Hysterectomy

[emotional190]

I am schedule to have a hysterectomy in a couple weeks, and my concern is will my stomach go back to normal?  Will I gain weight?  Should I diet during recovery.  Can't afford to buy new clothing right now...

Will my sex life remain exciting?

Help

[dawn775]

i had one LAVH oaries left for hormones and cervix...well if you are past having children make sure its for a good reason and ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION!!!!!!! Yes after mine i gained alot of weight with out even changing my diet...im a vegan and i gained weight!!!!! also i had the feeling of post op Blues...almost like i gave birth...i even asked for my baby....i felt a loss of some sort but couldnt figure it out. Well once my hormone levels leveled out i was fine, but make sure to get your homones checked often, as it depends on what surgery you have. Your tummy will be bloated for a while mine was like for three weeks. But it depends on what type of surgery you have. your Ob should have you watch the video of possible side affects. One thing some might tell you, its alot hard to achieve an orgasim, as the uterus plays a role in that matter, some even get vaginal dryness. I think you should research it for your own self being and maybe be able to find the answers to some questions you need to know...good Luck remember to always ressearch out from what you hear or see everyone is different...Good Luck hope ya the best...

[madgeOwens]

Hi there....I had surgery on Feb 5th for a prolapsed uterus, cystocel and rectocel.  I am 56 yoa, the first few days I gained 5 pounds, which was fluid, swelling etc...from  a variety of reasons...all normal.........since then I have lost the five and an additional 3 pounds.  You need to concentrate on getting well and rested...know that it is a long recuperation time.  I am tired but think its one of the best things I have ever done.  Only you know the pro's and con's of what you are having done........mine was done vaginally and its not a picnic.............but in my case It was the best thing for me to do. Good Luck!  You will not gain weight unless you lay around eating fattening food for weeks and weeks and never walk......its common sense.

[Twilight_Princess]

Just had to put my two cents in. I had a LAVH/BSO two weeks ago. I did gain weight the first couple of days, but this was I am pretty sure water weight. As a few more days went by I lost the weight I had gained, plus I lost even more weight since then.

I wouldn't go on a diet. Your health is more important. You have to be strong enough for the surgery and you have to be strong for the healing process.

If you are worried about clothes just buy some cheap sweatpants from Wal-mart and wear them around the house until after you heal and lose the water weight.

I agree with Madge, you will gain if you just lay around and eat fattening foods for weeks and not walk to get the exercise.

[jml1986]

You may gain or lose just a little right after, but it will level out and you should go right back to normal.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i did not gain weight .

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

i did not gain weight .

[Mary 53]

Hi,

I gained 25 pounds in three months. I have been extremely careful about what I eat and have been this way since I was about 17. I have also worked out since 1982. My surgery was in 2000. Having said that, I did diet during this three month period and watched in horror as the scale climbed. But, you need to know that I'd had two surgeries in a one month period. And, I did not have a vaginal hysterecomy, I had an abdominal zipper cut and they took everything. I was in pretty good shape and yet it took about 4 to 6 weeks before I really had my strength back. And, I was starting an intership in Mental Health as part of a mid life career change AND, I was still finishing up grad school....and, I had a sweet, wonderful, but challenging 15 year old at home, too....I started to feel better and able to start working out as I had done previously about five months after the surgery. I was always on-the-go, but my body needs that aerobic activity! Also, once I got balanced hormonally with the products that I use, things started to change for me. It is still not easy to keep my weight down, but knowing my body as I do, it would be hard for me hysterectomy or not, no matter what anyone says.

And, even though I am on the bioidentical hormones and would not be without them, my body has changed. It is like my body flip-flopped and my once troublesome legs are now not that bad and the stomach and I have a constant debate as to who is going to win this battle! But, coming from a family of diabetics and maintaining a good weight for years, I know how crucial it is to stay on top of this.

Also, don't forget the bone health issue. I am in Osteopenia again. I was able to reverse it once after adding Progesterone (which builds bone) and magnesium and Vit. D and an increase in my weight lifting routine...but, darn, I was in trouble again a year ago. I am hoping I was able to reverse it again and will have the bone density test in about a month.

Mary

[madgeOwens]

I asked my doctor flat out, am I going to gain weight from hysterectomy and he said "NO"
He is suppose to be the best in the field, so I believe him.  Some people may have other problems either physical or mental that can cause weight gain, and that would be another cause, but as for the surgery itself.  As I said, i had gain right after of 5 lbs from water and  what not...IV fluids etc...........and it went away ....that is really not a problem to worry over.

[AnotherKatie]

I gained 25 pounds in the six months after my total hysterectomy and a few years down the road I am still having a hard time getting down to my goal weight.  My doctor said I would have no trouble either (!) but I am convinced you need those hormones the ovaries provided.   My body has changed a lot, just don't seem to have the tone I had.  I exercise a lot ... I find I get tired quicker too.

[madgeOwens]

Well certainly aging plays a factor in weight.  You grow older and less active and your metabolism slows down and wala, you ain weight.  I am saying, its not the hysterectomy if you are past menopause......I did not say that earlier....big difference......dealing with hormones can be tricky.

[AnotherKatie]

Yes aging can play a factor in weight, but I was the same weight since my teens... until my surgery.  It's been three years now.  I know my metabolism has changed, and that my body reacts differently to certain foods.  I am knowledgable about nutrition and exercise.
I am on bioidentical hormones (Estradot) and progesterone cream, prescribed by my gyn (he is the head of department) and they do help with the memory fog and the hot flashes.  
To be honest, I was shocked at my weight gain because I was so darn skeptical when I heard women say they gained after!   If you don't gain, that's great!  I think everyone is different.
As for your other question regarding sexual function, well that department for me is fine.  One reason is, that I don't have the pain I had before, from the multiple issues that led to my hyster.
Best of luck!  Take it one day at a time!

[madgeOwens]

When I am talking about tired.........I am 14 days from my surgery.  If you are dealing with hormones I believe weight can be a very big factor, yes I do.  Young women having hysterectomies as opposed to post menopausal women as myself, have definately different issues. Its most important that people state age in relation to these conversations.

[AnotherKatie]

Hi again!  

Sure young women vs older women have different issues around this surgery, but they do have common ground too!

I felt not too bad for the first two or three months after my hysterectomy (had the works, uterus plus ovaries plus cervix removed).    I was 48 and was pre or peri menopausal.   Your natural hormones take a while to leave your system.  Surgical menopause IS rough.  

But, I have read many posts from women on this board who had already been through menopause and STILL suffered with symptoms such as memory fog, dryness, general malaise, depression, etc.   I hope they don't suffer and are able to get help if they need it.
It is AWFUL that there are so many young women having hysterectomies, for example just the number who post on this board... gals in their early twenties.  Why are so many still being done, knowing what we know now?  

This IS a life altering surgery, no matter what your age.  There are ramifications for much later in a woman's life, for all of us of any age, including health of your bones and bladder, and increased risk of dementia as well.   (My husband would say I was well on my way re: that one!  lol)

Cheers

[madgeOwens]

Well I have to say its not been a life altering matter at 56. I still have my ovaries, and I also have osteoporosis. I feel like getting that prolapsed bugger out of my crotch was the best dang thin I have done in 10 years.  Back pain is gone, praise God! I feel quite lucky.  I feel strongly about young girls having hysterectomies, however I have to have faith that physicians only advise such a drastic measure for good reasons.  If you do not believe physician then by all means seek out a new one!

[AnotherKatie]

Well, you've only had your surgery a few days ago, right?!!  Just wait, maybe you'll be dancing in the store aisles soon!

Anyhow glad you are happy with the result... how long was it prolapsed?  You are so lucky you still have your ovaries, that's great.  That should help with the osteo issue too.

It's a tough call about doctors.  I am not so sure I have 100% faith in them, I'd like to, but I think these days their hands are tied by the system which has eroded quite badly.  This weekend, where I live, the wait time in emergency was 24 hours, and there were dozens of people on stretchers in the hallway.  Ick.  

Hoping you continue to feel better every day.

[madgeOwens]

In countries where they have socialized medicine like the democrats want to in our country the minimum wait is 4 hours.

I had surgery two weeks ago.  I first had prolapse about 8 years ago.  I fixed it myself (don't ask)LOL, and any way did that one more time and the asked the GYN to take uterus.........he said no, that after all it is surgery and not to be done lightly.  So now the day after Thanksgiving it fell far enough that the same doctor sent me to a Uro/Gyn to have it out......and now there was cystocel and rectocel to go along with prolapse, and vaginal repair.  I have had severe back pain since this started.....it is gone.  I never for a minute thought that was the cause.  Go figure.    My ovaries wont help too much as far as bones....since I already have high risk osteoporosis.......I decided not to let that slow me down...........too much playing to do with my gorgeous grandkids!

[jaffi]

In further reading this forum I realized that you had the exact same surgery as I am going to have.  I am 52 and in the middle of menopause.  It seems that you are doing well in recovering.   I am so interested in your progress.   I also cant wait to have the thing in my crotch gone.  I am using  a thing called INSTEAD a form of disposable pessary available at Target to keep everything up".  It is working well, but isnt a permanent fix.  Just want this whole thing over.   Any thoughts on how long I will be out of work?   I am a teacher and dont sit much at work.  

[madgeOwens]

From what I am being told andhow I feel.  I would say 6-8 weeks.  The tiredness is my chief complaint.  I am so glad to have that thing out of there, you will be thrilled.  It has also taken my back pain with it, so I am really thrilled.  I am going to start taking vitamins to help. Good luck.

[roxyandzoe]

I had a vaginal and I did not gain but it is hard for me to gain anyways. I think it depends on the individual. My sex life stayed the same as well. Good luck!

[madgeOwens]

You will be so happy to have this done.  I will be at three week post op on Tuesday and I am feeling really good.  Also whatever he did to my bladder and back side, well all I can say is I have not felt that good since before I had a baby.  I am no longer wetting my pants or unable to go.  The best thing of all is my back pain is gone.........except for normal back pain if I am in bed too long.  Walking is good, but don't over do and drink plenty of water and use stool softner(colace).......you will want to celebrate by week 8 I know it.