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Post op activity

Those who have already gone thru hysterectomy, are they serious about no house work for 12 weeks?  I mean how is that possible?
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Avatar universal
Madge a bit off topic, but I would like to thank you and the other ladies for the sharing of your experiences.  My wife is looking at having the operation and all of this is great to know - possibilities and so on.  Of course this will be shared once a final decision has to be made about the type of procedure and if to leave the ovaries or not.  She doesn't react too well to medication, other than pain killers, so Iron tablets, stool softeners etc are not going to be 'fun times' for her.  She also wouldn't like to be on HRT as she has problems with the 'pill' as well.  I will let her know about this forum.  Thanks!
michael
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3 Comments
Michael - Did you know that hysterectomy is one of the top overused surgeries? Only about 10% are necessary. Despite a woman's lifetime risk of all gynecologic cancers being less than 3%, about 1 in 2 women ends up having a hysterectomy.

I suspect your wife was not provided with the necessary information to understand the many repercussions of having her uterus removed. And it's doubtful she was provided with all the facts about her condition and all treatment options. My connections with hundreds of women are proof that gynecologists withhold information and are deceptive of hysterectomy and other options. Do you care to share the reason she's considering hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy trades one set of temporary problems for a whole new set of permanent and progressive ones. Gynecologists fail to inform women of the many medically documented after effects - 3x risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, loss of sexual desire and response, displacement and dysfunction of bladder and bowel, loss of skeletal integrity leading to chronic back and hip problems (due to severed ligaments / support structures), mood disorders, thyroid cancer, renal cell cancer.

If her ovaries are removed (castration) or fail after the uterus is removed (which commonly occurs), she will experience accelerated aging. The following problems and increased health risks include 7x risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, parkinsonism, impaired cognition and memory, mood disorders, osteoporosis, lung cancer, adverse ocular and skin changes, sexual dysfunction.  

The uterus, ovaries and tubes work together a woman's whole life as a health maintenance facility. Medical studies show that the ovaries produce hormones throughout life (less estrogen but more androgens).

Please make sure you and your wife understand the very serious and life-shattering effects of having her uterus and/or ovaries removed.
Hi and thanks for responding.  I have spoken to Lilia about what has been written about the importance of keeping her ovaries.  She agrees wholeheartedly as she doesn't respond well to medicants usually and does prefer natural remedies.  Regarding the operation, we just found out last night that the results from the curette procedure have shown a preliminary stage of cancer.  She has a large fibroid and the womb is twice the size of what it should be.  We are looking at a September operation and the gynocologist prefers to leave the ovaries, so that is good news.  It does seem that in this instance the operation is a necessity but as the saying goes, to be forewarned is to be forearmed.  I'm going to wait about a week or so and then ask her if she wants to read  the conversations and comments and join in and speak directly to everyone so that she can raise any other questions that occur.  Thanks and regards  Michael
So the curette (D&C) results showed a "preliminary stage of cancer." Could it be hyperplasia (abnormal cells that may turn into cancer but can oftentimes be cured with medication)? Based on everything I've learned and connections with other women who had unwarranted hysterectomies, I would want a copy of the pathology report.

Fibroids are very common and don't typically need to be treated. Yes, as they grow so will the uterus. The fact that surgery isn't planned until September means it's not critical and very possibly not necessary, as is the case for the large majority of them.

That would be great to let her know about this forum so she can be involved in understanding the important functions of all her "reproductive" organs as well as how to determine if hysterectomy is truly necessary.

I certainly hope for proper treatment that improves her health for whatever her diagnosis.
Avatar universal
im 12 weeks post op and having lower back pain and pain in my pubic area,i went to hospital on friday and they did blood test and everything is ok that way,i can sit in a chair and lying down helps alot,i feel like my pubic area is caving in,i thought prolaps but i think she would have seen it when she give me internall and looked inside
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Avatar universal
Well my blood work is fine, so I guess its just from the surgery.  They told me I am going to feel this way 6-8 weeks..I am beginning to believe them LOL
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106886 tn?1281291572
Hi,

Just reading the posts and I want to add that if the pain that you are experiencing continues, check to see if the pain could be caused by surgical adhesions/scar tissue. I had no idea that it could be so painful.

I have plenty of posts on my profile regarding surgical adhesions and how I was able to completely get rid of them. I will try to get time to post the information in my "journal" entries so that it is easier to find.

My doctors were baffled by all the post-op pain I was having which started about four months after my surgery and got progressively worse until a year and a half later (and many doctor's appointments) my Exercise teacher literally changed my life. Seriously.

Take care, Mary
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Avatar universal
How about a stool softener? My doctor told me to quit the stool softeners at my two week post-op, but I don't think it would hurt to take it once in a while.

Maybe there is an iron supplement out there that doesn't cause constipation. I wonder about the liquid form of iron - I don't know, but I was thinking, call the pharmacist and ask  him/her - it's worth a shot. I don't like that you are tired all of the time.
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Avatar universal
I had cramps from the extra bleeding from internal yesterday.  Exactly what that was.  My surgeon wont ee me until end of April, his PA see's me. She is good.
They have not put me on any iron, I guess I will have to do that in my own, and try and find one that doesnt make me constipated.  Also she said not to use Milk Of Magnesia too much or become dependent on it. **** I thought i had that part taken care of and they threw me a curve.  I don't Think I will go without it personally. All the total in the world, I think it will be another problem. I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TIRED......................................................................
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Avatar universal
Madge - He did do an internal on me when I seen him on the two week post-op. I was afraid I'd bleed again, but I didn't. He said my stitches were healing fine.

I know this is TMI, but I was wondering why he stuck his finger/s up there as well. Maybe it's the way he does things and another way of checking the stitches - who knows. All I kept thinking was NOTHING goes up in there before 6-8 weeks!!!

I am relieved that you don't have a blood clot, BUT why then is there a lump in your leg? I thought maybe that lump was a blood clot. I hope it's nothing serious.

My doctor also told me I'd be tired for 6 - 8 weeks too. I guess that explains why I haven't been a "Night Owl" since surgery. I know the feeling when saying too pooped to pop! LOL!

Treebee - I don't blame you for wanting to know if the stitches are healed enough. Your doctor should have done an internal to see. I know this is also TMI, but my gyn says I can probably resume sexual activities (good way to put it! LOL!) after 6 - 8 weeks, but I told DH my doctor said 10 weeks. I told him that because I am afraid to do anything at 6 or 8 weeks!!!

I am feeling fine too, except the tiredness and off and on pain in my stomach area (I don't know what that's about). One of my SIL's had the same type of surgery about 10 years ago and she told me yesterday not to be surprised if I start having pains similar to menstrual cramps - just what we all wanted to hear, huh?
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308998 tn?1233704902
That's great news that there isn't a clot! One less thing to worry about :-) I hope the iron helps to give you more stamina. The first few weeks I was wiped. It does get better. Did you have TAH? I had TAH/BSO on Jan. 3rd. I'm at work on my lunch break, wish I was on half days this week too! I wish you a speedy recovery!
Teresa

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Avatar universal
I had a doppler this morning and the tech said she did not see a clot.  They are doing cbc(complete blood count) and metabolic screen...I forget that name.
Glad to hear you are on the road to recovery, thats great news!
I am so tired.................I cannot believe it!
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308998 tn?1233704902
Twilight_Princess
I will be 7 weeks on Thursday and I feel sooooo much better than I did. At  3 1/2 weeks I caught a cold that turned into a sinus infection and I think that really set me back. I still get tired and I wish I could sleep longer than 4 hours at a time but over all I'm feeling good. I made an appointment with my regular Gyn. for next week as my Gyn/Onc. released me at 3 weeks without a pelvic and now I'm paranoid to start being intimate with my DH. I want to know if the stitches are all healed etc. Sorry if that's TMI! How are you doing? I hope well!

MadgeOwens
What kind of blood tests are they doing? I had a doppler on my left leg a few weeks back. I had bad thigh pain off and on for a few days and got paranoid and went to Urgent Care. I was kind of embarrassed but I've had enough of waiting and worrying :-) I have started taking calcium with magnesium and I think that has helped a little with the leg cramps etc. I hope you feel better soon! Take it easy and don't over do!
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Avatar universal
I have to have blood tests tomorrow and a doppler toi check for clot in leg.  They told me I will be extremely tired for 6-8 weeks, because I have had major surgery, and I quote that LOL............thats what I keep hearing.
Well I am not having headaches and my B/P is not 80/44 now, so I thought maybe it was better.......maybe I am expecting too much too soon. Did they do internal on you at 2 week visit?  That smarted! Now Im bleeding harder, that should help me LOL...later I am too pooped to pop
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Avatar universal
I bet it's the anemia. I am tired too, but not as exhausted as you are. I wonder if there is an anemia forum here at MedHelp?

Make a new thread and ask here in the Hysterectomy forum.
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Avatar universal
I go to the doctors for two weeks check up in a couple hours.  I don't know why I am worrying about doing anything I am so exhausted I can hardly stand up LOL..........I must still be suffering anemia.  Is anyone else so horribly tired ALL the time at 2 weeks out?
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Avatar universal
How are you doing? I noticed you had a hysterectomy 7 weeks ago.
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Avatar universal
You know how I feel about that one! LOL!

I would listen to the doctor. Of course I didn't practice what I preached here on the forums! I washed the sheets the other day (wasn't a problem), but DON'T try putting the clean sheets on the bed! I did it and ended up spotting blood again.

My doctor says 6 weeks - for anything, but I'm going to wait a full 10 weeks. I am such a baby!

The problem I have now is my house hasn't been vacuumed in almost 3 weeks! I am FREAKING OUT! So I better get after hubby or daughter to do it before I have a stroke!! Same goes for the floors!!!
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Avatar universal
Oh to be sure I will listen to my doctor.  My sheet says no strenuous activity for 6 weeks, no lifting or pulling more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks.. It goes on to say that you should limit activities for a full 12 weeks with no sex!
All forms of housework is frowned upon.
I have check up today and will ask them again.
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332074 tn?1229560525
I have never heard that one. I was told no lifting more then 5 lbs for the first week, no lefting more then 10 lbs for the second week and then use discretion after that. No sex for six weeks. I returned to work the day after I got out of the hospital and I did housework after a couple of weeks. I just did not overdo things. Oh yeah and I made it 5 weeks before I had sex. But if that is what they are telling you, hell yeah listen to them.
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308998 tn?1233704902
I am 7 weeks out and have returned to work. I will wash dishes in the sink (don't load them into dishwasher the bending can be bad early on), put clothes in washer and dryer (I got someone else to take them out), fold clothes etc. but I haven't vacuumed yet. I have someone else load paper in the copier at work. I'm not lifting much. I don't want any complications, hernias or popped internal stitches. My husband has been great about helping around the house etc. If you can, ignore the mess :-) It's better to heal well than to have a clean house! Have you checked out Hystersisters? They have some good time lines etc.
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