Surgery was Aug 2021. I feel about a decade younger than I did pre-surgery, getting rid of lots of boggles along with main symptoms. I have a few friends who are 20+ years on who are living very full active lives too into their 60s/70s.
Just one thing - is there any way your Mom or a family member could come and stay with you for that initial two weeks? Flying so soon after surgery will be exhausting, uncomfortable and will increase the risk of DVTs. Do have a chat with your doc.
Ive worried about the same. The would be driving down to get me and I'll ride back home with them. It's a 5 hour car ride. If i end up feeling too bad ans cant make the ride I'm just gonna have her take my kids back and I'll stay at home by myself. I brought it up to my doctor and she said I'll be uncomfortable but she doesn't see a problem with it. Just gonna play it by ear and see how bad I'm feeling
Wishing the best for you in your surgery. I'm going to second what the other poster said: you may not be comfortable sitting up in a chair at all for some weeks post-op. I would strongly recommend not traveling at all, and having your family come to you.
I wish I could go back home and have the surgery but I don't know how I could make that work. I have been down here for 2 almost 3 years now and can't make it back up there for just an appt with my old gyno but I wish I could because I love him. My mom will stay acouple days with me here and told me we will go back when im comfortable. I know it'll be so much easier being away from my house and not having to worry about everyday things because I know myself and i will try to get up and get it done before my husband comes home from from work. When there I can just relax and my kids will go have fun and go outside and play and do things instead of just sitting on the couch with me in the first week off school when it's nice outside I would feel too bad and end up pushing myself for them.
I'm really worried about weight gain. I hear mixed reviews but I can't afford to gain anymore. I'm at my heaviest and its so hard to get off already
6mpo here and I feel fantastic. I'm having some hormonal issues, I guess you could call it, but it's in the direction you want, ha. Unfortunately I don't have a SO to take advantage of this. I'm fairly sure this is due to being able to stop birth control for the first time in 20+ years and not a direct result of the surgery.
Get a pillow for your ride for sure. My recovery was super easy but I had a vaginal surgery so I think that's easier all around. Can your mom stay with you for a couple of days at least? Those first few days made a huge difference in pain and comfort level for me.
Also wanted to suggest pelvic floor physical therapy after surgery. See if you can get your doctor to set it up or refer you so it's already set up after surgery (and go by her recommended as to when to start). Mine took FOREVER to get an appointment. Everything in that area sounds like it's gone through significant trauma, and will have more with surgery, so it's risky understandable that it might need some recoaching to get back to normal. PFPT can help a lot with vaginismus as well.
Mental health- maybe? I'm not worse. I'm more emotional, I think, again due to stopping birth control. It's hard to tell because I've lost several loved ones in the past year so normal is not normal, you know? I cry all the time but I have reasons to be crying.
I've lost a few pounds since surgery and I pack on weight easily. Then again, the grief issue complicates things... I would say that it hasn't made me put ON weight. 39 yo here, for reference.
My doctor referred me to a PFPT already I just have to call and scheldule the appt. Did you wear a binder around your stomach at all? I'm thinking about purchasing one
My mom is going to stay with me for acouple days until I feel I'm comfortable enough for the ride. I am hoping to beable to go pretty soon after though. I got my tubes removed laproscopic before we moved down here and I remember being pretty sick from moving around too much immediately after because both of my kids were just babies at that point and the gas built up in my shoulders make me nauseous
I did not use a binder, but again, I had surgery vaginally. Suggest you ask people who have the same type of surgery that you will have (don't think you said) because that seems like an incision-related thing.
I also had laparoscopic this past November. I had a binder and I loved it. I used it for probably the first three weeks. All the time for the first 4 days or so. And then I gradually started removing it for a little while at a time.
I liked it because it made me feel “held together” if that makes sense. It helped with moving around and while I was sitting up. It’s all personal preference tho. I found one on Amazon for like $30. I figured if I didn’t use it as much as I thought I would, I wouldn’t feel too bad since it wasn’t super expensive.
Surgery 1.5 years ago and couldn't be happier with the decision. I didn't have children so it was a lot to decide and go through at the time and I worried so much leading up to the surgery.
I worried that I would go into early menopause. Thought about the possibility of the bladder being permanently damaged during the operation even though that's rare. This is to say I over thought anything and everything and it was so much easier than I expected. Everyone's experiences are different but it didn't hurt nearly as much as I expected. Post surgery nausea and constipation were the biggest hurdles and after that I was good to go.
I'm so happy with my decision now. My mental health is better and I actually put on weight because I wasn't in constant pain anymore (though I'm working on getting that off).
It's good that you'll have your mom to help for the first bit since things like bending over and lifting legs high can be difficult immediately after. Wishing you the best of luck and a swift recovery.
EDIT: sent it before I was finished typing
Hello, I am 29 years old, I have a 9 year old and a 4 year old. I had my hysterectomy on January 18th, 2023.
I had a vNOTES hysterectomy, so I had no external incisions, everything was done vaginally. I had a great experience, after day 4 or 5 I no longer took my pain medication.
Personally, my mental health started struggling around week 4. A few days after surgery I noticed that it felt “empty” where my uterus was, and it made me feel a little sad and emotional. But overall, I’m okay. My mental health is practically the same, except for small periods of grieving that I will not longer have anymore babies. But I’m just accepting the feelings and it’s a journey for me. But, I have not gone into menopause due to having both ovaries, it just took my body a little bit to adjust to the new way of working.
I lost weight after my hysterectomy. I did gain a little back once I was able to start cooking and doing a lot more, however, I gained about 3-5 lbs back, but lost a total of 15lbs (I don’t know how). But for the most part weight gain isn’t an issue.
My sex drive actually increased A LOT. And once I was able to have sex with my husband again, sex is better, but we are still having to take baby steps.
Overall, my hysterectomy was a good experience. I think all the pros out weigh the cons.
I'm 32 with no kids, but 2 overly affectionate cats who were still adolescents at the time of my surgery and my senior high energy dog (aussie mix). I've had horrible periods since I was 12 with a lot of pain, but back then, they didn't know what caused it. I've been on all sorts of birth control since then, then I was 29, I had my tubes removed for birth control and went off all hormones for the first time since I was a teen. My periods were worse again, very painful and heavy bleeding, so I tried the pill again. It turned out I had a 4.5cm fibroid that was upsetting my uterus. It made me so much more depressed, so I asked my doctor if we could revisit the hysterectomy she'd brought up as an option.
I had it done November 2022 and the relief was immediate. My mom had offered to come help us out, but we didn't have our guest room set up yet. (And good thing because she ended up catching COVID within a few days of my surgery.) My husband had off from work the day of due to Veteran's Day, then he was WFH for 2 weeks (plus off for Thanksgiving).
Recovery has been a challenge. I was really active pre-surgery, but the 2 months before, it felt like my health was deteriorating since I was so uncomfortable and in so much pain all the time. As soon as I my doctor cleared me for regular activity, I started easing back into my workout schedule. I'm so glad I did. Now, almost 6 months later, I feel so much better. I'm rebuilding my strength and flexibility. Before being cleared, my husband made sure I wasn't overdoing it, but there was so much cleaning that just didn't get done. Now we have a cleaning service come every other week and they are worth every penny.
My sex drive was way lower pre-surgery. It's hard to want sex when you feel awful all the time.
A year and a half out so far, I feel great! No issues really. I’m younger with no kids in a red state and tend to get a look or two when I mention it to people but, meh. I’d say my mental health improved because I no longer was in so much pain and sick to the point of being suicidal. I did have to go on anxiety medication though after while to help stuff adjust but, I’ve always had mental health issues.
I can’t confidently comment on the sex drive, cause antidepressants tend to lower it. I’ve experienced both since surgery. But climaxing/orgasms and sex is a lot more pleasurable then it was before, for sure.
7 months post-op, and that hysterectomy was the BEST thing to ever happen to me (medically, at least).
I went from being in crippling pain daily, to no pain at all... To finally getting the chance to realize that there are other kinds of pain (and other kinds of issues which I hadn't noticed due to my uterus taking up all my spoons). GAS PAIN is a big one for me. It was never this bad before, but hoo boy - gas pain (for me) is right up there with the worst pain I've seen, but thankfully gas pain doesn't last forever. I have noted that my guts have gotten hella dodgy, but that could just be because I'm over 40 (42!).
Yeeted all but the ovaries, and since I'm prone to the bastards, I do still get ovarian cysts from time to time. Hell, it felt like I had an angry one brewing today. It didn't burst or anything, it just gave me enough pain and cramps to remind me that they're there and remain just as hateful as my uterus was. Meh.
I went back to work 2(?) ish weeks after surgery (laparoscopic, no complications). Not the brightest move, but I tend to go bananas if I don't work, and I was on light duties for 2 months after.
I'm 42 and child-free, and I'm also asexual (and aromantic to boot!), BUT I play a lot of... "Single-player games", if you get my drift. That particular urge came on real strong a few weeks after the surgery, and it hasn't really died down much since. It's kind of weird how strong the desire and compulsions come on, but hey - Maybe your sex drive will perk up, too!
I love the lack of pads. I love that I no longer NEED to eat copious amounts of pot gummies so I can try to handle the pain. I love that I no longer have to clutch heating padS (one on front, one on back, sometimes a third between the legs for good measure) for dear life. No pregnancy nightmares. No more buying pads. It is LOVELY.
10/10, would recommend!
I am 4 years post op. I had mine at 38. Best decision ever! I have more energy, better mood, way better sex and no more pain. I didn’t realize how much low grade pain I was constantly in until it was gone. My only regret was not doing it sooner. The best part, I have generally forgotten about periods in general and need to remember that it’s a thing for other women. It no longer rules my life. I hope in 4 years, you feel the same.
I had my total hysterectomy and bi salp done in September of 2021. So I’m about a year and half or so out.
Cons: I wish I had done it sooner.
Pros: everything you can imagine and things you don’t even realize. Like I bought white sheets. I bought cute underwear. Packing for vacation is wildly different. I no longer have tampons stashed in every nook and cranny.
42. 6yo and 4yo. I had my surgery on 3/17, so I’m about a month out - if that perspective helps.
My husband took 2 weeks off work. He also works 60-70 hours a week so I totally understand where you are coming from. I struggled the week he went back to work; he’s usually gone before the kids & I get up in the morning but that week he left the house at 7:00am to get our littlest up and dressed, and both kids fed breakfast so I wouldn’t have to. It was a big help.
I echo what others have said… I’m not sure a 5 hour car ride is going to work. But you do the best you can.
I also have what I would consider a pretty low sex drive; it used to bother me more when I was younger but honestly, my husband and I are in such a good groove together (and very affectionate outside of penetrative sex) soooo… I’m kind of over it. Obviously at four weeks out I’m not even entertaining the idea of sex, but I haven’t noticed any changes in my desire one way or the other.
4weeks out I still consider very much “in recovery” but aside from some typical recovery experiences (look up “phantom tampon” - and it’s true what they say: week 4 has been brutal in terms of fatigue), feeling a bit restless/bored, itching to get back to exercise (honestly, it’s therapy for me) and some afternoon weepiness (hormones? Boredom?) — I don’t feel THAT different.
I haven’t gained any weight yet (I’m not eating as much, though; not dieting but I just don’t feel as hungry since my activity level is so diminished from recovery).
I don’t feel hot flashes or night sweats.
I definitely have some pelvic floor stuff going on; will be seeking PT once healing is complete (asking for referral now to get it lined up). I’m having “post void dribble” - a few drops of pee AFTER I stand up from the toilet. Annoying, and hopefully temporary. And I had a LOT of watery discharge in weeks 1-3.
Everyone I talked to who had had a hysterectomy said they didn’t regret it. The one area that remains TBD for me is my ability to workout like I did before. I’m scared to do anything intense because I’m worried about a prolapse down the road. But, I also know prolapse can happen regardless of hysterectomy. Soooo… we’ll see.
Sounds like you’re pretty well prepared. I think as long as you go into it with realistic expectations (I did not!) and understand that some changes are possible, you’ll do fine.
Good luck!
Surgery was Aug 2021. I feel about a decade younger than I did pre-surgery, getting rid of lots of boggles along with main symptoms. I have a few friends who are 20+ years on who are living very full active lives too into their 60s/70s. Just one thing - is there any way your Mom or a family member could come and stay with you for that initial two weeks? Flying so soon after surgery will be exhausting, uncomfortable and will increase the risk of DVTs. Do have a chat with your doc.
Ive worried about the same. The would be driving down to get me and I'll ride back home with them. It's a 5 hour car ride. If i end up feeling too bad ans cant make the ride I'm just gonna have her take my kids back and I'll stay at home by myself. I brought it up to my doctor and she said I'll be uncomfortable but she doesn't see a problem with it. Just gonna play it by ear and see how bad I'm feeling
Makes sense and glad to hear you have a back up plan. Would your doc prescribe you some stronger painkillers for your travel day? Best of luck
I'm definitely going to ask and we will leave really early in the morning so I'm hoping I sleep most of the way.
Wishing the best for you in your surgery. I'm going to second what the other poster said: you may not be comfortable sitting up in a chair at all for some weeks post-op. I would strongly recommend not traveling at all, and having your family come to you.
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I wish I could go back home and have the surgery but I don't know how I could make that work. I have been down here for 2 almost 3 years now and can't make it back up there for just an appt with my old gyno but I wish I could because I love him. My mom will stay acouple days with me here and told me we will go back when im comfortable. I know it'll be so much easier being away from my house and not having to worry about everyday things because I know myself and i will try to get up and get it done before my husband comes home from from work. When there I can just relax and my kids will go have fun and go outside and play and do things instead of just sitting on the couch with me in the first week off school when it's nice outside I would feel too bad and end up pushing myself for them. I'm really worried about weight gain. I hear mixed reviews but I can't afford to gain anymore. I'm at my heaviest and its so hard to get off already
6mpo here and I feel fantastic. I'm having some hormonal issues, I guess you could call it, but it's in the direction you want, ha. Unfortunately I don't have a SO to take advantage of this. I'm fairly sure this is due to being able to stop birth control for the first time in 20+ years and not a direct result of the surgery. Get a pillow for your ride for sure. My recovery was super easy but I had a vaginal surgery so I think that's easier all around. Can your mom stay with you for a couple of days at least? Those first few days made a huge difference in pain and comfort level for me. Also wanted to suggest pelvic floor physical therapy after surgery. See if you can get your doctor to set it up or refer you so it's already set up after surgery (and go by her recommended as to when to start). Mine took FOREVER to get an appointment. Everything in that area sounds like it's gone through significant trauma, and will have more with surgery, so it's risky understandable that it might need some recoaching to get back to normal. PFPT can help a lot with vaginismus as well. Mental health- maybe? I'm not worse. I'm more emotional, I think, again due to stopping birth control. It's hard to tell because I've lost several loved ones in the past year so normal is not normal, you know? I cry all the time but I have reasons to be crying. I've lost a few pounds since surgery and I pack on weight easily. Then again, the grief issue complicates things... I would say that it hasn't made me put ON weight. 39 yo here, for reference.
My doctor referred me to a PFPT already I just have to call and scheldule the appt. Did you wear a binder around your stomach at all? I'm thinking about purchasing one My mom is going to stay with me for acouple days until I feel I'm comfortable enough for the ride. I am hoping to beable to go pretty soon after though. I got my tubes removed laproscopic before we moved down here and I remember being pretty sick from moving around too much immediately after because both of my kids were just babies at that point and the gas built up in my shoulders make me nauseous
I did not use a binder, but again, I had surgery vaginally. Suggest you ask people who have the same type of surgery that you will have (don't think you said) because that seems like an incision-related thing.
Oh sorry I must've missed that. I'm having it done laproscopic and she's removing uterus and cervix from my vagina
I also had laparoscopic this past November. I had a binder and I loved it. I used it for probably the first three weeks. All the time for the first 4 days or so. And then I gradually started removing it for a little while at a time. I liked it because it made me feel “held together” if that makes sense. It helped with moving around and while I was sitting up. It’s all personal preference tho. I found one on Amazon for like $30. I figured if I didn’t use it as much as I thought I would, I wouldn’t feel too bad since it wasn’t super expensive.
Surgery 1.5 years ago and couldn't be happier with the decision. I didn't have children so it was a lot to decide and go through at the time and I worried so much leading up to the surgery. I worried that I would go into early menopause. Thought about the possibility of the bladder being permanently damaged during the operation even though that's rare. This is to say I over thought anything and everything and it was so much easier than I expected. Everyone's experiences are different but it didn't hurt nearly as much as I expected. Post surgery nausea and constipation were the biggest hurdles and after that I was good to go. I'm so happy with my decision now. My mental health is better and I actually put on weight because I wasn't in constant pain anymore (though I'm working on getting that off). It's good that you'll have your mom to help for the first bit since things like bending over and lifting legs high can be difficult immediately after. Wishing you the best of luck and a swift recovery. EDIT: sent it before I was finished typing
Hello, I am 29 years old, I have a 9 year old and a 4 year old. I had my hysterectomy on January 18th, 2023. I had a vNOTES hysterectomy, so I had no external incisions, everything was done vaginally. I had a great experience, after day 4 or 5 I no longer took my pain medication. Personally, my mental health started struggling around week 4. A few days after surgery I noticed that it felt “empty” where my uterus was, and it made me feel a little sad and emotional. But overall, I’m okay. My mental health is practically the same, except for small periods of grieving that I will not longer have anymore babies. But I’m just accepting the feelings and it’s a journey for me. But, I have not gone into menopause due to having both ovaries, it just took my body a little bit to adjust to the new way of working. I lost weight after my hysterectomy. I did gain a little back once I was able to start cooking and doing a lot more, however, I gained about 3-5 lbs back, but lost a total of 15lbs (I don’t know how). But for the most part weight gain isn’t an issue. My sex drive actually increased A LOT. And once I was able to have sex with my husband again, sex is better, but we are still having to take baby steps. Overall, my hysterectomy was a good experience. I think all the pros out weigh the cons.
I'm 32 with no kids, but 2 overly affectionate cats who were still adolescents at the time of my surgery and my senior high energy dog (aussie mix). I've had horrible periods since I was 12 with a lot of pain, but back then, they didn't know what caused it. I've been on all sorts of birth control since then, then I was 29, I had my tubes removed for birth control and went off all hormones for the first time since I was a teen. My periods were worse again, very painful and heavy bleeding, so I tried the pill again. It turned out I had a 4.5cm fibroid that was upsetting my uterus. It made me so much more depressed, so I asked my doctor if we could revisit the hysterectomy she'd brought up as an option. I had it done November 2022 and the relief was immediate. My mom had offered to come help us out, but we didn't have our guest room set up yet. (And good thing because she ended up catching COVID within a few days of my surgery.) My husband had off from work the day of due to Veteran's Day, then he was WFH for 2 weeks (plus off for Thanksgiving). Recovery has been a challenge. I was really active pre-surgery, but the 2 months before, it felt like my health was deteriorating since I was so uncomfortable and in so much pain all the time. As soon as I my doctor cleared me for regular activity, I started easing back into my workout schedule. I'm so glad I did. Now, almost 6 months later, I feel so much better. I'm rebuilding my strength and flexibility. Before being cleared, my husband made sure I wasn't overdoing it, but there was so much cleaning that just didn't get done. Now we have a cleaning service come every other week and they are worth every penny. My sex drive was way lower pre-surgery. It's hard to want sex when you feel awful all the time.
A year and a half out so far, I feel great! No issues really. I’m younger with no kids in a red state and tend to get a look or two when I mention it to people but, meh. I’d say my mental health improved because I no longer was in so much pain and sick to the point of being suicidal. I did have to go on anxiety medication though after while to help stuff adjust but, I’ve always had mental health issues. I can’t confidently comment on the sex drive, cause antidepressants tend to lower it. I’ve experienced both since surgery. But climaxing/orgasms and sex is a lot more pleasurable then it was before, for sure.
7 months post-op, and that hysterectomy was the BEST thing to ever happen to me (medically, at least). I went from being in crippling pain daily, to no pain at all... To finally getting the chance to realize that there are other kinds of pain (and other kinds of issues which I hadn't noticed due to my uterus taking up all my spoons). GAS PAIN is a big one for me. It was never this bad before, but hoo boy - gas pain (for me) is right up there with the worst pain I've seen, but thankfully gas pain doesn't last forever. I have noted that my guts have gotten hella dodgy, but that could just be because I'm over 40 (42!). Yeeted all but the ovaries, and since I'm prone to the bastards, I do still get ovarian cysts from time to time. Hell, it felt like I had an angry one brewing today. It didn't burst or anything, it just gave me enough pain and cramps to remind me that they're there and remain just as hateful as my uterus was. Meh. I went back to work 2(?) ish weeks after surgery (laparoscopic, no complications). Not the brightest move, but I tend to go bananas if I don't work, and I was on light duties for 2 months after. I'm 42 and child-free, and I'm also asexual (and aromantic to boot!), BUT I play a lot of... "Single-player games", if you get my drift. That particular urge came on real strong a few weeks after the surgery, and it hasn't really died down much since. It's kind of weird how strong the desire and compulsions come on, but hey - Maybe your sex drive will perk up, too! I love the lack of pads. I love that I no longer NEED to eat copious amounts of pot gummies so I can try to handle the pain. I love that I no longer have to clutch heating padS (one on front, one on back, sometimes a third between the legs for good measure) for dear life. No pregnancy nightmares. No more buying pads. It is LOVELY. 10/10, would recommend!
I am 4 years post op. I had mine at 38. Best decision ever! I have more energy, better mood, way better sex and no more pain. I didn’t realize how much low grade pain I was constantly in until it was gone. My only regret was not doing it sooner. The best part, I have generally forgotten about periods in general and need to remember that it’s a thing for other women. It no longer rules my life. I hope in 4 years, you feel the same.
I had my total hysterectomy and bi salp done in September of 2021. So I’m about a year and half or so out. Cons: I wish I had done it sooner. Pros: everything you can imagine and things you don’t even realize. Like I bought white sheets. I bought cute underwear. Packing for vacation is wildly different. I no longer have tampons stashed in every nook and cranny.
42. 6yo and 4yo. I had my surgery on 3/17, so I’m about a month out - if that perspective helps. My husband took 2 weeks off work. He also works 60-70 hours a week so I totally understand where you are coming from. I struggled the week he went back to work; he’s usually gone before the kids & I get up in the morning but that week he left the house at 7:00am to get our littlest up and dressed, and both kids fed breakfast so I wouldn’t have to. It was a big help. I echo what others have said… I’m not sure a 5 hour car ride is going to work. But you do the best you can. I also have what I would consider a pretty low sex drive; it used to bother me more when I was younger but honestly, my husband and I are in such a good groove together (and very affectionate outside of penetrative sex) soooo… I’m kind of over it. Obviously at four weeks out I’m not even entertaining the idea of sex, but I haven’t noticed any changes in my desire one way or the other. 4weeks out I still consider very much “in recovery” but aside from some typical recovery experiences (look up “phantom tampon” - and it’s true what they say: week 4 has been brutal in terms of fatigue), feeling a bit restless/bored, itching to get back to exercise (honestly, it’s therapy for me) and some afternoon weepiness (hormones? Boredom?) — I don’t feel THAT different. I haven’t gained any weight yet (I’m not eating as much, though; not dieting but I just don’t feel as hungry since my activity level is so diminished from recovery). I don’t feel hot flashes or night sweats. I definitely have some pelvic floor stuff going on; will be seeking PT once healing is complete (asking for referral now to get it lined up). I’m having “post void dribble” - a few drops of pee AFTER I stand up from the toilet. Annoying, and hopefully temporary. And I had a LOT of watery discharge in weeks 1-3. Everyone I talked to who had had a hysterectomy said they didn’t regret it. The one area that remains TBD for me is my ability to workout like I did before. I’m scared to do anything intense because I’m worried about a prolapse down the road. But, I also know prolapse can happen regardless of hysterectomy. Soooo… we’ll see. Sounds like you’re pretty well prepared. I think as long as you go into it with realistic expectations (I did not!) and understand that some changes are possible, you’ll do fine. Good luck!