One of my visitors here has a concern. I’m hoping this post will generate good responses so we all can learn more about the abdominal hysterectomy procedure and the recovery. (Click the link to view the whole comment.)
Sanfly: More than likely I will be having abdominal hysterectomy. Anyone has had this procedure?. I would like to hear your experience with the surgery & if it has changed your life for the better or worst.
For more information:
Uterine Fibroids Guide for Hysterectomy (Mayo Clinic)
If you have an abdominal hysterectomy experience, question, concern, or thought – please post your comment here.
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Related Posts:
Does anyone have a hysterectomy experience to share?
How are you feeling after your Laparoscopic Hysterectomy?
August 1, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hi everyone, I think this site is fantastic. Just got diagnosed last week with fibroid, preggie symptoms apart from 2 days a month where I cant move from the bathroom due to cramps and v heavy bleeding. DR says I have 18 wk uterus and at least 1 8cm fibroid that is squashing my bladder. Scheduled for Hysterectomy in 4 months! due to waiting list. Worried it might grow bigger. Wasnt given any other options but hysterectomy hoping to keep cervix and ovaries (Im 43 with an 8yr old child). Feeling v nervous about recovery ok with surgery cos had c section in past and was ok. I know its a bit vain but Im worried about not having a waist and swelling. Ive gone from a size 10 to a size 16 (english) and have no waist due to size of uterus and my only positive though was that I might be able to get back to normal size. Is anyone out there a year post op who can let me know how you feel and look now?
August 2, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Marie, there are definitely other options for you, so read up on them here if you aren’t totally sure… of course if you don’t object and if you say you’re done having children, they may push for the hysterectomy… Haven’t had the surgery myself, so can’t answer your question… Best.
August 4, 2009 at 2:31 am
Hi Marie and Jan
You have a concern re waist size. I had TAH on the 25th June this year. 3 months pre surgery I was a size 10. My waist was 28 inches. I dont know what my ‘bikini line’ measurement was. This was before I knew I had a fibroid. By the time I had surgery, the fibroid had grown considerably and I felt considerably preggers! The surgeon said it was the size of a 16 wk pregnancy so my stomach had the rounded low shape of early/mid pregnancy. I found that my formerly loose size 10 pants were now tight and I didnt need a belt anymore. 6 weeks post op I am back to my normal 28″ waist and I dont look pregnant anymore. I have a bit of a pooch (I like that description) above the incision line, but it is much less prominent than it was 3 wks post op. The main thing for me is that I dont feel pregnant anymore. Before the op I was having trouble getting enough air – I couldnt expand my lungs. I felt like I had a ball in my stomach. If you have had big or lots of fibroids for a long time, you may actually have got used to this feeling! I feel wonderful now, and am looking forward to cycling to work tomorrow. PS the fibroid weighed 900 grams (about 2 lb). I think you will be really pleased with your new profile, if you have the fibroids removed. Best of luck, Kim
August 7, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Hello Ladies, I must say how happy I am to have found this site. I was supposed to have a Laproscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy but had something wrapped around an artery so they went in abdominally. I am a totally mess. Had the surgery on July 21, 09 and feel terrible. I cry at the drop of a hat, I have the crappy Muffin Top and can’t seem to get anything done. Was not at all prepared for any of this! Thank you all for your stories and insights–can’t express enough what they have meant to me!
August 7, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Hi everyone!
Well, how glad am I that I found this site! I am 48 and 10 days post-op. I have battled my uterus from the beginning of my first period. History includes heavy, painful, erratic periods, extreme bloating and painful ovulation, ruptured cysts – which led to surgery, 6 miscarriages ( 2 successful pregnancies) 4 D&Cs, and what led to my Hysto was a 20 week uterus many fibroids and a very painful left ovary. I had tried many different things to combat these problems including an endometrial (sp?) resection approximately 11/2 years ago. Nothing helped and when I began to swell up double over in pain, I knew I had to throw in the towel.
I had an abdominal hysterectomy which removed my uterus along with 5 apple size fibroids and a hardened left ovary. Even 3 days after surgery I could feel the change on my left side! I won’t know what the pathology is on the ovary for a while but I feel quite positive. I have been having some recovery concerns, but after reading the comments from the previous stories I see that everything is normal. I think the only thing I would like to add, just as a heads up to women that are facing this surgery, is to talk to your Docs about the types of pain control directly following surgery. I have a problem with drug allergies and could not go the usual route of morphine etc. Also I did not know that because I had a chronic pain issue, normal dosages did not work for me. It took an extra 41/2 hours in recovery trying to get my pain under control and get my blood pressure down before someone asked me about chronic pain. ( Not before they asked whether I smoked pot regularly or did narcotics!) I DON’T! I was off everything but Tylenol in about 5 days. This unpleasant experience led to the crashing of my electrolytes 1 day after surgery something that could have been avoided had I had better communication with the Docs involved.
All this aside, I think the choice to have had this surgery was a smart one and I wished I had made it sooner.
Lots of luck to all who follow……no regrets
Laura
September 19, 2009 at 9:07 pm
YAY!!!
FYI — I contacted WordPress and they were able to fix the blog!!!
I’ve asked if it was an actual malfunction or the domain mapping wasn’t paid up or whatever…. and will continue to follow through on this is just in case.
I really hope the whole thing is working again and all the regulars come back!
(for those who get ALL the comments emailed to them, sorry for all the repeat posts, but I want the message to get through to everyone!)
September 25, 2009 at 10:09 am
I just had an abdominal hysterectomy for several and one extremely large fibroid. The doctor described my uterus as the size of a turkey. I admit physically I feel better. My Fibroids where slow growing so I really didn’t notice a difference, except for my weight. I didn’t realize that I felt bad and congested until they where removed. My cycles where always heavy and painful from the very begining, but I was able to control the pain. I am now, an emotional wreck. I am 42 and put off having kids knowing that women where having healthy children later in life. I have two beautiful children that I adopted. They are the only reason I am hanging on right now. I am devistated, I am depressed, I feel so let down. The three of us talked about how exciting it would be to watch my belly grow and have a baby, that was to be our experience together. I was obsessed with finding a way to save my uterus. I’m still obsessed with finding out if I could have done something different, even though it is to late. I don’t know how to get through this. My whole out look on life has changed. I feel so cold, and empty and uncaring. I would have rather died trying to save my uterus, then to have awaken knowing it was gone without a fight. I feel like maybe I gave up to soon, and should have checked with doctors out of state. It’s to late.
September 25, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Hey there Kim, I am also 42, and just had a hysterectomy on July 28th. My uterus was infested with huge fibroids. Three of them were the size of cantaloupes. It is such a relief to have them out of me! No more heavy bleeding or pain. I wanted to let you know that I tried everything and I went to about 5 doctors (I live in NY, near the city and had access to great doctors) and there was nothing they could have done differently for me.
I kept going to doctors to try and find another way to handle the fibroids because I didn’t want a hysterectomy…but in the end there were really no options. Without knowing you or your medical history I can say this: if your uterus was the size of a turkey then I would bet you that you were in a situation similar to mine…with very little choice in the matter.
I am so sorry that you feel depressed :- (
I have no children and will obviously never get to have any–there is definitely a grieving process to go through and it might be helpful to go through it with some help. I saw a social worker for a few months before my surgery to help me start to process the whole ordeal. I would highly recommend seeing a social worker- it helped me tremendously.
Feel better and count your blessings- your two adopted children are a gift… and if that’s the family that you have been blessed with then try to focus on that and not the child that you “can’t” have. Easier said than done…I know. But it’s the reality of such a life altering surgery.
October 3, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I am so happy I found this site.
Jackie and Kim, I am 6 mos from being 42. I have been dreading the word hysterectomy. I never had children, and hoped that even in this day and time I might still be able to conceive. I was wounded when the 20 something years old Dr said the way to solve my issue was to “take it out” and said I was too old to get pregnant anyway. She said I have a uterus the size of a melon. My primary care Dr said it was more the size of a bowling ball. I was referred to a gynocologic, whom I will be seeing on 10/08/09. I pray I am a candidate for UFE or LSH.
Currently, I look like I am 6 to 7 mos pregnant. I had been dealing with painful sex, to the point that my drive reduced substantially. I have begun having a hard time sleeping on my stomach. It seemed that from one day to the next my stomach grew. I read on one of the other lady’s post that her stomach is low…mine is high, and if I sit in the wrong position it is hard to breathe. My stomach hurts when the baby bounces on me or someone (something) taps against it.
I am a foster mom to a 12 mos old, whom I have had since 1/2009. I am really hoping on a procedure that will help with a quick recovery because I do not want to send him to stay with someone else while I recouperate.
October 4, 2009 at 10:04 am
Hi Jan!
Here’s the advice that I have for you at this point in time: do your research and go to more than one doctor! As I said in my previous post to Kim- I live in NY and was able to go to several doctors. One of them specialized in UAE (uterine artery embolization) and her feeling was that after fibroids get to a certain size, UAE doesn’t work. The reason is that despite “blocking” the major artery that “feeds” the fibroid, there are still smaller vessels that will continue to provide the very large fibroid with blood, so it will still grow. UAE seems to work best with smaller fibroids.
You might also be a candidate for a myomectomy. I wasn’t…but check it out as a possibility.
One thing that I strongly urge you to look for is a doctor that can do a daVinci hysterectomy (or myomectomy!) using a laproscopic robot. That is what I had done. The recovery was amazingly fast and all I have is five small scars on my stomach. There is also an entire website for ‘minimally invasive gynecological surgeons’ (http://www.aagl.org/healthcare-consumer)
Check out that website and look for a surgeon near you that does the surgery the laproscopic way. Don’t stop looking until you find a qualified surgeon who will do what you want.
My recovery post-surgery was about: 4 days until I felt good and one week until I felt great. The hardest part is getting in and out of bed. And trust me- my fibroids were HUGE (three cantaloupe sized- my uterus was about the size of someone 7 – 8 months pregnant).
GOOD LUCK and good vibes to you!!!!
October 6, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Hi everyone, Wow, what a great site to stumble across. I have learned so much. I have just been advised I have a massive fibroid, cantelope size and my GYN has booked me for an abdominal historectomy. I can feel it and it is growing quite rapidly, of course I want it gone, but, a hisorectomy is a major operation. I have been reading a lot about alternative medications that shrink fibroids, but did not come across anyone else mentioning them. Has anyone used any of the natural herbal remedies, and if so, what was your success if any. I am seriously thinking of trying this route first and delaying my surgery, which is booked for Nov. 25/09. Any input would be appreciated.
October 6, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Hey Marla!
My advice would be the same for you– please look into laproscopic surgery! As for the alternative stuff- I tried it all: Ayurvedic medicine, acupuncture, chinese herbs, Mayan massage, yoga, etc. I tried it all…nothing worked and in fact things just got bigger. I know I sound like a broken record and I hope that peole reading this understand that I am only advocating for a better surgery for all of us with fibroids…but…please, please look into the daVinci or another laproscopic surgery for your hysterectomy. It can be done even with large fibroids…and healing is so much faster….
Good luck to you!!!
October 7, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Thanks Jackie
The Da Vinci looks great, came across some info on it and I will definitely ask my Doctor’s about it. Not sure if it is practiced here in Canada, which is where I am, actually Toronto, Ontario. I will keep investigating.
October 7, 2009 at 10:51 am
Hi Maria, I agree with Jackie, an not only that, you waste precious time trying all kinds of remedies while these damn things keep growing or other things in life get in the way of finally having surgery. Also, don’t assume that a hysterectomy is your only option if that is what your doctor says and it is not what you want.
October 7, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Thanks for the input Amy, I will keep looking for other options.
November 3, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Hi Everyone
I’ve just had an abdominal hysterectomy 10 days ago, which was a slightly rushed decision because I live in Australia and am booked to visit my family in the UK in mid-December and work is too busy for me to be away from January-April each year. Thus, I have about 7 weeks from time of surgery to flight to UK but hopefully this will be OK. I’ll be back at work after 4 weeks is my guess.
I’m particularly intrigued by the Laproscopic surgery. I went to one gynae because of fibroids, enlarged uterus and severe pelvic pain and he rather glibly said he may also take out my right ovary as well as the appendix in case they were causing the pelvic pain. He said he would do this all laproscopically. His cavalier approach of “let’s see what else we can remove” disturbed me so I sought a second opinion.
The second gynae agreed that a hysterectomy was the only way to go and that because of the size of the uterus (4 month pregnancy) it would have to be done abdominally because there was a danger of damaging other things by trying to pull it through the vagina. She said she would definitely not touch my ovaries or appendix unless there was something significantly wrong with them. This sounded like a more considered opinion than the first gynae so I went with her.
So, my question is, how do they remove a large uterus if it is done laproscopically and has anyone else been told that abdominal is the only way to safely go if the uterus is large?
Thanks for any feedback you can give me, Jo.
November 5, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Hey there Jo,
Jackie
During a laproscopic hysterectomy surgery your uterus is morcellated, or “ground up into little bits” and then sucked out through a tube. That’s the deal in the most basic terms! I had it done…and I had been told by several docs that my uterus was “too big”. The key is that you have to find a doctor who is experienced working with a large uterus. Mine was 7 months+ in size and it was still done laproscopically (daVinci laproscopic robot).
I wish you a speedy recovery! Have fun visiting your family!
November 5, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Thanks so much for your reply Jackie! Interesting – perhaps I should have gone with the first gynae who said he would do it laparoscopically, as my General Practitioner doctor did say that he is a good surgeon, however I didn’t really ‘connect’ with him and found his cavalier attitude a bit alarming. For instance he suggested I should have oestrogen replacement after the hysterectomy, even though my ovaries are still intact, because this is what “women want these days”. Well, not me!
Never mind, it’s too late now and I have gone the abdominal route and I am sure all will be well, just a bit slower to heal. Thanks for your good wishes and I’m sure I will have a lot of fun visiting my family over Christmas.
Jo
November 5, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Hey Jo,
Such a shame that that surgeon was such a cavalier jerk. Good for you advocating for yourself and going to another doctor!! It’s sickening that the “cavalier jerk-doctor” suggested estrogen replacement…and that quote “that’s what women want these days” UGH!!! Doctors like that shouldn’t be allowed within ten feet of a woman– let alone to do surgery. You opted for the procedure that was best for you and you did it with a doctor that you felt comfortable with. In my opinion, that’s a success!! Good for you!! Now you’re recovering and let me tell you, you are going to feel fantastic once you heal a little bit more. This surgery was the best decision I have ever made!!
Best to you, Jackie
December 15, 2009 at 4:32 am
Amazing site…. so happy I found it.
After a successful myomectomy 12 years ago which included having a 7 month period while being on Lupron to try to shrink the darn thing, I am no again looking at surgery. 12 years ago they left a large external fibroid as it didn’t cause symptoms and it was outside and the myomectomy was done vaginally.
After the myomectomy my periods were like a joke.. 2 days only and very light. Over the years things have gotten worse with long heavy periods, clotting, severe cramping and so on.
Will have a hysterectomy in february, and intend to keep my ovaries and cervix. I am relieved to soon be done with bleeding and pain, which I have had since I started menstruting at 11. I frankly believed it was supposed to be like that!
But I have some concerns…. it feels emotional as it is such a symbolic part of being a woman. And I know my orgasms are very uterus focused… so I worry things will change to the worse sexually. I also have this odd connection between my breasts and uterus…. and am freaking out that all this amazingness will be gone after surgery.
This may be borderline too woo-woo for some of you…. but I am also concerned how this will impact my spiritual body… by having this part removed.
Is this something anyone have experienced or thought about? And if so, is there anything that can be done to assist with healing, both emotionally, physically and spiritually?
Maybe some kind of ritual both before and / or afterwards to acknowledge the change and to shift the focus from the uterus to… something else?
Finally, and this may be the weirdest question of all, does anyone know if it is possible to get a small sample of the removed uterus that I can use in some of these rituals?
December 26, 2009 at 2:06 am
Barb, Yeah, maybe a bit woo woo… but I’m a strong believer in trusting your gut and doing whatever works. I also like rituals and I sometimes make them along as I go… some things work for me, some don’t – but you don’t know unless you try. I often use natural objects around me to represent people and things… so maybe if you are drawn toward getting a piece of your uterus and you aren’t able to, keep a look out for a rock or a shell (hey, I like that idea cause there is an inside to some shells, just like a uterus…_) to symbolize our uterus.. or use an egg… I’ve also been known to visualize what’s going to happen… e.g. put my hands over the area that is going to be cut and visualize being cut…and even talking to to the area… I see it sort of as a way of informing my body what’s going to happen so that it’s less traumatic and heals faster. Good luck!
December 23, 2009 at 1:03 am
I has a LSH on Dec 7 2009. I was wonderins is it normal to feel breathless and tired. I feel like I can’t catch my breath. I don’t go to the doctor until the 29 of this month. What should i do?
December 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
Theresa, first, I’m not a doctor, and not to scare you, but that could be serious. You should definitely call your doctor. It could be a sign of a blood clot in your lung – but as I said, I’m not a doctor, so it could be something else . Good luck and please keep us posted.
December 24, 2009 at 10:21 pm
….soooo excited to have stumbled upon this sight, as so many have before me! i am home, recovering from a supracervical hysterectomy, now day 13, after having had it done abdominally. i was not a candidate for laparyscopic, or even davinci robotic, (although i was hopeful) due to the size of one of the three fibroids i had removed. according to my ob/gyn, the largest was the size of my head, and the other two came out, attached to the other, like “a string of pearls”. i spent 3 days in the hospital, the first day, on a morphine pca pump. at first, i tried not to use it regularly, but the nurses convinced me to use it more often to keep the pain under control, and, i must admit, they were right. i will not have the oncology results or the actual weight and size of each for another 5 days, as my follow up could not be scheduled until after the holidays, but am trying to rest, eat well, and focus on my recovery. i feel like it has ruined the holidays for my household, but, they seem more ok with it than i am.
today was a turning point for me; i went several hours without any pain meds, and, realized that i don’t need the narcotic refilled, only the secondary pain meds. (i had a bad experience with abdominal surgery 6 years ago, having developed a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) and pneumonia, as well as an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, and my recovery was long and depressing.) i am in much better spirits, and was much better prepared this time for my health overall, as well as my lungs. i feel like i am doing well, but have had a lot of bloating and gas, as well as internal pain, especially in the back, and on either side of my incision near my cervix, since my bladder and kidneys sustained some damage as well. i am on meds for the bladder and kidneys, and will be having a recheck with the urologist, 6 weeks post-op to see whether or not i need to continue on those meds, or whether i will require a second procedure and a bladder sling. this has taken me out of work, without pay, and a second surgery, and recovery period, would be just awful. i know that my ovaries are working well, as, pathetically, i have also gotten my period 3 days ago, though it is MUCH different than prior to the surgery, and am grateful for the success of function, though i had hoped it would hold off a bit. i guess i am just looking for some support, as well as the answer to one question…..i am soooo bloated, that my own underwear bothers me, though i no longer require the hospital ones, and feel very round around my middle, as well as just above the incision line. i know it’s early, and will try not to “push it” but want to fit back into my jeans, be able to exercise, go to yoga, and teach dance as i always have, and fear that this will not go away, even in 6-8 weeks. does anyone know how long it takes for the actual swelling to go down? should i be using any kind of cold packs? and, i have been using a compression band on and off, which does seem to help somewhat, and the doctor was fine with that. thank you for the support; i toyed with the thought of joining another site prior to my surgery, but decided against it. now, i realize, i need the camaraderie.
happy holidays! –carolyn
December 27, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I had a Hysterectomy done 2 weeks ago. I had a enlarged uterus equivalent to being 5 mos. pregnant. L had a 20 cm. (8 inch) fibroid growing up the backside of the uterus. I went into surgery on Wednesday was told it was an hour surgery. I was cut vertically cause the doctor wasn’t sure if he could get it all out with the other incision. So my cut is from my belly button down to my privates and had 15 staples put in. I was able to keep my ovaries. The worst pain is getting out of bed that next morning it hurts to breathe it hurts to move but you must get out of bed. Amazingly you can walk to the bathroom and it does get better as you walk. The next bad pain is the gas the bowels are the last thing to wake up and it’s not fun. It does hurt! gotta walk the halls alot to help get everything working again. My suggestion is to ask for prune juice and have your nurse warm it for you it really helps. They’ll give you a belly band to wear to help support everything it works nicely.I was released from the hospital on Saturday. Recovering feels like i was kicked in the stomach or imagine a leg cramp in your stomach that never lets up. That’s how it is for me anyway. It hurts to cough and it really hurts to sneeze. I had my staples taken out 6 days later that’s a very light pinch if any.Tomorrow i go for my 2 week check up.
December 31, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hi Theresa,
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience. I am having an abdominal hysterectomy on January 18th, and as my fibroid is about the size of a basketball I already know my doctor is doing the vertical cut. I have been trying to find out what it will feel like for me after the surgery and your post really gave me some solid idea of what I will be dealing with. I am not a wimp, but I want to be as prepared as I can be. I have a 14 year old son and an 8 year old daughter, so I know I won’t be having to do everything on my own. Their father is going to come up and stay with them while I am in the hospital – they are so excited to be able to spend some time with him.
Take care and I wish you a continued speedy recovery.
December 31, 2009 at 2:01 pm
hi roxanne!
i am wishing you all the best on your surgery.
i just wanted to tell you that i also have kids, and was very concerned… i was fortunate enough to see (maybe for the very first time) a very nurturing side of my almost 13 year old son…he was the first one to check whether i needed anything, wanted to stay by me more, and set up a little side table for my meds and water pitcher, etc., right next to my bed. i think it has given him an opportunity to protect me, and now i have seen some wonderful personality traits. everyone else did what i needed, or what they had to, but i was very pleasantly surprised by my son, especially, since he was very disappointed to not be able to visit me in the hospital over the 3 days due to a new over 18 rule, because of the h1n1 flu. as it is, i was quite unwell while there, and it may’ve been for the best afterall.
my first 10 days revolved around function and pain meds, but each day you feel better, even if only a little bit, and now, at 20 days, i feel a second growth spurt in my healing. my stitches were checked yesterday, and are healing well. i have a ways to go, but am doing well. don’t push, rest, more than you think you need to, and breathe deeply for relaxation.
all the best to you with your surgery, and in the new year!
–carolyn
January 21, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Hi Theresa
Thanks for the info I as well am having an abdominal hysterectomy next Tuesday January 26th, you are the only person I have know so far to get the vertical cut, which really scares but the fibroids are too big… 21cm!!! I find you have’nt sugar coated the recovery thank you for you experience and insight. I will post as soon as I can. POSITIVE VIBRATIONS TO ALL!!!
December 29, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Hi ladies,
i hope everyone is felling much better after your surgery. im 34 yrs old and i hve 3 kids already. Im going to have a hysterectomy on jan 6. im a little scared because of the after pain, you guys now the one that you get after you get up the first time. But at the same time no more heavy period and pain during sex. I hve a fibroid that is bigger then my uterus itself i even feel it when i walk or stand to long. Im also worried about what sex is going to be like after the surgery been that i only fell the contractions of the uterus when i hve a orgasom. im glad i found this site, i will let everyone know how it goes after the surgery happends. I belive im going to be in the hospital for about 2 to 3 days. wish everyone well.
December 31, 2009 at 4:16 am
Hi,
I had suffered for many years with fibroids and non-stop periods, spotting that eventually led to serious anemia and weight gain (always fatigued and no energy). When I was in Westchester, NY had great doc that gave Lupron – worked 1st time to slow/stop bleeding and subsequent shots had no change – continued to bleed. Blood level count was so low. I had ablation – day surgery (also had tubes tied at the same time as you must be sure you do not want more kids) and this seemed to work for a couple of years. We moved just outside Boston about 3 years after and heavy, non-stop periods appeared again. Most women have period 5-7 days and 25+ days no period…I was complete opposite. One fibroid – the major problem extended to cervix and was crowning like a baby. If I was least bit constipated and strained in bathroom, it would pop out and hang down – it felt like delivery was immiment.
Hysterectomy was only option, I wanted to be done. I was nervous (husband more so). I timed the surgery, felt good after a week. I took 6 weeks off work. 2 week post-op appt. doc confirmed I popped a couple of abdominal stitches…I knew already as I felt it when it happened. You may think and feel okay but you cannot over exert.
WHAT????? NO MORE PERIODS…FOREVER? FOREVER, EVER?Yes, forever!!!! Still have ovaries so no early menopause or hormone pills…everything else is gone. Don’t feel less of a woman. Actually feel liberated.
Only thing…it now seems that part of left labia was torn (during surgery?). I felt separation of labia right after but wasn’t sure what was the end result or healing for area but now seems to be really torn and hang down. Not at all pleased about that or prospect of what repair entails. It doesn’t hurt but also not a good look.
I am 44. I had one child and am married. My daughter is 19. I should have done this years ago and not fret so much about keeping the “womaly” inside parts. My delay has cost a lot of quality of life – miserable vacation, family visits, etc.
No Regrets.
December 31, 2009 at 4:24 am
Also, my laproscopic hysterectomy was day surgery – no overnight stay. First she had to remove the fibroid protruding cervix vaginally and then did small incisions in abdomen for hysterectomy, maybe took 3-4 hours? No pain really. I did feel pressure in abdomen – especially when coughing or laughing. Rarely took prescribed meds – not necessary. Do expect gas and constipation. After about 4 days I was so bloated and miserable I drank 1/2 bottle of magnesium citrate (available at pharmacy or grocer). I felt much better an hour later. Just don’t over do anything in weeks following beause you think or feel okay. You will still need time to heal and build strength. Best Wishes to all.
January 16, 2010 at 2:25 pm
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January 22, 2010 at 2:07 am
hey roxanne!
…hoping you are home, safe and sound, and are not too uncomfortable. …was thinking about you, and hoping all went well. rest up, go slow, and give a shout out when you are up to it. all the best while you recover.
January 22, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Hello
I had a DaVinci hysterectomy yesterday and went home the same day. My surgery was preformed by Dr. Machon at St. Francis Hospital. Everyone was very helpful and supportive. I arrived home and had a soup and sandwich followed by a donut. Gas today but not bad and stomach slightly swollen.
I am not a hero usually a big cry baby even have to nap after going to the dentist.
I would recommend the proceedure with Dr. Machon to any one.
January 22, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Woo hoo! Eileen that’s great news– I had the Davinci done as well and it was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I have my life back…
I am now at 6 months post surgery–I feel better than ever!! Best to you, glad it was such a good experience for you, too.
January 28, 2010 at 2:07 am
Hello everyone, I have uterine fibroids. I have decided to let go of my uterus but i am very concerned about the scars left behind from both surgurys(abdominal or laproscopic) I am aiming more towards abdominal but I like to workout and i am concerned about the incision destroying the muscles in my lower abdomin. Please help with any comments you have. Thanks
January 28, 2010 at 3:04 pm
hey denice–
i had mine done abdominally, just 6 weeks ago, and had the same concerns, however, i must tell you, that my scar is very bikini line, and i asked my doctor to be sure he stitched my fatia (pronounced fasha) (the abdominal muscle under the abs) as i had a tummy tuck a few years ago, (after multiple pregnancies)and that was the procedure for tightening those muscles. my belly is still healing, is not as flat (as yet?? hopefully) as after the tummy tuck, but, i am not cleared to do abdominals or weights for another 4 weeks. the scar is beautiful, and healing well, and i no longer have concerns, as it looks like it will all come together. my fibroids were too big for laparoscopic or davinci, but i am now glad that there are no visible scars like those leave.
good luck on your surgery; i healed faster having been active, and i recommend it. –carolyn
January 29, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Carolyn, thanks for your information. I am talking to so many different people who are now fibroid free. There are so many different procedures to choose from. My doctor has told me that I definitly cannot have a vaginal hystorectomy because my fibroids are to large. She says I have a uterus of a 14 to 16 wk pregnancy. I am also thinking about the laprascopic hystorectomy because of the shorter recovery time. Ahhhhhhhhh but Im still thinking about the scars
January 29, 2010 at 6:07 pm
hi denice–
the abdominal ended up being my only option…same scenario…equivalent to a 20 week pregnancy. i was so upset at the time, but, i am really doing well, and am content with the end result. you are the one that must be comfortable with the decision if the choice is yours. i hope the answers come to you without too much stress. if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
all the best, carolyn
February 14, 2010 at 12:32 am
Due to about 15 cm of fibroids, I had a lap. hysterectomy in 2004. My ovaries had scarring and adhesions from cysts, so they were both removed as well. I did keep my cervix.
In 2005 I began having an electrical/sharp pain in the lower left pelvic area, near one of the lap. scars. In the past 4 years, that pain has progressively gotten worse, and I now have pain on the right side as well, although the right side pain is more of a deep, dull pain that comes in waves. The pain is worse if I have a full bladder, full stomach…
I have had CT scans, and MRI’s and they do not show anything abnormal, yet the pain is so severe at times that I cannot move at all and must take painkillers. I had never taken them before either, not after a root canal, nor after gall bladder surgery, not even during labor.
In the past few years, I have spent more time in the hospital ER than most people spend in a lifetime.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Any answers, ideas?!
Docs don’t want to do exploratory or remove scar tissue because of the risk of damaging the bowel.
If I had it to do all over again, I would look for an alternative to the hysterectomy. I can’t help but feel the pain is directly related to the surgery.
DeVonna
March 6, 2010 at 2:56 am
I probably had fibroid for a long time but they only started to really bother me in last year or so. I had intermittent symptoms such as pressure on my bladder & colon and very uncomfortable lower back pain. I could feel a pressure in my lower abdomen but foolishly ignored it. Earlier in 2009 I had a pap/pelvic and the doctor said I had a large mass in my uterus. He indicated a hysterectomy was likely necessary. I had an ultra sound that confirmed an orange sized fibroid. As my mother is working with a world class herbalist, we decided to try some of the herbs often used in such cases. Some of the herbs in my formula were:
Yarrow, Schizandra, Verbena, Eleutrhero, peumus bold, Tumeric, Licorice and Cinnamon. Some of the others recommended were: Rhodolia, Echinachea, Peony, Angelica sinensis (relieves ovarian cysts and uterine firbroids) & the Chinse 4 herb combo or Don Quai, Chinese peony, Ligusticum wallichi. PLEASE NOTE, NONE OF THESE HERBS SHOULD BE USED WITHOUT OVERSIGHT OF A HERBALIST OR NATURAPATH AS PROPORTIONS AND DOSAGE HAVE TO BE GEARED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL. An alternate doctor in my practice recommended a merina IUD that stops the periods & tends to help shrink fibroids/excessive bleeding. I asked to see a specialist and had to wait about 6 weeks for an apt. Once I saw him, he declared a hysterectomy, vertical incision was necessary. He laughed at the IUD idea since he said it would have been lost in my uterus and caused me very serious problems.
He also wanted to do an MRI and have some blood work done. Surprisingly, only about 10 days later his nurse called & said I had a surgery date of 23 of June. This was pretty sudden for me as I work on contract and needed to wrap up some projects before I could be home for 6-8 weeks. I put off the surgery until the 23 of November. While I had some weeks of discomfort, I feel the herbs definitely helped, but was quite concerned by the amount of blood/iron the fibroid was draining from my system. Just 8 weeks prior to surgery my iron was at 7. This very low but they still agreed to do the surgery. I worked really hard with building my blood with lots of whole foods like kale, spinach, red meat, Floridix herbal iron supplement, eggs and acid foods like lemon, tomatoes & oranges in tandem with the iron rich foods. I was able to build up to about 10 just before surgery.
Surgery went well. I felt amazing even out of post op. the fibroid was cantaloupe size when they took it out. I was back working 3/4 time by the 15th of Jan. the next couple of weeks were tiring, but I can feel my energy building steadily and I have a much more hectic schedule than I was able to do prior to surgery. I credit great surgeon, excellent post op care, whole foods and continued iron rich diet and herbal tonic to helping me. It certainly doesn’t hurt to be health conscious and lived a modest sensible lifestyle. Keeping up a steady exercise program is very important too. I try to have a good vigorous walk daily. Even two small ones are better than leisurely stroll for longer. When at the specialist I have asked to have my iron tested again, what was pathology of tissue removed (benign) and need for future paps etc. Also what would be next step in exercise program. Also when can I jog or start a more major strenuous exercise & house work management program. I’ve definitely lost a little weight & inches, but after quite a while of tubby land, I am taking advantage of renewed energy and stamina to do more. It really great to feel Good & have Energy. I highly recommend the surgery as you will feel like a new woman. The number of weeks in recovery, while uncomfortable at times, was just the needed rest I’ve needed. Spent the time reading great books and visiting many friends. What could be better than that.
March 6, 2010 at 3:08 am
I should have mentioned my doctor would only consider a vertical abdominal incision due to size of fibroid & uterus. —- After discussion he agreed to try and save the ovaries. During surgery he did save one. the other was all tangled up with endometrial tissue and couldn’t be separated from wall of uterus. It is important to discuss the “what if’s” with your surgeon and indicate the best case thru worst case scenarios. I found mine was more than willing to cooperate with my wishes. He also respected my request for Non Blood volume expanders and products.
I’d have rather not had such radical surgery, but we have to give the experienced people the “room” to do the best work possible. Vertical incision takes a little longer to heal, but gives best view inside so they can be less constrained.
March 10, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Hi my date for hysterectomy was March 2nd 2010 . I was suppose to have it laperascopic. no luck, fibroids the size of oranges two on my cervix , two on my spine, which cause so much pain in lower back and down sciatic nerve in leg. I’m 46 yrs old. Bad periods since 13, 4 miscarrages no kids.
More fibroids on outside of uterus. in PAIN all the time. right oveary had t obe taken too. The doctor told me he went in laperscopic, looked around . saw he couldn;’t do it that way and cut me open bikini line. THe incision is glued together with steri strips over that. WOw It’s perfect. not ripping open looks normal. I take a bath every night in Epsom salts feels good. Don’t get me wrong. this is the worst painful terrible thing. feels like it will never get better. But it is. I QUIT smoking 9 months ago, I feel much better. IF you smoke you will have problems healing cause your sucking all your air up. none for your tissues. and eat mild small meals of vegetables and protein and fruit. or the gas will kill you. not every story is a horror story. I too was alergic to those nasty narcotic drugs. so I took 600 mgs of motrin every 6 hours. Now 8 days later I’m down to 200 mgs every 4 hours. I did get a bladder infection and a yeast infection. almost done with antibiotics. Doctor feared when he took it out it had cancer. But all was clear. I know I will be happy when I’m all healed. I won’t be in pain any more. the longer you wait the bigger the fibroids grow. If I had it done 4 years ago It could have been done laperascopic. I got 3 other opinions before I did this. you can try other things first. But inevetibly you will have to get it taken OUT! so get it over with and don’t waste time. thats my opinion! theres plenty of little babies in Hati and all over that need a mommy. Don’t suffer.