One of the visitors here is having her surgery very soon. I’m hoping this post will generate a good response so we all can learn more about this procedure and the recovery. (Click the link to view the whole comment.)
Bonnie: …I am having a total laproscopic hysterectomy on Monday (October 30th) …I can’t find much information about the surgery online, mostly abdominal or vaginal assisted ones.
Best wishes Bonnie.
For more information:
Uterine Fibroids Guide for Hysterectomy (Mayo Clinic)
Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (OR-Live video)
If you have a laparoscopic hysterectomy experience, question, concern, or thought – please post your comment here.
——————–
Related Post:
Does anyone have a hysterectomy experience to share?
October 29, 2006 at 2:00 pm
Fortunate to have a visitor leave a detailed comment on another post about this surgery. (Click the link to view the entire comment.)
Thanks Z. I opened the discussion to include any hysterectomy experience and I appreciate you feeling comfortable enough here to share.
October 29, 2006 at 4:08 pm
There was an interesting arrticle in the BMJ here. Published after a couple of days after my surgery.
[Methods of hysterectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials]
[Edited by EclecticGeek to shorten link.]
November 1, 2006 at 10:41 am
So, just an update. I had my surgery on Monday, it took about 3 hours (not sure why it took a little longer, they had told me and my boyfriend that it would take 90 mins to 2 hours). Was told that I would have a 50/50 chance of going home that day – but this wasn’t even discussed after the surgery, they just took me to a room (about 5 hours from the time I went to the operating room).
Early evening of the surgery was pretty bad, mainly because the morphine and everything made me really tired. They took out my catheter (I asked them to) – but told me I had to pee in 4 hours or they would think about putting it back in. I tried to drink a lot (and was getting IV fluids), but I just couln’t pee. They did an “in and out” cathederation (just to get the urine out) – it wasn’t as bad as I had thought it was going to be – and within the next 4 hours i finally pee’d on my own! I was psyched.
My belly started swelling up by yesterday morning, it is uncomfortable, but not painful.
I have been taking pain meds every 5 hours or so — but today it feels like I will be taking them less often, as the pain is not that bad. I can even lay on my side today!
I have been walking around since yesterday morning (in the hospital) – and have been home since 3 PM yesterday (about 24 hours post surgery).
More later. I am not sure how this compares to abdominal surgery, but my guess is that it is much better in terms of pain. I would have thought it would have made the whole swelling of the belly (normal from what I have read) a little better, I will let you know when this improves.
Bonnie
November 1, 2006 at 6:00 pm
Glad to see you home and feeling better. I’ve assisted in a couple of these and they do take ages, especially if things aren’t totally normal in there, doinh anything with laproscopic surgery takes *far far far* longer, something that would only extend normal surgery by five minutes would extend this one by about half an hour! Did you have fibriods? I’m assuming so – so that would be an achievement to take out laproscopically.
The amount of pain you feel depends on what sort of instrument you have to use internally- diathermy is more painful then harmonic but it seals the bleeding better. In terms of pain you’d probably still be in hospital on a Morphine if you had abdominal surgery.
November 1, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Z:
Thanks for the link and the perspective from both on and beside the operating table!
Bonnie:
Wow. I appreciate you posting so soon after your surgery. Best wishes with your recovery. Keep us updated.
November 3, 2006 at 10:18 am
I had the same laporscopic surgery on September 15th due to very large fibroids. Six weeks out I am feeling better than ever. I did have a rough bout with consitpation after my surgery once I got home. I would urge you to take the Milk of Magnesium to keep things going. It was the most painful part of my recovery.
My belly feels flatter than ever. I was amazed. My energy level has increased and is better than it has been in years.
I hope you have a good recovery. Remember not to over do! I found that I would do more like laundry and housework because I was feeling so good, but it can TIRE you out quickly!
Good Luck on youre recovery!
November 4, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Thanks Donna, Z and EclecticGeek.
Donna – the gas is the absolute worst of it! I was up all night 3 days post-op in misery. Unfortunately, I am now running a low grade (99.9 – 100.8 F) fever. After spending nearly 8 hours in the ER last night they sent me home and said come back if it goes up to 101 and stays there!! Sucks, because I was feeling good enough to work a little in bed by Wednesday and now I am tired and feeling pretty run down!
Yes, I had a 8cm fibroid that was pushing up against my bladder. I am a runner, so things got pretty ugly during competitions … not to mention sneezing, coughing, etc. More of a quality of life issue rather than some of you with the heavy bleeding – my heart goes out to you with those issues – and Z – that is intense!
Take care all!
Bonnie
November 4, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Donna:
I’m starting to think that EVERY procedure gives you constipation because I had it after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization. Part of the problem is that constipation is a side effect of at least one of the drugs.
Flat belly. *Sigh* I’m getting there. Glad to hear you’re doing so well.
Bonnie:
You’re very welcome. Listen to Donna and take it easy. You need your rest.
Hey, ANY quality of life improvement post-treatment gets 2 thumbs up from me!
November 5, 2006 at 9:08 pm
Hope eveyone’s recovery is going well.
Gas???? I used Gas-x Pills – xtra strength….worked like a charm.
drink lots of water also for constipation and try magnesium (citrate) -it is a natural laxative (without the bloating,cramping, ugghhh of normal stool softners)
November 6, 2006 at 9:51 am
Hello everyone,
Just to keep everyone informed (especially others who might be reading this before/during/after their laparoscopic hysterectomy) — my fever broke last night! I feel ever so much better today. I started having a little bit of a discharge, but it is not any big deal (and normal from what I have read). I am working today — my goal is to try to get about 5 hours done (from my couch) with a nap in the afternoon!!
I tried Phazyme (gas pills) — and milk of magnesia – neither worked well for me, but nature ended up taking care of everything in the end … with a few uncomfortable days.
One thing I will say – I think that eating very small amounts, and trying to switch to solid food (from soups) slowly over the course of the first week home will make things much easier on your digestive track. I am eating very little — especially since I am doing so little, but will begin to eat more as my appetite and caloric expenditure increase!
More later, take care,
Bonnie
November 7, 2006 at 9:33 am
I have a hysterectomy story I would like to share. It is a long story though, I hope you do not mind.
I am 39 yrs old and began this journey of severe pain, doctors, meds, etc. when I was 17 yrs old and had my first D & C. I had another about 18 months later. At age 20, my doctor found several large cysts on my left ovary. We tried to treat them with meds, to avoid surgery, but to no avail. He scheduled me for a laparoscopy but ended up having to do a full laparotomy removing the ovary as it was too damaged to save. About 6 weeks later they found blood clots in my legs and I once again was hospitalized, this time for 10 days. I was also kept on blood thinners for 1 year. Additionally, I was advised I should not continue taking birth control pills.
The pain and irregular heavy bleeding did not go completely away but I was managing, at least for a little while. In my head, I was 21 and had aleady undergone 4 procedures and been hospitalized for blood clots….I figured I had to just learn to live with the fact that I would always have a painful and irregular cycle. Eventually though, I could no longer tolerate the pain.
I returned to the doctor (new one) with the same complaints. Again, I was medicated which did not help and was scheduled for another laparoscopy. In addition to ovarian cysts, they found endometriosis. I did not find relief after the surgery and continued to complain. Another laparoscopy was performed with same results, cysts, endometriosis and yet, no relief. This doctor told me he had done all he could, that my pain was somewhat psychological (although some endo, “not enough” to justify the severity of pain I was complaining of) and he referred me to a pain clinic. Again, I began to think maybe I was just a “baby” and needed to learn to live with the situation.
I know many of you have gone thru this and know how this situation truly does decrease your quality of life. The constant pain, never feeling “good”, unexpected bleeding due to irregularity, etc. I felt lost.
My parents came home one night and found me on the kitchen floor unable to even stand due to the abdominal pain. I was taken to the ER where I was told I was just having bad menstrual cramps and my period would probably start in a day or two. They did, of course, tell me to follow up with my Dr. if not feeling better.
I found a new Dr who specializes in gynecological diseases. That is when the Lupron started. I did not react well to the lupron and suffered every possible side effect. The worst was the anxiety attacks and my moodiness…I became uncontrollably “mean”…I didn’t even like myself. We did the 3 mos program which was not helping. My Dr wanted me to do another 3 mos which I refused (I actually yelled at my doctor…it was the lupron talking). I was scheduled for yet another laparoscopy. Again, endometriosis, cysts and now adhesions banding my bowels and attaching them to the abdominal wall. After the surgery, in post-op, I was experiencing an unusual amount of pain and told them something was wrong requesting they contact my Dr, which they did. I was unable to urinate (even though I had the urge) and my blood pressure was rising. The staff paged my Dr two more times as they were becoming concerned. Her instructions though were to give me more pain meds and release me, even though I was asking to be admitted.
I was unable to sleep that night due to the pain and felt like my bladder was going to rupture as I was still unable to urinate even though I wanted to. The following morning I was dizzy and weak so I called my Dr. She told me they had removed alot of adhesions and that was causing the pain. She also told me there couldn’t be anything else wrong, that everything looked good when they were done. About 6 hrs later I went to the emergency room, the right side of my abdomin looked like a large water filled balloon. I had to actually hold the “sac” up to walk. After waiting for 4 hrs I was taken to a room. The ER had been calling my Dr but she did not respond until the end of her work day and after seeing all her scheduled appointments. Within 20 minutes of her finally arriving and drawing some blood, they realized I was bleeding internally and was immediately taken to the operating room. The really horrible part was that I had been dropped off at the ER planning on calling for a ride when they were done. Now I have a social worker asking me for my families phone numbers while a nurse is literally cutting my clothes off. My Dr just kept apologizing over and over and made it very clear that this was very serious. She had me so scared I asked her if I would be ok….she actually told me she would do her best, but until they got inside she honestly didn’t know as I had lost alot of blood!!!! When I awoke, I had hemostats and drainage tubes literally hanging out of my body on both sides. They had sewn the hemos into my body to clamp the bleeding arteries. I also had a blood transfusion and learned that I really did almost die, that I had crashed and they were having problems stablizing my blood pressure. So, my outpatient scope has now turned into an emergency laparotomy and a 6 week recovery period.
About 6 mos later, the pain returned again and I began having “hemmorage” like bleeding. I wouldn’t have a period for 2 mos and then suddenly I would just begin “gushing” uncontrollably. I scheduled an appointment and was referred to a gastroenterologist who found nothing wrong with me. Once again, my gynecologist told me there was nothing wrong and referred me to a pain clinic and therapy.
I found a new Dr for obvious reasons. For the first time I had found a Dr who actually read all of my medical charts and took me into his office to talk after the examination. Within 2 days he had me scheduled for surgery. He performed a laparoscopy finding massive adhesions, endometriosis and cysts.
Afterwards, he discussed with me the probability of the endo returning and if so, that I should consider a partial hysterectomy. I had been unable to get pregnant and this seemed like the only way to end this once and for all. When the pain returned again we went ahead with the procedure via laparotomy. Two weeks later, during my post-op exam, he informed me that the pathology reports indicated I had been suffering with a severe case of adenomyosis and that my uterus had been pretty much destroyed.
He determined that adenomyosis had probably been the primary cause for much of my pain and why I had complained of symptoms not typically associated with endometriosis. I felt a certain sense of relief. So many other Dr’s had made me feel “stupid and weak” had told me that my pain/symptoms were psychological and referred me to pain clinics and/or counseling.
Believe it or not, it didn’t end there. We had decided on the partial to prevent the onset of early menopause but also knowing it was possible I would eventually have to have my other ovary removed. Approximately 18 mos later I began having right sided pain. An ultrasound found more cysts on my ovary. My “wonderful” Dr was gone and would be for 3 months due to a research project he was involved with, therefore, I decided to see one of his partners. He agreed that the ovary should be removed. I informed him of the inability to remove the first ovary via laparoscopy and that he had my permission to perform a laparotomy if needed. When I awoke from the surgery, he told me that he had been UNABLE to remove the ovary thru laparoscopy. He told me that he could not get to the ovary due to extensive amounts of scar tissue and adhesions and that it had been “pulled” out of place and was “trapped” He did tell me that he had “scraped” and “removed” as much of the adhesions as he thought I could tolerate and that I would have to return for another surgery to remove the rest. I was NOT happy. I asked him why he didn’t do the laparotomy as we had discussed (in the event the laparoscopy was not possible) and he told me that “this facility is not equipped” for a surgery of that magnitude, that they can only do “outpatient” procedures. I was floored, especially since I had discussed this possibility with him, not to mention my history of clotting and internal bleeding, making me a higher risk patient for complications.
I was still pretty sedated when I was released, my husband had to actually dress me.
That evening, once again, I was experiencing more than normal pain (I’d had some experience in what to expect after a scope) and just wasn’t feeling right. At midnight I called the ER where the procedure had been performed. I was told they had done alot of “scraping” and I would have more than usual pain but nothing had been done to create any kind of complication. I attempted to explain that I had started bleeding after a previous scope and this felt the same…I was promptly dismissed.
The next morning the pain was so bad I was unable to move. I called the Dr’s office and left a message. I had to call three times before I was able to speak with him. He also told me he had done alot of scraping and to give it time. Two days later was even worse plus I had not a bowel movement. The Dr insisted there could not be anything wrong and told me take laxatives. I began noticing bluish purpley blotches/stripes on my legs and stomach….like my veins had surfaced and were turning blue. Urinating was becoming painful and then my vagina/labia became sensitive, kinda achy. The next day, I realized that my vaginal area had become grossly swollen. At this point though, I was thinking it was from the surgery, that maybe there had been vaginal penetration for some reason. That night, I was so uncomfortable, still had bluish discoloration and was in so much pain, I really started thinking that this is not adding up and there should not have been vaginal penetration, especially since he didn’t even remove the ovary. I decided to look at myself and was horrified with what I saw. Everything between my legs, from front to back, inside and out, was BLACK and disfigured/enlarged. I really began to “freak”. The most horrible thoughts were racing thru my mind. At this time I was convinced that I had been “violated” while under anesthesia, there was no other explanation.
The next morning I scheduled an appointment with another Dr in his office. I wasn’t sure how to hande the situation and did not want to make false accusations. Initially, all I told her was that I was still having extreme pain,difficulty urinating and unable to have a bowel movement. I also asked her if she could tell me exactly what they had did as I was still pretty sedated when the Dr spoke with me after the surgery. After she explained, I asked her if there was any vaginal penetration as I was tender, and if so, for what purpose At first she told me it can happen during this procedure. She then looked at the chart and told me, “no”, there is no indication of that. At that time, I told her that I was black between my legs…she said someone might have had to lean into me during the procedure which could cause some mild bruising. She never asked to see so I flat out asked her to please look at me and explain.
Upon examination, I was immediately sent for a CT scan (involving drinking the dye, a dye enema and an IV injected dye)…15 minutes later I was sent to the hospital Apparently, once again, I had been bleeding internally in two different locations. Luckily, both locations eventually clotted on their own but not until after an excessive amount of blood had drained into my abdomin with no place to go. I was scheduled to have a CT guided drainage procedure the next day. When they began the procedure, they could see that the blood had already developed into two large hematomas making the procedure impossible. One was on a nerve in the abdomin which wraps around to your back, the second on my bowels, preventing me from having a bowel movement.
I was told that hopefully my body would absorb these on its own but surgical removal might be necessary. I was put on bed rest to prevent them from possibly dislodging and traveling to other parts of my body as this could be very dangerous. The one on the nerve was causing excruciating pain. So, for the next 6 weeks I was on bedrest except to go for weekly CTs (enema,iv and liquid dyes) so they could monitor the absorption process. Although I was able to return to work 6 weeks later, it took about 9 weeks before they were completely healed. My regular Dr had returned, and once healed, he scheduled the laparotomy to remove the cystic ovary, another 6 week recovery process. Once again, a simple outpatient procedure turned into a 15 week nightmare.
My recommendation to everyone out there, no one knows your body better than you. If you think something is wrong, it probably is. On so many occasions I was simply dismissed and made to feel like I was “just a complainer” with “symptoms that existed only in my head”. Because I did not insist when I knew something was wrong, when I allowed the Dr’s to convince me that I was being paranoid, it almost killed me, TWICE!
After 22 years of pain, hospitals, doctors, drugs, I have finally had a full hysterectomy and am finally living a relatively pain free life.
November 9, 2006 at 12:04 pm
fibroid free:
Would that be the infamous “truck driver winds”?
Bonnie:
Glad you are feeling better. Yay! Thanks for keeping us updated.
Susan:
I’m sorry you had to endure so much for years. Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope other women will read your example and insist on getting the help they need. It is good to hear that you are on the other side of so much pain.
November 11, 2006 at 5:37 pm
Hello All,
Well today is day 12. I am walking around great – I went to work for about 4 hours on Wednesday (10 days post surgery) and Friday for about 3 hours.
I had an unexpected visit to the doctor yesterday. What we thought were bladder spasms (no big deal, but now I realize how painful they were since they are almost gone!) and a vaginal cuff infection (cellulitis) was actually bladder spasms and the stitches tearing! no infection (good news), but I have to have a minor repair on the stitches on Tuesday (bad news). Tearing stitches (technical term is: vaginal cuff dehiscence) does not cause pain, just a lot of watery discharge (I believe the technical term is: serosanguinous discharge). My doctor says it is “no big deal” and he could have dealt with it in the office, but would prefer to wait to have me “sedated” first — me too, I imagine.
All and all, I feel better than I would have expected at this point. I have to say, if anyone out there has this done, it is best to follow-up pain relief (after you don’t really need painkillers anymore) with anti-inflammatories (aleve, motrin, etc.) it will help immensely with the healing process. I am little bummed about the stitches set-back, but I don’t think it will slow me down much. I was really hoping to get back to work about 50-75% time next week, and now I am thinking maybe closer to 40-65% time.
Rest is good. Avoiding long term problems is my primary goal right now!
Good luck all,
Bonnie
November 13, 2006 at 4:04 pm
Bonnie,
Thanks for keeping us updated. I’m sorry you had this set-back but it’s good that it will be addressed very soon. Since you mentioned a couple of technical terms, I’ll leave the definitions for the benefit of others:
vaginal cuff = top of the vagina where the cervix was located
cellulitis = inflammation of the connective tissue underlying the skin that can be caused by a bacterial infection
dehiscence = a previously closed wound reopening
serosanguineous = consisting of serum and blood
Use this time to rest as much as you can. My procedures were much less invasive and I really tried to follow this. Like you said, rest IS good. Best wishes with your repair procedure on Tuesday!
November 15, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Well, the good news was the repair only lasted an hour – the bad news was I had to go through the whole “checking-in to same day surgery” thing. The entire procedure, from iv to discharge took about 6 hours. They gave me a choice between sedation and a spinal (just like an epidural they give women who are giving birth), and anesthesia — lucky for me they then took the spinal option away (I kind of thought the whole thing about not feeling my legs for a couple of hours was freaky). Since the total time of “being out” was short, it was not bad to recover from and I was up and peeing in no time … post-op just is not fun though and I was really glad to get out of there (though the nurses were great).
Today I feel similar to the end of my first week after the original surgery, tired, sore (more pain than I have felt in a while). Basically what the surgeon did was go back and restitch my stitches that make up my new “end of vagina” (vaginal cuff). I am sure that once the inflammation goes down a bit I will be feeling much better than I have … but for right now, I feel a little beat up. Have spent the whole day laying around, so hopefully I will be able to work a little tomorrow.
All is good, just a little slow!
Bonnie
November 15, 2006 at 7:16 pm
One of the surgoens who operated on me warned me the stiches might fail, he even advised my Girlfriend to drive me slowly home and avoid speed bumps. I really should have paid more attention whilst watching one, I think it’ s something technical about the closure technquie.
But the one I was watching/assisting with had gone on for four hours by this point, so my concentration was starting to fail. Surgery is really very boring to watch.
November 16, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Bonnie:
Happy to hear you made it through the repair procedure. Thanks for keeping us informed. I didn’t know a thing about a vaginal cuff. I ended up looking for additional information and learned something new. I always appreciate you continuing to share.
Remember to take it easy. I hope you start feeling better soon!
Z:
Are there different closure techniques or is there one that’s pretty much standard?
Must take a moment and thank you for the paper. I finally had the chance to read it. Impressive comparison of the methods of hysterectomy (abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic). I liked the fact that this review article focused on surgeries for women with benign diseases. Also, the head-to-head comparisons using the primary and secondary outcomes were really helpful. Thanks again.
November 16, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Yes, it’s explained best in part the review article. There are three types of laproscopic hysterectomy, it depends how much you do laproscopically as opposed to vaginally.
When you do a hyesterectomy you have to
1. dissect out the uterus from the ligaments that support it,
2. Tie off the blood vessels that supply blood to the uterus,
3 close the vaginal valut.
In a laproscopically assisted vaginal hyesterectomy you doIn a laproscopic hystectomy with urterine blood vessel ligation you do 1 and 2 laproscopically but close of the vaginal valut through the vagina
In a Total Laproscopic Hyestectomy it’s all done laproscopically: but this is done by very few surgeons. (I think my surgeon was the only one in the Uk that did it) he was in the process of being trained by the one who used to do it but was about to retire.
The stiched used laproscopically are finer and cause less pain but are, in theory, more likely to come apart.
That review article was published the day I had my surgery, I remember reading it when I was recovering. I think I would still have had the same surgery because I couldn’t face the idea of vaginal hysterectomy having helped in a few.
November 16, 2006 at 6:41 pm
I should add that my surgeon didn’t think that he could do the procedure if there were large fibroids, or certain abnormal anatomy. He wasn’t that comfortable with doing it without examining me, but eventually he agreed that however abnormal it was it still had to come out – so he should just have a go at removing it laprscopically and if it wasn’t working open me up and take a look, remove anything female looking and leave the rest.
November 17, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Susan,
I read your story… I am 38 and had a Lapo Supracervical Hysterectomy on Oct 9th. I had a similar story to yours in the way that all the MD’s said you are “fine” and go get psych help. I had ultrasounds, etc nothing they would always give me pain meds and birth control pills. Finally a blessing in disguise happened. I had really bad pain one night and found out a few days later after a cat scan i had gallstones and a large uterus. I went in for laproscopic gall bladder surgery the next week or so and asked the surgeon to look at my uterus and let me know if he sees any problems. He said i had fibroids on the posterior side. NO gyno md ever said my uterus was double the size the whole 10 – 15 years i am been complaining of these horrible cramps. Since this last february every single day i had pain. after the gall surgery i went to my gyno AGAIN and showed her what he saw… prior to my visit with her i looked up all my symptoms on the internet and kept coming up to the word adenomyosis (which i had never heard of before). I never said anything to her , she did her exam, i told her the pain is ruling my life… and i am with a heating pad ALL the time just to cope. She sent me for an MRI and said she suspected i had adenomyosis. I was floored. Long story short, mri showed double size uterus, my uterus was anteroflexed and their was adeomyosis all throughout the uterus, not just focal. I went to another doctor to do the lapro procedure because she wanted to do a vaginal hyster and that would mean taking my cervix, which is healthy. I only wanted to take out what was not working. I got pictures of my uterus before they took it out laproscopically,,,, it was horrible looking… that endo was all throughout the uterus, on top, inside etc. I don’t have any of that pain/pressure/cramping anymore. Once in a while my belly feels sore but nil compared to what i felt everyday before the surgery. I was so frustrated that i was made to feel like i was crazy,,,, like i was a complainer when there really wasn’t that much pain… i feel better physically but need to work on my mindset now… i was so used to not feeling good for so long… it feels strange… a good strange …. take care
November 18, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Hello all,
Day 19 already!! I ended up working 3 days last week, Thursday I worked 8 hours, was tired as all get out, but slept good. Thanks for the information Z — it doesn’t really suprise me that the stitches are more likely to fail when they are done laparoscopically, with all the cauterization being done it is probably hard to see how deep to go … I am pretty sure my repair is nice and snug and going to hold this time!! I hope so, I told the Doc that because I am a runner I really need things to stay where they belong, despite much pounding and abuse
.
I feel better, just much more tired than I would like! I am still bleeding, and as of today I have another “unscheduled” visit next Tuesday for some possible silver nitrate treatment. My understanding is that granulation is a type of scar formation that occurs on top of unhealed tissue — this slows down the healing process. Silver nitrate is use to cauterize (burn off) the granulated bits so that the healing area can “breath” and heal. This is a common problem with the vaginal cuff area. Mine is a little more complicated because of the second surgery I had to have to sew the area up … I am actually going to wait through the weekend and see if the bleeding doesn’t subside some on its own, maybe I won’t need to do this. I don’t feel bad, I really feel like my abdominal parts are healing just fine – and I am a very healthy person – just having a little complication because of the stitches not holding the first time. I would love to not have to see my doc again until my 4 week visit on the 28th (nothing personal, he is a nice guy and all, but ….).
Short version — doing well, back to work. Tired easily, but this mainly affects my housecleaning and socializing, not work. I am sleeping well at night because I am not resting as much during the day. I feel like I can do pretty much anything — but still not lifting anything over 20 lbs. and refraining from overzealous bending activities (housework). Walking loads, functioning pretty well. I have read some doctors post-op instructions that don’t limit ANYTHING (wow) and some that are as restrictive as abdominal hysterectomies, and for myself am doing something in between. I was back to work part time by week 2. The goal is “back to normal activities” (including running and sex) at week 4 — although because of my stitches complication this may not happen until week 5 or 6.
More later, hope all are feeling well. Those reading this for future reference, it is not as bad as it sounds! Fatigue is the biggest complication for me.
Bonnie
November 18, 2006 at 7:17 pm
I’m amazed I didn’t run into more problems as I was a real idot.
Sex on day 1. Yup day of surgery. Though I don’t have penatrative sex so that was ok.. well ish.
Back to work on day 6. Swimming on day 7.. I really should have taken more care as I would have had serious issues with someone examining me whilst I was awake and I’m not sure how I would have taken time off work because I was on holiday not sickness leave I wasn’t sure how to tell them I was having a hysterectomy, so I told them I was going on holiday.
My surgeon said I could do what I wanted to, I think the main limiting factor was the anaesthetic. One of the physios wanted me to do as little after abdo hyestectomy. I told her to piss off. *blush*
Bonnie: glad you’re getting back so quickly and glad you’re taking care of yourself.
Patty: glad you feel better now.
November 19, 2006 at 12:39 pm
patty:
I appreciate you sharing what you have gone through. Initially, my fibroids also weren’t detected by an ultrasound. It can be frustrating when you have symptoms and the cause can’t be seen. After “living” with pain for so long, it is an adustment to live without pain but I am happy that you do get to live without.
Z:
I took another look at the review article. That part about the subcategories of LH now makes more sense. Thanks for the explanation. Swimming on day 6? Whoa!
Bonnie:
It’s good that you’re looking forward and setting goals. Things are moving along. It’s approaching week 3 for you. Yay!
November 22, 2006 at 2:43 am
Patty,
I am happy you finally found the reason for the pain you had suffered with for so many years. I also had never heard of adenomyosis until after my uterus had been removed and gone to pathology. It’s hard to believe, like you, after so many years of symptoms, pain, recurring visits to dr’s, that not one physician ever mentioned and/or suspected adenomyosis. I think women and physicians should be more informed and/or educated about adenomyosis because, as you and I well know, it is a very real and painful disease.
RE: your mindset, be patient! It is difficult to adjust after living in so much pain for so many years…..it’s almost like you have forgotten what it feels like to be “normal”. Managing the pain became such a large part of my life…the hot baths, the sleepless nights, being foggy all the time from all the pain meds, even planning an evening out was almost impossible because I never knew if I would physically be well enough to follow thru or would have to cancel….It did take time to get used to not being sick…my daily routine of pain management suddenly ceased and it was kinda confusing…BUT, trust me, I gladly adjusted even though it was a slow process.
Take care….I am sure you will enjoy this holiday season more than you have in years!
November 25, 2006 at 4:52 pm
I am so greatful to have found this site. I had a laproscopic supracervical vaginally assisted hysterectomy on the 13th of November. I had been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian disease before and after much thought and discussion with my doctor we decided to take my uterus and overies but leave my cervix.
While performing the procedure my doctor found a fibroid tumor that he said was causing alot of my pain, however he said nothing else. At least not that I can remember, I will see him for my post op on this Monday. I’m not feeling horrible and came off of pain meds one week after surgery. Motrin has been my best friend! I was feeling very good on the 24th for Thankgiving when I of course over-did it being on my feet all day trying to cook. That probably would have been o.k. but I still wanted to go out for about an hour and a half on the 25th. I’m so tired of being stuck in the house!
My belly button and the immediate area around it is very sore and I am having a slight pinching pain where the fibroid was found. I am assuming all this is normal it really isn’t bothering me much.
My concern is this, almost two full weeks out and my abdomin is still swollen to the point that my underwear are tight and uncomfortable and I still can’t wear clothes. My stomach muscles work, I can feel them; It’s just very uncomfortable to use them and I am concerned that my stomach is still swollen. My husband is washing the same pants and shirt that I bought to come home from the hospital in so that I can wear it instead of a night shirt if anyone comes to visit.
If anyone out there has anything to offer about the swelling please let me know, I’m starting to wonder if my stomach is going to stay like this forever. I woul really appreciate anything anyone can share.
November 25, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Michelle,
I had a LAVH on October 30th.
It is so uncomfortable, I know. It will get better day by day. I am going on 4 weeks on Monday and my belly still swells sometimes after a particularly exhausting day. BUT – I am exercising again and feeling ok as long as I get to bed when I get tired!
By about 2.5 weeks I could wear my pants that lay a bit lower …
Good luck!
Bonnie
November 26, 2006 at 11:41 am
Bonnie,
Thank you so much for responding. I cried when I read your note. It’s so good to know that this is normal and it will get better! I hope you have a great holdiday.
Thanks so much,
Michelle
November 26, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Michelle:
Glad you found us! I can’t add anything more to what Bonnie wrote. If you have other concerns or thoughts, feel free to leave them here.
Bonnie:
Thanks for your encouraging words and keeping us updated with your recovery.
November 29, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Ok … week 4 everyone! I have waited to write until I was feeling more positive, and had more to report. Yesterday was my scheduled post-op visit – unfortunately, I have seen my surgeon every week of the past 4 weeks – he is a nice guy and all, but I would really rather not see him so often. I am trying to keep up with this update, not to whine, but to be informative and positive. The best thing we can do is make informed decisions on what it best for us and this site is helping many to do just that (thanks Eclectic Geek).
Positive note: I started running last weekend, every other day, really slow, no hills. yea! I am back at work full-time (average of 50-55 hours/week). I should be grateful, and I am … But I am not anywhere near where I was supposed to be (my expectation — to be honest, probably my surgeons as well), I am a relatively young, healthy athlete … but the darn stitches problem has/is just plain throwing a monkey wretch into the whole plan! Z — you are lucky not to have a vaginal vault!!!
Last week I started antibiotics – my vaginal vault repair is not healing properly. It is inflammed and starting to tear again. This week, nothing much is changing. Basically, I have 2 more weeks to heal on my own or I have to have another repair (surgery!). Now for those of you reading this before surgery — this is very RARE — don’t fret or worry. All and all I feel “ok”. I don’t feel great. My boyfriend is mad because he thinks I shouldn’t be running or back to work at the level I am — but I am subborn and the doctor cleared me for everything but sex (bummer – but I am pretty sure it wouldn’t be pretty) and by golly I am going to do it! I am sick of this discharge, I am much more tired than I feel I should be, and my abdomen is swelling so much on days after I run that I can’t sleep at night (only at night Michelle, during the day I wear my regular clothes again!!).
For now, I will take vitamins try to eat as well as I can, and cross my fingers that the next two weeks will show lots of healing!!
Good luck everyone,
Bonnie
November 29, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Bonnie:
Oh Bugger – that’s a shame – I hope it all sorts out in the long term. Well done for getting back to work and running again.
My surgeon said it was just penatrative sex that you couldn’t have – orgasms by other means were ok.
Still have had a vaginal vault btw.
PS do you find orgasms different now ? In our tutorial on it my Suregon (who was also my tutor) said that there were three different sources of orgasm, cervical, vaginal and clitoral, and only the cervial would be affected by hysterectomy.
None of the students in my group had heard of cervical orgasm – but we did some experimenting afterwards with our partners and decided that they weren’t as good as clitorial or vaginal anyway.
December 1, 2006 at 3:39 pm
Hmmmm… I guess I misread your orignal post Z (or don’t understand what/why you had a hysterectomy) … you have both sex organs?
More later on the other question, things are just too “different” in general to say what is different because of the post-op complications and timeframe from surgery and what differences are here to stay … I have pretty much been a clitorial orgasm person myself. I will follow-up on this later though.
Take care,
Bonnie
December 4, 2006 at 7:14 am
Er. er. this is a bit personal but, hey anyhow.
Phalloplasty operations are basically utter useless – you can get something that looks like a penis and with 2 years plus of operations and stuff you can either have a stiffener put it but have no sexual feeling OR be able able to wee through it. The complications are horrendous and relatively common. Some people are so desperate that they have it, but most choose not to. Cos the results are rubbish and it’s a series of serious operations that take up to two years for all of them. I can’t take that amount of time off work and not seriously damage my career. My girlfriends happy at the moment anyway. So I’m happy half and half! I’ve had masectomy and hormnones, so no one can tell if I’m dressed.
Below all I’ve had is a hysterectomy and that was just because it was a simple operation that made it easier to manage my hormones. There was some debate about whether it was needed for cancer risk reduction, but to be honest as a Doctor I thought it wasn’t, but I let them do it because the endocrinology was getting complex.
I met my Surgeon at a medical Do on Saturday, he was rather drunk, as was I! and we had a very amusing and drunk conversation.
My girlfriend can now say she’s been kissed by her boyfriends gyanceologist…
December 5, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Bonnie:
You hit the nail on the head of what I’m trying to do here. I want women to make an informed decision no matter which treatment option they pick.
Sorry you are experiencing some problems but I’m encouraged by your strength. Whatever negative feelings you have, you aren’t dwelling and you are up and moving forward. Best wishes on getting things resolved.
Z:
Um…
Oh, to be a fly on the wall.
December 8, 2006 at 3:38 pm
It was very very funnny. I’m going to a courser run by him on Tuesday which wi.ll be fun….
December 15, 2006 at 7:21 pm
I am going into week 7 pretty depressed. The reasons for my healing problems have been sorted out and it is actually one of my worst nightmares. I am the proud owner of a vesicovaginal fistula (a hole that runs from either the bladder or ureters to the vagina). It is gross, and the repair is surgical (and most likely will require at least a couple of weeks with a catheter — yuck). So, this is rare – but not as rare as one would like with any gyn surgery — though maybe not as common when doing a myomectomy or when the cervix is left in place. I am not sure if the inflammation and dehiscence explain the fistula or the other way around – it depends on whether it was caused by the surgery (e.g., accident during surgery) or as a result of it.
This should not scare any future laparoscopic hysterectomy patients, because all of the possible fibroid “solutions” have their complications (including watch-and-wait). But, it is good to know going into a surgery what the various complications may be.
I will be evaluated by the “specialist” on Monday — so more information will be forthcoming.
Good luck everyone.
Bonnie
ps Hey Z – I hope you embarressed your surgeon during the course
.
December 15, 2006 at 11:25 pm
I’m sorry to hear that Bonnie. Really sorry.
It will be fixable – and at least you’re fibriod free
Shall I tell you acedotes about grosser things I’ve seen recently? Would that help?
December 17, 2006 at 7:58 pm
Bonnie:
I’m also sorry to hear of your news. Things aren’t always easy but you are an example of being informed and moving forward with the situation at hand. Best wishes with your upcoming evaluation. You’ll be in my thoughts.
Z:
Thanks for continuing to be such a source of support here.
January 2, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Happy New Year everyone,
Nothing new to report here, the cystogram (where they use a catheter to inject a contrast solution into the bladder and see what happens) did not show a fistula there. So, it is one of two things, a fistula higher up (in one of the ureters – that bring urine from the kidneys to the bladder) or what is called a peritoneal-vaginal fistula. The first would be a little more difficult to fix, and require more recovery time, the second would be pretty easy (basically just another, would be my third, restitching of the vaginal cuff area). The only way to definatively diagnose the second (the peritoneal fistula) is to fix it and see if it goes away – after ruling out the ureteral-vaginal fistula.
I am waiting to hear whether or not an IVP (intravenous pylogram – where they inject dye into the bloodstream and watch how it moves from the kidneys) or a CT scan is the better test. Good news is that neither of these tests are painful!
As far as the hysterectomy goes, I still get bloated after running hard (more than about 5 miles or so, or up steep hills), but if I did not have this complication I think I would be pretty close to completely recovered by now. As I said before, all of the procedures described on this site have their potential complications … this is, unfortunately, one of the ones associated with any type (e.g., abdominal, laparoscopic or vaginal) hysterectomy.
I hope all is well!!
Bonnie
January 3, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Hey Bonnie,
I learn so much from you. Thanks for the updated reports on your condition.
Hey, I have NEVER run 5 miles so my hat is off to you for doing that… period!
Best wishes and Happy New Year!
January 6, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Hello. I had a laproscopic hysterectomy 3 weeks ago. Everything has been good till I found out I had endometriosis all over my ovary and uterus. My cervix and 1 ovary was left. Will this be covered too? Then I started having bright red spotting is that normal? Just concerned.
January 7, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Hi jodie,
Didn’t know much about endometriosis so I found a couple of resources:
Endometriosis (Mayo Clinic)
Endometriosis (Medline Plus)
From the Mayo Clinic site:
It is possible that you still have some additional endometrial tissue. I cannot say if this is the cause of your spotting. You recently had surgery so it could be the result of something else. Hopefully, someone who had the procedure will comment if they experienced any spotting during their recovery.
In the meantime, visit the links I listed. The information there includes tests to determine if endometriosis is still present and the treatment options. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.
I know this can be scary. Please continue to post if you have additional questions. I wish you well as you continue with your recovery.
January 11, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Hi Jodie,
If you had a LSH (laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy – meaning they left your cervix) you might have what are called “mini periods”. This because often there is a little amount of uterus left that still my shed cells and such. However, this also could mean you have an infection, or are just shedding some blood from a hematoma (pockets of blood that are sometimes residual from the surgery – they basically just keep an eye on things and the hematoma’s will eventually go away). You might want to call your doctor and tell them about what is going on. If they cauterized your cervix you should not have “mini periods” and you might need to get checked out.
In my opinion (and I am not a physician) – your doctor would have seen endo on the cervix or ovary at the time of surgery. If they did not see any at that time it is unlikely that it could have progressed this much in 3 weeks.
Good luck!
January 11, 2007 at 7:07 pm
whoops, I forgot!
Update on me … my CT scan did not find a urinary fistula (good news), it just found some free fluid (not supposed to be there – is peritoneal fluid most likely caused by the inflammation from my stitches tearing — again). So I am going to have my vaginal cuff restitched (3rd time is a charm?) and hopefully that will clear things up. I haven’t scheduled this yet, but I doubt it will lay me up for more than a day or so … maybe a little longer before I can run again but, hopefully, not more than a few days.
My energy levels are doing well, just pain and discharge (and swelling when I run – boy I sure hope this symptom is resolved after this restitch)! Good news on the fistula front, the discharge is pretty gross though (which is why I thought it was urine), yuck, it amazes me how my body can be so gross sometimes
.
Bonnie
January 18, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Hey Bonnie,
Gosh, you always seem to have so much energy. You inspire me to exercise more (a tough feat indeed!). Happy to hear your good news. I appreciate you walking us through your experience. The yucky stuff is helpful, too. I found that out when I talked about the large blood clots I would pass during my periods. Believe me, women are out there breathing a sigh of relief after realizing they aren’t alone with what they are going through.
Best wishes with your next procedure and thanks for the information, advice, and keeping us updated!
January 20, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Hi Bonnie
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I have a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy set for mid-Feb 2007 and take courage from your postings.
I’m 46 and have been mildly or chronically anemic from heavy periods since I was a teen. Coming off birth control 2 years (after 15+ years on) ago only exacerbated the problem. Combine that with all 3 types of fibroids and my PCP said this is just not going to get better for a long time since I have minimal signs of perimenopause, let alone menopause. Am close to needing a transfusion if I continue heavy bleeding. I travel a lot internationally so do not look forward to a situation where I am in a hospital far outside the US in this case. Just basic travel is a challenge – I sat on a runway 2 months ago for an extended weather delay and could do nothing about my own “flood”.
I probably lose 2 full days a month now to heavy bleeding and fierce cramps. Iron pills (Niferex) help but are not a real solution. Working out is not enjoyable or productive with no energy. I almost blacked out last month in a yoga class simply in a posture that put my hands over my head for an extended period due to low blood count.
I did review multiple options for my fibroid situation and decided on this course because 1) I don’t want to conceive, 2) I want a 100%, not 60% solution, and 3) I want to keep my ovaries and cervix to stall menopause. Consensus with multiple drs. is that a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is best for my circumstances.
Thank you, Eclectic Geek, for providing this forum. I’ll attempt to add my experiences to this site as well.
January 25, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Hello Kate,
Good luck to you — I will look for your posts to hear about how things are going. I echo your sentiments about the options and your decisions. I did not really have a choice in keeping my cervix because of abnormal paps in the past … but am glad to have kept my ovaries — well, kind of! It seems that it is not uncommon to develop ovarian cysts right after a hysterectomy. Sometime in the past 3 months I have grown a 4.3 cm cyst (wasn’t there on the pre-surgery ultrasound) and yet it showed up on my CT scan a couple of weeks ago! No biggie, but then I did a little research and found out that it is not really that uncommon. I think that it has to do with a little reduction of estrogen right after the surgery (it takes a while for everything to work again), but I am not sure. Anyway, it is nice to know that the things that are left are working (I had a breakout the other day! wow).
I am having my “third time is a charm” surgery to fix my vaginal cuff on Monday! They are doing a cystoscopy too, just as a last check to make sure I don’t have a fistula from my bladder to my vagina or abdominal cavity … if all goes well I will be home by late Monday night and “all better” by the following weekend. I won’t be able to run for 4-5 days — but I am hoping that it will be worth it in that I will be doing much better in a couple of weeks.
When is the actual day Kate? Are you going to try for same day surgery?
Bonnie
January 29, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Kate:
I’m sorry you are going through so much with your symptoms. I look forward to the day you get the anemia and “flooding” episodes under control. You will feel like a different person. Best wishes with your upcoming procedure! Yes, please keep us updated.
Bonnie:
I hope all is well. We are pulling for your speedy recovery! Thanks so much for all you share (information, advice, and attitude). Take care.
January 30, 2007 at 12:14 am
Hi everyone:
Great site, here’s my LSH story – we have to get more info out there on adenomysosis!
I’m 44 w/2 children and on 1/23 had a laparascopic supracervical hysterectomy (retained my ovaries and cervix) at the U of Iowa. I’ve battled pain, bleeding, overall BLEH for the last oh 15 yrs or so and have been told repeatedly that fibroids were the cause. I aggressively sought answers in October when my back froze up one morning and I could not move without crying.
When my obgyn told me my 16week uterus was enlarged due to fibroids and I could treat them temporarily with hormones or have a hysterectomy, I immediately looked for alternative treatments because my CSection recovery experiences were pretty horrible.
I went to Univ of Iowa’s Fibroid Clinic to see if I was eligible for UFE (uterine fibroid embolization – Mayo offers this as well), however the MRI showed just tiny fibroids!Thank goodness I saw Dr. Davis, a leader in LSH, who took one look at the ultrasound CD I brought with me and said I had adenomyosis or internal endometriosis – the endometrial lining penetrates the uterine walls/muscle – which is very hard to diagnose because the big dark spots look like fibroids. My huge uterus was pushing my guts where they should not have been and putting pressure on all sorts of areas causing me great pain.
SO, I had to wait nearly 2 mos. for my surgery and it’s been only 6 days since but at this point I could not be happier with my decision. I have 3 teeny incisions, I can sleep on my side comfortably for the first time in a year, and I have no lower back pain. I feel way better than I thought I would and am trying to remember to REST – this is not a vacation, it’s a recovery. Additionally, I think they did some nerve magic because I am um…extremely horny every day and there is nothing I or my husband can do about it yet.
In closing, when we are in pain there is usually a cause. With extreme menses pain, I find that women are routinely dismissed as complainers. Follow your conviction to be pain free and find a doctor who is your advocate. I have a teenage daughter who is already in pain and I am taking her to see Dr. Davis to make sure she does not have adenomysosis or anything else.
If you do not intend to have any children, do this for yourself and your family. I no longer dread getting ready for work because I have to wear stretchy pants that don’t bind my abdomen – I look forward to a very active next 44 years of my life.
Take care, good luck.
January 30, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Hey everyone….i’m new to this forum…
i’ve been on the forum for alternative solutions to surgery…but unfortunately none of those worked and now it looks like i’m on my way to surgery on feb 22.
i’m not sure if this is the right place but i figured this is what i’m going to be having so it would best to chat with you all!
a lil history on myself…i’m 17, senior in high school, VERY busy, and very active. looks like this sucker’s going to make me rest for a while, but i think it will be somewhat of a relief to get rest forced onto me! i tried some alternatives for a bit, but nothing seems to have had any effect and now my doctor wants to do the surgery in a few weeks.
i will be operating on by my gyno and an oncologist i’ve met with from boston, ( i live in New hampshire) because they just want to make sure its not malignant. thankfully, everything up to this point has pointed to it being benign!
however, i won’t lie, the whole procedure scares me a lil bit, buts it comforting to know you’ve all come through it! i think my biggest question is general anesthesia and narcotics… my doc recommended that i go with general anesthesia with an epidural so when i wake up i won’t be in lots of pain…what do you guys think? i know there are other options but my doc strongly urged me on this one….just wondering
so i guess thats all for now…i will definitely keep you updated
( i can’t believe i won’t be able to do crunches for over a month and a half!!):-p
January 30, 2007 at 8:44 pm
wow! totally wrong forum! my bad…..:-D
i’m going to have a laproscopic myomecotomy!
i guess i’ll switch forums….it was short but sweet:-D
toodles…
February 4, 2007 at 10:43 pm
I’m not sure how I feel after reading all of the above. I’m having my surgery – lap procedure taking the uterus and the ovaries and leaving the cervix- in two days…wed at 7:30. I’ve been miserable for at lease 4 years with severe iron defic. I have had to have 7 iron infusions that are now only lasting only 2-3 months due to the amount of bleeding. I hurt most of the time and just don’t feel good in general. It’s affected my quality of life, relationships, etc. You all know what I mean and how that goes. I’m trying to make sense, but I’m a little goofy these days. My brain seems foggy and i can’t remember *&%$! I’m nervous about what is about to happen, but I think the thing I’m most scared of is….what if this doesn’t make as big of a difference as I’m hoping it does?
Anyway, I’m glad all of you are doing well. Thanks so much for sharing your stories. I appreciate all the info. Hopefully, removing my freakishly large uterus and “cling-ons” (fibroids, one being 10cm in diameter), will do the trick. maybe I’ll stop peeing on myself when I cough or sneeze, etc. (the “big one” is pushing on my bladder)
be back soon….
February 11, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Just read all comments, wanted to ad my situation. I had an enlarged uterus the size of a 18 wk. baby with 11 fibroids of all sizes, located all over the uterus including the back. The uterus was pushing against my colon and bladder. I had no excess bleeding. Discomfort and pain was my big problem. I had an IUD mirena which was due to come out 4/07 was a 5 yr one. I found out I had fibroids three years ago but was told by my gyn that as long as no symptoms not to worry. Had a sonnogram in 05 and 06 in Dec. On my yearly exam in Oct. 06 I had a list of complaints for my gyn, bladder discomfort, aches and pains, fatiqued. She blew off the aches and pains told me to see my general doc. On exam she noticed my uterus was swollen past my belly button and felt large fibroids. She then told me of two things I can do either have a hysterectomy or uterine artery embolization done. Wasn’t helpful or informative and her delivery of this news was awful. She is a gyn/ob doctor and would refer me to someone who could do either procedure. Needless to say, I was devastated. I have no idea my fibroids were of concern because she lead me to believed it’s no big deal. Many women have them and they are non cancerous. I went home after crying about this, I talked to my mom who advised me to do my research and find out about the laparoscopic technique. I did!. I found a doctor who specializes in laparoscopic hysterectomy off the internet. Found out about the doctor credentials and made an appointment. Took copies of my entire chart and sonogram report with me. He is great! Read over everything and the sonogram and informed me of how large my uterus was and did an exam to confirm. I decided to have a hysterectomy and did on Feb. 5, 2007. I had a TLH , Total Laparoscopic hysterectomy. Uterus and cervix remove. Ovaries and tubes remain. I am now six days post-op and today I feel the best. Sore and mild discomfort but no need for pain meds like before. The first 5 days were and ordeal. Pain, gas pains and constipation. I celebrated having pooped yesterday. I took stool softners, and a mild laxative starting day 3. I feel stronger and not so short of breath and during the week and able to walk standing straight today. Gas pains are the worst and constipation. I have done no lifting only walking around the house and no chores. My family has cooked and cleaned for me. I am fortunate to have them. I can’t wait for my full recovery and I am glad that I had it done. Hopefully the end of my suffering. I can’t believe how sick I was and going on with my daily activities dealing with it. Hope my story helps someone else.
February 15, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Hi everyone
I had my laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy yesterday morning. I’m in between naps at home so thought I’d add my update. All in all, I feel pretty good. The toughest part right now is tightness where my uterus was (feels like I did way too many crunches) and the gas pains hitting under my rib cage and right shoulder. Have a swollen belly too.
Here are details for those interested:
I was wheeled in the direction of the operating room at 9 (on schedule) and surgery started at 10. It lasted two hours. They removed my uterus, kept the cervix and ovaries after a thorough check. Also checked my appendix and bladder/urinary tract and found all in order. I have a brief memory of waking up in the OR and have my first clear memory starting about 1pm in the recovery room where I was given morphine. Catheter was inserted after I went under and removed in the OR so I have no memory.
I was moved to my room at 4 where they put me on narcotics every 6 hours. I took in some liquids around 6pm but promptly threw them up – from the anesthesia I guess. Was told I needed to pee 200cm by 9pm or catheter goes back in. Didn’t happen but close enough that I had a reprieve to 11. After much water, peeing was no problem. In fact, was up all through out the night heading for the bathroom
I took my first escorted walk at 8:30 pm and a couple of unassisted hallway walks in the night. Moved slowly and felt ok. I was switched to high dose Motrin around 4am but asked for more powerful relief an hour later. They gave me a percocet-like pill and it worked great.
I ate some toast this morning so nausea no longer an issue. I was released late morning and am now home surrounded by pain killers, water, gingerale and crackers. I don’t have much of an appetite so will take that slow. I expect a couple of tough days ahead.
All in all, however, I am amazed that so much was done and all I have externally are three tiny incisions with dissolving stitches. Apparently my uterus was enlarged to the size of 11.5 week pregnancy and was filled with fibroids in the uterus and in the lining. I feel woozy right now and will take everything easy. Will try to post in a week or so on progress.
Thanks for all the great info shared before me, Kate
February 16, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Hello Kate,
Nice to hear you are doing well!!
I slept for the first week but was getting stircrazy by the second … take good care of yourself.
Bonnie
March 2, 2007 at 7:53 pm
for those of you recovering…anyone have a dog and when did you start walking your dog again? i forgot to ask my dr that question. i had surgery on mon and came home from the hospital on weds. i was only planning on staying one nite but didn’t really feel up to a cab ride home on tues. so far so good. i had a wicked headache that feels like its finally lifted. i get migraines. i stopped taking narcotics after the first day. they only make my headaches worse. so i have been taking advil on and off. i figure if my migriane pain is worse to me than the abdominal pain i must be doing pretty well.
i started taking prescribed laxatives twice a day as soon as i got home. i am sure that made a big difference. and not taking the pain killers which can cause the constipation. i have had little problems with gas alothough it did take my system some time to “get going” again.
all in all things have been relatively easy for me. so for those of you yet to have the sugery…stay positive!! BH
March 2, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Hey everyone, it was great to get to this website, I had LAVH 5 days ago and have been home for the last 2 days, the biggest problem have been with bowels, I was originally told it was just gas that was causing the pain and as soon as I had a bowel motion that this would settle down, well I’ve had said bowel motion and it is still like giving birth, could someone let me know if this is what is expected and what I can do about it. Your help would be much appreciated, I’m from New Zealand so your drug names are a bit different from ours. Thanks.
March 3, 2007 at 10:38 am
Hi BH:
Glad to hear that you are doing okay. I had an LSH almost 4 weeks ago with Dr. (McDreamy) AW. The worst part for me was that awful headache that I had for three days. I’m told it’s from the anesthesia. I’ve been taking Colace everyday to help along my bowel movements. The best advice I can give you is just to let yourself rest. Don’t push yourself. Everyday you will feel a little better. I had one huge fibroid that was pressing on my bladder that was making my life miserable. I can now sleep through the night without having to go to the bathroom. I also am not leaking and I don’t have to go to the bathroom every half hour. I had my post-op appointment with Dr. AW this past Tuesday. He said everything was fine and that I could start to exercise. I told him that I was still feeling tired, and he said that I should feel better in another 2 to 3 weeks. Yesterday, I felt great! I was not tired at all. My stomach is still bloated and a little sore in some spots, but I’m sure it will take a few months for every thing to heal. I have 2 tiny (about a half inch) scars on each side of my belly where where the incisions were. I think it’s pretty amazing! I am so glad that I had this surgery. I know that in a couple of weeks you will feel the same way that I do. Take it easy .
FFF
March 3, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Hi FFF…i posted in another area..my sister said i forgot to tell her he was good looking. she was pleasantly surprised when he came to talk to her post op. yes the headache killed me for 3 days too. thank god its gone. i have to keep remembering to slow down. i picked up my nephew today which was not a smart thing to do. i doubt i did any damage but i am trying to lie down the rest of the day. my recovery seems to be going along nicely. i am very swollen though but i think i feel lighter. weird LOL so what happens in your post-op. i was surprised he didn’t want to see me for 2 weeks. do they do a sonogram so they can see whats going on inside? i may call them on mon and see if its ok to walk my dog next week. only thing that concerns me is bending over to pick up after him. i am going to be a bit stir crazy by next week. glad to hear you are doing so well. BH
March 4, 2007 at 9:59 am
Hi BH…Glad to hear that your headache went away. About bending over to pick up your dog….I think you need to listen to your body. If it hurts, then don’t do it. I think at 3 to 3and half weeks, you will see a big difference in how you feel and move. At my post-op, Dr. AW just gave an internal exam and that was it. No sonogram. I guess he can tell how you are healing by the internal exam. I asked him if he was going to take any blood tests to see if I’m anemic or iron deficient, but he said no. He said everything was fine, and that I did not have to see him until September. I plan on using him as my regular obgyn. Yesterday was my first day of exercise. I took a 3 mile walk along the boardwalk at the beach with my husband. It felt great! I was tired later that night, but I know it was from the walk. I think next week is daylight savings time, so my husband and I can start walking again. My goal is to lose thirty pounds. Too bad I can’t lose it in 2 weeks, because I’m going to South Beach for a few days. Thank god those big loose tops that are in style right now. Take care.
FFF
March 5, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy about 2 weeks ago. I did not have fibroids but had a condition called ashermans syndrome, which is when scar tissue adhered the walls of my uterus together.
I feel realitively well expect for I feel like I have a UTI that will not go away. Two days after surgery I started with a low fever, general body aches and it burned when I peed. I assumed it was an UTI, but never had one before so I was not sure. I started taking amoxocillian which I happened to have. Still felt miserable after a week so called the doctor and they prescribed a sulfur antibiotic. A week later and still feeling like I have the UTI. Crampy and very uncomfortable when my bladder is full and it really hurts to pee. Have an appt in 3 days, hoping this is all just normal stuff. Anyone have this issue?
I’m also kind of bummed because for the entire first week after surgery I did not bleed at all. I was so psyched because after 4 years of non stop light flow bleeding, that was great. Now I am bleeding. I know it is normal, and that I am problably doing way too much. But it is a bummer. I just want to be healed and “normal”.
It was great to find this sight and read everyone’s stories. I hope all are feeling well and taking care.
March 5, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Hey TLA, sorry to hear about the UTI, I’m surprised they didnt want to check a urine sample before treating especially as it could be an ecoli infection.
I’m on day 7 following surgery and woke last night hot and sweaty with lower abdo cramps, went to Dr this morning and checked for UTI which I have, I think it’s fairly common following surgery, just keep up the fluids and make sure they dipstick your urine when you go the Doctor and insist they send the sample away to be tested to make sure it’s not EColi which will need more aggressive treatment.
March 5, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Hi All:
how many weeks did you take off from work?
BH
March 7, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Hi everyone! I’ve had a lapr. Hysterectomy in May of last year due to early cervical cancer.Everything has healed well since then and so far I’ve had no more problems. The hysterectomy was actually done with a Robot( Da Vinci) which I thought was pretty cool! My question is this: do any of you that had your hysterectomy done several month ago any problems with bloating? For me me it seems to be worse after I eat something? I just saw my Gyn Oncologist last week and he said that everything was lookng and feeling fine,unfortunately I forgot to ask him about the bloating,stupid me! The area that seems bloated is approx. located between my ribcage and my navel area. If any of you has a similar problem please let me know! Thank you so much in adnance! Annette.
March 7, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Hi everyone
Had an LSH on Feb 14th and posted my positive experience on the 15th. However, in the interest of full disclosure, wanted to post an update since I ran into a dreaded complication.
I had two great post-op days and then went quickly downhill on day 3. Calls to the doctor focused on constipation, delayed gas pains, the possibility that I came off the narcotics too fast, and that I probably had post-surgery euphoria/relief that wore off. However, by day 7, I was very nauseous and couldn’t eat. Day 8 was back to the doctor, then to the emergency room. Turns out – after 12+ hours of waiting and tests – that I now had a hole (fistula) in my bladder wall. Speculation is that the cauterization equipment could have been too close to the bladder wall and weakened it. Still no answers on what actually happened.
The unfortunate result was emergency abdominal surgery to find and repair what turned out to be a nickel-sized hole. My one hour check-up turned out to be a 6 day hospital stay. I’m now the proud owner of a very large incision from my pelvic bone to belly button and have significantly more recovery ahead than expected with the LSH. I now have 2 sets of doctors to work with — the GYN team and a urology team. I also have to heal with a catheter at home (gross) so am very restricted for a few weeks.
I hesitated adding my experience here because it is very unusual but also potentially instructive. My symptoms mimicked much of what you’d expect post-op — constipation, bloating, poor concentration, general blahs. The nausea was the difference and what triggered the recommendation I go to the emergency room for a full blood work-up. They found highly elevated kidney electrolyte readings that indicated potential kidney failure. A CT scan then showed much fluid in my body cavity but normal kidney functions. The next diagnosis was the hole. I was stunned but ultimately thankful that the hospital put together a surgical team that had me back in the OR at midnight for 5+ ours to get this fixed ASAP.
The good news is that I’m definitely on the mend. Also, all the doctors have been terrific. The GYN team has been very apologetic and helpful, the urology team put me in a private room for recovery, and I’ve been smothered with physician attention. My kidney readings got back to normal in 48 hours and there should be no lingering health issues from this setback once healed.
I certainly don’t want to scare anyone. But I also want to honor the spirit of the forum and be honest about my experience. Hope this is helpful. I am truly on the mend so my spirits are great again and I’m really looking forward to my first long walk with my dog.
Best, Kate
March 8, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Hello – I had my LSH on March 3rd, 2007. My surgery was scheduled at 7:30AM and finished 2.5 hours later. I was told it was a very successful procedure; no complications.
After surgery, I was in the PACU recovering from the anesthesia. When I woke up I felt like I had to pee really, really bad. The nurse said it was probably because they had inserted a catheter inside me and I was still feeling the sensation from the catheter. They gave me a bedpan because I had just woken up from the anesthesia and did not want me to walk. I couldn’t pee. I asked them to let me try to pee on the toilet …so they wheeled me to the bathroom and still no luck. Finally, the nurse used this sonogram like instrument to detect how much urine (if any) was in my bladder. It turned out that I had over 600cc inside me and so they had to insert the catheter back inside me…..what a relief. They would have sent me home that evening but now with this minor complication, I stayed the night.
It was just as well because I did feel very very tired and the pain was somewhat unbearable and I was glad that a nurse was around to monitor my pain. They brought me up to my room at around 5:30PM and my family came to visit for about 1.5 hours. After they left, I slept the whole night through.
The next morning they took out the catheter and I was able to pee successfully. I was relieved. What a difference a day makes. I felt pretty good and my pain was manageable with some oxycodone and motrin. I had very little bleeding which then turned to very light bleeding only noticeable when I wipe. One common complication I had was constipation. I did not have a bowel movement until the 5th day. I took stool softeners and a mild prescription laxative. It was such a relief to finally go #2. Another thing I experienced was a rash on my butt. Anybody have this problem? I don’t know if I was lying on something in the OR that made me break out but it just won’t go away.
It’s been 7 days since my surgery and I feel great. I feel as if I didn’t have surgery at all. My belly still feels a little swollen but I appears to be recovering just fine. Overall, I am very happy with my decision to have this operation. I’ll give it another month or so to see how my body functions without my uterus.
March 9, 2007 at 10:00 am
Annette, I can tell you bloating is part of it. I had my lapo hysterectomy in Sept 06. I still get bloated. My dr. told me that it takes a good 9 months to a year for you to completely heel. Other than the bloating and some constipation, I feel great. I have noticed my hormomes going up and down, and at times still get pms…but that constant pain in my lower back and uterus from the large fibroids is no more.
My weight has stayed the same, but there are some things I cannot wear, because of my swollen belly at times. I have confidence in what I have read that after about a years time this will return to normal.
It sounds as if you swelling is about the same as mine. Not to bad in the morning, but by the end of the day, it’s noticeably more.
Hope you are recovering well and feeling much better. It has made a great difference in my life!
March 9, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Hello all,
I was just told today from my gyno that I should think about a partial hysterectomy. He was very nice about it and even wrote on a prescription pad. He said I should Google “Laparoscopic Supra Cervical Hysterectomy”. I did and found this site right away. I read through what every one else went through and I feel you might be able to shed some light on this.
Here is my history: I had fibroid lasically removed about 5 years ago, I will be 50 in Aug, and I just recently have had a 3 month period for the first time in my life. I’ve been so regular since I was 14 that I knew the day I was pregnant with each of my girls. No problems ever. No really bad cramps, no abnormal bleeding, no problems until I turned 45. I went to my normal yearly visit and was diagnosed with fibroid. She lasered them off in the office and said everything was fine. The next visit I was an emotional mess. My Dr at the time was very young and said I really need to talk to someone else about my depression and she prescribed SaraFem (Prozac). For the next two or three years that was fine, but starting this past summer, something changed. When I went back to see her, again I cried as soon as she walked in the door. I really wanted to know what was going on in my body and she didn’t want to explain. She increased my Sara fem from 20 mg to 40mg. I started my period on Jan 22 and have been on it since. I called the Dr and she wasn’t available but I was able to see another Dr. I told him I felt that a 48 day period was just too much. I’m tired and absolutely sick of wearing pads. I went through 2 overnights every two hours for the past 7 days. He had me stay to get a sonogram, even thought this is a very busy OB office and even stayed late to look at the results with me. He told me that the fibroid were back and that they are the result of the very heavy period. He suggested that I think about this procedure. Like I said, I have not had half of the problems you all have had and I just wonder if I may be jumping into this too soon, but at 49+ I feel like I’m ready to have this. I guess I’m lucky to say I still have the option. If you had the option, would you rally have done it? Also I know the recovery period is different for everyone, but I was planning on going on vacation and didn’t know whether to get the procedure before of after vacation. I thought I might be able to use the vaction time to recoup.
March 10, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Hi All…i had surgery on the 26th and i am feeling pretty good. i have my post-op on tues and then i am thinking i will work half days for the rest of the week as long as i get the go ahead from the dr. i left the house for the first time last nite to go to dinner. it wsa great to be out. i think my belly is still a bit swollen althoguh not like when i left the hospital. force yourself to rest lots. i thnk it really helps. BH
March 12, 2007 at 8:59 am
can anyone tell me at what point your doctor said you could start exercising again? thnaks BH
March 13, 2007 at 3:02 pm
well i will answer my own questions in case anyone is curious. i had my first post-op follow-up today. dr says i am healing well and can return to my daily routine. its tow weeks since surgery. so i am returning to work this week but i plan to only work 1/2 days for this week. he also said i can start exercizing too. but i think i will wait til next week to begin anything.
Fran- did you watch the video? i tried to but couldn’t LOL. I wasn’t really having symptoms but i decided to do the surgery now because i was borderline for the procedure. i am glad i did because i had no complications and recovery wsa relatively easy. i am sure abdominal would have been much more difficult. after being home for a few days, i was thinking i should have arranged a vacation to recooperate. i really forced myself to rest. resting at a beach would have been nice. but as a matter of personal choice, i would have been concerned about possible complcations and not having access to my surgeon if i was away.
next follow-up is in 4 weeks. BH
March 14, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Oh wow, thats true, didn’t think about that. Being away from my Dr isn’t real smart.
I didn’t see the video. I’ll watch it before scheduling. Thank you for the comments. I hate to rest too. I never was good at afternoon naps, always something around the house that needed done. I hope my recovery is easy as yours. I love this site!!!
March 14, 2007 at 10:33 pm
oh you might want to watch the video after the proceedure
it took me a while to work up to it. i would have loved to by lying by the pool in mexico but….
my first day back at work was ok…i stayed too long for the first day though..6 hours. sittign at a desk for that long gave my stomach muscles a work out. so i plan to work 9-1 for the next 2 days and go full time on mon. i know some people might start back full time but i decided its best for me to ease into it. i think everyone should go at their own pace. BH
March 15, 2007 at 7:20 am
In September of 2006 I had a hysterectomy. This was do to very painful periods that left me weak and unable to work. Everything had been tried and since my last child was born over 18 years ago I decided to insist that the doctor finally stop trying various pills and get me sorted. I am happy to say I feel much better now however I still experience moments where I am very tired, and yet find it difficult to sleep. I still experience severe PMS (PMDD) which is controlled only now by medication which helps a great deal. The depressive moods due to the wild swings of hormones is under control and more bearable. I eat well mainly vegetables and fruit with meat once or twice a week. Little fat and less sugar than I used to take.
I have recovered very well I think. Is there any suggestion for the continual tired feeling? And any idea when my full energy might return. I was working in the garden digging a few weeks ago and was doing well when there was a little pain on my left side. I decided it was time to quit after all I had been at it solid for two hours
Occasionally I get a little pain still even without doing gardening, is this normal? The pain on a scale from 1-10 – 10 being the worse is about a 4 or 5. Would you suggest taking an anti inflammatory or similar item?
All in all I am doing far better than I have been over the last 18 years, and I am grateful to have some of the pain relieved. The doctor however told me the surgery took 5 hours is this also normal?
Thank you for this site it has been very useful.
March 16, 2007 at 11:06 am
belly button question for you all. had anyone ever noticed any slight discharge from theri belly button? i think i over did it the past couple of days. i haven’t called my dr becuase its so slight i thought it might be normal. anyone experience anything like this? thanks BH
March 17, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Question: I had a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy on February 15. I am experiencing pain when I urinate (not the burning when you have an infection) but a pain that feels like it is up in my bladder. Although that area is also tender and sore when I cough or sneeze. What concerns me is this vaginal discharge. The dr. said it could last for a few weeks but I don’t know of anyone who has had a discharge after surgery other than me. It is sort of a water pink or watery orange and leaves about a 1 to 2 inch diameter little pool of sediment in the bottom of the toilet. Is this normal – or is this coming from my bladder rather than my hysterectomy?
March 18, 2007 at 7:22 pm
KP…i would give your dr a call. my dr did warn me that i might pass some clots but i never did. i did have some spotting when i urinated on and off for about a week. i am 3 weeks post op and i am still pretty sore inside. but i would defintiely follow-up with yr dr. BH
March 19, 2007 at 5:35 am
In early February, at 50, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer and recommended for a complete laparoscopic hysterectomy. (The cuttings were removed using the McCartney tube- google that) This was performed on 21st February. They initially had a bit of trouble getting my blood pressure back up. It didn’t help that the drip was blocked (but eventually that was discovered). The first time that I urinated – 6 hours later – it was painful (I could tell that I had had a catheter). It was also painful in my stomach when squeezing my bladder to urinate. It was certainly painful rolling over to get out of bed on that first day. I was very careful and slow in that movement. The second day it was less so. I was amazed though at how (compared to back pain that I experienced decades ago) the pain was quite tolerable.
Lying on my back by the second day, I felt quite comfortable. Even standing up was ok though sitting tended to “squash things”. It was certainly tight in between the two lower incisions, initially a little tender near the 4 tiny incisions (one in my navel for the camera, 1 on the side for the gas and 2 lower for the instruments) and I could feel minor pain from where my ovaries had been etc – but not too bad at all. Mind you, I was on a high as the surgery cuttings revealed that we had caught the cancer early and no further treatment was required. Praise God!
Within 48 hours I was up and about, pronounced well and went home on the 3rd day.
Bleeding from the vaginal wound slowed and ceased within 3-4 days. I had a good surgeon – one of the ones who has pioneered this procedure. He gave me a medical certificate for 6 weeks. Make sure you get a competent surgeon who believes in the procedure.
I was ravenously hungry for a week (maybe this was psychological) but it was sure good to get my bowel moving again (though I think that this causes more strain on my surgery than any minor lifting etc that I have done) and then to get back to normal.
The first week I was pretty dozy – I’d get up , wander around, have a chat, have a feed and then nap. What a life!! Painkillers – They gave me a couple of panedeine forte on day 1 but I resisted these after that as I didn’t want to become constipated. So I moved on to Panadol with 1 or 2 Tramal (for the next 2 days) and then after that Panadol only. I was on Heparin and in my elastic stockings while in hospital to avoid DVT. A week after the op I stopped taking any medication ( EXCEPT for oestrogen – which my surgeon wants me to take for the next 15 years!?- I’ll be SO young at 65).
On Day 6 after the op, I flew 5 hours (of course in my lovely elastic stockings) to be with my elderly mother (who had also had a minor op) and was well enough to relieve her of feeding the men (let’s not go into the why’s and wherefores of the men still being in the receiving role here). I was back driving and able to perform general household tasks (no major lifting) but became exhausted. It’s important, girls (and boys) to be able to rest when you need to. The other thing for boys (if you want to be helpful) I had someone carry my heavy case to my room – only to leave it in the middle of the bed. This meant that I ended up shifting it to the bench – foolish I know but I hated feeling like a wimp. That night I bled from the vagina for the first time since hospital.
I have a personality trait which has had me impatient to be well once more and I have found that I have “overdone” things several times in the past 3 ½ weeks. Each time I pay for it with exhaustion and sometimes a little stomach strain. – As for you running, Bonnie, after a couple of weeks!!!! I forgot and ran 5 steps to the car last week and immediately knew that running was NOT part of my capabilities yet. I have recovered to about 80% but not fully. I still feel a little “tight” if I sit for too long.
I rang the surgeon’s office today (almost 4 weeks since surgery) to ask if the bleeding from the vagina was normal. It has been minimal- red one night a week ago and pink a few times since. His receptionist assured me that it was OK, that this is part of the healing of the tissue, that I wasn’t going to do any damage as long as I was sensible- to listen to my body and to take nanna-naps when I’m tired. She said to avoid sex and that a lot of women experience vaginal bleeding after sex “for some time”.
So that’s it for me. I hope it helps someone. I’m so glad that laparoscopic surgery with a good surgeon was available for me. The pain and trauma has been much less than expected. Though I don’t recommend travel if you can avoid it, since the op, I have done quite a bit of travelling – car and plane (always in the elastic stockings and making sure I move a lot). Now I am home again… Though I love my job and am SO tempted to go back to work, I know that once I start, that will be the end of taking it easy. SO…. tomorrow I’m going to start reading those books that I’ve been promising myself.
March 19, 2007 at 5:39 am
in the above post – please read abdomen rather than stomach
March 19, 2007 at 11:40 am
KP
Wow your experience sounds exactly like mine. I had mine on Feb 16th. I also had a lot of pain when urinating ( it seemed like it radiated from my bladder all the way down, lots of pressure and stinging pain). They treated me for a UTI as I mentioned in another post, but I still had the pain. I also have the pink vaginal discharge still.
I went for a 4 wk follow up last week. My doctor did not seem overly concerned with the pain, as long as it was getting better insted of worse. (which it is) He had done cultures earlier to check for bacteria. Also he said the vaginal discharge was normal, because the blood is mixing with your normal vaginal secretions. He said it could last for quite a while, because they did tie off major arteries (I think that is how he phrased it) He told me even the slightest exertion (ie coughing, laughing) could increase it.
I am getting a little sick of it though. I am so longing to be “normal”
I have to go back in 3 wks for another follow up, because when he did an internal he said I was still very red and tender where the stitches were.
I hope you are feeling better soon, I can comiserate because I know that I cringed every time I had to urinate, especially in the morning when my bladder was really full.
I think that it is always good to double check with your dr. , because peace of mind goes a long way. It is very stressful wondering if something major is wrong.
March 25, 2007 at 6:56 pm
My name is Mellisa Dressler and I’m 25 years old. I had a Laporscopic Guided Vaginal Complete Hysterectomy on 3/14/07. They removed my cervix and Uterous. On 3/16/07 I was discharged from the hospital and was feeling great. On 3/18/07 I was realy dizzy, nauaeaus, and had horrible shoulder pain. My husband took me to ER where my blood pressure was dangerously low. They did a Cat Scan and found a quart of blood in my stomach. I had another surgery to drain over a litter of blood and to repatch a incision that was seeping. I also had to have two blood transfusions. I’m home now, but I still feel very sick. Has this happen to anyone else? I have been developing new symptoms, but at this point I have no idea how I should be feeling. Any help would be appreciated.
April 4, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Hi Melissa… i hope you’re feeling better by now. i haven’t had any issues but stay in clsoe contact with your dr if you’re not feeling well. better to be on the safe side.
i had surgery on feb 26 and feeling pretty much back to normal. a few pains but nothing extreme. hope everyone else is doing well. BH
April 24, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Hi Folks,
I just found out today that my choices are minimal as to options for removing my Fibroids. This dr. says that they are doing great things with robotic Myomecotomy, but that for me the surgery would be around 6 hours, include a longer recoup time and much greater blood loss with blood transfusions probable. The only choice is a hysterectomy, but I can keep the Cervix and Ovaries. He is telling me two week recovery with a week before I can drive. Does this sound familiar? Everyone seems to be having a much longer recoup time than that. I’m in sales and can’t be away from my customers for too long. Plus, is it just me, or does anyone else feel a little disappointed that I am losing such an important part of being a woman. The doctors all seem to talk about it so casually when it seems like a major decision to me. I’m single and don’t know how I’m going to get through it without help. Is this possible?
April 27, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Hi I’m 35 currently single, no children and no desire to have children – I’m on a waiting list of 4 to 5 months for a hysterectomy (intramural fibroids and endo) and to be totally honest I can’t wait. To me my womb doesn’t define me as a woman so for me it’s not worse than having my appendix out. I do apologies if it comes across as being slightly blase.
The Consultant and I have decided to remove womb only via keyhole as he also wants to remove some endo. To me finally after so many years there is light at the end of the tunnel and I will get my life back – over the last few years it has been so debilitating.
May 1, 2007 at 8:04 am
Has anyone had any experience with the muffin top after a bikini cut?
I am feeling really great (in my 4th week) but the jiggling of my lower abdomen bothers me….
I am amazed that no one has yet figured out making a support belt to wear in that area that isn’t 12 inches wide.
May 8, 2007 at 9:09 pm
I just had a TLH on 5/4/07. It was a 3 hour surgery and that evening was encouraged to walk. I did and started bleeding alot right after and experienced extreme pain in the rib cage. I was told it was probably the gas they use to inflate the tummy during surgery. It was sooo painful. I had large fibriods in my uterus and my uterus was the size of a 18 week pregnant women. My periods were extremely heavy and I became anemic due to all of this.
My right side in still pretty tender and the belly swollen. I have also been experiencing back pain that is quite uncomfortable. I have also had headaches. What symtoms should I watch for that would signify things are not healing properly.
Michele
May 28, 2007 at 4:33 pm
i LOST MY POST OP INSTRUCTIONS ON WHEN i COULD SWIM, AND HAVE SEX? aNYONE KNOW ? IM 2 IN A HALF POST OP AFTER HAVING LSH.
June 6, 2007 at 12:27 am
I’m afraid I haven’t read all of this thread, but I’m wondering what the sexual consequences are of having a hysterectomy. I am being pressured to have a hysterectomy and I really don’t want to. (My symptoms are not that bad, but because my fibroids are so large, no one is offering any other option.)
My sexuality is very important to me, and I have multiple kinds of orgasms, but my favorite kind is more a full body kind, rather than a clitoral orgasm. I feel like uterine contractions are a big part of that kind of orgasm.
What do you all think? Are your orgasms any different after hysterectomy?
June 10, 2007 at 8:05 am
I’ve written this summary of my experience because I could not find a similar summary before my surgery and would have loved to be able to read about another person’s experience before having the surgery. I hope this account helps others.
My experience with a TLH (total laparoscopic hysterectomy), retaining ovaries.
I am 39 years old and began having heavy irregular periods, breakthrough bleeding, and terrible cramping for over a year. I tried using the pill to help the symptoms but it did not work. I was diagnosed with fibroids (several both inside and outside the uterus) via ultrasound– my uterus was about the size of a 12 week pregnancy. I decided on hysterectomy because I was finished with childbearing, did not want to have repeat procedures and I found a doctor who specialized in minimally invasive surgery that would allow me to recover easier and faster than a standard abdominal procedure.
Pre Op Visit
Only ate a liquid diet all day– I did allow myself milk in my coffee and a soy milk protein drink in the morning. These are not usually part of a true liquid diet,but I had been given no specific instructions about a liquid diet by the doctor. The pre op was in the late afternoon and when I arrived the office was pretty chaotic. The clinic nurse put the thermometer in my mouth without the sanitary cover!
Another nurse finished recording my vital signs. I lost 5 pounds since February (yea)! I have been trying to lose weight since Dec 2006 when my fibroids were diagnosed. I brought DH back in time to see the doctor. Then we got a big shock. In December along with my diagnosis of fibroids, I had a bad pap smear (AGUS NOS). This required an ECC and an endometrial biopsy. They were done by my regular GYN and came back negative. But the surgeon I was seeing was still worried something was missed. She had consulted with oncologists about my case and they said she should do another pap smear and biopsy before surgery. All I could think was what am I going to do if I can’t have surgery tomorrow. It takes months to get prepared for this type of thing. And of course here I was worrying about cancer again. The doctor scheduled me for the second surgery of the day and sent me home to do the bowel prep etc.
Ok- it is true what people say the bowel prep is one of the worst parts of this whole experience. I did not find that the phospho soda tasted bad (I put mine in ginger ale and slugged it like a college student binge drinking jello shots)…it was just very salty and had a weird aftertaste. Drink quickly and move on! The worst part of bowel prep was the sore rear end afterwards— I did not buy gentle flushable wipes. That was a mistake.
Its easy to stick to the rule about not eating after a certain time— you won’t want to eat after the bowel prep. If you are allowed fluids try to drink up until the cutoff time because you don’t want to be dehydrated the next day. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.
That night I had to shower with antibacterial soap they gave me at the hospital and do the same in the morning.
In the morning I got up and said goodbye to my son, my parents drove him to school. We did not have to go to the hospital until 10am. Before showering I did the enema (geez enough already with the bowels!!) that gave me a stomach cramp or two but was over quickly.
At the hospital we checked in and were directed to the pre-op waiting area. This room was filled with lots of lost looking men walking around with clear bags filled with their significant other’s belongings. They looked so sad and all I could think was that was going to be my DH soon!
I was still uncertain about my new pap smear and biopsy– but guessed that since no one called in the early hours to cancel that things were ok.
The pre-op nurse called me in to take my vitals– sat me in a giant chair, I felt like Lily Tomlin in the “incredible shrinking woman”. then sent me to give a urine sample. That was like getting blood from a stone.
Back to the waiting room for less than a minute before they called us both back. The nurse put us in another room with a different chair, told me to take it all off and put on the hospital gown, hose, slipper socks and funny hat, told DH that his job was opening the door when I was finished dressing. We had a good laugh about the white pressure hose- DH saying they were sexy etc. I got dressed and we opened the door.
The parade of people began soon after. First a nurse put an needle for an IV in both of my hands, connecting only one to to an actual IV drip. They were giving me fluid and pepcid. Apparently they tilt you so much for the surgery that the pepcid helps prevent acid reflux afterwards. It worked- I did not have a problem with reflux after surgery.
Then the anesthesiologist stopped by to ask about my medical history and my neck flexibility (for airway insertion), the nurse anesthetist stopped by as well and explained the full procedure and all risks. I was happy to learn that the bladder catheter and respirator were to be put in after I was under anesthesia.
The surgeon arrived and leaned around the anesthesiology people to give me the thumbs up!! No cancer detected, whew! It was a relief to see her and to know everything was ok. She had two residents who also introduced themselves. Everyone was cheerful patient and friendly–it really helped put me at ease.
Be prepared to repeat many times the type of operation you are having– this is because everyone involved must ensure that they are aware and that you are aware of all the plans- to prevent medical errors and misunderstandings.
After all the prep was done they let me say good bye to my husband and then wheeled me in the chair to the operating room. I remember seeing the huge lights and all the equipment and that’s about it! Someone put the happy juice into my IV and I had a good sleep.
Four hours later…either the anesthesia nurse or the surgical resident was saying my name and asking if I was ok. Then I think I fell asleep again. I woke up in the recovery room— and my first thought was boy do I have to pee! There was a nurse at the food of my bed but I felt like I couldn’t speak up, so I feebly raised my hand. She walked up to me and I told her I had to go– she said that was just the catheter and I could just relax. My second thought was- I’m alive! And I love my family! (hilarious, no?). The recovery area was strange– there were other patients and nurses and it was so frantic and hectic but I felt like a zombie and kept nodding off. My pain was well controlled– honestly the catheter feeling was my biggest problem. They let my husband visit me in recovery because they had a hard time locating a bed for me– I was there about 2 hours before moving to a special unit for people spending only one night in the hospital.
The unit reminded me of a cardiac care area— rooms with a nurses station in the middle– no doors just curtains. But each room was private (not shared).
From 6pm to ~10:30 pm I battled waves of nausea with the goal of not vomiting. Once I get started I am usually sick for days! The nurse was very good and rather then giving me the standard dinner she ordered a liquid diet for me that night. They sent Ensure, pudding, ice cream and juices. She also brought saltines. I tried everything but the Ensure– just looking at the ingredients list made me want to vomit! In the end I could only stand the crackers and ginger ale and finally ice water. I’d get a wave of nausea– and try to breathe through it, recover and then I would burp!! I think it was the gas from the operation discharging.
When the residents came by to check on me at 10:30– one noticed the wreckage of crackers on my table and looked at me– it looked funny because I could only eat the crackers after breaking them into tiny pieces- what a mess. I said something about my new amazing cracker diet and he laughed.
After the residents left the nurse arrived announcing it was time to take out the catheter and go for a walk. Oh joy. I’d been pretty brave up to now but I did not like the idea of that thing coming out—but I psyched myself up and followed her instructions (holding my breath and counting) and soon enough the thing was out. It did hurt but I survived.
Walking came next. The nurse helped me swing my feet over the side of the bed and sit up for a bit. Then she helped me stand and walk slowly to the bathroom. The next test was trying to go. After the catheter this was challenging–but I was worried about having them put one back in so I was determined. Not much happened with this first visit– I felt like I was learning to pee all over again.
Slowly the nurse and I walked back to my room. I decided to sit up and drink as much water as possible so I could go again soon. The nausea was coming in faster waves and I was tired so I agreed to take phenergan. It went to work really fast and I did not have nausea again. The only bad side effect of the phenergan is getting really sleepy– so I was only able to sit up for a few minutes- then I got back into bed and tried to sleep.
I was wakened by a lab tech who needed to draw blood– not a fun experience when you are trying to sleep. Then I decided to drink more and walk again to the bathroom. Walking got easier and easier and going to the bathroom got better too.
Soon it was morning (I had very little sleep in the hospital). I was up and about walking without the nurse– they brought me breakfast and I was able to eat it and keep it down, no nausea. They were ready to let me go home!
One problem! Remember the advice about packing a bag? Well- I packed one with a change of clothes and a few other items and we brought it to the hospital. But my husband took that bag and the bag with my pre-op clothes, shoes etc. home with him the night before. The only thing he left behind was my chap stick! So- if you are wondering what to pack, try to remember that unless you expect to spend several days in the hospital, you don’t need much at all!
So all the discharge stuff was done- the doctor came for one last visit, the IVs were removed etc., I just had to wait for DH to bring my clothing! Soon we were out of the hospital and I was home.
I was discharged with percocet and motrin for pain. I alternated the two drugs as directed and they worked for everything except the gas pain. The day passed quickly but as night came I began to feel worse and worse. My shoulder pain spread down my arm and up my neck. It grew and grew so by 9pm I was in tears. All I could do was take the percocet and sit in bed with lots of pillows propping me up. I dozed off around midnight when the pain eased a bit- and DH was smart to wake me up in the wee hours to take another pain pill. By morning that awful awful pain had eased and was just an ache. I can only think it was caused by the gas but I’ve had problems with neck pain and shoulder pain before (from previous whiplash and weight lifting errors), so I don’t know if the pain was worse because of those other problems. At my post op visit the doctor said this could have been a muscle spasm from my position on the operating table (tilted). I’m just glad it did not last.
DH was so stressed the next morning that he goofed up and gave me a double dose of pain meds in the morning. So I spent that day zonked out on the couch!
Each day I felt better, my incisions were healing well and my pain was under control. I began to take short walks (20 min) and increase the time and distance gradually. After 7 days on the percocet I was able to stop taking the pills altogether. I think I took percocet all day for 3-5 days and then took it only at night before stopping altogether. I took motrin for about 2-3 weeks after that, gradually moving to night time only doses and then none at all.
I’ve followed the instructions about not lifting things and waiting for sex. I’ve been able to cook simple meals and straighten up around the house. I still haven’t been to the grocery store by myself– I’m actually looking forward to shopping alone for a change!
It has been 4 weeks and I pretty much feel like myself again. I no longer have a giant thing in my abdomen taking over my body! Clothes actually fit better- I was even able to go shopping for new ones. The doctor gave me a picture of my uterus and it was amazing how big and deformed it looked– there were so many fibroids– probably more than the 3 they saw on the ultrasound. She also photographed my ovaries and they look healthy and fine. I did not have any problems with ovary function after the operation.
Today I saw the Dr. for my post-op check up. I’ve lost 2 lbs since my pre-op visit. The doctor said my uterus was about 3 times normal size. No wonder its made a difference now that its gone. She removed a few stitches from my incisions that had not dissolved. Everything is healing correctly and I am cleared to go back to my yoga class in about 2 weeks.
It was difficult to make the decision to have a hysterectomy, but now that its over I’m glad I opted for surgery. I did not realize just how much I was suffering until now. The pain I felt from monthly cramps was worse than all the pain I experienced after surgery. I feel like I can move forward now into a pain free life.
June 23, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I had a TLH on June 13 and I was so happy to find this website! I had mine because of fibroids. The doctor did a D&C on me a year ago and that helped for a while, but then in February I started having heavy periods that would last up to 14 days. One option was to put me back on birth control pills, but I got off of them several years ago due to high blood pressure. My doctor told me that it would be very likley that I would also have to start taking blood pressure medication again as well. Since I am 45 and had no plans to have more children, I opted for the surgery. Also, there is an extremely high rate of uterine and ovarian cancer in my family, so I did not have to think twice about having everything removed.
Like so many of you, the most pain I’ve had is the gas! A couple of days ago, I felt like my stomach was going to burst because of the gas and the inability to use the bathroom. When I finally did go, it was very painful. My doctor suggested a stool softener, so I have been taking two each day along with eating prunes. This has helped a lot, but the gas is still painful. I am going to try GasX like someone above suggested.
I went to the grocery store for the first time today since my surgery. I brought my son along to help with the heavy items. I was pooped by the time I returned and felt some discomfort from the walking around. I have been taking one Percocet at bedtime – it helps me sleep more comfortably – and I take Aleve (if needed) during the day.
I go for my post-op visit next week and I plan to return to work on July 9.
Thanks to all of you that have posted your stories here. It was great to read that what I have been experiencing is normal.
Take care.
July 16, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I am 46 years old. I am 3 days post LSH and feel great with little or no pain. I had small fibroids that were causing cramping and heavy periods. I hav more energy that I have had in eons and feel very even-tempered. Best thing I ever did. Surgery took 2 hours with recovery 1 hour. I was up walking around within 3 hours and home within 24 hours. I have 3 small incisions. The only time I experience pain (cramping) is when I bend over too much. Plan to go fr a walk and to lunch tomorrow with some frineds.
July 16, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Hello, it’s my first time posting, but I’ve been reading the other post and stories over the last few days or so. Today I finally sent an email to my ob/gyn requesting that she set a date for a LSH. I have just had enough- the endless cramping, exhaustion and lightheadness. I was officially dx a few months back. For the last several months to a year I had been bloated and would get a cramp in my right side when twisting to get out of the car or out of bed. And there was a change in my periods- heavier, longer and more clots and matter in the pad and toilet. Naively, I thought I was at the onset of an early “change” at 42 years old. My ultrasounds show that I have at least 3 large fibroids and my uterus is roughly the size of a 3-4 month pregnancy.
I’ll have to post more later. thanks for listening.
July 17, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Papoose, just wondering a couple of things– what is dx? (a d & c?) and have you considered other approaches over a hysterectomy? If so, how did you decide on the hysterectomy? I have 3 large fibroids and had been bleeding horribly until I had an endometrial ablation, during which they found a submucosal fibroid and were able to shave it down. I think now that that was what was causing my bleeding because it isn’t a problem anymore (even though my endometrium has grown back!)
The only think that bothers me now is wondering if symptoms may start up again, and of course, looking pregnant! I can imagine getting rid of the fibroids through other methods… it seems like a hysterectomy is pretty drastic and so that scares me…. I also don’t like getting rid of anything unless I really have to! On the other hand, recovery with a laparoscopic hysterectomy seems so fast (barring any complications!) and then there is no problem with fibroids growing back! I’m trying to decide what course to take…. Thanks.
July 17, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Hi, Amy and all!
“DX” stands for diagnosed or diagnosis. I’ve raised an autistic child, so I learned to abbreviate the word “diagnosed” or diagnosis” early on. Sorry for the confusion.
The decision to request the hysterectomy was not an easy one . I spent a great deal of time doing research on various websites and speaking to people. Each woman has to come to a conclusion which is right and comfortable for her.
I have a male political colleague whose wife had excellent results from the UAE and her symptoms were worse than mine. Yet, I’ve spoken to others who have had the tumors removed and later went back to the doctor with more fibroids thaan they originally had or the same symptoms and were then faced with a hyst.
Today is Tuesday and it’s the second day I’ve been off work this week because of the cramping and fatigue. I was out for a bit on Saturday and came home exhausted and lightheaded. I was also out to run a few errands on Sunday and came home with leg cramps down to my feet. The issue of my fibroids and the symptoms seemed to have sneaked up on me rather quick; although I’m sure they have been growing for quite sometime. I’ve just had enough of this “half living”.
I’m 42 now and don’t want to chance facing a hyst. at 52. If I were younger and wanted more children I would opt. to try the other options. Having said that, it still is not easy to conceive of giving up a body part. When I called in sick this morning and I was speaking to my supervisor I was explaining that it is an odd “guilty” feeling at somehow “choosing” this option, but at the same time there’s a comfort in knowing that all of this hassle will soon be over for me.
I’m so sorry you’re having recurring problems and I hope that you come to a decision which is right for you. Whoo! It’s not easy to make that decision though…. Do you have children yet?
July 17, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Hi to all,
This is not my first time posting I am coming from the AM forum, once I tell you my history you will know why I
July 17, 2007 at 7:06 pm
(sorry cut off I will continue)
am here long story.
I was diagnosed with fibroids after a routine physical exam sent for unltra sounds and boom 4 fibroids in the uteris.
I was then sent to the oby to see what we where going to do about. My family doc told me I would have to wait till Febuary to see the obyg . Which I would not be able to do becuase I was in so much pain and missing alot of work already. I kept calling the obyg office to make an early apt and she was kind enough to book me in the first week of December. After so much crying in pain on the phone.
Let me give you a break down of my symptoms
Went to emergency at the end of October becaue I was so dizzy and had very bad stomache pains. Discovered through my blood I was severly anemic a count of 71 should be 118-140 was put on iron pills.
I could not sleep at night because of severe stomache pain and hot flashes.
I would dry heave every moring I woke up for at least 15 mins mucas would come out.
Back and legs hurt like a bitch.
Stomache was so swollen I looked like I was 7 months pregant. Which doc told me my uteris was the size of.
Once i finaly saw the surgeon in December we discussed me having abdominal mymoctomy. The surgery was booked for Febuary 7 which you can the date beside my name.
I was sick from oct straight through till the day of my operation. Operation was easy and so was my hospital stay. I felt really good for about 2 weeks after my operation and then it hit me. I started bleeding everyday for about 4 weeks straight. My stomache always hurt and I always had headaches. I was taking mortion everyday since my surgry. I also had night sweats and was losing hair.
July 17, 2007 at 7:11 pm
(SORRY KEEP GETTING CUT OFF I WILL CONTINE)
I called the doctor several times and was told it was normal. I requested we do an ultra sound she said no. When i went for my 6 week post up was told I was doing great (i was not convinced). My 7 weeks were up and it was time to go back to work let me tell tough.
I went back to work april 4 and felt like crap.
My first week back
July 17, 2007 at 7:18 pm
this damn computer cut off agin sorry
Once the weekend rolled around I was worst (easter weekedend sucked.
Monday April 1o dicided to go to emerg. I t was later on in the day. Blood was taken and urine eg. The doc told me all noraml execpt for the anemic part. HE noticed my belly pretty swollen told me to come back in the morinig for an abdominal and pelvic ultra sound. The next moring went back and was told i should have not been sent home that my blood showed a high infection. The ultra sounds I DID also was told
July 17, 2007 at 7:27 pm
cut off no joke
I HAD three blod clots in my uteris a bad pelvic infection. I was admitted right away and hooked up tp ivs for antibotics. I was told by the doctor the blood clots would slowly cut up and I will pass them and infection with the anitobics woulg go away. I was discharged in two days.
I let my work know I would be off for a few weeks to recover (which i was on stip for so fully paid again thank god)
I was not feeling good at all after discharge and days just got worst. After two weeks the doc finall told me to come in and did all sorts of tests. A couple of days later I got a call from my doc telling me I Have to be admitted to the hospital my blood showed a high infection. Third time know.
After spendind 7 days in the hospital and plenty of ultra sounds and a MRI
July 17, 2007 at 7:28 pm
blood transfusion and ivs all over the place pocked about 20 times because of the sweats kept losing my VI
July 17, 2007 at 7:41 pm
iv i was told needed surgery beacuase i had 8 fibroids which my surgeon missed the first operation and they were degenrated . which in retuen affected my whole uteris and they were not sure if they can save it.
After waking up in recovery found out they took my uteris my overies and everything else still there. Thank god for that at least. They told me my uteris was so badly infected they had no choice. hEAD OF CHIEF of the hospital did my surgery because my surgeon scewed up. My hyst was MAY 4 and I WAS dischared two days later.
Recovery was great I feel amazing conserding two surgeries and everything I went through. I AM finally back to normal. I AM requesting my files whci they are not giving to me I think i need to call a lawyer my surgeon screwed up my uteris. if SHE HAD DONE HER JOB RIGHT I WOULD HAVE NOT SUFFERED. IF SHE HAD ONLY LISTENED TO ME WHEN I CALLED TO COMPAIN I WOULD HAVE HAD MY UTERIS. BECAUSE SHE LEFT DEAD FIBROIDS IN THERE IT POSINED MY UTERIS THE HEAD OF CHIEF SAID I COULD HAVE DIED WITH THIS IF I WAITED LONGER.SOMENONE HAS TO BE ACCOUBTALE I WILL SEE TO IT. THANKS TO THEM I WILL NEVER HAVE KIDS.
Sorry for all the cut offs and the long story first time i have written it down and it feels good . To who ever is reading thankd for listening and if you have any question just ask by the way i did lose my belly and 37 pounds one good thing
July 20, 2007 at 3:26 am
Hello,
I had a lap. total hysterectomy taking cervix and all.
My question is this. I came home from the hospital one day after surgery. I felt good….Big belly sore but pretty good.
As day’s went by being day 7 today I went out walking stood up and again just a little sore. I was thrilled.
Then I did something stupid when ALL of the pain after 6 day’s was gone. I lifted a heavy piece of glass about 30 pounds or 40 and woke up with my right side hurting bad and stinging from low overy level up to my hip bone.
It is not going away and I was pain free. I am not bleeding and no discharge but my stomach looks like it is swelling up and my vaginal open feels large and I pee in a very hard stream ?? I know I should not have lifted it but I felt GREAT and was totally pain free and I forgot.
Could someone just tell me what I might look for and what happens when you lift something heavy too soon. I hear not to do it but never hear what it can do to you if you do lift a heavy object way to soon.
Thanks so much
July 20, 2007 at 10:50 am
Cherie,
I’ve read about other women bleeding internally… if your stomach is swelling, maybe you’d better get it checked out ASAP as that could be serious!
July 20, 2007 at 10:57 am
Papoose, thanks for the reply. Fortunately, I do have a daughter, and I’m menopausal — so at least that isn’t a factor. But it is still a huge decision for me and it helps to see how others decide what to do, glad you’ve arrived at a decision that feels right for you. And about “DX” — oh yeah! I used to know that! I think my brain’s going too… thanks.
July 20, 2007 at 11:03 am
Demi,
What an ordeal you’ve been through! I’m so, so, sorry — no one should have to go through what you’ve been through. I do hope you are able to follow through on this apparent malpractice…. (of course I wonder about all those forms they have us sign that say we’ll go through arbitration instead of filing a lawsuit)
That said, thanks for sharing your experience with us. I think it is good for us to learn from each other even if we see some really frightening experiences.
Good luck with everything.
July 21, 2007 at 1:53 pm
DENI!
Ditto what Amy said! Today is the first day I’m feeling decent this week, so I’m gonna run a few errands. You ladies take it easy.
Deni,, again, I’m very sorry for all that you’re going through.
Cherie, PLEASE get checked out.
July 21, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Papoose & Amy -
I wan’t to thank you so much for simply CARING.
I am alone and divorced both kid’s living out of town
and really have NO friends at all and am trying to take care of myself during all of this. It is nice to see that YOU care, really CARE ! Thank You. I immediatly saw the doc after reading your posts and she said that I pulled a ligament from the location and that because I was not destended and tight in the abdomin that the swelling would go down and she gave me some anti-inflammatory’s ( sorry about the spelling the hormones have caused my spelling and thinking to got the toilet if you will….)
Anyway, I again want to let you know that the pain is getting better and the swelling is a bit there but I think that the pooch may be sticking around awhile. I am kinda on the skinny side and am also hoping that I might gain some weight in some of the right places after the hysterectomy.
Anyone else have that problem? If so what kind of hormones are you on. I am on a small round patch on my booty?? Hoping again that it may give me a bit of weight as I have always had trouble eating big meals and gaining weight.
Thanks To You All,
Your Great ~ This is a nice caring place for women and I appreciate this site so much.
Take Care and look forward to any replys on the hormone weight thing…thanks
Cherie
July 25, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Hi. I am on day 12 after my LSH. I feel really good. The 3 small incisons have healed. I have exercised lightly, either walking or the elliptical trainer. Although I feel great, I am being careful about lifting. It is easy to forget you are not supposed to. I have gained about 2 pounds, but that is from not being as active as I usually am. I am sorry to hear about Demi’s ordeal. That is horrible! I hope you pursue some sort of malpractice. You could have died!!!
July 26, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Hi to everyone,
Yes LauraLu i could have died the doctor told me my uteris was so infected my white blood count very high. It could have poisned my blood. I am so happy i feel good and once again myself. I have been talking to a lawyer and he strongly believes i am goin to win a case there was so many things they did wrong I will keep u posted. Good to hear u are feeling good just take it easy and let yourself heal. I am 12 weeks post op and nudges here and there.
I hope everbody else is doing well too.
demi
July 30, 2007 at 8:32 pm
This web site is great. I am on day 6 after my LSH hysterectomy. I had it because of excessive bleeding and frequent long periods, and a lot of scar tissue from 3 c-sections. I wish I had found this web site before or right after my surgery. My doctor didn’t tell me to expect the swelling, the terrible back ache and the constipation, or the gas. So I’m just now finding out what all this is and that is normal. My stomach is swollen like I’m 5 months pregnant. How long can I expect this? I’m now taking a laxative and Gas-X, so I’m feeling better. I felt really good this morning and the early part of the day, but later in the afternoon, I started feeling bad and very tired. Is this normal? I also feel “strange” down very low; I guess where my uterus used to be. I can’t explain the sensation, just weird.
August 8, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Ladies, I’m back!!! I’ve been pretty busy and social since my last postings. I hope everyone is doing well???
I don’t have a date yet for the LSH, but will be calling the doctor tomorrow for an update.
Cherie, Demi, you guys hanging in?
September 7, 2007 at 12:57 pm
I’m glad I found this site! I’ve been looking for a few answers. I had a Laproscopic Hysterectomy on Aug. 14. I am still sore at 3 1/2 weeks out and I am still having to take ibuprofen. I was just wondering how long this will go on if anyone has experienced this. My vaginal discharge is minimal, so I’m not concerned about that. I also wanted to know how long before anyone started back using exercise machines. I am a member at Curves and wanted to have an idea when it would be okay to go back. I have been walking my dog every day. Thanks
September 16, 2007 at 4:12 am
Hi
Iam posting on behalf of my wife. She had laprosopic complete hysterctemy on Aug 28th. The procedure lasted about 90mins or a little more than that. She was discharged the same day.
She was given no antibiotics, and adviced to walk frequently atleast 5 mins every hr or so. She did follow this schedule.
After 3 days, she felt feverish, and suddenly her temp rose and she was screaming loud. We had to rush her via ambulance to hospital and then there were wires and tubes all over her. Her fever didnt subside for atleast 5 days. She had one day without fever and then they discharged her with 2 doses of antibiotics.
When we reached the emergency, she was taken for CT scan, and the results mentioned it looks normal after surgery, i.e they spot some blood collected possibly due to some small vessels trying to clot up.
We were not sure if this has developed into a hematoma or something, but Doc assured there wasnt anything to worry from the scan results.
After we were discharged Sep 6th, she still had small pink traces of blood, and required to wear pantiliners. Now after a week, she appears to be soaking 1/2 thin pad during day and another 1/2 at night.
Docs say some people can have this bleeding for 2-4 weeks and that in her case it might be 6 weeks. Its causing concern and we need to talk to docters for a second opinion if whats being diagnosed is right. I dont want to try and get things worse than its already. With 3 kids this is really taxing the family at this time.
She has been having heavy bleading and irregular periods since teen. When we asked for IUD about a year ago after the birth of our surprise daughter, doctors mentioned they like Merina IUD, since it will most likely stop bleading in many cases.
But she had spotting for almost the entire year. When we approaced Doc for an emblation this year, they performed the procedure and mentioned it didnt work because her uterus was bigger than what the equipment is designed for. Now they did have a chance to check via ultrasound if the uterus would work for the device,.. but apparently they overlooked?
I asked them to perform another scan, but the doc suggests its not needed. We hoped that the laproscopic hysterectemy would provide both releif from the bleeding (which seems to have worsened after returning from the emerency stay), and the recovery would be fast.
We already spent 2 weeks and her situation still seems not under control.
Any advice?
September 17, 2007 at 7:15 am
I’m new to this forum so bear with me … I had my hysterectomy in January 2007 due to continuing problems with dysplasia. I went through numerous procedures over a 10yr period and my dr finally said, it’s time we do a hysterectomy. I am 40yrs old and never had children so my dr said the best procedure for me would be laproscopic. My surgery went well and so far I am dysplasia free – they were concerned that they might not have gotten it all at the vaginal cuff. Three days after my surgery I developed neuropathy pain in my leg, which after several months of medication has subsided to almost nothing – thank goodness, cause that was very painful.
My question is this .. I see some people have posted about pain when they urinate. I was having pressure when I pee’d and it seemed like it was only happenening when I had to “hold it” for longer than normal, so I didn’t really think anything about it and my dr told me not to worry about it and to stop “holding it”. I now seem to be having “pain” when I urinate instead of the “pressure” like before and it seems to be happening everytime. The pain is not heart stopping pain but enough to get your attention and you can almost feel it going down your abdomen as you urinate – has anyone had this before?
Also, my doctor mentioned something a month or so ago that has had me really freaked out. She said that when you have the hysterectomy your insides will move around to take up the space where the uterus and cervix were, which is ok and it makes sense. However, she also said that some people experience their insides coming out through the vagina – anyone ever heard of this or know anything about it? She said it could happen if you strain a lot when you go to the bathroom, or in overweight people.
I am a little on the overweight side, I’ve lost 10 lbs since my surgery and working on more; and I do strain when I poop a lot of times (always have).
Has anyone heard of this or have any advice for this?
September 17, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Hi L, about the pain when you urinate… this may seem too basic…but I’d never had a urinary tract infection until after my endometrial ablation last Oct.! So I had no idea what the pain was when I urinated until it finally dawned on me that that must be what it was! Have you considered that? It started off slow in me, but then wow! I had no idea it could hurt so much!
The hysterectomy thing worries me too now that you mention it… the other thing I’ve heard is that sometimes women become incontinent after the procedure because some of the muscles are affected… and I didn’t like that at all.
It is so hard to make these decisions… we hear these stories and while it may only happen to a small percentile of people, if that happens to be us, it can be devastating. I know a woman who had a hysterectomy about 4 years ago… she ended up with a hole between her colon and her vagina which as you may imagine was horrible until they figured it out and fixed it, and then she’s had really bad neuropathy in her feet ever since… her life has completely changed. I’m not at the point where I *have* to have any more surgery… I just wish I could get rid of the fibroids because my stomach is large and I have to pee too much… I also have a-typical cells in my endometrium, and it is very thick… (it grew back!) so I may have to deal with it eventually… until then, I have to remind myself that it is still major surgery.
Please let us know if you find out more about insides coming out! You might consider adding more fiber to your diet so that you don’t have to push so much… it is supposed to help us lose weight too…
September 17, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Actually, I tested myself today with the home testing kits for a UTI and it came up negative. I hsve heard of people becoming incontinent also, I’m not thrilled about that either so I’m trying to not think about it!!
I guess I need to start incorporating Metamucil into my every day routine
September 18, 2007 at 11:37 am
I have been reading the forum but have not posted yet. I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy on July 31st so I am at 7 weeks post op today. I have done really well with the whole procedure. 2weeks after surgery I took a vacation to Charlseton. So I have really not had any complications and I am so thankful for that but I am still experincing some mild bleeding. The bleeding stopped for about a week and now it is back. Very light pink but still there. Is this normal?
September 21, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Sumathi, I missed your earlier post… how is your wife? She sure has been through a lot! Is she still bleeding? Since the uterus is gone, there should only be a little bleeding from the actual surgery and it should stop once it has healed. I haven’t been through the procedure, but it sounds like half of a thin pad twice a day is probably normal. If it continues beyond the 6 weeks or just doesn’t seem right, be sure to push them for more.
September 21, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Well, I had my 5 1/2 week check today. The doctor said my stiches were still there and there was still some bloody discharge. The nurse it would probably take 2 more weeks. Ugh. I am getting tired of the vaginal discharge even though it is light. I did start back to Curves at 4 weeks and I’m doing well. My doctor said I could start abdominal exercises if I started out slowly. So, I’m doing pretty good, except for the stiches still being inside me! Now if I could just get my golf game back!
October 4, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Hi, I am 47 years old. Have had endometriosis since I was in my twenties. Have had the surgery to remove adhesions several times. I have had ongoing pelvic/groin left sided for 15+yrs, and lower back pain, Has considerably effected my quality of life. I have had all kinds of testing done for my left groin pain thinking it was my hip, I’ve had MRI of hips, back, pelvis. They can find no reason for my pain, and always tell me to talk to gyne, that it is probably related to my endometriosis. The last time I had the surgery for endometriosis, i was 44, which I was told was severe adhesions, growing around my ovaries especiall the left side. After that surgery the doctor inserted a adhesion blocker drug called Siprofilm, which I didn’t know he was doing. Anyway I went home from surgery, and every time I had laser before I was fine in 48hrs, this time my abdomen started to swell and I couldn’t pass gass, couldn’t urinate or have a bowel movement, I had a fever, so after 48hrs of that I went to the ER, they immediately took me back, I was in severe pain, they did bloodwork my white count was through the roof, Ct scan was done, They couldn’t see what was going on because I was so swollen, They had to do an emergency surgery opened me up to find that I had a very serious allergic reaction to the adhesion barrier drug, I had septsus infection, that had to irregate several times to get it out, I ended up with an NG tube in my nose sucking out all the bad bile for the next five days, also had a drain in my side, i was in a lot of pain. Any way since all that I have had irregularity in my periods and went into perimentopause, I have severe night sweats, I always feel fatigued, and drained. I still get periods, sometimes skip several. but feel like I am getting a period everyday, swollen and painful breast, irrability, severe low back pain, and pelvic soreness, and my bigges complaint left sided groin pain, and when I do actually get a period my groin pain just throbs. So I’ve been to my regular gyne about all of this, she says get the hystorectomy you’ll feel better, she sent me to a gyne specialist, he did an exam, which was painful, He said I am very tender, and he suggest a hystorectomy, saying that he can’t promise all of my pains will be gone, but thinks I will notice a considerable difference, he did stress that it is elective surgery my choice, that he won’t make the decision for me. And no I refused going on hormones/Lupron, I am not the type to go on a lot of medications. I should add that I am a very active person, I exercise daily, lift weights 3-times a week and fast walk everyday/ regularily ride a bicycle. But the exercising I have always done, but lately the past 2-years a really have to push my self to do, cause I always feel like crap. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? I gess I am scared to get a hystorectomy because I want to be sure these pains I have are from my endometriosis, and my doctor said he would do it the laser way and that he would most likely take my ovaries. Another think I forgot to mention is I am always bloated, will that go away if I get a hystorectomy. HELP:
October 7, 2007 at 6:53 pm
test
October 13, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Hi Deborah! I’m finally catching up on this list… wow, you’ve been through the wringer, like a number of women here.
I see no one has answered your questions… and I wish I could offer some suggestions, but I haven’t experienced a hysterectomy, and I suspect most of the women who have probably stop coming back to this site not long after.
Also, since most of our experience here has to do with fibroids, not endo, we can’t offer suggestions there.
Keep checking back though, and see if you can find another site devoted to hysterectomies… I keep seeing reference to “hystersisters” (maybe hystersysters) or something like that…
However, it does make sense to me if you do get the hysterectomy that the pain, bloating and tenderness should go away! And if you are already entering menopause, then you wouldn’t be missing too many hormones produced by your ovaries… (although I would prob. push to keep them… why does he want to take them? Is there endo and adhesions all around them?) I’ve been hearing that the ovaries do continue to produce some hormones even after menopause…
Hope you find something that works!
November 3, 2007 at 12:28 am
I had a partial hysterectomy with removal of the cervix about 9 months ago. I feel great now! I finally got my blood built up….so no more feeling tired! I used to have heavy bleeding and giant fibroids.
Does anyone know if there is a difference when having sex? Is it different for the woman? Does it feel different for the man? I met someone nice, and have not had sex since my hysterectomy. I am a little paranoid that he might feel a difference. Also, I am scared that possibly it will be different for me? HELP!
November 4, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Hi, I’ve been reading this forum for a couple days. Scheduled for a LSH on Jan 10. For the most part this forum has brought me great relief. A few concerns, that’s for sure, but relief that most have gotten through feeling better than when you began. That’s key. Feeling better than I feel now.
I’ll post again, but will keep reading. Need to run. Just wanted to say hi.
November 24, 2007 at 1:55 pm
Sandy, since no one’s answered your question, try going to another thread on this blog: http://geekwithfibroids.wordpress.com/2006/10/23/does-anyone-have-a-hysterectomy-experience-to-share/
December 20, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Hi,
I’m post op Day 10, 44 years old. I had a laprascopic supracervical hysterectomy wiith a Salpingectomy (fallopian tube removal -both) My ovaires and cervix were kept. I’m still sore aroung one of the incision areas but I do over do it. Today is my day of rest, but I’ve been driving (my daughter) day 3 to school and forgot when I started to pick her up. I stopped the Darvocet on day three except for when I went to sleep at nite. By day 4 I diidn’t need it anymore. Just the 600 mg Ibuprohen around the clock every 6 hours and into week 2 not so regularly. I was doing great until A toothache started on Day, Monday this past week. It brought me to tears and I’ve gone to the dentist and am having a root canal tomorrow. I worry about all the driving I have to do but other than that…. So, I believe with the tooth pain my body’s pain tolerance and speedy healing was delayed. I had a slight infection and am now on penicillen. Tomorrow I see the surgeon, Dr. McCarrus who I believe diid a phenomenal job. More importantly I wanted to address the issue of options. I did the embolization in 2005 in hopes to preserve my uterus. I still had illusions of possibly having another child (even though I agreed I did not want anymore children at the time I harbored fantasies a miracle might happen). I have one beautiful daughter now. My personal circumstances would not allow a long convalesce time off at the time As well, I was thinking that surgery was too invasive and I hoped that the embolization would take care of the 11cm fibroid (and others) that was pressing on my bladder. Well, back in 2005 the blalder compression was relieved but the little increase of energy and the decreased in bleeding was short lived. I have lived with heavy bleeding a big chunk of my adult life and after my daughter it was a way of life. I did not the way I was feeling was abnormal until 2005 ‘ cause I lived with the diagnosis of fibroid tumors since 2000. I basically ignored it until 2005. The clarity of thought I have now is amazing. I know longer crave sweets or anything and I feel like I’m not carrying an alien in my abdomen anymore. I can’t wait when I’m completely healed to enjoy my new lease on life.
I highly reccommend lap. hyst. especially to keep your ovaries (no menopause onset) and your cervix to keep it all in place. Oh well, I don’t miss the tubes, lol. I love it and definitely if you can go all the way and are done with birthing children try to keep those ovary making hormones and go all the way. Save, time and money and reap the tremendous benefits. Love this site. It is so helpful to me while staying at home and still healing. Thank you all!!! For your stories and input.
December 20, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I had a LSH two weeks ago (uterus removed, as well as a polyp on the cervix); went to my Dr for post op exam last week, and he said I could resume normal activities. He also said he does not use stitches internally, but would not say WHAT he uses? Anyone ever heard of this? And of resuming activities so quickly? I still have slight abdominal pain, some spotting, and very bloated in stomach.
December 21, 2007 at 8:46 am
One more question for those that have had LSH; I have been having what seems like acid reflux now. Not just when laying down, but when I am standing also. Any one have this problem after their LSH surgery?
December 22, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I had my LSH, December 12th. I was home within 1 hr from waking up from surgery. No pain whatsoever. Did not have to take any of the pain meds that were prescribed for me. I went back to work 1 week from the day of my surgery. I am an electrician by trade, and I believe that is why I wasn’t in any pain afterward. I happened to see how much my surgery cost. Almost $31,000, thank god my co pay was only $10.00. My medication ended up costing me more $35.00
December 31, 2007 at 12:49 am
Hi Yvette,
thanks for sharing your experience… I keep wondering if I should go through one or have the abmyo…there is certainly a huge difference in the recovery time! 1week vs. 3-6 weeks wow!
How have you been?
Amy
January 24, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Hello friends, i saw this site by searching for fibroid treatment. i need some help from you.
One my relative she is 37yrs old and having 11cm*8.9 Fiboriod on her posterior wall of uterus. She dont have child so far. Is it possible to fibroid with out cauge any damage to uetreus. i search about this in internet. i didnt get any clear solution for this issue. Can some one inform /give me the details where i can get the details or consultation from the doctors. She plan to have surgery on early next month in india. i am looking for ur help. Please inform me my mail or reply here.
my mail id : muthukumaranmuthu@gmail.com
thanks
Muthukumaran
January 26, 2008 at 3:40 am
Hi Muthukumaran,
Can you please explain what you want to know a little more? I’m not sure I understand what you mean by “Is it possible to fibroid with out cauge any damage to uetreus.” what do you mean by “cauge” did you mean to say “cause damage to the uterus”? If they are going to remove her uterus, I would try to find another doctor to give you another opinion… maybe you can find out if any body in India is using “ExAblate” or “MRgFUS”, or if you can find a doctor who does “uterine artery embolization”. Or ask her doctors why they don’t want to do a “myomectomy”. At any rate, if it isn’t actually causing her serious problems, there is no real reason to remove it or her uterus — yes, it could cause a difficult pregnancy, or cause a miscarriage, but it isn’t a certainty. And even if it is causing problems, there may be other solutions, although again, it depends on what is available to you in India. I hope that helps a little. Good luck finding some help.
January 30, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Hi all
I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy(removal of the uterus only).in sep 2007.I always had a problem with heavy bleeding and had tried everything else,even ablation but the endometrial tissue grew back in 12 months,so my gyno said it’s up to me to decide which way i want to go,so i said lets do it.I’m nearly 45 so no more kids anyway.I have to be honest,the first 2 days after i wanted to die.I was on a morphine pump for 3 days and pain killers afterwards.You have to be careful afterwards as you have no scar,so no reminder what has been done to you.I’s now 5 months later and i believe it’s the best thing i ever did.I suffer from a back problem as well and even believe this had helped.For all you ladies out there who are going for a hysterectomy,do not fear as you will never regret it.Women have to put up with a lot anyway,the last thing we need is stupid periods and random bleeding slowing us down.I hope this Info helps ..cheers
February 1, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I would like to know if anybody else has had an experience such as the following with the da vinci robot (for any surgery):
my wife was diagnosed with fibroids and elected to have a LTH and, because she’s near menopausal age, an ovectomy in early October, 2007.
the surgeon used a da Vinci robot and the surgery took ~4.5 hours instead of the scheduled 3. The extended time was due to complications with the catheters– apparently the COATING of a CATHETHER had FLAKED OFF and they had to spend a while fishing the pieces out.
I would like to hear if anyonse else has had or heard of similar occurances. It may be innocuous, but we are worried aoubt long-term problems that may be harder to link as time progresses.
We did have a recent incidence and wonder if there may be a linkage. It would be easier to ascertain when grouped with histories from other patients.
thanks.
February 2, 2008 at 7:42 am
this was really good and helpful to me thank you
February 2, 2008 at 12:20 pm
B — I haven’t had the procedure, but am considering it… It might help if you tell us what the recent “incident” was…. also, did you find out what the coating was made out of? Was this a cathater in her urethra or for something else? Thanks for sharing this info.
February 3, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I want to share my experience with you all. This past 2007 I have undergone several surgeries three cyctocell, which are bladder related surgeries. Just five months ago I had a myomectomy to remove large fibroids. The Dr. said my uterus was enlarged. Three months after the surgery I started having ovary pains and she did an ultrasound and an MRI. The results were not good. The Dr. informed me she couldn’t understand how all the fibroids had grown back the uterus was enlarged. I am now scheduled for a laprascopic hysterectomy on Feb 19. Wish me luck.
February 3, 2008 at 4:10 pm
nancy your story sounds just like mine. I had a abdominal mymomectomy Feb. 07-07 and then a partial hysterctomy on May 4-07. I was told that my uteris was so infected with degenerating fiboirds only a cuple of months out aand they would have to remove the uteris. You will be fine it does take a while to recover after two but I feel good. Mind you I waas cut twicw though with a 6 inch insions both times. i went through hell because the doctor did not believe anything was wrong. I asked for an ukltrasound in March but she said it was not needed. Then i went to emergency and thats when it all started. If you read further up you will see my story. You are very lucky that they did the unltrsound and did not ignore you. I am talking to lawyers still to find some justice. Good luck with all and let me know if you have any questions.
February 5, 2008 at 3:43 am
Nancy, can you tell us a little more? How old you are, if you’ve been on any hormones, or had any other problems before this…when you first found out about your fibroids etc. Besides being enlarged, is it causing you pain, bleeding? Sometimes I wonder why they don’t just take out the ovaries and leave the uterus… I mean, I have an enlarged uterus, but my doctor hasn’t pushed for a hysterectomy. I was bleeding a ton, but he fixed that…my back hurts, but I’m not sure that’s related..so that leaves my large belly which I really dislike, but at least it doesn’t hurt. … Good luck on the 19th!
February 8, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I will be having a LSH next month, due to hyperplasia. I’m 27 years old, with 2 little boys. I suffer from PCOS, also. Thanks for all of your posts. They have been a relief. My question is that I am worried about the period after the surgery…mood swings, sexual difficulties, weight gain, depression. What should I expect following the procedure? When can you resume intercourse? Do you bleed following the surgery? Everything that I see, relates to older women, not those of us that are a tad younger. ANY help will be greatly appreciated. This is very unnerving. BTW- Doc is going to try to keep my ovaries in tact.
February 11, 2008 at 2:32 am
Hi Laura,
I’ve had hyperplasia for years, and I’m 52, but the doctor has not said I need a hysterectomy… can you give me for info? I’m told I have hyperplasia with atypia… I think that means with atypical cells… and he just keeps an eye on me…. maybe you want to get a second opinion? Seems you’re pretty young to be getting an LSH!
Not to scare you too much, but I recently came across the following website that is clearly against hysterectomies unless they are really necessary (it may also answer some of your questiosn)… I also had a friend who went through a horrible time and is still suffering a lot…. so I’m pretty scared about having one… if I do it, I want to be really sure I know all the possibilites and what I’m getting into.
Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCbz1KLMDRY&feature=related
Mind you, I’ve also heard from women who have had no problems at all… I just would hate to be one of the ones who does! My sister is a nurse, and I’ve asked her about this website…..she is asking some obgyn nurses their opinions and she is going to get back to me…
Best.
February 12, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Thanks for the response. I took some time and looked at the link that you provided. I believe that although some women do have some very adverse side effects to a hysterectomy, that the sponsors of this video are feminist liberals that feel that a woman is no longer a woman if she has her uterus removed. I don’t feel that way. Albeit that I am very concerned about the effects that my surgery will have on my sexuality and weight, but I consider not being around for my little boys a much great risk- therefore making the surgery a risk worth taking. (Three women in my family all had female cancers by the time they were 35.) I have spoken to several woman, aging from their 20’s to 60’s who have the surgery and all said that it was the best thing that they have ever done. I’ve missed too many of my son’s games and performances due to unrelenting symptoms, so I think that this is the right choice for me. I really do appreciate you checking on this for me. Please pass along anything that you hear from your sister. Thanks again.
February 12, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Hi Laura
You could not have said it any better.I am nine months post and doing great. Those statsitcs given at the end is a load of shit (sorry for the language) People should not believe the shit they read. Just ahve a look at this website real women. I have asked many doctors since i saw the video about three weeks ago and was told the same thing buukshit.
Amy I would really appreicate that you would think twice about putting something on this blog that would scare the women on here. That have had the surgery recovery is a challenge on its own with any surgery so we dont need any negative responses. I am sorry if you are offend or try to help but jsut be careful and think twice.
Amy please go with your best judement life is not over after a hysterctomy my life just begin best dission. My chose was loose the uteris or lose your life thats how infected i was I chose life and a good quality one(which I did not have before) I know alot of women who have had one done and are doing great . Sex is great probaly better then before. The myth about ovarin failure not true, i just had my levels checked they are working fine. Also my friends have no issue there either. I could go on and on please let me know if you have questions dont go on you tube to find your answers. I am 100% WOMEN
February 15, 2008 at 6:37 am
Laura, to be fair, after reading your response I looked at the video and at the Hers Foundation website and would like to know why you say they “are feminist liberals that feel that a woman is no longer a woman if she has her uterus removed” I really don’t see that and am curious to know why you do.
At most, I dislike some of the terms used in the video like “many” or “some women report…..” as that doesn’t really tell us anything concrete. I like percentages and I like to know how data was gathered… for example, I don’t know if the data they collected was from women who contacted them (and who would therefore have a greater incidence of problems) or from a general pool of women who’d experienced the procedure. They also mention gathering info from women who’d had the experience over 30 years ago… and I don’t think that info should be included as the procedures have been improved.
That said, I have heard of many of the problems mentioned… the only question I have is, what the true incidence of these complications is among women in general who have undergone the procedure.
As one woman who commented in the video said, her doctor said it was a great solution in the 1940s and 50s when there were no other choices — but now we do have a lot more. There can be a huge difference from doctor to doctor… I just hope people take the time educate them selves and to get second opinions (ideally from doctors who don’t know each other — as I’ve found some who back each other up.)
Still waiting to hear from my sister, I’ll post here when I find out.
February 15, 2008 at 6:43 am
Demi, I appreciate your viewpoint, and that said, I did think twice about posting the video and I acknowledged that some women clearly need the procedure. But there is also plenty of evidence that there are just way too many hysterectomies done in this country. I even wonder when women have a hysterectomy because of “cancer” if it is actually somewhat “atypical” cells, but not cancer and doctors are playing it super safe &/or women hear that cells are atypical and are so scared by that info &/or their symptoms that that they go with the surgery — maybe without even getting a second opinion. Just reading through all of the posts on this entire blog, it is clear that there is some info on procedures/ side effects /recovery time that many women don’t get from their doctors, but which a number of women experience.
As I said, I also know someone personally who has gone through absolute hell since having her hysterectomy… (she ended up with a hole between her vagina and colon with fecal matter seeping out of her vagina until they figured it out and fixed it with another surgery. In addition, she also has had horrible pain for more than two years — apparently a nerve was nicked and she has had neuropathy in her feet, etc. She sleeps a lot because of pain pills and hasn’t been able to work in over two years. She tried every pain pill combination imaginable and only recently found a combination that allows her to have a little more of a life. ) There is a good chance that I wouldn’t have posted that video if it weren’t for knowing what happened to my friend and knowing first hand that some of the other things mentioned in the video have happened to others.
I know there is risk in most things we do, but I would much rather be informed than not — and I consider the info in the video part of that — even if some might be exaggerated or biased. I gather info from all sides, and weigh it for myself – taking the sources into account. So I keep asking and gathering info –so that I can make up my own mind — so that if I decide to have my uterus removed, and one of the things mentioned happens to me, I can’t say: “no one told me.” I still read accounts here and am amazed I never had even heard about fibroids until I got one, and didn’t hear about the devastation they can cause until I started to read this blog.
Again, I fully acknowledge that even some of the potential complications can be much better than what some women are currently experiencing…so, I’m sure that in their case, life is much improved. If I were still bleeding horribly like I used to, and there were no other option, I wouldn’t hesitate to have a hysterectomy. And of course, for those with cancer, or the threat of cancer, or for example your case, there may well be no choice and I’m thankful we even have the option of having a hysterectomy. That doesn’t mean it is best for everyone — and we really do need to ask why are there so many of these procedures performed in this country.
February 16, 2008 at 2:23 pm
It’s me again… I just went to the Hers Foundation website again and read more… wow! I said above that I would have a hysterectomy if there were no other option…. and well, that is true, but after reading almost the entire blog on that website ( http://hysterectomyinformation.blogspot.com/ ), and reading some more devastating first person accounts, I’d make *real* sure there were no other options. I think anyone considering the procedure should read the blog. And anyone going in for any kind of fibroid surgery should read it too, so that you can be careful about what kind of surgery release you sign, i.e. feel free to cross off parts you disagree with.
February 17, 2008 at 12:51 am
Amy,
You are really not thinking twice before you write i am convinced of it. If you want to read that go ahead but do not force negatitvity on this site. I wish geek was still monortiring this website.
I went on that website and 900 plus women all around the world complaining if you read real statics you would know that roughly 600,000. hystercomys are done a year and thats only in the states let alone the rest of the world. Those posts are from a few years too. So think about if 900 plus women are complaing that leaves more then about a million women left think. More then a million surgeris are done yearly.
Why dont you join that blog and leave this positve thinking one alone. I would really like if you stopped being so negative. I honestly know about 40 women that have had it done no complications. Trust me I have done alot of reasearch.
Surgeries have its risk all of them and there are alot of websites out there that scare you about them too. You really think they would be doing a million yearly if it was that bad. So why dont you stop writing negative and talk to doctors like I have and get your facts straight.
February 17, 2008 at 1:00 am
Oh and by the way I dont think 900 plus women i was mistaken had another look
February 17, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I have to agree with Demi here. I’ve done ALOT of research on the HERS Foundation and found that they are in fact what I earlier reported. Their purpose is make women feel that their lives will ultimately be ruined if the proceed with their surgeries. Therefore, the information that they are posting is not true, or in some cases leaving out other facts to the story (i.e. pre-existing health issues, etc.). That video really did hit me like a ton of bricks when I initally saw it, but then I began reading the comments below the video. There were more than one occasion where a woman tried to report a POSITIVE hysterectomy experience and the HERS foundation blocked her message or responded very negatively to the woman. Either way, that is not the reason that we are here. This is a support group for women during a difficult time. There are all sorts of good and bad information out there. The key is to make sure that we research what we post before doing so, so that as Demi posted it doesn’t scare women into not having a procedure that very well may save their lives or if nothing else better their quality of life. Thanks Demi for the encouragement. This has been an emotional journey, but I’m ready for the next step. Surgery in 2 weeks…wish me luck!
February 17, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Also, go to Google and type in “HERS Foundation misleading” and you’ll see what i’m talking about.
February 18, 2008 at 11:09 am
Demi:
I am not “forcing” anything on anyone, let alone “negativity”. And I think Geek would be all for women becoming as informed as they can before making a decision about what to do with their bodies — and she did not tolerate personal attacks on anyone when she was still moderating (that is negativity!).
Among other things, Geek intended this to be a forum for women to discuss and share their experiences, talk about their fears and share information and resources openly without being chastised or censored by others for questioning what we are told. And if some of us post info or resources that aren’t the best, how about talking about it, rather than telling someone to go away just because it isn’t a “positive” post? Sorry, but it doesn’t seem much different than little kids putting fingers in their ears and going “LALALALA….” (and that is as close as I’m gonna get to a personal attack)
You wrote:
“if you read real statics you would know that roughly 600,000. hystercomys are done a year and thats only in the states let alone the rest of the world. Those posts are from a few years too. So think about if 900 plus women are complaing that leaves more then about a million women left think. More then a million surgeris are done yearly….. You really think they would be doing a million yearly if it was that bad.”
I’m sorry, but you just aren’t being very clear here… (besides your numbers being off) are you implying that all the other women who haven’t complained about their hysterectomies are OK if they haven’t complained on the HERS site??? And, Demi, what do you consider “bad”? According to one study (admittedly 13yrs. ago, see link below), 497 women who had hysterectomies were assessed and it was determined that 76% didn’t need it. In my book, that is bad. In just that study, that was 377 women who underwent major surgery *when other options were available*; 377 women who were unable to work for a couple of weeks (there were less laparascopic surgeries then.) Now, if we use your million woman figure, that is 760,000 unnecessary hysterectomies. With that many women, I’m certain a number had complications and some actually died from the procedure (as with any surgery). I’m just being realistic here and keeping my eyes wide open.
You also say “Why dont you join that blog and leave this positve thinking one alone. I would really like if you stopped being so negative. I honestly know about 40 women that have had it done no complications. Trust me I have done alot of reasearch.”
Sorry, but that is just it, this isn’t about only hearing what we want to hear (positive things) or about “trust”… Just what kind of research have you done, and what are your qualifications that I should “trust” you?
I’m not telling women who need the surgery not to have it. I’m simply saying be careful! And for me, right now, I’ve decided that I don’t want to risk having the effects I see a number of women reporting, and frankly, I think that a lot of women are thrilled with the surgery because their symptoms were so bad to begin with, that it was a huge relief and complications were probably seen as minor compared to their previous condition. But that is not the only option for many, especially today. We are no longer living in the 50’s!
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=10674580&ordinalpos=16&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
February 18, 2008 at 11:32 am
Laura,
I wish you the best when you have your surgery. I didn’t mean to scare you in the process of trying to find out what to do for myself. We each have to make up our own mind about what is best in our individual situations and you and I have done so, it is just a different decision.
That said, I did google as you suggested, and I still don’t understand your basis for saying they are “feminist liberals that feel that a woman is no longer a woman if she has her uterus removed” Although admittedly, I am probably reacting more to the “feminist liberals” part… I have no idea why you view the site in that light. And I see no where that says a woman is no longer a woman. What I do see are a lot of angry women, so all I can imagine is that you think angry women are feminist liberals… and if the things women reported really happened to them, they have every right to be furious, angry women — don’t they? Unfortunately, anger is isn’t pretty and many people would rather avoid it, so I don’t think they are going about spreading their message in the best way.
I do think HERS should post their sources and I don’t think that trying to get all hospitals to show their very strident video is realistic, but I think they are sincere and believe in their mission, they are just going about it in the wrong way — but then any movement to create change often starts that way…
Again, best of luck two weeks from now.
February 18, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Hi Amy,
Sorry you feel I am personally attacking thats not my intetions. I am just upset with given reason when I have gone through the procedure and go on this site for support and see all negative from you. I understand that you want to educate yourself and i dont blame you. Focus not only one group like the hers fiundation but others. Secondaly all you say is negative which ofcouse there is negative but there is postive stories too.
My numbers on hysterctomies is correct there is roughly 600,000. being done yearly in the States. I do have plenty of friends that Have had it done and 1 did say she gets bladder and urine infections thats all I have heard. I spoke to a head gyeneclogist for women college hospital ,which is my brothers freind a couple of months after my surgery she really had great hings to say. Explained things read and heard on the internent. I was quite happy after speaking to her.
Again I know that there is horror stories but there is also good ones too like any other surgery. I do not want you to leave this website maybe that was harsh but remener to post positve too. I have been through hell and back with two surgeries this year they treid abdominal mymoctomey so I had no choice I needed this surgey to save my life.
I am also aware that we are not in the 50s hysterctomy techniques have gotten alot better. Some women are goin to run into problems but please ask you doctor or other doctors for real statics after this surgery. Sorrry you felt I was attacking you thats was not my intetions. I cant help the way I feel when I read your posts nothing in ther helps it just scares me.
Laura,
Good luck too you I will have you in my thoughts think strong and postive and keep healthy that keeps angels everywhere. When is your date again 2 weeks you saud whats the date. Please let me know if you have any questions i am not a doctor or a part of ther hers organization. i am a reall human being who as expreinced it and can answer questions thorugh your recovery. Please post and let me knoe when it is and if you have any questions bye bye for now
February 23, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Laura,
I just checked the internent on yahoo and searched for feminst and her foundation. Guess what you are right they are femminst go on very intersting.
I hope you are doing weel and taking care of yourself before your surgery.
Amy ,
Have a look do the same that I tild Laura you will see waht Laura was talking about. It is quite intersting. I had a feeling this organization was that but not sure till now.
February 23, 2008 at 7:19 pm
sorry check femminist and hers organization
February 24, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Demi,
thanks for your response. I certainly appreciate that you came here for support and wanted to hear positive things, and that is important for you under the circumstances (and by the way, that could also be the case that you were told so many positive things by others after your surgery, especially after you’d gone through such a hellish experience!).
But it is also important to recognize that we all aren’t coming here after having had surgery, so there will be positive and negative things discussed as we each try to sort this out for ourselves. I am getting as much info as I can from a variety of sources as I determine what is best for me. For now I don’t want a hysterectomy, but if my symptoms are horrible and I saw no other realistic option, I would change my mind.
Re: your numbers, I said I didn’t understand what you were saying, not because the 600K figure is wrong, but because I didn’t understand your other numbers and what you are trying to say about them. It just doesn’t follow that everyone with a bad experience will go to HERS to report it, nor does it follow that just because so many are performed all over the world, that they *must* be a good thing!
That said, I also don’t really understand all this hullabaloo about the HERS Foundation being a liberal “feminist” organization. First of all, your and Laura’s implication is that that is a negative thing…. and I guess I never understood why or even when being a “feminist” became bad. After all, Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines feminism as:
1 : the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes 2 : organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests
So, then I guess out of curiosity, I searched Yahoo, (and Google) as you suggested and found nothing on the HERS foundation that said it was a feminist organization (well I found a link to them on one, but that should hardly be a problem…. then I found some articles that talked about feminism and HERS “Health Evaluation and Referral Service” and another where “h.e.r.s.” stands for houston.entertainment.rights.sexuality. But nothing beyond a discussion on HysterSisters that had to do with the subject or that was particularly “interesting”. What’s the big deal here? And even if they stated as much on their website, does that automatically mean that the information is bad? (Again, I’m not saying that the info is or isn’t, I’m just referring to this aversion to anything feminist.
Anyway, Laura I hope you have a good surgery, and Demi, I hope things go well for you too.
February 25, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Amy,
I know what i saw ther was even a parade to save uteris from that foundation on the google. I tried posting about two parargraphs of postive and it did not take so that being said I dont trust them. However I am not here to argue and this will be the last time I talk about this.
Whatever you choose its up to you I am happy and feel great. People I know that have gone thorugh the same are just as well and not pretending just to make me feel better. Anyway When I go on to this site it does say post-op too last time I looked. So i want to help the women here and doing this is not helping them this will be the last reply ib the topic of hers .
February 25, 2008 at 10:56 pm
How are you feeling after your Laparoscopic Hysterectomy?
February 26, 2008 at 11:45 am
Demi, so you know, when I say “this site” I’m referring to the whole site: “inquisitive geek with fibroids” not just this particular thread… which in addition to and beyond discussing how women are feeling, I’m fairly sure was put up here so women would know what to expect when they are being inquisitive! That said, I’m also tired of trying to get a substantive answer to my question — which as you correctly stated — is not fully germane to this particular thread anyway. Best.
March 13, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I had the laporoscopic hysterectomy last June. I was fine after the surgery no pain at all just sleepy. However, I was in surgery for 5 hours because of a previous oopherectomy and myomectomy, I had a lot of scar tissue build up. The surgeon also said the oopherectomy was a blotched job so he had to remove all that scar tissue and cut some of my bowels or colon because that’s how bad it was. I went home the next day and suffered from the worst gas pains for about 3 days until I finally started going to the bathroom regulary. I went so much my bottom was raw! Now I’m having issues with getting rid of my belly! It went down a little but I still look like I’m pregnant. What can I do to get rid of it? Please help. Thanks!
April 7, 2008 at 9:18 am
I’m so glad I found this sight. I’m 30 years old. I just had a laproscopic surgery last week. Litterally a week ago. The first day they sent me home. The pain was bad. But not as bad as what they took out of me. I had an 11cm cyst on my left ovary. They had to take out the ovary because the cyst ruined my ovary. They also took out my left fillopian tube as well.
I’m an idiot thought….I just had sex vaginally. I barely let him go in though before I pushed me away and said…shoot forgot. So we barealy got anywhere. I’m glad I realized it. But he did penetrate me down there for a minute. I was looking up the reasons on the internet just now of why no sex so soon after. I just had a laproscopic surgery. No incicion in my vagina. No stitches down there. I just read that when they do this type of surgery they insert a metal device inside to allow drainage etc. They want that area to heal from that. And the reason for no sex is it could cause an infection possibly in the womb. So now I’m overly scared. Thinking I’ve done the worse thing ever. Would it be possible that they sealed up my vaginal canal to let it heal inside?? While sex for the minute it happened I did feel it opening…more than usual. Now I am experiancing way MORE wetness there than usual. So I’m worried. I am also having pain again in that area…the type of pain I experianced just after the surgery. So I’m hoping that maybe it will seal itself up after 2 days like before??? Oh yeah…forgot to ask. My question about the surgery. Do you think they sealed up my vaginal canal and just let my pee canal be open?? As we have two openings…right??? Or am I way confused? I’m thinking of waiting it out and just being aware of my self. If I suddenly develop a fever etc. Or abnormal swelling etc??
Very concerned!!!!
April 9, 2008 at 7:23 am
Nadine,
Sorry to hear you are having an awful time there. Can I suggest the conservative approach – jump on the phone and call your specialist (did they leave you a pager number?) as soon as you can or see your general practitioner. Your health is of vital importance and for your own peace of mind it’s just not worth taking the risk of doing nothing about it to check everything is ok. They could probably do a scan and check that the stitching is intact if they had to.
I don’t think they would have sealed up your vaginal canal without telling you that would be the case.
I rang and left a message for my specialist to call me today and I had a list of questions in front of me which I asked her and it was so reassuring.
June 29, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I’m a 38 yr old female with 3 kids. Just had a total laporoscopic hyst on 6/27 due to fibroids, pain and excessive bleeding. I am doing fine, up and walking. This is my first surgery and actually feel great in comparison to how I felt when my cycle came on: my question, After reading your site I am concerned as to how easy it is to rip stitches? I haven’t had sex, but I can’t stay in the bed all day and have even went out shopping with my daughter. Should I stay in the bed more or am I ok? Should I strictly do as they said or is it according to how I feel?
July 2, 2008 at 10:45 am
After a laparoscopy, how long does it take for the CO2 to be absorbed and the swelling to go down?
it’s been almost 3 weeks for me now, and my tummy still hasn’t gone down.
July 13, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Hi!airy! http://ziymcevu.com adulb nboci http://uapdbwyh.com xhxbh kcmek
July 13, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Hi webmaster!
July 16, 2008 at 6:03 am
Hi webmaster!
July 16, 2008 at 6:06 am
Hi webmaster!
July 31, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Hi – very informative website, tis is my 1st time posting.
I have suffered with fibroids since my late 30’s..and had uterine emboliztion procedure 10 years ago..-rather than surgery.It was somewhat successful, I no longer experience heavy heavy bleeding. –the fibroids have gotten smaller, but are still there. and bothersome.. I feel like I swallowed a bowling ball. If they (fibroids) were rubies, I’d be a rich girl! I still have an enlarged uterus, terrible cramping. have been perimenipausal (for years)-I am now 50! when will it go away and stay away?? I have had several ultra sounds, trans vaginal ultra sounds, elevated ca 125 levels. My gyno would always say “let’s keep a watch on everything’ check back in 6 months.” I now have a new Dr. I have a complex cyst on my ovary (which according to my records..was present last year, but much smaller..I was never told) we have decided to remove the ovaries , and uterus – be done with the fibroids for once and all. After reading these posts I am also wondering if I have Adenomyosis,, which would actually be a comfort . Because it is not cancerous and will be resolved when the uterues is removed. oh – last summer I had such severe cramps — it brought me to my knees in tears. made appt w (old) gyno .. she (did no mri -ct scan) .. said maybe I am allergic to wheat ! anyway.. now I am scheduled to have hysterectomy..but my dr wanted to do an endometrio biopsy, which was unsuccessful.. I have a tilted cervix. and there was a blockage in the uterus (fibroid, ? ) so .. I had a scheduled surgery date, have had my pre testing,, blood, heart, chest xray ,, but now I must 1st have D & C , then hysterectomy ( a few weeks later) ,, and the pre-testing again ( it is only good for 1 month) — I cannot wait to get my life back .. I feel like I havent had a good night sleep in a lonnng time. thank God my husband is wonderful ,, supportive . I just feel like I take 1 step foward ,, and 2 back .. so sorry to ramble on .. thanks for letting me “vent” – it’s a comfort to know so many other girls share a similar story.. Thanks.. and Good Luck to all of you.
September 11, 2008 at 11:01 am
I had my uterus removed 12 years ago. I was in so much pelvic pain and they couldn’t figure it out. When they got in there, I had severe uterine varicosity. I had been told to ‘put my fee up’ (I had a 5 month old baby!), etc…..I was told after sugery, ‘What were you doing walking around like that? You could’ve died!’ I had to insist that they ‘go in’ and figure it out. It was not laporscopic surgery. They cut in the bikini cut area. I have been GREAT for 12 years…no problems whatsoever as I had my ovaries so I did not experience any hormone issues…in fact, it was the best thing ever as I had suffered severe pelvic pain for sooo long….until…I turned 50 almost a year ago…apparently, my hormones went wack and it caused me to have severe abdominal pains. Major workup revealed ‘nothing wrong’ with me! I was being treated for endometriosis of my intestinal wall (? kind of weird) but I did not get much relief. I finally was pretty much bed-ridden and (since my surgeon retired this summer) i finally found a compassionate replacement who listened and scheduled me for surgery to ‘get a look’….I went in and he found endo on my ovaries, some adhesions and some endo on my bladder. I was feeling AWFUl before surgery….it felt like there just wasn’t enough room in my pelvic area….my bowels were affected, (I could tell-gross i know-by the shape of feccal matter-twisted up like a pipe) and, before surgery, I was having trouble urinating and was becoming constipated. I had my ovaries removed (i’ve been on the patch anyway since last year) and I guess they cleaned everything else up. I immediately felt relief fromthe ab pain and felt pretty good for a week after surgery, however, I am 4 weeks out now and I am still having a LOT of pain. I am on pain pills (who cares? I hate painpills…..will stop when the pain goes away), however, I feel like I might have overdone it just by moving some stuff around my house. I know I’m older (don’t need to be reminded!!!), however, my doc keeps saying I need to go back to the gastroenterologist….I don’t agree. i’m not having fever or anything, but this pain is getting worrisome. I’m kind of bummed as I feel like I’m never going to heal. I started driving a week about a week after surgery-just taking my son to school and back. I have been VERY frustrated w/not knowing what to do….last hysterectomy vs. this type. I feel like I was more careful the last time bc of the incision. I wonder if the lap procedure can be a little misleading in making one think that going up and down stairs, lifting stuff around the house-things you might not otherwise do w/belly incision, are ok to do. I think I’ve overdone it and I’m getting very discouraged. Anyone else take this long??? I get very fatigued when I go out…have a VERY hard time standing up or walking very far or for very long… i did NOT expect this…..one pain is gone but I’m wondering when this other pain will go away??
September 12, 2008 at 4:00 am
I am new. Lined up for surgery on the 23rd. I will let you all know exactly how it went.
I have found many of these posts helpful…took notes on my white board. (gas x seems to be the biggie). I do have some questions for BEFORE the surgery though.
Just how big is my tummy going to be? Will my pants fit? Should I wear a dress, skirt, what? How much bleeding? Pad or panty liner, or shoot, Depends underwear? What is a mild laxative–because i took a Correctol once, and that was like a depth charge. Not good. Thanks in advance!
September 25, 2008 at 10:17 am
Hi – I am new. I just had my surgery on September 17th.. I had a total laprascopic hysterectomy including removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. I was in the hospital for one night.. the pain was not too bad. I went off painkillers after my 3rd day home. My stomach is still very bloated and I could not even think of wearing my old clothes yet – also because my navel incision is a bit sore. I actually feel almost normal today – one week home from the hospital. My doctor says NO driving for 3 weeks along with the no lifting & no sex etc.. I am really wanting to drive – and came to this site to see what all of you had to say .. I know the vaginal cuff stitches are delicate but I am thinking about trying to drive this week.. any suggestions? Good lcuk to you
Angela – I used colace stool softener since day 3 and have been doing fine (doc said NOT to use a laxative and if you do a bowel prep before surgey it is normal to not have a bowel movement for about 6 – 7 days)… I have had only mild spotting this week and used panty sheilds.
Good luck – you should be home by now!! Laurie
September 25, 2008 at 10:19 am
Hi – I am new. I just had my surgery on September 17th.. I had a total laprascopic hysterectomy including removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. I was in the hospital for one night.. the pain was not too bad. I went off painkillers after my 3rd day home. My stomach is still very bloated and I could not even think of wearing my old clothes yet – also because my navel incision is a bit sore. I actually feel almost normal today – one week home from the hospital. My doctor says NO driving for 3 weeks along with the no lifting & no sex etc.. I am really wanting to drive – and came to this site to see what all of you had to say .. I know the vaginal cuff stitches are delicate but I am thinking about trying to drive this week.. any suggestions? Good lcuk to you
Angela – I used colace stool softener since day 3 and have been doing fine (doc said NOT to use a laxative and if you do a bowel prep before surgey it is normal to not have a bowel movement for about 6 – 7 days)… I have had only mild spotting this week and used panty sheilds.
Good luck – you should be home by now!! Laurie
September 26, 2008 at 9:31 am
Hi Laurie, I had a myomectomy and I didn’t drive for two weeks after wards. I was up walking around fine, but found I tired easily and then I would get light headed. Have you been out walking and feel more normal? If not, call a friend for a ride, not worth taking a chance otherwise. Happy healing
September 26, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Dear Brandy,
Common sense prevailed – I do feel tired easily.. I called the dcotor and she said we would re-evaluate after 2 weeks.. and if I felt more energy she would give the OK. I really do feel good. After reading about some of the complications on this blog , I feel so fortunate. Thanks for your post…
September 30, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I had my surgery one week ago today. I feel GREAT. No pain.
I have been good since about the third day…then each day getting better exponentially.
I feel so good I could go bike riding or something along those lines, but I won’t. I have been driving since day 5. I seem to be healing fast. No pain pills since last Thursday, so that is two days after surgery.
I weighed ten pounds MORE after surgery. That was a surprise. I peed it all out (all iv fluids) and now am less than before I went in, so YAY on that one! My bloating is gone pretty much. SLightly swollen around the belly still.
Bruising happened on Friday. Also a surprise…my entire right ‘lip’ turned BLUE, dark blue. There is also a large heart shaped bruise over the spot where my uterus/cervix used to be. It was purple, now it’s fading. Slight bruising around the incision sights, not much, and my belly button is all jacked up looking. I hope that changes.
All in all, a very easy deal. I DID take advice on this site and got some stool softeners, took those until just yesterday. A must have! Also, I don’t know if it helped, but the GasX also was used until yesterday. Oh, speaking of gas, I did feel it in my shoulders when I laid down. Not comfy. At least I knew what it was. This is a great site. I go in for my check up on Friday…
Oh, one other thing, I had two surgeries…my lap hysterectomy and cervix, plus I had a hernia repaired…so don’t freak out ladies, my belly button is jacked up because I have two cuts there, and the one that did damage was big, and from the hernia guy.
September 30, 2008 at 1:07 pm
About the pads, bleeding etc…
I had NOT ONE DROP of blood. I was a little worried, because everyone has bled it seems. My doc said that I was going to, but I didn’t.
Maybe the blood drained inside me and is getting reabsorbed. That may explain the blue lip thing…
September 30, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Angela – I am so glad you are doing so well! I was also worried about the no bleeding thing – 2 weeks and no bleeding at all. I called my doc to make sure that was normal..(it is)
So – I am almost at 2 weeks and I feel great .. I still have a LOT of swelling but my incisions are nearly healed. I start driving tomorrow!! Anyone who has this surgery should be careful about overdoing it though – my surgeon told me that biggest problem with lap surgery is patients feel better so quickly and blow their stitches by doing too much (I will spare you all the gross story she told me about a patient whose bwels fell out through their incision site)..
Take care..
October 9, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to share my story. I had laparoscopy to remove my uterus due to fibroids causing my uterus to be the size of a woman 4 months pregnant. My iron count was very low also .7. I had surgery on Thursday Oct 2, 2008 at approx. 11 pm. I was in recovery around 1:30 pm and in a room by 4pm. I stayed overnight and I did not eat or move from the time they put me in the room. I remember waking and wanting some ice chips and morphine, but that was all. I had no appetite and I did throw up at first from the drugs for surgery. 6 am Friday morning the nurses removed my catheter and told me to call them when I was ready to use the restroom. I was released from the hospital by 2pm. I was instructed to take Oxycodone for pain ( 4-6 hrs) and Motrine for inflamation (3X’s a day) and Ferrous Sulf (3X’s a day) to build my iron back up for a month. I took the first two thru Sunday and that was it. The only medicine I am taking is the Ferrous to build up my iron. I feel great. My friends that visit me cannot believe how great I look. But I have remained at home and I am not doing any house work. I am having a light bloody discharge that requires a light day pad to be changed maybe two to three times a day. I just like to feel clean. I take showers, no baths and I walk to my mailbox for exercise. I am a week post and I am very glad that I did the procedure. I stand in the mirror and already see the difference. As for those of you using laxatives, becareful with that, your body will do what it is suppose to do naturally. I started having bowel movements on Monday morning. I kept my diet very light the first three days also, eating soup & crackers, grits or oatmeal for breakfast, and lots of water, antioxidant juices, water and ginger ale or sprite. I would also suggest taking a multivitamin to replenish what your body is not getting right now. The main thing that got me thru this procedure was pray and faith that God would heal me and knowledge on what was going to take place. I plan to go back to work after 3 weeks if my Doctor permits, but I am truly grateful that I have it done. Oh by the way I am 46 years old and I have had fibroids since 2003. Peace and blessings to you all.
October 14, 2008 at 12:21 am
Update:
My doctor gave me a thumbs up to start using the eliptical trainer at two weeks. I healed well and am feeling normal. My swelling is gone, and the scars are healed. I am three weeks now. I can’t do impact (running etc..) until 6 weeks because of the staples inside, but I FEEL like I could. I can’t do abdominal work, or swimming but that is from the hernia doc…not yet anyway.
JMarie,
That’s awesome for you and it’s good to know you are doing well. Although, in my opinion…our bodies don’t do what they need to or they would expel the fibroids on their own. We don’t make morphine or the anesthesia and so it is foreign to our bodies, but necessary–just as a stool softener is necessary post surgery while still taking pain meds or until the body can process on it’s own. I didn’t need a vitamin or iron because I ate food and got it the natural way. I did take Colace to help it out though. To each her own. I can not imagine NOT taking one because I KNOW I would have been miserable. I had surgery once before and DIDN’T take it, as I didn’t know. I was never so miserable in my life. The sick full feeling and the pain from simply sitting down and the gas…too much when you can take a stool softener and be 100%. I highly recommend, as did both of my doctors, taking Colace post surgery.
October 16, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Hey,
I just had a Laparoscopy to remove an ovarian cyst. It has been a little over a month and my stomach is swollen like a balloon. I get between 5 or 10 short sharp pains a day, but they go away as quickly as they came, for the most part. Am I just still in the recovery stage or do you think something is wrong? This is not my stomach…It looks like something is trying to get out…and it is also swollen on my sides. It hursts mostly in the lower abdominal right in the area where an incision was made. Can anyone give me advice? The doctor that preformed the surgery is very stern and in my post-op appointment today I told him it hurt, but did not go into detail because he was in a hurry. I guess maybe I should go see an OBGYN or do I just need to understand that it takes more time???? Thanks
October 16, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Dear Centri,
I am SO sorry you are still in such discomfort. I had a total laprascopic hysterectomy 4 weeks ago and my stomach is still very bloated and I occasionally get sharp gas pains. I can only speak for my own expereince – my doctor said that this is normal and it can take up to 3 months for the swelling to go down – sometimes even more. Maybe you should check-in with your OB/GYN.. you deserve a doctor who will take the time to answer all of your questions and address your concerns. Good luck…
October 17, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I just had a laproscopic abdominal hysterectomy on Monday, and I feel great. They removed my urerus but spared my ovaries. I have three very small incisions on my stomach and have no external stitches; only butterfly bandages. I had been working out regularly before surgery and have added 4 more inches to my belly since Monday
I have hope that the swelling will go down. The first few days I didn’t have so much pain as it was discomfort, and everytime I ate, I felt like I ate a horse and had that overstuffed feeling. The worst part was the bloating from “natural gas”. It took almost 36 hours for the bowels to function again, and I was ready to down a gallon of prune juice if nothing started moving. I had minimal to no vaginal spotting, and have random stomach muscle spasms. Overall, I feel amazing. Just not fitting into any jeans anytime soon!
October 18, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I am scheduled to have a hysterectomy in January. I already had one myomectomy two years ago (largest fibroid was 13 cm). Now, my uterus is twice the ‘normal’ size. (large fibroid is uterus-sized). I have read online that a vaginal hysterectomy can only be done if there are ’small’ fibrioids, or a ’slightly enlarged’ uterus. What the heck does that mean?? How small is small? Any help, or experience feed back would be appreciated SO MUCH. Thank you!
October 20, 2008 at 12:52 pm
i had lavh in 4/2004 within 10 days i had severve ab left side pain. i was put on anti biotics would get better for a while eventually iv rocephrin/flagel pain went away but always comes back. so i have had 3 subsequent surgeries as they have passed me off from dr to dr even have vag apex resection at unc by dr steege supposed expert in this field. i am still in daily chronic pain on avelox now and better while on it. at this point i hate the doctors they have done this to me and now that they cant fix me sent me to pain mgmt. i think i have some kind of vaginal cuff celluitis and am going to new gyn weds. my suture line stays so tender cant sit or stand for very long they have ruined my life dr william cooper in wilmington nc aND DR JOHN STEGGE unc chapel hill. i wont give up though however i do not wish them well.
dee
October 29, 2008 at 12:12 am
My LSH was on October 9. 20 years of fibroids was enough. My Dr. told me my uterus was at full-term in size and happy to remove the narly thing for me. He assured me I would feel like a new woman. Morning after he came and saw me and said he had removed 30 – 40 large fibroids and he was amazed. I am very tiny. I chose to not take the narcotics, just Tylenol and Advil as I don’t react well. Stool softeners everyday – no problems there. Gas is a little better now but I am still puffy. Not sure why or what it is -retained gas? I mean everywhere. Yes tummy is still bloated which is understandable but how long does it take to deflate? Need to fit clothes to go back to work.
Overall thankful it went well and having some mixed emotions as I try to lay low and wait for energy to return. I will appreciate any comments from people with similar issues of puffiness.
October 29, 2008 at 3:01 am
Maureen, not sure, but I thought that they inflate one’s abdomen during a lap hysterectomy so they can look around and see what they are doing…
Dee, so sorry you had such a horrible experience. I have a friend with an absolutely horrible story too… i guess that’s why getting a hysterectomy is something I’ll only do as a last resort. I know many women are fine with one, but for the small percentage with a bad result, it can be devastating. Thanks for sharing and best to you!
October 29, 2008 at 2:37 pm
thanks Amy – yes, I realize there can be residual gas for a while but I am wondering if anyone else has found they are retaining fluid or gas this long after surgery (3 weeks) Hips, legs etc… I assume their isn’t a standard recovery – too bad hey!!
October 29, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I’m having a laparoscopic Supracerival hysterectomy in December. I’m 32 years old, and I’ve been dealing with female troubles since I was 14. When I had my son 11 years ago and had a C-section, things got worse. Since then, I’ve had 8 surgeries in 11 years for endometriosis, fibroids and adhesions. I even went as far as having an endometrial ablastion.
My doctor finally said enough. Right now I have a fibroid the size of an orange on my uterus, and it makes sex feel like I’m going into labor. I’m sick of being in pain, so I can only pray that this will be the solution that I’ve been looking for.
I’m a little worried about the side effects. Since it’s a relatively new procedure, there’s not much out there in the way of feedback.
October 30, 2008 at 11:27 am
Maureen,
I just went to the gyn yesterday for my 6 week post appt – I had a Laparoscopic Supracerival Hysterectomy w/ovaries and fallopian tubes removed also on September 17th. I am still a bit puffy – and had been retaining water for abour 4 weeks. I came home from the hospital weighing about 10 pounds more than I did before. Just lost that 10 pounds at 6 weeks and my stomach flattens a bt daily. My doctor assured me again that up to 3 months is normal and that occasionally it can be more – esp if you are overdoing it.
She mentioned that since I had my ovaries removed and am in menopause, I might have to take a water pill with the HRT (if you went that route)… I am on HRT but did not end up needing a diuretic.. Hope this helps.
November 1, 2008 at 1:01 am
Laurie,
Thanks very much for telling me your story. I just had the Uterus removed and hopefully my hormones will be reasonably steady. It is so discouraging to lose all that in surgery and then look in the mirror and wonder why you are bigger – did I just get old and flabby because my Uterus is gone?! Sounds silly but we are so fearful of aging and emotional about the descision to have a hysterectomy we do worry about everything. Hopefully our conversation will benefit someone else and spare them the anxiety.
Best of luck with your continued healing.
November 1, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Hi. I am 4 weeks post op. Prior to surgery I was sooo nervous and scared. Going on to you tube and watching the surgeries helped calm me down a lot, because I now know and anticipate exactly what will happen. If you are having surgery and would like to learn more about the procedure, you can also go to youtube.com. Enter key words such as laproscopic hysterectomy or robot davinci hysterectomy. Please beware it is graphic and may ask you to verify age. Good luck to all=)
November 8, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I have fibroids, the largest one is 9.4 cm x 6.3cm. My doctor from HMO recommended abdominal hysterectomy. I asked if laproscopy hysterectomy is possible. Her reply was my uterus was too big for LH. From ultrasound report, my uterus is 16.3 x 8.6 x 10.5cm. I don’t know if I should be convinced. Ladies, can you shed any light on this?
My pre-op appointment is Nov 24.
Thank you so much.
November 18, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Just an update on my healing – 5 1/2 weeks post op. Almost there. Energy 80 %. Bloating almost gone (retained fluid) and minor discomfort at times under my belly button. Tummy much flatter and yes, does swell at the end of the day if I overdue it.
Kitty – my uterus was enormous. Apparently almost full-term in size. I had 40 sizeable fibroids. I did sign off on having to be opened up if he couldn’t do it laparoscopically but he was able to. He did tell me it took twice as long as normal. I think it depends on the Dr. and his experience to be honest. Best of luck.
November 19, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Maureen,
Thanks so much for your reply. My doctor is a resident in a hospital. She said “You are a perfect candidate for abdominal hysterectomy”. That scared me. She also wanted to remove my cervix which is totally healthy. I would prefer LSH and I will look for a doctor who will consider LSH for me. By the way, if anyone knows a good doctor in N. CA. Please reply. I will be checking in often. Appreciate it very much.
December 1, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I’m scheduled for LSH on December 18th and I absolutely cannot wait. In 2004 I had an endometrial oblation which was wildly successful for 3 1/2 years and then my period kicked in again, with a vengeance. As a writer, I’ve bled through at speaking engagements, at book signings and been so humiliated it was mindblowing. This time around, the periods are worse, the cramping far more severe and now I’m beginning to understand the constant low back pain is something more than hips being out of place.
With my ultrasound last week I learned that several large fibroid tumors are the reasons for just about everything going on.
I’m so grateful I found this site, all the information has prepared me for what is to come and the best preventative measures to take for any problems which may arise. I feel better prepared and have a list of questions ready for my gynecologist on the 15th.
My doctor’s office tried to push me off until January, but I’m having a solid period with solid hard cramping for several days now and my abdominal muscles feel as I’ve been doing 100 situps every few hours. I pushed until they agreed to do the surgery on December 18th.
I’ll keep you guys posted. I am so grateful for this site!
Candace
December 3, 2008 at 3:41 am
Hi Candace, good luck with your procedure! I’m real curious to know more about your back pain… can you describe it more and how you know it is due to your fibroids? I’m especially interested to know if your operation takes care of it! Thanks!
December 8, 2008 at 11:53 am
Hi all,
I read this site before my surgery on Oct. 29, and came back to see if anyone had the problem I did with my kidney. After surgery my Dr said that it went very well. A little over 24 hrs afterwards I was home. The next morning I woke up with the horrific pain in the lower left side of my back. My sister who is an RN stated the description of the pain sounded like kidney stones (OUCH!). Anyway on my follow-up visit, I let the Dr know and he couldn’t for the life of him understand where or why I was having this pain.
Long story short after ultrasounds, and CT scans I now have to go to an urologist for further testing, because it seems as though my tube leading from the kidney to my bladder is dilated. I no longer have the pain, however, the Dr said it could have healed itself, and that it could have been “nicked” during surgery.
Has anyone experienced this?
December 14, 2008 at 11:12 am
I had a laparoscopic Hysterectomy on Dec 1st 2008. I arrived at the hospital feeling of course nervous & ready to run out the door. as soon as i got to the surgery floor to sign in , I was rushed to my room where a nurse TRIED to put in a IV, but ended up just poking me a lot and not getting anywhere with the needle. Another nurse came in thank god and said the needle was way to big for my tiny arm. ( my arm is the size of my 7 year olds). They finally after 4 needle holes and a lot of jabbing managed to get a iv in my poor arm. I was cussing by this point. My family decided it was time to leave my room a while. Well I was rushed to surgery soon after the IV was placed in my arm, and 3 hours after surgery and recovery i was in my hospital room and wide awake. I was begging the nurse to take the catheter out . It burned a lot! and my surgeon promised it would be removed as soon as i woke up and was ready to walk. yea well the nurses would not take it out they kept saying i had to fill the bag so much in an hour then they would remove it. I filled it way up there and NO still would not take it out. Finally 5 hours later it was removed. So was a very very very long piece of gauze. It took a lot of pressure off of my stomach and made me feel a lot better. It took a long time just for them to give me a pain pill. They said i had to wait till i get to my room up stairs for the pain pill cause thats where they was sent too. I got my pain pills finally 2 hours after surgery and the nurse said “o it will take at least 30 mins, for the pills to start working”. great that was just great. I was so tempted to just ask them to put me in a coma until i can heal with out needing anything, cause i sure wasn’t getting what i needed.
That night i finally got a nurse that seemed to care. She was great!
I was walking the same night and eating really well so the next morning at 7 am my doctor released me as promised. I told him what the nurses did and he was so mad! he called her in and made her apologize. I felt good went home walked a lot ( it made me feel better to walk and not sit). The 3rd morning came and i woke up vomiting. It hurt bad to vomit. it felt like my stomach was ripping about inside. I called my doc. he told me too get some one to bring me up. He checked me said ” yep you got a stomach virus”. He gave me meds and sent me on my way. Thank god it was a very short lived virus! I have a lot of bladder spasms and it took 8 days before i could lay on my side. But, its been 2 weeks tomorrow sense my surgery and i feel great now! I am pain free which kinda scares me cause i don’t want to over do it. Now that surgery and pain and stuff is over I am actually glad i did it! For the first time in 3 years i don’t have nausea! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 15, 2008 at 11:18 am
Hi Tammy, damn nurses, they should know better – at least maybe they do now. It is common knowledge now that pain should be treated right away – so it’s their ignorance &/or just plain laziness not to have helped you. But at least you’re out the other end. Good for you! Did you find out what they found in your uterus? I’m assuming that fibroids were causing your nausea? Take care.
December 19, 2008 at 8:50 pm
hey
Just stumbled across this site by mistake!
I have just had my second laparoscopy of the year on the 17th and I must say this one has given me some pain. I am 16 years old and come from wales. Earlier this year I was told I had an ovarian cyst. Of course I was quite worried. Anyway after lots of scans and cancelled operations June the 17th came around. I went into hospital and got ready for my op, the op lasted 3 and a half hours!! After waking up and stuff my consultant came by and told me that he removed the cyst but had to take the ovary with it. As you can probably guess I was a bit gutted! Then he went on to tell me that the cyst was the size of a rugby ball! He also saw that my womb and other ovary were very small. After 6 weeks we went to see him again, this time he had some interesting news! He told me he thought I had a sydrome called swyers syndrome which means that I lack the female sex hormones and do not have female chromosomes. Bit of a shock!! I guess the kids who called me man boobs and man beast were sorta right! Anyway he then delivered some news no 16 yr old wants to hear. He told me he would have to remove the other ovary as there was a 50/50 chance of contracting cancer as it was dead tissue. I had a bit of a cry but then came to terms with the facts. So then he booked me in for the op but then cancelled as a family emergency came up. So he then re booked for the 17th December. So now I am recovering. The pain in my stomach is horrible. Just taking it easy over Christmas! So in the new year I have to have HRT ( hormone replacement therepy) and then I can call those girls man boobs when they see mine!!
Bethan x
P.S any questions feel free to ask
December 20, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Bethan, wow have you been through the ringer! I had an ovarian cyst taken out when I was 20, along with an ovary… but it was only the size of a base ball… and everything else was okay. And many women posting here have had giant fibroids. Who ever knew so many things can happen to us??? They don’t teach us this when we’re growing up, so it is quite a shock to find something like that out, and you certainly are going through some changes! Find out if they can put you on patches instead of pills for HRT. I’m on the patch (in my case, for menopause) and my understanding is that the patches are easier on your liver. But then of course, you’ll be wearing a little patch on your belly, which maybe you don’t want. On the other hand, it will be like being on The Pill, which women have been taking for a long time. See if you can find some support groups out there for others with swyers syndrome – I’m sure there must be a blog out there – and if not, you could start one! Keep up your positive outlook and best to you! You grow them girl!!
December 23, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I’m so glad I found this site.
I’m 48 and have a uterus the size of an 18 week pregnancy with mulitple fibroids. I’m severely anemic so am tired all the time. My periods have recently got much worse to the point of where I need to spend 2 days in bed. My uterus is pushing on my bladder and I sometimes become incontinent before my period.
I really feel that I have no option but to have a hysterectomy as I can’t go on like this any longer.
I’ve been to 2 surgeons, both of whom said that I needed an abdominal hysterectomy and didn’t even present LSH as an option. But since then I’ve been doing a lot of reading on the internet and I think I would be a candidate for LSH, providing I can find a surgeon iwho is very experienced in the procedure
Has anyone had a LSH using epidural/spinal anaesthesia instead of a general? I don’t react well to generals.
December 27, 2008 at 4:23 am
I’m 42, also had a uterus about the same size of yours, Wendy, due to one large fibroid, and did not want an abdominal hysterectomy, mostly because of the recovery time. I just had a laparoscopic hysterestomy (5 tiny incisions) done last week at Mayo in Rochester, MN, and feel great! I was out of the hospital the next morning, and have only been taking ibuprofen and tylenol every few hours. I just want to encourage you to explore all of your options. The first doctor I went to back at home told me I was not a candidate for laparoscopy due to the size of my uterus (he was obviously mistaken, and I am glad I sought a 2nd opinion at Mayo…worth the trip!).
December 28, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I had a laparoscopic hysterestomy done on Dec 21, due to friboids tumors on my uterus. All I have left is my cervix. I still have alot of pelvic pressure and still pee alot. I also have a pain on my left side, which started on Dec 23. Not near my incinsion but a lot higher. Should I be concern and call my doctor, or have someone else had this also.
December 29, 2008 at 9:29 am
I had a LSH on December 16th. The surgery took just shy of five hours due to uterus being so large (Dr said it was the largest removed in that facility by LSH), large fibroids (over 8cm) and large ovarian (over 8cm) cyst. Stayed in the hospital overnight, morphine for pain which barely touched it. Didn’t sleep because they put a kid in the room next to me who cried ow ow ow ALL night long. Didn’t eat more than soup and crackers the first few days. Didnt get constipated, quite the opposite
and made sure to take it easy, but walk as I could.
First off I want to say that I envy all the women who “feel great” so soon after the surgery. I had read countless posts saying how easy recovery was. Quite frankly it has been miserable for me. I have no complications, but my entire body aches and I am always tired. I had so hoped to be one of the countless posters declaring how wonderful I feel, but instead I keep wondering if maybe I am just being a wuss.
I can handle pain, but seriously I felt better after giving birth! I feel horrible, just worn out and sore all over. I try to get up and do things around the house, and walk, and can manage, but the fatigue and muscle pain is really getting to me. I still have sharp pains on my left side if I turn wrong, and my poor belly is still bruised (it started out a lovely shade of eggplant right above the pubic line). Speaking of which, I did not find info on bruising until after surgery, so be ready for a gnarly bruise. My husband took pictures of mine, and I cringe looking at them.
At 12 days post op I get horrendous heartburn, and still suffer from painful bouts of gas (my diet is bland). I have occasional cramping that makes me want PMS back; yes, it is that bad. I also have ZERO desire for sex, which is frustrating and frightening. One thing I talked to my dr about in depth was my sexuality, and was reassured everything would be as good as if not better than pre op. Well, so far I am not convinced. Used to be I could have a tempting thought and feel a tingle, and now…nothing!
Sorry about my rant, but everyone I know that has had a hysto tells me how wonderful it was for them, so I really don’t feel like they understand how rotten I am feeling.
I have my 2 week post op appointment later today, so maybe my doctor can explain things to me. Oh, I do have a cold so that could explain some of it, but lordy do I feel like death warmed over. I think the hard part for me is convincing myself that just because I don’t feel wonderful like so many others, that I am not crazy or wuss.
I wish everyone the best on their surgeries. I just want to say be informed! If you don’t like your doctors answers, get another doctor! There are some wonderful support groups online like HysterSysters and this one. Use them! Don’t bottle things up because after surgery is NOT when you should discuss doubts and feelings. Be honest with how you feel, it does help. I wouldn’t say I regret my surgery. I am still hopeful that in a week or two I will be feeling wonderful.
Best of luck to you all
December 29, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Kim
I know exactly how you are feeling. I am the same way. I do just a little and I am in alot of pain and tired out. First my glands were killing me and know my left side is really bad. And like you I am not a wuss, 3 children natural, no drugs. I have heard of people going back to work in 3 day, How they did it I don’t know. My whole inside is on big pain. Can’t sit at my computer very long cause my inside and back screams at me. Let us know how your appt goes. Mine is not until Jan 5. I also have alot of question.
December 30, 2008 at 6:42 am
Thank you Joyce! It is nice to know that I am not alone in my misery. My dr appointment went great! My doctor gave me more pain meds and cough syrup which has been a huge help. I am healing well, but still on restricted activities for a while. My doctor was impressed with my progress, and told me not to worry how other people are healing compared to me because each person heals differently.
Hang in there Joyce, and try to look forward to your first pain free day…I know I sure am.
December 30, 2008 at 12:50 pm
My name is Kim also and had a laporoscopy histerectoy surgery on Dec 16th. My left ovary had to be taken but he managed to save my right ovary and cervics. I had two cysts one dermoid (tissue creature and one blood cyst) I felt a little disappointed also because I am still having pain. The doctor told me that I had major surgery and I am healing well at my 2 week follow up yesterday. I am trying to take it easy and I have to because my left side is hurting also. Passing gas is extremely painful but if I lie on the coach and don’t move I have no pain. I know it has only been 2 weeks but my stomach is still very distended. The doc said it will take another 4 weeks before I can fit into my regular pants… yikes. I am very fatigued and week so hopefully that improves with time. It is good to read others are going through the same thing and it’s not crazy that I still have pain. I have to go back to work on Jan 5th and am scared I won’t be able to, unfortunately like many of us I need that paycheck.
December 31, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi Kim,
I am suppose to go back to work on the 6th. My 2 week check- up is on the 5th, but I do have short term disbility and going to request another week off. I can’t sit in a chair that long without getting some pain. Today is a bad day. I hurt all over and didn’t sleep well at all last nite. My doctor put me on estrogel which I have been using for 3 days. I don’t know if it isn’t working or if I haven’t given it enough time. My hotflashes now are so intense and get them at least 6-10 times a nite.
December 31, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Hi Joyce,
That is great you have short term disability. I would take 2 more weeks off if I had coverage. I was on Lupron for a year so I can relate to those hot flashes. I will update you to let you know how I make out back to work on my 3rd week next Monday. It is weird that 2 posts I have read also are experiencing pain on their left side. It is above where the ovary would be. Take care of yourself and rest
January 10, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Kim,
I too would like to know why the pain on the left side.
Kitty
January 13, 2009 at 12:46 am
Kim,
How did your doctor take out the uterus and fibroids? Were they disected?
Kitty
January 17, 2009 at 2:37 am
My name is Joan and I had a supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy(only Uterus removed) on Friday, Jan 2,2009. My vitals and bloodwork were excellent and I was discharged by my Ob/Gyn at 10:00 am the next day Saturday, Jan 3 09 and I went home. I even walked to the elevator and to my waiting car in front of the hospital. My surgery had taken 2 hrs because I had a uterus, according to my Ob/Gyn, the size of a 4-5 month pregnancy! I had multiple fibroids and 5 were the size of tennis balls! I just went back for my 2-week post op on Jan 15 09 and the only thing I could complain about was the horrible discharge (light brownish) that comes after the healing process starts. I hate it. I do not want to sit around anyone too closely right now. All things run through your mind when you first experience this discharge (like infection) but my Ob/Gyn assured me this was normal due to the cauterization of the cervix. I think that pain on the left side that Kim was talking about is the side where they grind and extract. I asked my Ob/Gyn was that the side they took everything out because that is the only place I had felt any pain and he said yes and I was very fortunate to have been able to get this surgery due to the size and location of the fibroids. I really had a rollercoaster ride before this surgery. I lost 60lbs (I needed to lose weight anyway) because I became severely anemic and had NO appetite or energy. I went to my doctor to see if I was a candidate for Novasure because my period had become dreadful. Every month for 5 years was 7 days of massive bleeding and HUGE clots. I managed to go to work during those days but I was constantly in the bathroom every 30 minutes!Then once I almost fainted and was experiencing vertigo. I knew then, I had to stop being in denial and putting off my health. I went to my Ob/Gyn on Sept 08 and after my hemotocrit was taken in the office, he immediately prescribed iron for me and advised me to take it immediately after pickup from the pharmacist. Well, this iron really upset my stomach and I just couldn’t tolerate it so I asked if there was something else I could try? He then prescribed Repliva 21/7. Pretty expensive but worth it. Within 10 days, my iron jumped from a low 5 to a 13! Also, I almost forgot…I was given the Lupron Depot 11.25 injection on Oct 1 08( because when he did my pap exam, he felt my uterus was enlarged and sent me to get an ultrasound (hospital)which revealed multiple fibroids) and at first I didn’t notice any changes. I even still had a period on Oct 15 08. Ugh!! I was mad but….the injection HAD been given to me on the 12th day of my cycle so it was to be expected, I just was tired of having this vicious bloodflow by now. Then in Nov 08,the second month into this injection, I started experiencing killer hot flashes and night sweats. I also experienced a lot of memory loss. Surprisedly, I could deal with all of that but the insomnia that came with it was the WORST! I felt like a zombie from the lack of sleep. Dec 08, I started having joint pain mainly in my knees. This probably was also attributed to the 30lbs I gained after receiving the injection. I was supposed to have had my surgery on Dec 19 08 but I caught a bad cold the week prior so surgery was postponed. I went to a diagnostic center for pre-testing on Dec 29 08 and I felt fine. I noticed the hot flashes were waning. I only had them hours apart at this point. Joint pain was also not as bad as before. Insomnia went no where and that was very annoying but I used the sleepless moments before surgery to get some things done around the house. The morning of the surgery, Jan 2 09, went great. I checked in to the short stay center at 6:45 am, was taken to the prep area. I unclothed and put my belongings away. I got up on that bed for some well needed rest. The NA came and gave me stockings (to prevent bloodclots) to put on. The anesthesiologist came and talked with me and then the nurse put in the I.V. with saline fluid to get me hydrated and I was so exhausted by this point, I went to sleep. When I awoke, my surgery was over and I was being wheeled to my room. I had the morphine pump in which I rarely used. I found at some point, I WANTED to wake up so I stopped clicking it to the Nurse’s amazement. I had started feeling a little nauseated also so I didn’t want to overdo it. I can take a little pain. I also had a catheder in which was not bad but the pumping of the legstockings was the worst! I couldn’t get out of bed because of this and I was ready to go home! My Ob/Gyn did not get to me until 10:15 am Sat, Jan 3 09 and by this point, I wanted to snatch every tube out and run for dear life. But I didn’t……I managed to stay a little longer so that I could demonstrate how I could pee on my own and eat a few mouthfuls. I did that AND took a shower. I was out of there by 1:30 pm. I took Phazyme Ultra Strength when I got home and 4 more days after and the gas started to expel but bowels did not move until Tuesday Jan 6 09. Kinda painful but bearable, I was determined not to use the enema first because I wanted things to have a natural progression. Today, Jan 17 09, I am glad to say that the bowels are still going regularly without pain and the gas has expelled. I also lost a whopping 7 whole pounds LOL! I am ready to start exercising again because I do want to get this weight back off before it stays too long.LOL! But I am going to hold off for right now until this discharge stops. I am glad that since I had to get surgery, I was able to have it this way. I know I probably would not have been doing this good if my Ob/Gyn had to do an open surgery (he warned me he might have to)I am thankful for he and his wife skills (she’s an Ob/Gyn also, yea!!!) he said my hysterectomy was one of his most difficult to operate laparascopically because of the size,location and amount of fibroids. Today, I am thankful.
January 22, 2009 at 1:02 am
Joan,
Thanks for sharing your story. The more information we share, the more understanding of LH we get. Reading your story. I know why the pain in the left side. I am glad you are doing well. Take good care.
Kitty
January 22, 2009 at 1:25 am
Wow – do I wish I had found this site eons ago!!! This is a really great resource!!!!
Got my period @ 11, and have suffered ever since with severe endometriosis (which runs in my family), got the added bonus of gignormous fibroids, adenomyosis, PCOS, blah, blah, blah.
I had a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy on 1/15/08, got to keep both ovaries and my cervix…very grateful I get to avoid HRT. The healing process was going great until I developed an enormous hematoma on the left side of my abdomen!! GRR!! I had a CT scan today to see how large the dern thing is and how best to approach it. The hematoma hurts WAY worse than the surgery and I’m really worried about it. I have been extremely blessed – extremely blessed – with two beautiful children (thank God and fertility docs), so I can’t really wait two more weeks while this thing is “absorbed”. I’m on Percocet for the pain and it doesn’t even begin to touch the pain!! Oddly, I have NO pain from the surgery yet loads of pain from this thing…and I do NOT relish two more weeks of this hooey. Besides, Mamma doesn’t get paid if Mamma doesn’t work, and in this economy…two weeks is a big non-non. So, anyone out there have hematoma experience?? Heat vs. no-heat? Better pain relief? Words of wisdom??
Thanks for the great forum and the sense of community!!
HeatherMak
January 25, 2009 at 5:58 am
I just had a complete labroscopic, robotic hysterectomy. I am 60 years young with a long history and DES. It is day three and I am still bloated but it is improving and I am up an about shortly after surgery. I am having trouble sleeping and eating.I have no appetite but have been forcing myself. I tend to do too much too soon. Anyone ecperieince difficlty sleeping. I have no bleeding. Surgeon stated he had to pump a lot of air in my stomach. Any suggestions for course of recovery? Anyone experience sleeplessness. I also am a very active person and eager to return to gym and work. Great site and I can relate to a lot.
Doctores have almost killed me and you have to be your own advocate. My father was an OB/Gyn who felt “women’s problems were an excuse to be bitchy.” Do not ever let a doctor disregard you and search for one that is receptive and caring. Linda
January 26, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I’ve been reading here with great interest. Thanks for lots of helpful information here. I had a supra-cervical laparoscopic hysterectomy on January 16.
I’d been having bad menstrual issues for going on five years…in fact, if I’m being honest I’d say I had my period all the time, to varying degrees. It was certainly uncomfortable, occasionally embarrassing (I had the “blood running down my leg” experience more times than I can count!) and monumentally inconvenient. Tried switching birth control methods, had a D&C, endometrial biopsies and ultrasounds…the whole nine yards…and nothing worked. My previous doctor and I had considered the possibility of a hysterectomy about 3 years ago, but after I had decided to go ahead, she changed her mind and told me she thought it was too extreme a move. Plus, at that time I was informed that they didn’t have the technology to do a laparoscopic procedure on somebody like me who had (apparently) a lot of fibroids. She told me if I just waited until I got older, the fibroids would shrink and my symptoms would lessen as I approached menopause.
Except that they didn’t…they just got worse. More bleeding, more cramping, more sluggishness, bad insomnia. By last December, when I was referred to this new gynecologist (by my GP whom I’d gone to for flu treatment), I was anemic and could barely drag myself around. Couldn’t exercise, had gained a lot of weight, was having joint pain and foot problems (associated with the extra weight, I suppose). Oh, I was a mess! Anyway, I wasn’t in this doctor’s office more than 15 minutes before she was on the phone with the hospital scheduling a hysterectomy, which she herself would perform. I told her I didn’t think my symptoms were so bad (what the heck was I smoking??), and she replied, with some vehemence, that women tend to “suffer in silence” and “put up with way too much.” Plus, if I was past 50 and clearly not intending to use the equipment anyway, she argued, why keep hanging on to it if it was causing so many problems? “Enough is enough,” she said. After listening to that and having a crying jag right there in the office, I couldn’t have agreed more.
I’d been lucky — I’d never spent a night in a hospital…as a patient, anyway. So I was, to put it mildly, apprehensive. From what I’d read, I expected to be out of there the day after the surgery, but as it turned out, there was a lot more going on in there than anyone thought. I had a fibroid on the outside of the uterus that was the size of a “large softball,” an ovarian cyst, and a nasty case of endometriosis that had spread all over the place. They were able to do it laparoscopically through the navel using some new robotic technology and it lasted more than 4 hours. Apparently it was pretty involved. I was under for a long time (7:30 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon) and boy, can general anesthetic can do a number on you! Then I had a bad reaction to the morphine they put me on (vomiting), so they had to take me off that and give me mega doses of Motrin. After that, I did better, but I was in the hospital all weekend. Luckily for me, by the time they had wheeled me out of surgery they were all out of semi-private rooms, so I got a private room in…get this…the strangely deserted High-Risk Pregnancy ward! I got quite a lot of attention from the bored nurses there, and I can’t say enough nice things about my treatment…they were fabulous. The food was pretty good, too, once I could keep it down, and I sure wish they had let me keep the leg massagers they strapped on me to keep blood clots from forming…I could get addicted to those. The catheter…not so much.
So now I’ve been home for about a week and doing pretty well — I just get tired really easily and can’t lift very much. Plus because of my still-distended abdomen, I have to wear loose sweat pants when I get dressed, which isn’t often. I’m getting to the point where I can sleep on my side again. And honestly, except for quite a bit of soreness around my navel and my three small incisions (I pop a couple of Aleves each morning), I’m feeling better than I have in a very long time, maybe because my body senses things are looking up! Plus it was the easiest 12 pounds I ever lost, especially since I know those particular 12 pounds are not coming back, if you know what I mean.
Luckily, I’m on short-term disability. I guess I’ll see what the doctor says about going back to work when I see her next week.
January 31, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Hi.
I just read this form and it is fascinating. I had a long awaited surgery on the 7th of the new year. Thank God. I had the Lapro, with 4 incisions.
There were minor complications, the bit broke 3 times, it seems my 5 tennis ball tumors has seriously solidified. Gross. He had to remove and replace the tube 3 times. Ouch is right, but still no biggy.
I was up and at them about an hour after the procedure. I made myself go for a walk about 1 hour after recovery. That was the hardest thing i have ever done, but the best thing for my recovery. I have been fine since then and everyone thinks i should slow down. But i have been living with the tennis balls for almost 10 year. I have gained about 75 lbs, and been totally unknowingly in pain.
Now i can go to the bathroom on the regular, about 30 minutes after eating. I am so happy. I hired a personal trainer and everything. I met this wonderful woman in triage who told me her story about the weight gain and loss she had experience. She was a size 14 before and a size 6 afterwards.
The thing is I just want to know is I am totally paranoid since i started spotting today. I have been really busy and i am in no pain, i mean zero pain. I have checked about a dozen sites and everyone says some spotting is normal. This is just making me feel like i should be doing less, but i like going for the long walks .
I have not taken any drugs since about 4 days after the surgery, so i have been driving. I am just wondering if the spotting is normal?
February 1, 2009 at 12:19 am
ok
I talked to the doctor and he said no worries. I am recovering great.
February 3, 2009 at 2:45 pm
i am having a full lavh on feb 11, 2009. i am very nervous. one think i keep hearing about is the constipation. what can i take pre op to avoid post op constipation?
February 3, 2009 at 5:05 pm
You only get constipated if you do not walk and drink plenty of water. I mean plenty of water. That first walk is so important.
So since the tumors were gone, i was really regular. Are you having tumors removed?
February 3, 2009 at 5:09 pm
thanks for the speedy response…yes i am have this due to tumors. i am not regular now, so i’m guessing the tumors are partly to blame.
February 3, 2009 at 5:26 pm
they are, woman they are….They sit on your colon and block the fecal matter from dropping into your lower colon. It is horrible. i was totally backed up.
remember when you were 12 and the poop just fell out!
well those days are coming back…
I know this sounds weird. But drink plenty of water and then just sit on the toilet a little longer than your got used to when you had the tumors…
it was a real trip for me when it first started happening. but now. i am getting used to it.
did your doctor tell you to drink anything the night before your surgery?
February 4, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Hi – I had a TLH in September. I had a great recovery with no complications – NO post-op bleeding at all. Followed the doctor’s orders: no driving, lots of rest etc… 4 days ago I woke up spotting and feeling vaginal pressure. I called the doctor and she sent me for an immediate ultrasound – I have vaginal cuff dehiscence (the vaginal cuff stitches are degrading). I have to have another surgery to get them restitched – with the same pelvic rest recovery time. This is a COMMON complication – my doctor mentioned it briefly before the surgery – saying it was quite rare. It can get infected and become quite serious. I wish I had asked more questions!! Not trying to scare anyone but ASK lots of questions … ask specifically what kind of complications your doctor has dealt with.. Good luck to all…
February 5, 2009 at 12:04 am
My doctor told me that if nothing happens within the first week then i am good to go. And i was blessed that nothing did happen. I also took my mothers advice and put a girdle on daily. I hate that thing. But it holds me in place, i have been wrapped up since i came home from the hospital. the girdle is 2 sizes too small so it really is tight around my belly, but man what a freaking pain reliever it is!
I am on week 4 and besides the light spotting i am doing just great.
February 6, 2009 at 5:36 am
Laurie, wow, thanks for the info! I had no idea that 4+ months later that kind of complication can happen! Hope you recover from that soon!
February 6, 2009 at 8:32 am
Good Morning!
I have been readng this website for a while now. I had a LH about 3 weeks ago and I am doing so well. Yes I am having some light pink drainage and I am glad to hear many woman have this and that this is normal. I g back towork on Monday and I think I am ready. My weight has not changed much since the operation (I am am hoping to lose!) My Uterus has 12 fibroid tumors and the uterus was 100 grams! BIG! I am feeling better. A bit sore at times, all in all I am finally feeling like myself! The frst day after the surgey was ROUGH! I was so drugged up and the nurse expected me to walk to the bathroom! 5 hours after my surgery!! (I thought she is nuts!!!!) It was the most painful thing I ever did!!! The hospital admision was 23 hours! (Wonderful managed care!) The ride home was alitte uncomfortable. Pot holes really hurt he belly! As far as the bowl movements. I am now feeling better but I took 2 Colase tabs prior to surgery and continued after. It helped. Try to prepared for this as much as you can. Its one of the most difficult parts of recovery. Now I feel great!
February 6, 2009 at 8:36 am
Thanks Lori for the info. Wow I can’t believe that happened since having the surgery back in September!!! I am sorry you are having these problems!!! Good Luck! Please let us know how you are doing!
February 6, 2009 at 10:13 pm
What a wonderful site – Wish I found this info ages ago!Question for you:
I had a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy on February 22 to remove my approx 16 week uterus. Surgery & recovery has been pretty unremarkable. At just over 2 weeks now, all I really have is the expected fatigue and more concerning, I am experiencing abdominal pain with bowel movements & urination. Is this pain common? How long till I can “go” comfortably?
February 11, 2009 at 12:06 am
Thanks to everyone for all the information you have posted here.
I have a very large fibroid and underwent a Novasure procedure 3 years ago because I was anemic from heavy bleeding. I have been very happy with the Novasure results but in the last year have developed severe cramping. This week I realized I’m exhausted from dealing with the pain, I’ve gained 14 pounds from lack of exercise, and I’m not living my life AGAIN because I’m dealing with problems with my reproductive organs.
I have new insurance so today I saw a new OB/GYN doctor. He indicated that my uterous is very unlarged and the fibroid is huge. Next week I have an ultrasound. The Dr. indicated I should have a hysterectomy…and I asked if laprascopic was possible with the size of my fibroid and he said “no”. After doing some reseach and seeing your comments, I think it might be possible.
Do you have any recommendations of dr.s in the Seattle area. If not…how did you find your surgeon. I found “the expert” in Tempe Arizona, however after reading stories of potential complications, I think I clearly need someone where I live. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks again for all the information provided here.
February 11, 2009 at 1:00 pm
This is how i found my doctor. I am new to Texas about 1 year in, and I wanted the lapro surgery because of the recovery time. So i did a web search on Laprosoptomy i ended up finding out about this new procedure called the Davinci. So they had a list of doctors in the area that specialized in this new procedure.
I called the local doctor and got the appointment. He told me that the Davinci was over rated and the regular lapro was the best way to go with my tumors. He said that although he specialized in this new procedure, he had a vast amount of experience in the larpo and would prefer to use the skills he had acquired over his term and that my tumors were larger than he was used to working with on a lapro, but he was up for the challenge and i trusted him. However i did have to sign a wavier that stated if he could not get them with the lapro then he would have my permission to do the abdominal.
So i ended up getting the lapro with him cutting the tumors up to remove them via lapro. Different and better. The only problem was the bit kept breaking because my tumors had solidified. So my right scar is a about 1.5 inches as opposed to the left on that is 1 inch. No problem for me.
My point is go to the Davinci website and call those doctors. They are very informed physicians that are at the top of there game with the latest technology and skills.
It worked for me…..
February 12, 2009 at 12:21 am
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check out the Davinci site for recommendations.
February 18, 2009 at 12:54 am
i just had the laparoscopic surgery done on the 29th of january, my dr prepared me really well for what was going to happen, their was a delay in the time surgery started but it took almost 3 hours for them to do, we had done a d&c in feb 07 and then a ablassion in july 07 hoping that was going to fix everything, it did not , i spent the first night in the hospital i had a cathetor when i woke up and was really out of it and sent my family home since wasnt going to be much for company. a few hours later when i woke up i wanted the cathetor out the dr told me if i could walk it could come out, well the nurse and i took a slow stroll down the hall and back and then it came , out, i had to be able to go on my own a sufficient amount or they would have to put back in thank god i was able to
i was wide awake and bored lOL called my family and talked to them. drank lots of gingerale and water woke up a few times to pee and had diarahea but other than that slept fine, went home the next day after surgery, pretty much slept that day off and one and drank plenty of fluids .
i was told to take it easy the first couple of weeks . the first week i slept alot and made sure not to lift anything or do anything too strenious. i had my follow up with my dr which was just looking at the incisions and feeling my abnomine will do a full exam at the 6 week mark, everything is going great, told i could do part time work this week and can go back to work full time on week 4.
i did have one day with just a little brownish discharge but my dr did warn me this might happen due to my body still ovulating and not aware that the uturus was gone yet,
it was just a little bit that didnt even last an hour.
wish i had done this procedure before instead of trying the ablasion procedure first but glad this was finally done,
would recommend this procedure to others who have similar problems, the recovery time is alot better. i have been walking everyday, doing dishes, laundry etc,
trying to get used to no naps so when i do go back to work next week.
thanks for letting me tell my story
February 18, 2009 at 5:36 pm
well, i had the lavh procedure done on the 12th…and i am happy to say recovery is going great!!!! right out of surgery expect to br groggy and cramping!!! i did have a catheter and was on bed rest for 24 hrs. i did get fever, so make sure you do your respritory exercises. as soon as i was able to walk, i did!!! i stayed on the liquid diet for 3 days, i did try to eat solids but it only caused pain. it has been exactly 1 week and i feel good!!! still napping but getting around great! the incisions are only about 1 inch and there is very little soreness. The worse pain i feel is my back…has anyone had this type of pain?
March 7, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I’m scheduled for March 31. I’m only 26, but have three children already. I have been diagnosed with Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, which apparently is a severe case by what my Dr. has said. He also is pretty sure he’s going to find me with Adenomyosis as well. I have been in severe pain for quite a while. I also had a Leep procedure done in Feb. of 08 for carcinoma in situ of the cervix. I believe he plans to take everything out, but I’m hoping he will leave me with at least one ovary if he can. I don’t want to worry about taking any hormones.
I guess I really don’t know what to expect. I’m really nervous and scared, but at the same time, I’m excited to be pain free (hopefully).
March 11, 2009 at 9:01 pm
HI there. My name is Kim. On March 4th I had LAVH procedure. I ended up have dysplasia and carcinoma in site 2 on the cervix. I only have three incision on my stomach. One on each side and one in my belly button. I also had the vaginal cuff internal incision that it located at the top of the vagina. I was told not to lift or drive. I didn’t lift or drive for the first few days but now it is day 7 and I have started to lift my kids and I notice that I am having rectal pain. I am wondering if this if from lifting or if this is from having gas pains and not being really regular with my bowel movements. Overall I feel good but I am still spotting with a cramping on and off and if I over do it I feel it. Should I still not lift anything? What about driving?
March 11, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Hi Kim:
Put the kid down and step away! That was the hardest thing for me to do was wait the 6 weeks before i lifted anything and drove anywhere.
The weights – nothing over 5 lbs. your stomach muscles are used every day for everything. Lifting a kid can rip your internal sutures and cause serious problems. Call your doctor.
The gas is because they pump you full of this air stuff and it gives you the winds something awful.
Driving is dangerous also because you could get lupie. If they gave you a general anastesia then it is still in your system and you might want to give yourself this moment.
Walking is good but the 4th was last week. It takes 6 weeks to heal from this surgery. Chill out, call your doctor to verify what i am saying and have a cup of tea!
March 11, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Chille put a girdle on. Your stomach cannot support your back and that may be causing the pain.
Tamara – did you find a doctor? What happened??
Tonja – it is going to be alright!
Me personally i wish i had had it when i was your age! don’t forget to burn your last pads or tampons…Have fun saying goodbye to bloody mary!
March 11, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Hi Texas butter: Thanks for the advice. I have a friend that told me that the surgery I had was like a cesarean and that I should be able to pick my kids up and drive with no problems. I felt bad because my parents are helping me with my children and I thought I was just being over careful. After reading your post I realize my friend “doesn’t know poop” on having a LAVH hysterectomy. Thanks for the help.
March 14, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Ladies I’m 45 and I had both Laparoscopic and abdominal removal in May 08 due to fibroids so large that one was the size of a cantelope. I had typical recovery but now I am numb across my stomach where my incision is and I have NO SEX drive at all. Try to explain that to anyone without breaking down. I’ve only now come to grips with whats happening. Someone tell me something. Is this normal or am I in menopause. I’m having hot flashes but thats it.
March 14, 2009 at 3:50 pm
OH Relax!
Of course you are numb by your incisions. I have had a myonectomy to remove the tumors, then 10 years later the hystorectomy to remove the uterus.
It does not mean anything is wrong with you. Nothing is wrong with you at all.
The sex drive thing is normal also. It is probably because you are use to uteran orgasms and not clitorus orgasms. They are a little less as sharp, but you can have a ton of them in a row! Whooo Hoooo……
Your body just went through some major drama. Major. Of course you are not going to be your old closet horney self. Give it a second, and if you still feel a bit restless go to you local health food store and get some yohambie. That’ll perk you right back up real quick, and it is not addictive.
So relax, watch that episode of Sex in the City when the sexiest woman on television Samantha lost her mojo, laugh at yourself and know you are going to be alright!
March 23, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Texas butter,
Thanks a bunch. I felt like I was a lone wolf. Lost in the Texas sun. Its nice to know there are experts out there that give you the real deal! I’ll be at the door of Whole foods tomorrow saying, “OPEN, OPEN, OPEN!!
Thank YOU and HUBBY will Thank YOU!!!
Thank God there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!
March 28, 2009 at 4:11 pm
PS I highly recommend doing 200-300 situps each day for two months before your surgery. If you go in with weak abs, it will only hurt that much more. Also, high doses of SAM-e and CoQ10 help a lot.
March 28, 2009 at 4:15 pm
For Elaine,
I just had LH last Monday and everything went really great, except my left incision is BURNING!…just like yours. My doctors say it’s either a hematoma (will go away some time), pulled stitches (will go away in a month) or a hernia (needs further surgery.) This is the worst pain I’ve had throughout the whole thing. I’m fine sitting down or laying down, but after 10 minutes standing up I’m ready to scream. Having a CT on Tuesday to find out for sure what it is.
April 18, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Hello. hope all is well. I had a LH on April 10,2009., after about a year and a half of bleeding. So far so good, taking it easy. I haven’t had any problems to speak of, except fatigue. This is my 7th day I drove to the store, so far so good.
April 19, 2009 at 1:53 am
Please sit down. Please do not drive. Please let your body heal. Please. Please. Please! Please Mary please!
April 19, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Thank you I will relax until I am released from the Doctor’s care, not looking for any setbacks Thanks
April 29, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Hi,
I’ve been reading replies on this site for a few months. Last Friday, April 24, I had my laproscopic supracervical hysterectomy. It was supposed to last four hours; but, the fibroid that they found was 2.5 lbs! It took three hours just to get all the pieces out!!! I was in surgery for 7 hours! I was then kept in the hospital for an additional two nights and I am so glad that I was!! On Monday, one of my incision site starting bleeding a little and I called the doctors’ office. By the time they called back it had stopped; but, later that evening it started again. My husband is so calm and he looked at it and said that it seemed worse than it was. He was right and it stopped during the next 10-12 hours. I am still very sore of course but I took myself off of the evil oxycodone after about a day. I was becoming an evil bitch! I am now taking Ibuprofen 800mg 1 every 8 hours. I’m gonna go recline in my chair now!! Thanks for reading!
April 29, 2009 at 2:51 pm
ok…lets see if anyone can answer this one…this is embarassing!!! I had partial lvh done feb 09…i was left w/both ovaries…so someone please tell me why i am lactating since then!!!! has ANYONE else experienced this?
May 5, 2009 at 9:49 am
Hi I’m Joan and I posted back on January 17, 2009 about the Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy that I had on January 2, 2009. Well…its been 4 months since the surgery and boy have I been on a rollercoaster ride!! Immediately after the surgery….well more so….the days following the surgery, I felt great. But then I was continuing to have hot flashes during my the day and killer insomnia at night! The hot flashes lasted until the 3rd week of February(I had the Lupron Depot 11.25 injection in Oct 08) and the insomnia lasted until the first week of April. I was a complete basketcase dealing with all this!Now on a brighter side…I stopped having joint pain like 2 weeks after the surgery and I guess all this happening was just the medication wearing out of my system. For the most part.. my incisions healed nicely with only having a little trouble with the belly button one rejecting the stitch….on my 2 week check-up..my Gyn took the stitch out and cauterized the site and afterwards it healed quickly. I was tempted to take melantonin for the insomnia but didn’t because I wanted to get back to normal without any interventions. Others may find this ridiculous but I am glad I did it that way because I am 41 and I am just now feeling like myself again…. BEFORE having fibroids alter my life.. I even feel amorous again LOL(ovaries are working again..Whoo Hoo!) and that really surprised me as I gained a total of 30lbs after receiving the Lupron injection and 10 more lbs after the surgery! The weight gain…I am definetly not happy about but with this restored energy I have….I am sure to shed the lbs in a few months. I am working a exercise regimen now gradually increasing the intensity levels along with changing my nutrition. I am so glad that since I had to ultimately have this surgery due to fibroids…..I was able to have it laparoscopically. I know that my actual physical recovery probably would have not been this good for me if it had been an open surgery. Today I’m revved up and ready to go!
May 5, 2009 at 9:49 am
Hi I’m Joan and I posted back on January 17, 2009 about the Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy that I had on January 2, 2009. Well…its been 4 months since the surgery and boy have I been on a rollercoaster ride!! Immediately after the surgery….well more so….the days following the surgery, I felt great. But then I was continuing to have hot flashes during my the day and killer insomnia at night! The hot flashes lasted until the 3rd week of February(I had the Lupron Depot 11.25 injection in Oct 08) and the insomnia lasted until the first week of April. I was a complete basketcase dealing with all this!Now on a brighter side…I stopped having joint pain like 2 weeks after the surgery and I guess all this happening was just the medication wearing out of my system. For the most part.. my incisions healed nicely with only having a little trouble with the belly button one rejecting the stitch….on my 2 week check-up..my Gyn took the stitch out and cauterized the site and afterwards it healed quickly. I was tempted to take melantonin for the insomnia but didn’t because I wanted to get back to normal without any interventions. Others may find this ridiculous but I am glad I did it that way because I am 41 and I am just now feeling like myself again…. BEFORE having fibroids alter my life.. I even feel amorous again LOL(ovaries are working again..Whoo Hoo!) and that really surprised me as I gained a total of 30lbs after receiving the Lupron injection and 10 more lbs after the surgery! The weight gain…I am definetly not happy about but with this restored energy I have….I am sure to shed the lbs in a few months. I am working a exercise regimen now gradually increasing the intensity levels along with changing my nutrition. I am so glad that since I had to ultimately have this surgery due to fibroids…..I was able to have it laparoscopically. I know that my actual physical recovery probably would have not been this good for me if it had been an open surgery. Today I’m revved up and ready to go!
May 7, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I had a laparoscopic assisted hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. I returned to full time work in 6 days, and stopped the pain medication completely after 2 days. I feel great. Regarding weight loss or gain, after surgery I was a couple pounds heavier, which was caused by bloating and swelling. Once the swelling went down, the pounds went down also. I did begin dieting about a week after surgery and have been loosing weight consistent with dieting. I gained 25LBS in the 3 months prior to surgery, which I believe was caused by hormones, caused by the fibroids in my uterus. So far so good, I have no complaints…
May 8, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I had my Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. They cauterized instead of using stitches. I felt fine after surgery as long as I stayed in bed or moved slowly. Now, I am two weeks post op and am still in need of pain meds. I’ve been running a low fever (100) for about 5 days. Has anyone else experienced this?
May 8, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Hi Michelle, I am going into my fifth week and I find that if I move about too much I have a need to take the pain medication, I get this pressure in my stomach, that lets me know that I did to much even though I am careful not to do much. Just because you feel that you can do things still rest, rest, rest. Have not had a fever during the whole process, my problem is fatigue, the iron supplement I took SSS tonic I had a allergic reation too, but any other suggestion on fighting this fatigue issue would be appreciated , Hope everyone’s recovery is going well.
May 11, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Hey,
I am into my 3rd week post-op. I still can’t sleep lying down in a bed. I take an Ibuprofen 800mg just before bed and I can’t get past four hours in the bed without pain! I’m not gonna give up though, I plan on trying it again tonight. I have been sleeping in a recliner for weeks now!
May 11, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Hi All,
I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy on March 9th after suffering from large, multiple fibroids over 10 years (I’m 50) and going through the ExAblate procedure at year 8. It bought me some time & reprieve from severe symptoms for awhile, until one day in Feb. my period started normally and progressed to a full-blown, life-threatening, non-stop hemorrage. Two trips to the ER, multiple transfusions, and finally an advisement that surgery was the only option left. (Was never a good candidate for UFE.) I wanted to post here to let you know that the eventual surgery has utterly set me free – physically, emotionally, sexually, etc. I was lucky to have almost no issues post-op except for some brief fluid retention and constipation; and was back at a strenuous job at 3 weeks, with a normal hematocrit thanks to iron therapy, and normal sex life after only 6 weeks. I have two little 1″ scars and another concealed in my navel, and have retained both ovaries and my cervix. Although I spent 10 years avoiding surgery like the plague, it has finally given me the hoped-for quality of life I longed for. Upon reading the posts over on this thread, (my ExAblate experience is fully documented in the other one) I see that the lap procedure can be no walk in the park either, and I feel lucky to have gotten a very good outcome after all is said & done. Is it worth the risk? I can honestly say “yes!” My life is my own…finally.
Best of luck to all who find themselves here, now and in your future.
May 13, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I am having a lap hysterectomy next week due to endometriosis, fibroids, and a lot of scarred tissue that has progressed over 18 years. It has made my sex life a living hell for my husband and I. After healing from a hys. does your sex drive improve or decrease? It seems like it would improve for me since it hurts so much right now, but hormonally speaking I’ve heard it can decrease your sex drive. Also, any tips on recovering quicker?
May 21, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Hi to all –
I am really thankful to of found this site ! I will be seeing my gyn tomorrow for a post op / preop appt. Post op from a D&C, laparoscopy (he found a softball sized fibroid, adhesions, endometriosis and adenomyosis) I have been having pain since mid Feb, it started out as a few times x’s week, and is now daily. I always have a heaviness type of pressure, but I frequently (probably 60-70% of my day have significant back pain and much of the day have a stabbing type pain – I am still taking Lortab when my back and low pelvic area are really hurting for limited relief. My doctor says that he does not feel I should be having this much discomfort ?? The pre op will be for a LAVH planned for week after next. I did talk to my doctor over the phone a few days ago, when I asked him what he thought other causes of pain could be he said that we would discuss it at the appt time, but assured me he does not think I have cancer. My endometrial scrapings were negative. Does anyone have any thoughts, did /does anyone that had these diagnosies have pain ? Normally, on a day to day basis my pain is a constant 4, – and by the end of the day I am just sick of hurting. I am generally taking the pain med at the end of my day. I appreciate any feed back.
thanks again
June 9, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Hello,
The blogs really gave me peace of mind prior to my surgery. On May 18, 2009 I had total laparoscopic hysterectomy with the removal of fibroids. My life was bad 1 week out of every month until I had the surgery. The fibroids enlarged my uterus 5 times the normal size which was a strain on my bladder. My surgery was approx 2 hours and I stayed in recovery 1 hour. I was later moved to a room for over night observation. When I opend my eyes I felt sore but no pain. The nurses were a little put off with me because they wanted me to hit the pain button, however I didnt because I wasnt in any pain. I walked very slowly the next day and urinated on my on so they dismissed me (yea!) The first week I was very sore and I followed strict instructions from my doctor because I wanted to heal properly. I ate lots of healing foods like kale, spinish, salmon, beets, fruit, cranberry juice and water. I also had am and pm cup of pepermint tea. This helped expell the gas that was trapped from the surgery (this was the real discomfort for me) After 10 days I felt like a new woman. Its been 3 weeks now and Im back to normal, but my doctor ask me not to lift anything heavy for another month. Glad to have my life back.
Samantha
June 10, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I had a laproscopic partial hysterectomy last year this month, cervix and ovaries left in tact. I have been experiencing sharp pains in my pelvic area and abdomen. Feels like side stitch pains when running. Has any one had these same pains.
June 13, 2009 at 3:14 pm
did anyone have kinda large amounts of bleeding coming from the naval incision?
June 13, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Elizabeth I’m just one person but I didn’t have a drop of blood coming from my incision.
June 14, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I just turned 40 a few months ago and I’m scheduled to have a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy this coming Wed, June 17th. The doctor tells me I have adenomyosis and that my uterus is the size of someone 12 weeks pregnant. I’m a little nervous because I’ve been told I will only remain in the hospital for 23 hours and I live by myself up two flights of stairs.
I’ve had extreme bleeding during long periods for about three years now, in addition to horrible lower back pain (separate from a compression fracture found in my upper spine) and painful spasms during my periods. I had been on birth control for over 15 years but since I had no real need for it (I had a tubal ligation over 10 years ago), or so I thought, I stopped taking them five years ago. A couple years later, all of these symptoms appeared and have continued to worsen.
Beyond the pain, I find that I am extremely tired ALL THE TIME. My last doctor just kept telling me that I was depressed and that I should get out and exercise but somedays I feel like I can barely get out of bed, let alone exercise! I’ve gained over 20 pounds in the last 18 months and I feel like a walking dead person.
My hope is that this surgery will take my pain away, allow me to sleep during the night, and give me my ENERGY back!
I’m scared too death to gain even more weight…but I don’t want to buy into those horror stories. How many of you have gained weight PRIOR to your surgery due to lack of exercise? And did you lose it after the surgery? Did you get your energy and your life back? I found a local walking group online and I’m wondering how long I should wait after my surgery to join them?
June 15, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Shelley – I just had a Laparoscopic Vag Hyst with removal of bilateral overies on 6/4. I wish you all the best !! So far I feel like I am doing well. I am trying very hard to follow all of the instructions I was given at discharge. (I have always been the one taking care of every one else, I have never had anything major.) I have had very little pain. It is more of a soreness than a pain. I am still using my pain medication – very limited though (I took 1 pill yesterday). Be sure your Doctor knows you live alone and up 2 flights of stairs. Is ther anyone who can come and stay with you the first few days at least. The worst part for me was the inital gas (they will inflate your abdomen with a special gas so they can easily work in the area) It was very uncomfortable, and lasted only about 2 -3 days — once you start feeling better you have a bit of a tendancy to forget those parts though.
I never had any bleeding from any of my incisions – I have 3.
My doctor said you need to walk before you run (I have never been able to run
) and not to over do it. I do get tired more easily, but it is still early on I figure. The last 2 nights I have walked a litte. The 1st night I maybe walked ~ 200ft – And last night I walked a block – we live in a very small town, so it wasn’t far but it is a start.
Now I am having occasional pain in my lower pelvic area – I am trying not to overdo anything. And also I have noticed when I need to urinate, I really need to go ! Sometimes I have a burning sensation and early of a morning I notice that when I wipe there is a faint dark (brown – like the tail end of a period) brown color on the paper – does this sound normal ?
June 22, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Deb, it sounds like you are doing very well in your recovery! I would still call and ask the doctor about the brown colour when whiping. I could swear that I read other comments about that being up above but I can’t be 100% sure. Have you already been in for your check ups? If not, I’d definitely ask…for peace of mind, if nothing ese.
I bled just a small amount the day after I came home but have not had any bleeding since then. I have four incisions and all seem okay at this point.
I’ve been tired but am also very antsy at the same time. I have not walked down my steps since coming home last Thursday (four days ago). I think I’m going to attempt to go down the steps and take a brief drive to my bank since I haven’t taken any pain meds today (supposedly, it’s okay to drive once you stop taking meds…although this seems a little soon to me).
Best wishes in your recovery and the recovery of all of the women that post to this site!
June 22, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Shelly-
How did the stairs go ? and your trip to the bank ? I have been thinking about you, and of course hoping you are doing well ! I was told the same thing as far a pain meds go – but I would encourage you to start out small – you said in an earlier post that you have 2 flights of statirs. I was told nothing repetititive or excessive.
I did call my doctor and his nurse told me that the dark color I had noted on the paper was likely from the internal sutures disolving – and asked me if I was over doing it ? Now in retrospect …….. maybe I was a little. I too feel a bit antsy at times – my family has been here with me the entire time and are VERY supportive ! They have been super.
I am now having some issues with hot flashes – but so far they are tolerable. They only last about 2-5 minutes at most, but they occur several times a night – waking me up each time. I have limited my caffiene intake – no caffiene within 4-6 hrs of bedtime. I have a post op check next week but the doctor already said he is not in favor of HRT because of the endometriosis he had found on my inital laparoscopy. Overall I feel I am doing very well. I am truly thankful to of found this web site. I appreciate the open, positive and honest communication.
Many blessing to all !
June 27, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Hi Deb, what made you decide to have your ovaries out? I’m keeping a hysterectomy as a last resort, but if I decide to go with one, I’ll have to figure out what to do about them…
Shelly, hope you’re doing okay!
July 1, 2009 at 9:49 am
Hi Amy -
I had my ovaries removed due to endometriosis and adenomyosis – my doctor suggested it because areas of endometriosis can deposit on other structures (the intestines etc) as well. I was having pain before my surgery and so he didn’t want to leave the ovaries as they could potentially allow for “feeding” any remaining endo that might be present.
July 3, 2009 at 2:53 am
Hi ladies (and any men who might be lurking),
WARNING – GRAPHIC DETAILS – IT GETS WORSE AS YOU GO—
I am scheduled to have a hysterectomy on August 12. I do not have fibroids (as far as I know) but I have a congenital malformation that has only been documented in less than 30 cases in the medical literature. I was born with a septum down the middle of my uterus almost all the way down the vagina to the vulva – just short enough that nobody ever noticed until I began having severe pain and finally got permission to go to the doctor and have a pelvic exam.
So at age 15 I found out that I had what via ultrasound looked like a normal sized uterus divided into two cavities – on the left, about 2/3 normal size and on the right, about 1/4 normal size. Then I had an exam under anesthesia and a laparoscopy which determined that I have two cervices and a single vaginal vault divided by a septum, normal ovaries and fallopian tubes but a slight ridge down the middle of my uterus (from the outside of the inside while being scoped.)
That surgeon removed the vaginal septum, ostensibly to help me have more normal function and reduce what he thought might be reflux due to the former narrow vaginal tubes.
Despite that surgery, I’ve self-medicated with Aleve and later piggybacked Tylenol with the Aleve (consulting with my doc, making sure I’m not OD’ing on either) over the years. Every pelvic exam has been excruciating and I’ve had pain for several days afterwards. My last GYN approached me with the idea of having my yearly exams done under anesthesia, but I didn’t want to do that, so I have just practiced deep breathing and let the tears run.
I finally drew the line after I found out I have iron-deficiency anemia. This was discovered by a gastroenterologist, so that doc automatically assumed I had a GI bleed. One colonoscopy later, there was no sign of a GI bleed but my iron deficiency continues (I TOLD her I knew where the bleeding was, but she insisted.)
My periods continue to be heavy and my body has become resistant to two different hormonal contraceptives – Yasmin and OVCON-35. I only use ultra-thin overnight super pads because these are the only ones that work. I might change them four to six times a day depending.
The way I first noticed that I was becoming resistant to the meds is because I began experiencing mittelschmerz (pain with ovulation). I’m not supposed to be ovulating while I’m taking the hormones! I never had mittelschmerz before I started taking the hormones, so when it happened it took me a couple of months before I made the connection.
At best the cramps were controlled to affecting me one or two days, but it is back to three or four – I function, but I am in pain and feel weak and dizzy and occasionally have to lie down. When the cramps are at their worst, I am tight from my ribcage down to my knees. Sometimes it feels like someone is punching me in the abdomen right above the pelvis and other times (usually when a “clot” is trying to pass through a cervix) I feel like someone has stuck a knife up in me and is cutting and scraping around. The knifing pain is what can bring me to my knees, make me cry out loud, and go fetal when I’m at home. That is what I want to get rid of the most.
The surgeon who worked on me 20 years ago was a wonderful person and sadly, passed away – I do not blame him for my pain, because he told my parents (after surgery) and me (at my post-op visit) that he believed there was hope that new surgeries might be developed that could repair my uterus. Indeed, “metroplasty” and endometrial ablation both might have been possibilities for exploration if I wanted to have children, but I do not have that desire. However I doubt that either would have been deemed plausible due to the duplicated cervix.
I am having my surgery at a world-renowned hospital with a very experienced surgeon who has helped me so much already just by listening and understanding.
Might I ask that sisters in faith please pray for me? My pre-op clearance appointments are on July 28. Right now I am undergoing cardiac event monitoring to help figure out whether I am healthy enough despite some irregular heartbeats. I also have multiple health issues that have to be managed during and after surgery. I believe that God made me the way I am for a reason: if nothing else, to share with people the hope that despite multiple congenital defects (other than the one I’ve described already) and health issues, I haven’t given up hope for a better life.
July 3, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Liz, thanks for telling us all about your condition, and I want to wish you the best in your upcoming surgery! You’ve sure been through a lot and if nothing else, it helps those of us with hard but not as difficult a situation to put things into perspective! Please keep us posted. Here’s sending prayers in your direction.