Aa
what to expect
I getting ready to have my surgery and I'm just a little nervous.I just want to know what to expect ? I just to be on the go. How long before I can be my old self again and do my other activities
Hi Mary,
I am new to this sight and have found it most interesting. I had a hysterectomy 2 weeks ago and my ovaries were left.I am 45 years oldI am wondering how long it takes to feel normal again. I know I have to give it time, but I seemed to be depressed and have some cramping. How can that be? (the cramping I mean)They did the surgery vaginally. I am wondering after reading some of these posts what I am actually in for. I know I made the right decision for me but am concerned about what I don't know. what is normal for now and what should I be addressing with my ob at my 6 week check up?
Thank You
IC
I am new to this sight and have found it most interesting. I had a hysterectomy 2 weeks ago and my ovaries were left.I am 45 years oldI am wondering how long it takes to feel normal again. I know I have to give it time, but I seemed to be depressed and have some cramping. How can that be? (the cramping I mean)They did the surgery vaginally. I am wondering after reading some of these posts what I am actually in for. I know I made the right decision for me but am concerned about what I don't know. what is normal for now and what should I be addressing with my ob at my 6 week check up?
Thank You
IC
Hi. I had a hysterectomy at 23, I am now 29 and it was the best decision I ever made. Now, I had severe endometriosis and adenomyosis and the pain would become unbearable. I am fortunate that I have two beautiful daughters, so the decision wasn't as difficult as it may be for some women. However, I insisted that they not remove my ovaries, due to my age and I am also glad that I made that decision. My sex life with my husband improved phenomonally after the operation and although I still get cramps now and then, the cramps are 90% less painful now, which is a HUGE improvement. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and I can't imagine how I would've dealt with the pain from the endo, on top of the RA pain.
There was some pain involved as I had to have an abdominal hysterectomy to ensure all of the endometriosis was removed, but it was well worth it to get rid of the severe pain that I endured every month during my cycle. It took about a week before I didn't have much pain left and it took 6 weeks to be completely healed. It is also important to get rest after surgery, however, make sure you do get up and walk around as soon as possible. I hear other women complain about the "swelly belly", which I know scared the heck out of me before I had the surgery, but it only lasted me a week or two.
There was some pain involved as I had to have an abdominal hysterectomy to ensure all of the endometriosis was removed, but it was well worth it to get rid of the severe pain that I endured every month during my cycle. It took about a week before I didn't have much pain left and it took 6 weeks to be completely healed. It is also important to get rest after surgery, however, make sure you do get up and walk around as soon as possible. I hear other women complain about the "swelly belly", which I know scared the heck out of me before I had the surgery, but it only lasted me a week or two.
Hi Lulipop,
Thanks for the kind words. Very sweet :) And, I've had a rough day (I teach troubled youth) and so I have to say it nice to come on here and see that comment. I tell myself over and over that the reward for sharing all this information should come from within...and, that's true..but, you should have seen my smile when I read your first comment. OK...now to your question.
I just read your profile and it seemed I had another question which escapes me now, but I will post again if I think of it. Now, as a person who values a great work out and whose life was changed forever after reading the work of my hero :) Covert Bailey ...author of Fit or Fat?....I hear you on the low body fat. But, I also have the words of exercise guru Joanie Greggins drilled in my head regarding body fat. She said that men can go lowest (This was some time ago, so I cannot recall what number she said) but I do recall that she said by virtue of nature women are going to have a percentage of body fat that is a bit higher compared to that of men. She said to keep in mind that you don't want to even consider a Zero percent body fat (although I totally got the gist of your comments :)) because...well...we have to have fat in our brains to live. Also, consider the fat we have for insulation and to protect the bones, etc... Now if you are anything like me, you are reading this thinking "well....what is she saying...I really don't have any body fat!" So, just take it as fact and that is all. You need some fat to survive. Having said that, congratulations on taking care of yourself and for keeping your body fat low.
OK...now, if I had The late Dr. John Lee in front of me...Or Christianne Northrup or Erika Schwartz I would ask essentially what you asked me as far as the body fat/estrogen connection. My concern is this: After atrophy, or natural menopause when the estrogen supply from the ovaries is greatly reduced, and if you don't supplement it with a bio estrogen, will the body actually MAKE more fat just so you can get the estrogen (estrone in this case) it craves?
I suspect the answer is yes. And, when I go in for my three month check for hormone balance, I will ask this question. The way I look at it is that if I did not supplement with a little estrogen, then my body fat would get higher (I fight to keep it at a reasonable level as it is). And, I also don't want just estrone as the only estrogen in my system. It is considered a harsher or stronger estrogen. Many compounders make a combo of and Estrodial and Estroil (at a 20% - 80% ratio). Now, I did okay with the compounded estrogen when I had a 50 - 50 ratio, but when I switched hormone doctors they switched this script when I transfered to a different pharmacy and I did not know that I was then on a 20 - 80 ratio. The higher amount of estroil did not sit well in my body. THe pharmacist said some women don't tolerate it as well as estrodial or a 50 - 50 combo. I eventually switched back to an estrodial patch (which I had been on for years). But, I am on only .75 now...Still probably considered high for some women, but the levels on my check ups are good.
So, here is the last thing about estrogen. It keeps the cell receptors open for the Progesterone. However, my nurse (hormone) said that some women in the practice use Progesterone only. This might be one of those "it depends" deal. But, I would not be without the Progesterone for sure and I see that you totally get that. Northrup does a nice job explaining how some of these hormones turn into other hormones needed (like progesterone to testosterone, etc) if the body is lacking. But, there has to be a base at least. Oh, and just be aware that Menopause and thyroid issues go hand in hand. Progesterone levels affect thyroid. I have taken supplements for thyroid for years and they have been very helpful.
I would start with a compounding pharmacist if you are looking into the compounded estrogen. But, honestly I get my patch (for estrodial) from Target Pharmacy. And, Dr. Erika Schwartz is the author who got me thinking of switching to just estrodial again. I have to say that I love Northrup, Schwartz...and, of course, Lee.
Well, I hope this helps. Anything else...I will try to help you figure out as best I can. I am not a doctor...just a woman thrown into a surgical menopause that sent me spinning.
Take care, Mary...OH....Oh please look into Testosterone, too. A life saver. Dr. Uzi Reiss, Natural Hormones for Women....very interesting info. So that is why I was so clumsy? And, Chemical sensitivities....mood...all testosterone related. Schwartz's website has a new letter out just on this hormone...great info..
Thanks for the kind words. Very sweet :) And, I've had a rough day (I teach troubled youth) and so I have to say it nice to come on here and see that comment. I tell myself over and over that the reward for sharing all this information should come from within...and, that's true..but, you should have seen my smile when I read your first comment. OK...now to your question.
I just read your profile and it seemed I had another question which escapes me now, but I will post again if I think of it. Now, as a person who values a great work out and whose life was changed forever after reading the work of my hero :) Covert Bailey ...author of Fit or Fat?....I hear you on the low body fat. But, I also have the words of exercise guru Joanie Greggins drilled in my head regarding body fat. She said that men can go lowest (This was some time ago, so I cannot recall what number she said) but I do recall that she said by virtue of nature women are going to have a percentage of body fat that is a bit higher compared to that of men. She said to keep in mind that you don't want to even consider a Zero percent body fat (although I totally got the gist of your comments :)) because...well...we have to have fat in our brains to live. Also, consider the fat we have for insulation and to protect the bones, etc... Now if you are anything like me, you are reading this thinking "well....what is she saying...I really don't have any body fat!" So, just take it as fact and that is all. You need some fat to survive. Having said that, congratulations on taking care of yourself and for keeping your body fat low.
OK...now, if I had The late Dr. John Lee in front of me...Or Christianne Northrup or Erika Schwartz I would ask essentially what you asked me as far as the body fat/estrogen connection. My concern is this: After atrophy, or natural menopause when the estrogen supply from the ovaries is greatly reduced, and if you don't supplement it with a bio estrogen, will the body actually MAKE more fat just so you can get the estrogen (estrone in this case) it craves?
I suspect the answer is yes. And, when I go in for my three month check for hormone balance, I will ask this question. The way I look at it is that if I did not supplement with a little estrogen, then my body fat would get higher (I fight to keep it at a reasonable level as it is). And, I also don't want just estrone as the only estrogen in my system. It is considered a harsher or stronger estrogen. Many compounders make a combo of and Estrodial and Estroil (at a 20% - 80% ratio). Now, I did okay with the compounded estrogen when I had a 50 - 50 ratio, but when I switched hormone doctors they switched this script when I transfered to a different pharmacy and I did not know that I was then on a 20 - 80 ratio. The higher amount of estroil did not sit well in my body. THe pharmacist said some women don't tolerate it as well as estrodial or a 50 - 50 combo. I eventually switched back to an estrodial patch (which I had been on for years). But, I am on only .75 now...Still probably considered high for some women, but the levels on my check ups are good.
So, here is the last thing about estrogen. It keeps the cell receptors open for the Progesterone. However, my nurse (hormone) said that some women in the practice use Progesterone only. This might be one of those "it depends" deal. But, I would not be without the Progesterone for sure and I see that you totally get that. Northrup does a nice job explaining how some of these hormones turn into other hormones needed (like progesterone to testosterone, etc) if the body is lacking. But, there has to be a base at least. Oh, and just be aware that Menopause and thyroid issues go hand in hand. Progesterone levels affect thyroid. I have taken supplements for thyroid for years and they have been very helpful.
I would start with a compounding pharmacist if you are looking into the compounded estrogen. But, honestly I get my patch (for estrodial) from Target Pharmacy. And, Dr. Erika Schwartz is the author who got me thinking of switching to just estrodial again. I have to say that I love Northrup, Schwartz...and, of course, Lee.
Well, I hope this helps. Anything else...I will try to help you figure out as best I can. I am not a doctor...just a woman thrown into a surgical menopause that sent me spinning.
Take care, Mary...OH....Oh please look into Testosterone, too. A life saver. Dr. Uzi Reiss, Natural Hormones for Women....very interesting info. So that is why I was so clumsy? And, Chemical sensitivities....mood...all testosterone related. Schwartz's website has a new letter out just on this hormone...great info..
Your my forum hero Mary. I share in the same philosophy BTW. One question for you. I have 0 body fat. where do youthink ill be getting my estrogen once my ovaries atrophy? Im 38 and will retain my ovaries and cervix after the surgery and have no idea how to supplement. Shouldnt taking progeterone suffice. I mean where does one get natural estrogen?
There are several variations on hysterectomy and they are not all created equal. I hear the frustration in the post from "wishIknewthen" and there are times I have felt this way, too. I had a "Radical" or "Complete" hysterectomy in 2000. I had no choice since I had an initial dx of Ovarian cancer. It was the smart thing to do, but I felt in many ways that I was left in a puddle, if you will. The shock to the system if the ovaries are removed is incredible. It is one of those situations that lends itself to the vague yet true sentiment of "It depends on so many things" as to how much you are affected.
But, typically if a woman has the ovaries removed, it will be tougher on the system and it may not show up as a problem initially. It takes about three months for the body to deplete itself of Progesterone and testosterone (I was on a bioidentical patch the day after surgery so ...but I have heard of women having hot flashes just days after the removal of the ovaries if there is no estrogen supplement. Hormones are not necessarily bad things...quite the opposite. In fact, I find myself saying many times that "we are our hormones" and it seems to be so true the more I feel and the more research I do. But, Balance is KEY....Progesterone...testosterone....particularly Progesterone (NOT Progestins...like Provera...a different thing totally, and this is where you will need to do research) to balance the estrogen since if you don't supplement it, you will continue to make it anyway in the form of a strong estrogen called Estrone which is made from a by-product of a substance put out from our body fat. The female body craves estrogen and will get it somehow. The body however is also looking for the Progesterone and the Testosterone and so it is madly sending signals out to find these two missing hormones and when they are not found, havoc can ensue! (sorry....this new format is making me claustraphobic since I cannot re-read what I have already written...please excuse repitition....grrrrrr).
I will wind this up........
We all need to become expert researchers....open mindfulness...ask questions...get other opinions, etc.
Feel free to read my profile. I plan on adding more on the hormone issue when I have time this weekend....ah, I was going to say make sure you maintain a good lifestyle...but, here I am posting at midnight and I have to get up at 5:30am!!!
Take care....things will be okay.
Mary
But, typically if a woman has the ovaries removed, it will be tougher on the system and it may not show up as a problem initially. It takes about three months for the body to deplete itself of Progesterone and testosterone (I was on a bioidentical patch the day after surgery so ...but I have heard of women having hot flashes just days after the removal of the ovaries if there is no estrogen supplement. Hormones are not necessarily bad things...quite the opposite. In fact, I find myself saying many times that "we are our hormones" and it seems to be so true the more I feel and the more research I do. But, Balance is KEY....Progesterone...testosterone....particularly Progesterone (NOT Progestins...like Provera...a different thing totally, and this is where you will need to do research) to balance the estrogen since if you don't supplement it, you will continue to make it anyway in the form of a strong estrogen called Estrone which is made from a by-product of a substance put out from our body fat. The female body craves estrogen and will get it somehow. The body however is also looking for the Progesterone and the Testosterone and so it is madly sending signals out to find these two missing hormones and when they are not found, havoc can ensue! (sorry....this new format is making me claustraphobic since I cannot re-read what I have already written...please excuse repitition....grrrrrr).
I will wind this up........
We all need to become expert researchers....open mindfulness...ask questions...get other opinions, etc.
Feel free to read my profile. I plan on adding more on the hormone issue when I have time this weekend....ah, I was going to say make sure you maintain a good lifestyle...but, here I am posting at midnight and I have to get up at 5:30am!!!
Take care....things will be okay.
Mary
I had a hysterectomy in 84 and i feel great It was the best surgery ever.No more pain and sex is OUTSTANDING!! I am even better than i was before the surgery. It has alot to do with your mindset. think feeling better and you will follow suit.I hear alot of women with our surgery complain that they dont feel like a woman anymore but i tell you my being a woman has nothing to do with my uterus.Its how I feel in my head and I am 200%woman.
Just take your time to heal and dont try to do too much too soon. I am praying for your surgery to go well.Post as soon as you are up to it we can swap war stories lol Like I asked my doc how got all that bandaging uop in my kutchie haha.it just kept pulling and it just kept coming out.lol
you are going to be fine especially when the nursery is gone and you dont have pain anymore.
Love Venora
Just take your time to heal and dont try to do too much too soon. I am praying for your surgery to go well.Post as soon as you are up to it we can swap war stories lol Like I asked my doc how got all that bandaging uop in my kutchie haha.it just kept pulling and it just kept coming out.lol
you are going to be fine especially when the nursery is gone and you dont have pain anymore.
Love Venora
I can't retain my organs, they are the cause of my problems....I have spoken to so many people and have heard various stories, the majority of people are fine so I will just take my chances. My health is more important.
You won't ever be back to your old self. Your sex organs are being removed. Imagine telling a man that after his gonads and penis are removed that he will be back to his old self in 7 days. My surgery was Jan. 7, 1998 (almost 10 years). I've longed from my old self to return. Best of luck. Find a doctor who will allow you to retain your organs!
Do you know how they are going to do the surgery? I am having laproscopic and they are taking everything out through the vagina (hopefully if nothing goes wrong) on Jan 16th. The nurse told me it will be 7 days at home and since at work I just sit at the computer all day I can go back, but no lifting over 10lbs. When are you scheduled?
Hillary
Hillary
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