Hysterectomy?

For anyone who had one (or if you know from knowing someone who has) how was recovery? How long and how bad was it? What were your restrictions? Also, what type did you have?

<blockquote><b>Quoting she nan igans:</b>" For anyone who had one (or if you know from knowing someone who has) how was recovery? How long and how bad was it? What were your restrictions? Also, what type did you have?"</blockquote>




My mom had one about 15 years ago because of cists. I don't remember too much but I think it was fairly easy for her. And I'm sure we've come along way

My mom had one - the same limitations you have when you have a c section. Her scar is in the same place as if it was a c section. And they removed everything due to cancer. She's had no complications and its been 16 years.

My grandma had one 30 years ago and recently had to have another surgery for her bladder because she kept peeing on herself.

I was reading yesterday their the #3 most done surgery when not needed. (Cancer reasons would be different ofcourse) my grandma was given hers so she did not have a period anymore because she could not have more kids.

My MIL and SIL both had one a few years ago. For both of them they had to relax for a week and could not drive for 2 weeks (I don't understand why) and they could do any heavy chores or lifting for a month

thanks! I'm worried about the heavy lifting, what with having two toddlers.

My mother had a full hysterectomy, she was in a lot of pain after she was home. She would just sit around and had a hard time walking to the bathroom we had to help her and her scar was painful to clean she needed help with that. I think it was a good 2 to 3 weeks before she wasn't in pain again and was able to walk around normal.

My mother had a partial. Four days later she was on a plane and drove me out to TN from CA. I don't think she took pain meds the whole time. But the first four months she experienced bad menopause symptoms.

I had a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bisingual Oopherectomy(TAH/BSO) two and a half years ago. I'm open to answering any specific questions.


The first week of my recovery was hard. I was in a lot of pain, not going to lie. My surgery was somewhat complicated, though, as I had a lot of scar tissue and they literally had to dig my uterus out of my body. I lost a lot of blood and the surgery took longer than expected. I stayed 3 nights in the hospital. It's so funny but one of the BG ladies on here came and stayed with me the last night. I had also had a csection 6 weeks earlier so I was caring for my newborn as well   I needed a lot of help the first week.

Riding in a car sucked, sneezing sucked, moving sucked. I just suggest taking your meds before you feel pain. I also HIGHLY suggest making sure that there is someone there when you wake up. My husband wasn't there when I first woke up, he had gone to get something to eat, and the nurse was a total bully. Told me to "suck it up" and "it's not that bad". It really is NOT the same as having a csection pain wise.

At about 2 weeks post I was pretty much OK again. But I didn't really attempt to do anything wild and crazy like drive until about 4 weeks post op. I still have pain in my stomach from scar tissue build up and my hormones went NUTS. I haven't been able to really reign them in yet. I have bad menopause symptomes some days, and others I'm fine. The worst for me is the swelly belly (I retain water in my stomach at times) and not being able to lose weight no matter what I do. It was still the best decision I ever made, though. My quality of life is a million times better than it was pre op.

Quoting Fatty McRunnerPants:" I had a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bisingual Oopherectomy(TAH/BSO) two and a half years ago. I'm ... [snip!] ... what I do. It was still the best decision I ever made, though. My quality of life is a million times better than it was pre op."

Thank you! Thankfully if I have it done I'm pretty sure they'll do it vaginally because it's due to a prolapsed uterus thats just getting worse and worse. I've been hoping to put it off as long as I can, but I'm suspecting my "putting it off" time is running out.

Also, I'm pretty sure I can keep my ovaries, so that's good. Mostly I'm just afraid of recovery. I've got an 18 month old and an almost 3 year old. I'm afraid of taking care of them on my own.

Sigh. I was really hoping to put it off a few more years but it's getting really painful, especially around AF when it's worse. Even sex it starting to hurt now and that sucks, haha.

Thanks, it's good to know about the recovery time though! I'm hoping it won't be a huge hospital stay either, since again, it'll be vaginal.

Quoting she nan igans:" Thank you! Thankfully if I have it done I'm pretty sure they'll do it vaginally because it's due to ... [snip!] ... good to know about the recovery time though! I'm hoping it won't be a huge hospital stay either, since again, it'll be vaginal."

Yeah a vaginal shouldn't be too bad. I've heard most vaginals are actually out patient. www.hystersisters.com is a great wealth of information and they have a great community there. No matter what, though, realize it's still major surgery and you'll probably need help with the kiddos for a good 2 weeks after. I had actaully gone down to stay with my SIL for two weeks just so I wouldn't have my 3 year old running around.

Quoting Fatty McRunnerPants:" Yeah a vaginal shouldn't be too bad. I've heard most vaginals are actually out patient. www.hystersisters.com ... [snip!] ... 2 weeks after. I had actaully gone down to stay with my SIL for two weeks just so I wouldn't have my 3 year old running around."

Thanks! I spent a lot of time on that site when I first though I'd eventually need one (when I first figured out that's what was going on), but my Dr kept telling me that if I lost weight I'd be fine. Well, I've lost weight, and little guy is now 18 months, and it's much much worse. lol.

I'll check it back out. I think I'll just have to have my husband take hte time off work. I don't have any family that doesn't work to help me =( On the weekends my Mom could, but she works all week long. My sister works, my step-mom does. It sort of sucks. Thankfully it isn't an emergency situation, so we have time to plan something out with the family.

A friend I work with had one over the summer due to fibroids (sp?) and when they when to take her uterus out they were not aware that her bladder had gotten "stuck" to it and tore her bladder right open - so her recovery was pretty extensive - my aunt also had one - she said it was a breeze - just like c-sec - was fully out and about shy of two weeks! Good luck if you are having it done!

My mom had a partial one and recovery took a couple weeks. She then had a biopsy on what was left of it and the bleeding and recovery took a week or two as well. Not much pain, but said it was hard limiting her mobility.