Hysterectomy

I had one twenty years ago for fibroids, yogagran. I don't think much has altered since then because DD2 had one last year for endometriosis and her six week recovery time was the same as mine.

I would think it's advisable to have it done as soon as you can rather than wait but I don't have any experience of prolapse.

Don't worry about the op itself. Yes, it's invasive surgery and you will feel totally floored but if you follow all the advice and get plenty of rest afterwards you will feel amazing.

Best of luck.

Had exactly that procedure 20 years ago and had not the slightest bother at the time or since. You must rest afterwards - and that's difficult because you'll feel remarkably well very soon. No visible scars but lots internally so remind yourself of that and force yourself to follow the advice.

2 weeks after my op I was feeling guilty about being away from work as I'd often gone to work feeling much worse!
No hoovering/changing duvet covers/ bendng to load or unload washing machine!

Good luck (and go for it asap!)

Thanks merlot and mcem that's just what I needed to hear. I'm reassured and will make the necessary phone call tomorrow

I've just re-read your post, yogagran. I didn't have a vaginal hysterectomy but I gather the recovery time etc., is the same.

You really will feel so much better when it's all over.

I had an emergency one after a Caesarian section when I continued to haemorrhage. Sounds dramatic and I suppose it was. However made a very good recovery. Had to go back to work 13 weeks later and I had a new born to look after. You will be fine I'm sure. Just look after yourself.

I had a vaginal hysterectomy 7 years ago due to cc.
I had insisted on the epidural as ga just doesn't agree with me!
I walked as much as I could when I was allowed as it helped recovery (lots of trapped wind! )
I felt well pretty quickly but I did get tired easily for a month or so afterwards.
Good luck

I had a full hysterectomy (not vaginal) in the 1990s as I had bad fibroids. My consultant (a lovely lady) asked if I wanted her to do anything else while she was in there! It took a few hints about what happened when I coughed/jumped/laughed before I realised. She did a colposuspension at the same time which has been wonderful!

My DM had a vaginal hysterectomy due to a severe prolapse when she was 85 and was home and feeling normal (for her) in three days.

Had one in my late 20s - sad not to have been able to have another baby but c'est ka vie
And second husband had a vascetomy anyway after his 2 sons were cot death babies (broke up his marriage btw)
You just have to deal with it
Have the op - youll feel so much better and won't know yourself

Like others here I had the traditional surgery, oh, 47 years ago. Very little discomfort afterwards, walked about from day one, took it fairly easy for six weeks then on with life. Please don't worry.

I remember when I was a child a neighbour telling my DM she was a Hollow Lady and DMs squirming trying to explain to me what she meant. There's a lot of us around now.

Yes same story from me too. I had a hysterectomy over 20 years ago and it was one if the best things I did. I recovered quickly and my life was improved dramatically. No more pain, no heavy periods, no stress about possible 'accidents'.
Good luck yogagran, go for it.

Oops, that should have been 27 years ago. . Bear of very little brain this morning.

Does it make any difference to your sex life afterwards?

Good question!! A year before, I'd divorced my husband of 26 years.
A few months after the op I started a new relationship. It was like a return to my 20's. I don't think that would have been the case had I still been married!
However I am not suggesting the op should be combined with divorce!
Confident and comfortable post-op so for me the timing was perfect!

No difference at all to my sex life, apart from improving things, as I said no more pain or heavy periods = improved more comfortable sex life.

I had full hysterectomy with removal of ovaries etc. Made a wonderful difference to me as I had fibroids too. No problems with recovery and felt fine after a few weeks. No problems with se life either.

I had a total hysterectomy 14 years ok, such a relief to get rid of heavy painful periods. Recovered quite quickly and have never looked back

I had a vaginal hysterectomy when I was in my 30's. I had an epidural and recovery time was around 6 weeks. It was a long time ago now but it really turned my life around (for the better).

Hi, I'm booked in for a vaginal hysterectomy soon, this is because of prolapse problems that have developed gradually and now become really uncomfortable. I am not keen on a general anaesthetic but wonder if anyone here can comment on what it's like with the epidural option? Beginning to feel a bit nervous as the date gets closer, and keen to settle my thoughts before the conversation with the anaesthetist. Any advice appreciated!

Jenny can't comment on your query really. I had a ge and felt a bit groggy immediately afterwards.

However - I was given a valium to 'help me settle' well in advance. Since I never have any serious stuff like valium that knocked me out pdq.

Remember nothing at all from then until I woke up with the whole thing all over.

I sometimes wonder if they did give me that ge or if the op was done just with the power of valium!!

Good luck and remember rest is vital even if you don't feel you need it.

I had one 20 years ago for fibroids,too. Not vaginal and I still have the awful scar. I desperately wanted it out as the fibroids were making life unliveable. (I used to be glad when my periods came, the bleeding wasn't so bad.) My self-esteem, joie de vivre and libido never came back, even though the ovaries stayed in.

And even though I was well over 40 at the time, I often dreamt about being pregnant and having babies afterwards. Not unpleasant, but disconcerting.

It gave me immediate relief from the trouble at the time, but has made the rest of my life a misery. Sorry to be so negative. Thank heavens for grandchildren!

I too had a hysterectomy many years ago and also for fibroids. I now have a silver scar across my bikini line ? I was in hospital for ten days followed by six weeks convalescence. In those days we had the option of a week or so at an NHS convalescent home.
Absolutely no problems. I had two children and we did not want more. Best ting that ever happened. No more worry about pregnancy and no more contraception

The really sad thing was that the hospital ward also had women who had lost their babies side by side with us.

I had a vaginal hysterectomy couple of years ago at 65 for polyps and a prolapse. I opted for a spinal anaesthetic as I don't think general anaesthesia is good when you are older (if you have a choice). Don't worry about spinal option JennyOwen64 I was awake during the op and opted for plenty of sedation and listened to music on my iPod throughout. Next day was up and eating breakfast at dining table whilst others (younger than me) who had had general anaesthetic and abdominal op were painfully doubled up. I was home in a couple days and obviously internal healing takes same time as conventional surgery and you have to be careful about lifting etc but back to normal after 6 weeks. I think it's better to have op when you are fit and able and not leave it til you are desperate and so much better under local anaesthesia.

* JackyB * - an "awful scar"? I had a hysterectomy 26 years ago and the scar is invisible, hidden under the forest.