r/hysterectomy

Hi everyone, I’m getting a full hysterectomy and all the other bits removed on May 15. I had an upper respiratory surgery a few years ago and set myself back a bit during recovery because I got active too soon (my husband found me dusting the window frames and hanging bunting for example). This time, I’m understanding that I really do need to take it easy-but I’m an active person! Can I get some book/puzzle/crafting/etc. recommendations please? I’m building my online shopping cart with all the necessities and I’d love to add some fun boredom busters to my shopping list.

I had a total hysterectomy, the only thing they left was my ovaries. After 2 days, I’ve been moving around almost as if nothing happened, of course following weight restrictions. I have felt great. I’m 24, with 3 children. I had a lot of growths, endometriosis, and my uterus was in multiple stages of its cycle all at once. I was always a nauseous person, and full of anxiety, and noticed I’ve had next to non of that as well. I have a lot more energy, and scared that I’m doing so well. I’ve read so much on here preparing, and feel like I’m doing to good.

I had a laparoscopic robot assisted if that makes any difference.

I (21f) just got my uterus removed due to deep infiltrative endometriosis and adenomyosis 2 weeks ago. The pain has gotten worse and I just wanna see if other people relate. Is it normal (I only ask because my specialist says it is) to have a burning, stabbing, shooting extreme pain just sitting down and going to the bathroom normal? I’ve been taking antibiotic but it’s not helping. I’ve been having really awful gallbladder pains and I haven’t gotten a good night’s rest since having the hysterectomy on April 3rd. The gallbladder pain feels like an entire swat team is shooting me, lighting me on fire, stabbing me and pulling on my gall bladder. I have immense pain in the middle of my shoulder blades and on my right shoulder. I haven’t really been able to eat a whole meal because I’ve been feeling so shitty. I really wish I was feeling better. I can barely get up and move around the house and it’s torture to stand in the shower (even w/ a shower seat). My specialist has pretty much abandoned me and won’t tell me anything about what’s going on with me and didn’t even print out my full report. I was also rushed out of the hospital the second I woke up even though I was throwing up 6+ times, couldn’t see, couldn’t walk and felt like I was gonna pass out (and I did). Maybe I’m being overdramatic, I just wanna know if other people have been feeling this way after their hysterectomy.

Hey y'all, I am scheduled for a laparoscopic robotic assisted hysterectomy on June 5th. I am starting to get things ready (can't you tell I am exited). What are items that were absolutely necessary for your recovery?

I got:

Squishmallow pillow (or similar)

Laxatives

Gas-x

Heating pad/ice pads

Comfy soft pajama pants

What else brought you relief and some joy?

Had my laparoscopic hysterectomy 14 wpo, feeling great and got back to "normal" life around 8 weeks. I'm single by choice and my libido has crashed over the last couple of years in Perimenopause, but I'm not dead lol. I occasionally want to masturbate and had no problems with orgasm. Since the surgery, I've had no libido at all but was feeling a little somethin' so thought I would give it a go. What the heck is up with the shrinkage? I could not fit any of my previous toys in. Also, could not really orgasm no matter what I tried. It seems strange; I feel like I've gone longer than this so I really shouldn't have had any problems :(

hi! I’m a week out until my surgery. I’m not necessarily scared of the surgery because I have had two c-sections. My worries though come from the fact that I’m a bigger woman now than I was when I had my last kid and so wondering about experiences of plus size women (size 20-22). I also have a lot of probably irrational fears about sex after surgery. I’m a pretty sexual person and I’m worried something will change. I’m not talking about the post opp 6-8 weeks but after that what was your sex life like?

For about three days, I’ve been noticing I’ve been getting chills and I’ve been frequently going to the restroom. However, I just attributed the frequent urination to effects of the hysterectomy. But after googling my symptoms today, I decided to call my OB/GYN and let the nurse know what is going on. She basically told me to drink a lot of water. Take Motrin and my doctor would not be in until Thursday, which is when I have my first follow up appointment. So after hanging up the phone with her, I started researching and after a day or two of symptoms of a UTI it can turn into a kidney infection or it can continue to get worse and I don’t like that. I have to wait until Thursday just to see my Doctor Who did my surgery to treat me for this. there’s a lot of doctors in the practice. I’m upset that I couldn’t just go in tomorrow. Do the test for the UTI and get medication. So I called back and I’m waiting on the nurse to call me back. Am I over exaggerating or being an extra?

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Hi all! I'm a 22-year-old trans man (he/him, no feminine terms please) and I've finally got started on the process of getting a hysterectomy. I've wanted to get one since 10+ years ago, even before I knew I was trans, and the current state of the world is more than enough to motivate me to finally do it.

However, I don't know how to break the news to my family (or if I even should do it in the first place). While my family has been very supportive overall, their attitude towards surgery hasn't been the best. They eventually came around me having top surgery, including helping with the financial aspect and visiting me in the hospital, but not before I had to hear a lot of comments on their fears of me becoming some sort of surgery addict and wanting to get more stuff done. That coupled with some of my relatives, like my mom, having had some struggles with uterine stuff (mostly fibroids) and hating the idea of having hysto themselves, and general societal attitudes about people with uteruses having autonomy over their reproductive health and willingly choosing to get rid of their ability to carry children, doesn't make me very hopeful about their reaction to my decision. I'm afraid that they'll try to talk me out of it or be very judgmental, and this is the last thing I need when I'm recovering from a major intervention.

I'm genuinely considering not telling them anything until the surgery is done and recovering on my own or with my friends's help. The surgery itself is covered under my country's healthcare system so I likely won't have to pay a lot of money, labor laws here are generally accommodating of medical leaves, and I live on my own. I'm just worried that I will need to have someone taking care of me the first days after surgery and I won't be able to have my family's support. I would love to tell them, but I'm scared that it will backfire on me and end up ruining our relationship. There's a long precedent of my family being very hesitant about me medically transitioning unless they talk to a medical professional first, and I really don't want to go through that again as an adult with a full time job and a life separate from theirs. It feels infantilizing and insulting.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation? How did you handle it? Is hysto recovery "chill" enough (for a major surgery, anyways) that you can just do it alone, or do you need a caretaker? I'm a pretty fast healer and recovered really fast from top surgery, but of course that might not be the case for hysto.

Ty in advance.

I went in today with so much pain. Not taking any of my anti inflammatory meds for an entire week before hand, had me struggling. The pain was stabbing and shooting- I was miserable. Running through my hips and shooting down my legs, I was seriously afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle the pain after surgery if this was how much I hurt before surgery!!

Moved myself over to the surgical bed and was out within moments. Woke up in recovery feeling like a bowling ball had taken the place off my uterus. They very quickly got my pain from an 8 to a 2. I had to pee almost immediately after walking up, the pressure I could feel from my bladder now was so weird.

Moved into the second step of recovery, got more nausea meds and pain control, and I was ready to go home I definitely felt weak and dizzy. The scopolamine patch was the issue and I took it off and felt better within an hour.

There's a heaviness in my pelvis and my external stitches are sore- but there's zero hip pain. Zero radiating pain down my legs. Zero sacrum pain. I'm honestly so shocked.

Surgical notes said they found endometriosis, and my uterus was "bulky, sized 13weeks." No wonder I bled so much during every period. My uterus was 3x the normal size.

Anyway, all of this just to say I'm in much less pain than I expected and feel so validated after surgery. If you're on the fence, go for it!!

4W5D PO and I have been on 3 different types of antibiotics. Just went to the Doctor appointment this morning and still flagging for infection. Severe pain right after surgery started antibiotics 5dpo. My last dose was this past Thursday (4-16) it doesn't burn or hurt when I pee but does feel different to urinate since the procedure such as feeling my bladder aches, frequency and flow. Pcp is talking with GYN today about referral for Urology. Anyone have similar issue, what happened? My anxiety is through the roof I'm feeling stronger everyday it's just this Bladder thing.

Hi all, I am having a total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy due to extra large cysts and endometriosis, plus fibroids (they are small). I am doing an extreme bowel prep today in case they need to get the endo off of my colon.

I am so nervous. I created a will and my advance directives, that's how nervous I am...

Mostly I am hoping to feel better after, but I know it's not a 100% guarantee.

The cysts have to come out as they are large 6.6 - 11cm each and the C125 test came back extremely elevated (which may be the endometriosis talking, but still.) They will do a byopsy while I am still asleep. My boyfriend will be there to drive me home. Hopefully there are no complications.

People's posts here have been really helpful. I am as prepped as I can be for home care and a potential overnight bag. Very glad I bought a grabber and a hysterectomy pillow.

Has anyone here had a supracervical hysterectomy? I'm curious what your experiences have been like.

My surgeon was hesitant to agree to do that instead of a total, saying no one does them anymore, but agreed after I explained why I want to keep my cervix. Does anyone know if that's true? Or is my surgeon just inexperienced with supracervical hysterectomies?

Thanks all. 💛

Hi! My hysterectomy was about 10 days ago. I have a 2.5 year old that’s still in a crib which really works for our family. I am able to do most care things for her after surgery… but it’s definitely a no go as far as picking her up from her bed and getting her back in. She’s pretty sturdy and agile 😂 I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get her in and out that doesn’t require me picking her up… any of you deal with this?

I've done the first shower in the special wash. I've had my carb drink. I'm trying to sleep. i have to be at the hospital bright and early tomorrow and i can bet my blood pressure is through the roof right now. I'm trying to breathe. i just want to wake up after the surgery you guys.

positive thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Hard to believe it has already been 6 months since my surgery. Kept ovaries, everything else went. Have a small ovarian cyst currently - 4.9mm last month, down to 3.6mm at last friday’s ultrasound.

I have total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy (ovaries preserved)

scheduled end of May and I’m really scared. Im 23 years old and will be taking care of myself. I need to be back in school by August 20th and I’m worried I wont be mentally and phyically okay by then. Ive heard fatigue can last a long time after surgery. I need to be 100% okay by August. Whenever I dont move my body or have stress on my nervous system I get very lightheaded. So I’m scared this is going to permanently effect my nervous system. I cannot take birth control because of the side effects on my nervous system which is why they are doing it. I have chronic cramping everyday and spotting everyday. This is no way to live. When did you feel better? How long until I’m 100% normal and can workout without limitations? How long did fatigue or lightheadedness last?

I had my first and only follow up appointment after having a total hysterectomy laparotomy nearly 6 weeks ago. Overall i’m doing well with recovery and they said that I won’t be needing to follow up anymore unless I run into any issues (which is awesome). I asked about my pathology results because I wanted to know if there were any findings. This is where I’m a bit confused.

She said “everything was normal, normal uterus, tubes and cervix,” I questioned this a bit because the findings in my surgical notes didn’t reflect this. She said it’s mainly in reference to anything “nasty” (eg. cancer) which is obviously a relief but I wouldn’t call what I had inside my body normal or nice.

For reference, these were the findings in my surgical notes.

- Thin filmy adhesions throughout pelvic- bilateral sidewalls and posterior uterus

- Bulky adenomyotic uterus

- Very long, thin cervix

I also remember being told in hospital that my left ovary was stuck down by these adhesions and my tubes looked a bit inflamed.

I asked about the adenomyosis and the adhesions they found and she acknowledged that it would’ve contributed to my pain. To me it felt like these things were brushed off as nothing. I’m also just confused about the adhesions, they found “no evidence of endometriosis,” but there’s nothing to really indicate why I had this scar tissue inside me. I asked about it and was just told that some people are born with it? I don’t know, is that true?

I just feel like it was a little dismissive and I wish I could see the pathology report myself but for some reason it’s not in my health record (or at least i can’t see it).

I had my hysterectomy in Dec 25. So weird question possible TMI. But not all the time, just most of the time. When I get the feeling of needing to poop, I get pressure like pain at the top of my vagina. I can’t even walk right, I look like I’m trying to hold a poop in. It doesn’t hurt to poop or after! Just when I get the feeling to poop.

I know the two systems are close together and some things shifted around but why is this happening?! Does it happen to anyone else?