having a hysterectomy

[sheryl577]

hi, for the last two years i have been continuosly bleeding,like being on a period, i have been to the doctors many times, and to see a specialist, they did tests and i was told i had fibroids and polypes, i have been suffering with very bad pain all the way through this time and the specialist has told me that i will need to have a hysterectomy, but they will leave my ovaries in. I have had the mirena coil fitted over 6 months ago,this gives me a monthly boost of progesterone, it has helped but i am still bleeding irregular and the pain is just the same, bad cramps that leaves my stomach swollen, bloated and in pain. The end result, a hysterectomy, i am so scared of having this done, i have heard so many terrible stories, people saying they wished they had never had it done etc and i am due to have this operation on the 30th of this month, i really do not no what to do, and i am really not looking forward to it at all, please can anyone tell me if they were ok, or how it was after the operation, any answers welcome, the more the better, i am so scared of going for this operation, please help.

[sheryl577]

I would like to thank everyone for all their advice and comments, i had a phone call to say that my operation has been cancelled and is now due to be scheduled for january, i have been on the websites yourselves have recommended (the hers foundation) and found the advice very very helpful, to be honest i am really against having this done, i think i am to scared to have this done, i am thinking of trying crystal healing, i no many people may think it does not work, but i have been interested in this for a while, think i will try this out before i make any final deciscion, thanks again so much for all your advice, it is very much appreciated, i will keep you all informed and let you no what haoppens, best of luck to all of you, regards sheryl

[Cherie762]

also ALL possible side effects can be treated including hot flashes night sweats ( black Kosch) or bio hormals or plus bio hormones. depression can be treated w low dose anti depressant and usually this is for limited time as it passes in most women after less than 6 months,,,lack of sexual desire...many women report sex is better than ever cause of no pain they can relax..you can still achieve a clitoral orgasm...not the uterinal type  there are meds to increase female sexual desire..one is a creame rub correct amount on wrist,,the other is a pill sorry cannot remember name right nowit is chemicaly equvaliant to pills men take for sexual dysfunction.

I had a robotic assisted hyster 5 years ago used Vivelle patch for a year w occasional black kosh  this is an herbal not prescription,,went from vicodin to tylenol for pain

I physically hurt bad for a week..week two could do small amount of household chores and drive again

week 6 could resume sexual activity.

this operation is different for everyone,,we all have different chemistry and some of us different anatomy,,,my right ovary was attached w endometrial tissue to my bowel,
and weight matters too very heavy women have a more difficult time as surgeon must go threw more layers of tisssue.

[Cherie762]

I am always listening to each ladies situation on here..everyone a different story..some woman have actually wanted a hyster cause they dont like their periods  or other silly reasons.

any woman who has that large of cysts on both ovaries should indeed listen to her DR and her own body ,,

go to my home page I have a long journal with pre and post op hints and advice. especially read about not letting self become constipated,,and doing nothing as Dr will tell you means just that couch potatoe timeI folded a basket of towels after my hyster 1st week and I went into agony.

[grandmawal]

i am a 70 yr old  260 pound woman...had a complete hysterectomy done at west penn hosp in pittsburgh....i also was very worried afraid of cancer.. as i sadi had the surgery dec 17 at 2pm  came home 6 pm on dec 21st.
i am very plaeased with my surgery, they took eveything....thank god no cancer...
for an older fat woman doing very very well..incisions ugly but healing well..thought i would have lots of pain however not the case. i have taken a total of 4 pain pills in four days.. go in with a good outlook helps loads.

[kychik]

Sheryl1577 - First of all - - Don't be scared.  It's not a bad surgery at all.  Here's my story.  I am 39 years old.  I have one son - he is 19 years old. I've had occasional periods that would be painful but nothing that every seemed signficant enough to bring up to my doctor.  In October 2009, I started what I thought was a normal period.  After 15 days, I mentioned it to my gynocologist.  She simply changed my birth control pills.  After day 28 of my period, I went back and told my doctor something really needed to be done.  She scheduled me for a vaginal and abdominal ultrasound which ultimately showed a cyst the size of a soccer ball on my right ovary.  We followed that test up with a CA125 test (the blood test which everyone should have - which shows any signs of cancer) and a pelvic and abdominal CAT scan.  Thank God - the CA125 test showed no cancer. The CAT scan confirmed the size of the cyst and showed that it was a dermoid cyst.  Dermoids start at birth.  Some believe it should have actually been my twin - my doctor says that's not true.  So, the dermoid had been growing for the past 39 years and has never been detected by any pap smear -- or even the birth of my son.  My doc scheduled a hysterectomy for Dec 2nd saying she would remove the ovary/cyst and try to save the other ovary so that it could continue producing hormones.  I did my research and EVERYONE I talked to kept saying have it all removed - it's the best thing they had ever done.  When the doc went in to remove the cyst/ovary - she saw another cyst the size of a softball on the other ovary.  She removed my uterus and both ovaries and cysts.  I have a 7" vertical incision from just below my belly button and down.  The surgery took a couple of hours - I had a 2 night stay in the hospital. If you don't have cysts (or have small ones), chances are - you will get to have the laproscopic surgery which is a very easy surgery - you're out the next day usually with only a few very tiny incisions). I was given percocets and motrin to come home on.  I was able to discontinue using both after about 3 days home.  

Everyone I've talked to said that after about 6 months, I will be completely amazed at  how bad I did feel before surgery.  Because the cysts grew slowly, I gradually got used to them and I wouldn't realize until later how wonderful I do feel.

My point is - the surgery really isn't bad.  You don't need to be scared.  Trust in the Lord and He will see you through it just fine.  The only thing I would have done any differently now if I could go back and do it all over again is.... I would have requested the hysterectomy a lot longer ago had I known.  Best of luck to you.  

[Cherie762]

Has embolation been presented as option..usually get rid of fibroids and polyps..please do get one more opinion..If you must have hysterectomy I will walk you through it pre and post op advice.

Cherie

[NUATDIS]

hi sherly577 i also am scheduled to have a hysterectomy and i am only 28 i have two boys 10 and 6 i got my tubes tied with my last son and last year i had my right ovarie and tube removed because of cyst and so much scare tissue was inside my belly causing alot of pain from my 3 cecarans and now i have horrible pain again and cysts on my left side now i also bleed like crazy my cycle every month is so painful i just lay in bed for 5 days straight because im not able to do anything i was supposed to have my surgery in october but it got cancelled now its scheduled for january and since october ive been saying i wish i had the surgery because im always in horrible pain and by me being so young they are going to put me on hormones of course now im scared also but i just want it done and over with so keep posting and let us know how everything went hope youll decide whats best for you and everything works out

[sheryl577]

hiya, thankyou so much for all your advice, i appreciate it a lot, i really am very scared, i have been offered the ablation but i have been told it is very painful, (scary) i have taken into consideration everything you all are saying and i will go onto the website and look everything up, i only have a short period of time to make a deciscion, i hope i make the right one, thankyou to all, and best wishes for the season x

[skepticalpeach]

I think you will find a lot of relief with a hyst, but I would have a total hyst so you dont have to have another surgery to get your ovaries out later.

[luvV24]

Hi,
I am 42 and have 3 kids and just found out I need a hyst also.  I was so against this when my doc diagnosed me with adenomyosis over the summer I opted for the Novasure ablation just because it was less invasive.  Now I am left with bloodless periods but severe pain, cramping and bloating all month long.  Bladder and bowel pain too.  It's awful  I am scheduled to have the DaVinci hysterectomy Jan 20th.  I too am scared and don't want it even though we are not having any more kids, we have 5 boys all together, and my husband already had a vasectomy.  I feel so sentimental about it, my babies grew there and I don't want it cut out.  I don't think anyone understands, my Mom doesn't.  She's like what is the big deal?  Ugh......Pain is unbearable now, so I will just do it....against my gut feelings.