Hysterectomy Thursday

I am scheduled for a TVH on Thursday and have been comfortable with my decision, till one of my best friends started telling me her concerns about me having the procedure.  I am 41 and have 3 DD's.  My periods have gotten progressively bad, heavy bleeding, cramping, vaginal pain, back pain, clots etc.  I have gone over all my options with my doctor.  I am concerned about hormonal problems after, depression and sex.  Help alleviate my fears!

Carol Ann

[Cherie762]

Hi Carol

Do you mean D and C's by DD?  What is your diagnosis , is it endometriosis?

Oh CaroIl-Ann, I wish I had a wonderful comforting answer for you. I can only suggest you spend some time reading many of the old posts on here. try entering your diagnosis and you will get many hits on women who have had the same.

To be a hundred percent honest, I think since I have had the honor of being community leader here that I have heard every possible senerio. I have had a handful of women say they had zero pain, no problems, sex was better than ever once healed,,,I have had a equal number who say a hysterectomy all but destroyed their lifes.

The majority including myself when i had the surgery find theirselfs somewhere in the middle. You will be in some pain, the meds will deal with that. I understand what your getting at with the fears of the unknown. At 41 hormones are already begininning to change a bit, all women go into menopause at some point, its the factor of having a surgically induced one that makes it different.

Depression is very common short term, if you find it lasting more than what one would consider the blues due to having such a serious surgery or perhaps a feeling of loss of female organs, You will need to seek proffesional help.The good news is its there, help is widely available, there are almost no cases I have ever heard of where women could not be helped with bio-identical hormones. It can be easy or difficult to get the hrt right but it can be done.
Sex many claim is better because their conditions that caused them to get the hysterectomy caused them so much pain , now with pain gone they feel they can relax and enjoy sex. Many need lubrication, very common, KY is a good product to help w that.

Carol the best advice I can give you is to take baby steps..worrying about all of this is natural. I did, most do,but in the end it seems that most of what we worry about never happens.
Do you feel prepared for Thursday? I have  a long journal page of pre and post op hints on my home page. your very welcome to read them, it may help with some things you had not thought of.

I am so very glad that you went over your options with your dr. It amazes me how many women do not do that. Its very important that this decsion is well thought out.
I had bad endometriosis that turned into andeomyosis...I was in pain for years.I had the DaVinci Robotic assisted hysterectomy..what method are you having?
If you have  ANY  specific questions or concerns you can pm me, or ask on here. I will do my best to try and help...I just wrote a post on here about HRT.,,,its near the top of page.
Do something really nice for yourself,,try to go out for a nice meal or movie or spend time with some good female friends to talk with..its difficult the few days prior to surgery.

I hope this helped some..hugs, Cherie