replaced in my 80s is a deal clincher for me! Very best wishes to everyone

EllanVannin

I've still got all my innards, thankfully.

I'd say it depends upon your general health how quick a recovery you make after such an operation, or any major operation for that matter.

I am so glad I don’t have any of my reproductive bits. I can’t get cancer of the ovaries, womb or cervix, can’t become pregnant, don’t have periods and I can take oestrogen only HRT which is the safest.

Grianne,. You will be fine. Take a tablet into hospital and you can spend some of your recovery time on Gransnet and let us know how you are doing.

Best wishes from all of us.

My friends mother had to get a hysterectomy 2 years ago because of cancer, it was caught early and didn't have to receive chemo thank goodness. She was 84 years old and is great, back to herself in no time. She had a bad time with breast cancer in her 40s and was questioning whether to go for it, but now she's so glad she did.
All the best for your op.x

I had a hysterectomy and vaginal repair at 64 because of a type of endometriosis. I had a vaginal op under a spinal anaesthetic, which meant I recovered quickly and was up and eating breakfast the next morning. I did not want the effects of a general anaesthetic, but convalescing from a vaginal, keyhole or abdominal operation is similar, and you need to take care for a few weeks.

I had a hysterectomy end of last year. I am in my 70s. My main problem now is total loss of libido, I have been begging for HRT but I can't get a reply from my GP at all. Also It should have been a keyhole, but after making several holes they decided to go the whole way and make a big cut across my belly. And as far as I can determine, there was no real necessity. I had fibroids that's all. No cancer traces at all!

yggdrasil

I had a hysterectomy end of last year. I am in my 70s. My main problem now is total loss of libido, I have been begging for HRT but I can't get a reply from my GP at all. Also It should have been a keyhole, but after making several holes they decided to go the whole way and make a big cut across my belly. And as far as I can determine, there was no real necessity. I had fibroids that's all. No cancer traces at all!

How awful for you. Please read the NHS guidelines on the menopause. (Google it)
Then watch the Davina McCall channel 4 recent programme on the menopause (I didn’t watch it either but did after being told that the doctor’s phones were ringing incessantly after the programme aired).
You may need both oestrogen and testosterone. If your doctor is behind the times then demand to be referred to a menopause clinic.
[In your position I would be camped out at the entrance to the doctor’s surgery every weekday.]

Hi I had a full hysterectomy when I was 27yrs old. I was young fit and healthy and cycled everywhere but I did live in Germany at time. and I was really ill afterwards. Mine was all done In a military hospital.Who give me the perfect cut right across my stomach. I think 29yrs ago that was there answer.

Aged 75, I had a large (22cm long) ovarian cyst, and complete hysterectomy was the standard treatment for this for anyone post-menopausal.
Lots of good advice for you already, If you do go ahead with the op I'll add;
You won't be able to pick up anything weighing more than about 1lb for about 6 weeks after the op. I planned in advance, got small bottles of water rather than the 2litre ones and other similar swaps. I live on my own, if you're with your family you'll have less to arrange.
Try to get out of bed as soon as possible, walk along the corridor, and always walk upright, don't hunch over. That applies to when you're sitting too.
Bio-oil is very good for your scar, massage it in regularly. The specialist always commented on how well my scar had healed.
I hope it all goes well, ,whatever you decide to do.

Thank you Esspee. After trying yet again to get through to my surgery, I googled and found a menopause clinic. I didn't know that sort of thing existed. The woman I spoke to took details and their practitioner wil get back to me. She said they had had loads of women saying the same thing, that GPs can't or won't help :-((