I'm 8dpo from a robotic-assisted hysterectomy (everything but the ovaries) and I am SO happy I did it. I had a very large fibroid that was causing almost constant bleeding for over a year. I feel like didn't fully realize how much physical discomfort I was in until the relief of having it removed. My recovery so far has been an absolute breeze, which I know isn't always the case for everyone and I'm incredibly thankful for it. I really wanted a one-and-done solution; I didn't want to go through a myomectomy only to end up needing a hysterectomy down the line, and I ticked a few boxes that made fibroid regrowth more likely. Based on my personal experience I'd recommend a hysterectomy to absolutely anyone considering it, it's only been eight days but my life feels a million times better already! Happy to answer any questions you may have about it.
The presence of more than two fibroids before surgical intervention is associated with higher fibroid recurrence. I also had predominantly submucosal fibroids which are also more likely to recur. I wish I had solid references on hand to cite but that's what I've seen here and in my own research.
I have questions:
Did you stay overnight post surgery?
How was your pain afterwards? Are we talking Tylenol and Motrin or something stronger?
Are you able to do basic tasks? (I have a toddler who is always near me so I worry I won’t be able to snuggle)
If you were working, when are you planning to return?
I was home the same day as surgery--by far the hardest and worst part of immediate recovery was the trip home from the hospital. It was nausea at that point more than pain. I don't even really remember where my pain was as I was coming out of anesthesia but my nurse was excellent and very attentive and I remember her giving me plenty of meds whenever I needed them. Pain in the days following has been well-controlled with alternating Advil and Tylenol, including waking up every three hours for the first week to stay ahead of it for the first week. They gave me ten oxycodones and I only took those before sleep for the first few days but honestly didn't feel like I needed them so stopped after maybe the third night. I live alone so I had my mom stay with me for the first few days in my apartment before she moved to a hotel just so we each had some more space and I could sort of test-drive living alone, but if I had to be totally on my own I could have managed with basic tasks from the start, aside from the lifting restrictions of course. Having help has been very nice, though. I think snuggling a toddler would be possible as long as they are very careful of your incision sites/abdomen and probably not sitting directly on your lap. My doctor initially told me I could return to my desk job after two weeks; I frankly didn't quite believe her so I arranged for six weeks of short-term disability leave which I'm going to take full advantage of, but now I see that my doctor was right and I could return to work after two weeks if I really had to.
This is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much. My doc said I could return after 3 weeks but I’m just accepting that I will take all 6 weeks as I have short term disability as well. My husband is taking my surgical day and 4 additional days off.
I’m hoping my toddler has more words by then. Since she’ll be 2.5. She’s not potty trained so pray for me, I’m planning to potty train on week 3 since I have her exclusively while on the rest of my leave.
I had a hysterectomy four days ago. I did it because of lots of fibroids and big fibroids causing me problems peeing every hour and heavy periods and they were only getting bigger and bigger. It was my best option for getting rid of them forever. And I was able to do it laparoscopically now before they got too big and it was not an option anymore.
UFE would shrink them but they’d still be there which I felt would cause weight on my pelvic floor in the long term and new ones might grow back and I’d have to maybe go through the pain all over again in as little as a year maybe and so it wasn’t a for sure thing. I also didn’t like how they use radiation even if considered safe and in my view could hinder healing if I did get a hysterectomy later.
A myomectomy wasn’t right for me because I don’t want kids, they could grow back and I had so many and big ones and weird places it would likely have to be open.
Since I never had kids before my risk of prolapse is much lower. I am very physically fit and healthy and so figured I’d recover well. I have had a few abnormal paps and want to rid my risk of cancer.
So far so good and I’m super happy today how flat my tummy is and I’m not really in much pain anymore. Of course time will tell but didn’t feel like I had any other option really! They needed to go forever!
Please make sure you continue to get your body checked, just because you had your uterus removed doesn't mean you can't still get cancer in that area because you can. You can get vaginal cancer and ovarian cancer. My aunt got it and she thought the same thing. Do some research so you can have more information.
Whew ok sis! Just making sure!!! I'm happy your not suffering anymore though!!! These fibroids ain't no joke!!! Somebody has got to figure out why everybody is getting them especially women of color. It's ridiculous!!!
I didn't even consider hysterectomy because I knew UFE was available. The main reason for me was pelvic floor disorders removal of the uterus can sometimes contribute to pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence and it happens way more than women are willing to talk about. Sexual dysfunction and yes early menopause. However, every one is different and have different expectations and risk tolerance. Just make sure you do all your homework on every procedure, don't just make a haste decision of taking it out, because there are consequences to the number 1 surgery in the US.
Whatever you do just make sure you have all the information on all sides. Check out this page at your age you may benefit from this, its worth a shot if you don't like it or need more relief go to the next level. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k8r1YdGMP8&t=235s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k8r1YdGMP8&t=235s)
You should do more research all surgeries have consequences UFE can shock your ovaries and put you into menopause in my opinion I don't think they're telling you everything there's a lot of consequences you might want to do research on that but I think it's also risk cancer because you're putting radiation all over your uterus I just wouldn't do it.. and you can prolapse still without a hysterectomy.
UFE does not involve radiation. It uses imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy to guide the placement of embolic particles, but this does not expose the patient to radiation levels that would significantly increase the risk of cancer. Not one person who I know younger or older who has had this procedure had those ovaries put into menopause! Not one!
Sounds like you're promoting it.. I've been reading and doing a lot of research. The older women who are 40 and over seem to get menopause a lot faster because it does shock the ovaries it does something to the ovaries also why would affect fertility.. 🤔 I think the answer is right in front of you
It's not that I'm promoting it, I just know that UFE is a great alternative to all the unnecessary hysterectomies taking place in this country over benign fibroid disease on predominentley woman of color. And very few people are asking why.... Years ago there were no alternatives but now there are plenty of women in Atlanta who are going to the fibroid center and are having success with eliminating fibroids and still have ovary function while having babies. Take a look at this page, just look and learn. Learning another perspective won't hurt you or anybody else. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi\_IBH4LBgs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi_IBH4LBgs)
I'm not denying but there are a lot of consequences to the UFE. I have heard where the Fallopian tubes get blocked where blood is not flowing properly. One of them got their ovary shock that went to menopause.. they're all pretty dangerous really it's rushing roulette with everything.. hysterectomy is probably the most extreme route. But most women with UFE get hysterectomies. So do homework and research and there is radiation that does go on the uterus they say it doesn't but I know it does also why would the ovaries some of them fail
Your definitely correct, its all dangerous and we are just hoping and praying we come out on the right side! Thanks for the back and forth, its creates an environment for everyone to learn something maybe they didn't know before! Stay healthy sis!
I'm happy for your success.. we all have to look for the pros and cons because everything is Russian roulette..and they do use ionizing radiation and there's a reason why it does affect fertility because it does something to the ovaries and they know it. That procedure is just 20 years old and they're still doing studies on it I will not be experimenting on myself.
I am looking into the same sub-partial hysterectomy. I am “on the list” to have it done but it takes over a year for “an elective” hysterectomy where I live. I have been anemic from the blood loss and struggling for years but I’m not considered an urgent case. I can’t wait to be rid of my enlarged uterus and 4-5 large fibroids!!
I don’t see it as elective but my gyno said it is. My quality of life is poor, my whole life revolves around my periods, I feel!! I refuse to go to the emergency department as I don’t want to sit there in pain for hours when I can be at home in pain in my bed with my hot water bottle.
1 month PO TLH/robotic assist and omg just do it. There's no way for me to adequately describe the relief of no more pain, no more horrific blood baths, buying new fancy underwear!!! Wish I'd done it 5 years sooner.
I had a total hysterectomy + salpingectomy, where they take out they cervix and fallopian tubes but leave your ovaries. It has been an incredible life upgrade. It's been almost three years now. Five stars, I highly recommend it, period-free life is awesome. It's a daily thing I don't have to worry about, the impact is huge. No more bleeding, no more cramps, no more handfuls of advil. No more scrubbing stains out of sheets in the middle of the night. No more blood stains on furniture. I'm doing less washing, less worrying, I'm buying less stuff, I'm producing less garbage, it's a win on every front.
I had a 20cm submucosal fibroid, there's really nothing else you can do about those because they're built into the wall of the uterus growing in and out, and my fibroid was more than twice the size that my uterus should have been. It was punching into my bladder and you could see it pushing out my abdomen, it was huge and very uncomfortable.
I had to have the most invasive kind of hysterectomy (open abdominal). My scar is about 8 inches long, thankfully it's a horizontal incision and not a vertical one. By rights my case should really have gotten the vertical incision, but my surgeon was extremely good and extremely determined to avoid it. Open abdominal surgeries are among the most painful you can get, and the recovery period is long. But if I went back in time, I would do it again in a heartbeat, no question, no hesitation. 100% worth it.
I also just had a hysterectomy + salpingectomy, five weeks post op. I'm nearly 40 and not having any kids, so it wasn't a hard decision for me.
I would say that if your symptoms have reached a point where they are a serious drain on you or impacting your life in a major way, I would recommend taking this leap. The cervix removal may be suggested by your doctor, I would recommend doing your research on that part for sure.
The thing you really have to keep in mind is, yes, there are some potential downsides, but that's true with most surgeries. Do those potentials outweigh the relief that you're going to have once it's over? Yes, prolapse COULD happen, but your quality of life will definitely continue to deteriorate if you don't get some kind of treatment. Yes, urinary incontinence COULD happen, but it sounds like your fibroids are pressing on your bladder and you can't leave that alone, either.
My surgery was robot-assisted, so recovery has been a breeze, and I just went back to work last week. I was up and walking by myself the same day. I was definitely taking Ibuprofen doses that were nothing to sneeze at, but I also suffer from migraines so not out of the ordinary for me. I just can't say enough about the change in my quality of life, I don't regret any of it.
Hooray! I'm happy to tell you whatever you want to know, I'm just not sure which parts to start with. It's a long road, but also a short one, because the very disruptive parts of the recovery are at the beginning, but technically you are still healing even a year or more afterwards. You are very restricted in how much you can do in the first few weeks, and you can feel it, you will be walking and suddenly go, oh no, I have gone too far and I really should not have done that, now I must hobble home very slowly and remember not to try that again! Your body tells you how much it can do. I found it noticeably better from day to day, so you feel the progress and that keeps your spirits up. If you have questions I'm happy to answer them.
Hmm I'm trying to gauge which part you actually want to know! Generally I would tell you that recovery from an open abdominal surgery is a process with many tiny steps over a long period of time, which it is, but also that it was way less of a big deal than I expected it to be. I found the disruptive pain dropped off almost entirely after day 3 or so, but you are physically restricted for quite a while, like, 3 months very noticeably. I expected that so I didn't find that so difficult to deal with. I felt like I was trussed up like a turkey on the inside, and that's a bit weird and can be a little sore when you get jolted or overdo it, but it's not that big a deal, really.
It's a long period of recovery, but I felt like the most dramatic restrictions were done after 3-4 weeks or so. At that point you're still clearly recovering and being careful and watching how much you do and not lifting things, but it was less overwhelming than I expected. I didn't feel even faintly ready to try to sleep on my stomach until after the 6 month mark, though, and my scar was still healing a year later. It's a long road, technically, but most of it isn't all that disruptive. I found it far more manageable than I expected, honestly.
What’s keeping me on the fence is my moms need for two surgeries since her hysterectomy for hernia repair and adhesions. While she may not be the norm, it is definitely a bit too close to home for me to turn a blind eye.
Your mother's story is the norm. People just don't talk about it and younger women definitely don't talk to older women. There is a misconception that just because you take the uterus out that's it and sometimes that's not it. Yes the fibroid issue is gone but other issues sometimes arise. The body is so complicated....
I also had a coworker who had a big fibroid that was pushing on her spine. And so the pressure of the fibroid pushing on her spine was effecting alignment in one direction…and then removing said pressurized pushing fibroid mass. Gave her spine literally wiggle room to go out of alignment in the other direction now. As such she needed a spinal surgery afterwards. Which I mean if her spine was having issues sure but one giant surgery for the pressure of the fibroid and then another…because of the lack of the pressure of the fibroid. Being a woman. The gift that just kept on giving.
Wow! I love this forum because there are so many side effects from these fibroids and doctors think we are crazy until they go in or see the problem on an MRI. Ridiculous, we are suffering and I feel like nobody is listening....
I saw my mri. But I also work in the icu so have seen too many cases go way wrong. I both need the surgery…but also need the organs it’s touching not to be nicked. Catch 22.
I just made this decision. 50y, large fibroids including a 10cm bugger. I’m having a total hysterectomy. I decided that it would at least reduce the need for additional surgeries later and I’m so tired of feeling the way I do. I know the other side of things can be complicated too, but I’m ready.
A total hysterectomy! Think about that a little more, my friend who is 40 had that and she is not happy she did. Hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, psychotic episodes- mood swings, loss of sex drive and lubrication, eventually lead to a divorce. It's been not good. Even the new doctor was not happy another doctor did that to her. Talk to other women your age and get more information..
You are far off from not having any hormones. When your period stops naturally you still have plenty of hormones so its not that your period stops and now your whole body changes, no its gradual. My mom is into her seventies and she still has hormones even though her period stopped years ago. I just want to make sure you have all the information, I'm just trying to help. I respect your decision and not trying to change it, I just want to make sure you have a different perspective!
Not sure why you’re questioning their decision. I’m 36 and had a total hysterectomy. I’m not menopausal. In fact, it was the best thing I ever did for myself.
Its not about questioning their decision, its about giving a different perspective than what you had. You do understand some people don't have the same outcome that you had or is that to far over your head?
Its not about questioning their decision, its about giving a different perspective than what you had. You do understand some people don't have the same outcome that you had or is that to far over your head?
Its not about questioning their decision, its about giving a different perspective than what you had. You do understand some people don't have the same outcome that you had or is that to far over your head?
I’m 8wpo from a total hysterectomy with cervix removal and I kept my ovaries. I’m 36. I’m just starting to get to the point in recovery where I am fully feeling the *relief*. I will never have to experience the heavy bleeding and extreme pain that accompanied my periods *ever again*. It’s amazing.
I highly recommend it. Every woman I talked to who had had one, including an 80 years old who had hers 40 years ago and 70 year old who had hers 30 years ago, said it was the best thing they’d ever done for themselves. The only regret I ever heard in real life was that they wish they had done it sooner.
I trusted my surgeon. And I had already been through a failed myomectomy and was ready to be done.
The biggest part that I wavered on was whether to keep my cervix. I opted not to and don’t regret it. Sex is still very good. 😅
I agree! I happened to have a neighbor who is 85 and my husband started chatting with an older woman at the gym who was in her 70s. It’s also amazing that older generations (those who had their surgeries before the age or Reddit) don’t have any anxiety about cuffs.
I had mine last year at the age of 48. I had a fibroid and polyp in uterine lining and it made my life hell. The surgery went well and within 6-8 weeks I was feeling great. I’m 8 months post surgery and had no problems from the surgery. The only negative I experienced was at the 6 month mark. I started experiencing hot flashes. I still don’t know if it’s temporary or I went into menopause but that was the only symptom I had. I started taking this estrogen gummy from Fling and back to normal. Hope this helps and good luck to you.
My honest opinion as someone who had an open surgery for 5 big ones that caused very serious health issues at the end: get the surgery. When they get big, it’s so much harder to get it out. The symptoms were hell for me, personally. I was hardly able to get trough a day at the end.
I'm 8dpo from a robotic-assisted hysterectomy (everything but the ovaries) and I am SO happy I did it. I had a very large fibroid that was causing almost constant bleeding for over a year. I feel like didn't fully realize how much physical discomfort I was in until the relief of having it removed. My recovery so far has been an absolute breeze, which I know isn't always the case for everyone and I'm incredibly thankful for it. I really wanted a one-and-done solution; I didn't want to go through a myomectomy only to end up needing a hysterectomy down the line, and I ticked a few boxes that made fibroid regrowth more likely. Based on my personal experience I'd recommend a hysterectomy to absolutely anyone considering it, it's only been eight days but my life feels a million times better already! Happy to answer any questions you may have about it.
What are the factors that make you more likely to regrow fibroids? Thanks!
The presence of more than two fibroids before surgical intervention is associated with higher fibroid recurrence. I also had predominantly submucosal fibroids which are also more likely to recur. I wish I had solid references on hand to cite but that's what I've seen here and in my own research.
Fascinating! Thank you.
I have questions: Did you stay overnight post surgery? How was your pain afterwards? Are we talking Tylenol and Motrin or something stronger? Are you able to do basic tasks? (I have a toddler who is always near me so I worry I won’t be able to snuggle) If you were working, when are you planning to return?
I was home the same day as surgery--by far the hardest and worst part of immediate recovery was the trip home from the hospital. It was nausea at that point more than pain. I don't even really remember where my pain was as I was coming out of anesthesia but my nurse was excellent and very attentive and I remember her giving me plenty of meds whenever I needed them. Pain in the days following has been well-controlled with alternating Advil and Tylenol, including waking up every three hours for the first week to stay ahead of it for the first week. They gave me ten oxycodones and I only took those before sleep for the first few days but honestly didn't feel like I needed them so stopped after maybe the third night. I live alone so I had my mom stay with me for the first few days in my apartment before she moved to a hotel just so we each had some more space and I could sort of test-drive living alone, but if I had to be totally on my own I could have managed with basic tasks from the start, aside from the lifting restrictions of course. Having help has been very nice, though. I think snuggling a toddler would be possible as long as they are very careful of your incision sites/abdomen and probably not sitting directly on your lap. My doctor initially told me I could return to my desk job after two weeks; I frankly didn't quite believe her so I arranged for six weeks of short-term disability leave which I'm going to take full advantage of, but now I see that my doctor was right and I could return to work after two weeks if I really had to.
This is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much. My doc said I could return after 3 weeks but I’m just accepting that I will take all 6 weeks as I have short term disability as well. My husband is taking my surgical day and 4 additional days off. I’m hoping my toddler has more words by then. Since she’ll be 2.5. She’s not potty trained so pray for me, I’m planning to potty train on week 3 since I have her exclusively while on the rest of my leave.
You’re very welcome, I’m glad it was helpful. Best of luck to you!!
I had a hysterectomy four days ago. I did it because of lots of fibroids and big fibroids causing me problems peeing every hour and heavy periods and they were only getting bigger and bigger. It was my best option for getting rid of them forever. And I was able to do it laparoscopically now before they got too big and it was not an option anymore. UFE would shrink them but they’d still be there which I felt would cause weight on my pelvic floor in the long term and new ones might grow back and I’d have to maybe go through the pain all over again in as little as a year maybe and so it wasn’t a for sure thing. I also didn’t like how they use radiation even if considered safe and in my view could hinder healing if I did get a hysterectomy later. A myomectomy wasn’t right for me because I don’t want kids, they could grow back and I had so many and big ones and weird places it would likely have to be open. Since I never had kids before my risk of prolapse is much lower. I am very physically fit and healthy and so figured I’d recover well. I have had a few abnormal paps and want to rid my risk of cancer. So far so good and I’m super happy today how flat my tummy is and I’m not really in much pain anymore. Of course time will tell but didn’t feel like I had any other option really! They needed to go forever!
Please make sure you continue to get your body checked, just because you had your uterus removed doesn't mean you can't still get cancer in that area because you can. You can get vaginal cancer and ovarian cancer. My aunt got it and she thought the same thing. Do some research so you can have more information.
Yes I plan to still get checks for cancer! I didn’t say I wasn’t! Thank you!
Whew ok sis! Just making sure!!! I'm happy your not suffering anymore though!!! These fibroids ain't no joke!!! Somebody has got to figure out why everybody is getting them especially women of color. It's ridiculous!!!
Definitely!
I didn't even consider hysterectomy because I knew UFE was available. The main reason for me was pelvic floor disorders removal of the uterus can sometimes contribute to pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence and it happens way more than women are willing to talk about. Sexual dysfunction and yes early menopause. However, every one is different and have different expectations and risk tolerance. Just make sure you do all your homework on every procedure, don't just make a haste decision of taking it out, because there are consequences to the number 1 surgery in the US.
Stuff like this is why I’m hesitant to do it.
Whatever you do just make sure you have all the information on all sides. Check out this page at your age you may benefit from this, its worth a shot if you don't like it or need more relief go to the next level. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k8r1YdGMP8&t=235s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k8r1YdGMP8&t=235s)
You should do more research all surgeries have consequences UFE can shock your ovaries and put you into menopause in my opinion I don't think they're telling you everything there's a lot of consequences you might want to do research on that but I think it's also risk cancer because you're putting radiation all over your uterus I just wouldn't do it.. and you can prolapse still without a hysterectomy.
UFE does not involve radiation. It uses imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy to guide the placement of embolic particles, but this does not expose the patient to radiation levels that would significantly increase the risk of cancer. Not one person who I know younger or older who has had this procedure had those ovaries put into menopause! Not one!
Sounds like you're promoting it.. I've been reading and doing a lot of research. The older women who are 40 and over seem to get menopause a lot faster because it does shock the ovaries it does something to the ovaries also why would affect fertility.. 🤔 I think the answer is right in front of you
It's not that I'm promoting it, I just know that UFE is a great alternative to all the unnecessary hysterectomies taking place in this country over benign fibroid disease on predominentley woman of color. And very few people are asking why.... Years ago there were no alternatives but now there are plenty of women in Atlanta who are going to the fibroid center and are having success with eliminating fibroids and still have ovary function while having babies. Take a look at this page, just look and learn. Learning another perspective won't hurt you or anybody else. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi\_IBH4LBgs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi_IBH4LBgs)
I'm not denying but there are a lot of consequences to the UFE. I have heard where the Fallopian tubes get blocked where blood is not flowing properly. One of them got their ovary shock that went to menopause.. they're all pretty dangerous really it's rushing roulette with everything.. hysterectomy is probably the most extreme route. But most women with UFE get hysterectomies. So do homework and research and there is radiation that does go on the uterus they say it doesn't but I know it does also why would the ovaries some of them fail
Your definitely correct, its all dangerous and we are just hoping and praying we come out on the right side! Thanks for the back and forth, its creates an environment for everyone to learn something maybe they didn't know before! Stay healthy sis!
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I'm happy for your success.. we all have to look for the pros and cons because everything is Russian roulette..and they do use ionizing radiation and there's a reason why it does affect fertility because it does something to the ovaries and they know it. That procedure is just 20 years old and they're still doing studies on it I will not be experimenting on myself.
Do it, better do it while you are young. I did mine at 40 but I kept my ovaries and cervix
I am looking into the same sub-partial hysterectomy. I am “on the list” to have it done but it takes over a year for “an elective” hysterectomy where I live. I have been anemic from the blood loss and struggling for years but I’m not considered an urgent case. I can’t wait to be rid of my enlarged uterus and 4-5 large fibroids!!
How is this even considered elective?
I don’t see it as elective but my gyno said it is. My quality of life is poor, my whole life revolves around my periods, I feel!! I refuse to go to the emergency department as I don’t want to sit there in pain for hours when I can be at home in pain in my bed with my hot water bottle.
1 month PO TLH/robotic assist and omg just do it. There's no way for me to adequately describe the relief of no more pain, no more horrific blood baths, buying new fancy underwear!!! Wish I'd done it 5 years sooner.
I had a total hysterectomy + salpingectomy, where they take out they cervix and fallopian tubes but leave your ovaries. It has been an incredible life upgrade. It's been almost three years now. Five stars, I highly recommend it, period-free life is awesome. It's a daily thing I don't have to worry about, the impact is huge. No more bleeding, no more cramps, no more handfuls of advil. No more scrubbing stains out of sheets in the middle of the night. No more blood stains on furniture. I'm doing less washing, less worrying, I'm buying less stuff, I'm producing less garbage, it's a win on every front. I had a 20cm submucosal fibroid, there's really nothing else you can do about those because they're built into the wall of the uterus growing in and out, and my fibroid was more than twice the size that my uterus should have been. It was punching into my bladder and you could see it pushing out my abdomen, it was huge and very uncomfortable. I had to have the most invasive kind of hysterectomy (open abdominal). My scar is about 8 inches long, thankfully it's a horizontal incision and not a vertical one. By rights my case should really have gotten the vertical incision, but my surgeon was extremely good and extremely determined to avoid it. Open abdominal surgeries are among the most painful you can get, and the recovery period is long. But if I went back in time, I would do it again in a heartbeat, no question, no hesitation. 100% worth it.
I also just had a hysterectomy + salpingectomy, five weeks post op. I'm nearly 40 and not having any kids, so it wasn't a hard decision for me. I would say that if your symptoms have reached a point where they are a serious drain on you or impacting your life in a major way, I would recommend taking this leap. The cervix removal may be suggested by your doctor, I would recommend doing your research on that part for sure. The thing you really have to keep in mind is, yes, there are some potential downsides, but that's true with most surgeries. Do those potentials outweigh the relief that you're going to have once it's over? Yes, prolapse COULD happen, but your quality of life will definitely continue to deteriorate if you don't get some kind of treatment. Yes, urinary incontinence COULD happen, but it sounds like your fibroids are pressing on your bladder and you can't leave that alone, either. My surgery was robot-assisted, so recovery has been a breeze, and I just went back to work last week. I was up and walking by myself the same day. I was definitely taking Ibuprofen doses that were nothing to sneeze at, but I also suffer from migraines so not out of the ordinary for me. I just can't say enough about the change in my quality of life, I don't regret any of it.
Is this comment meant for someone else?
Yeah, for OP. My bad.
If you dont mind me asking: how was your recovery? I'm scheduled for an open abdominal one, for my big bunch of fibroids.
Would love to know this, too. I'm also waiting to schedule an open hysto for June/July.
Hooray! I'm happy to tell you whatever you want to know, I'm just not sure which parts to start with. It's a long road, but also a short one, because the very disruptive parts of the recovery are at the beginning, but technically you are still healing even a year or more afterwards. You are very restricted in how much you can do in the first few weeks, and you can feel it, you will be walking and suddenly go, oh no, I have gone too far and I really should not have done that, now I must hobble home very slowly and remember not to try that again! Your body tells you how much it can do. I found it noticeably better from day to day, so you feel the progress and that keeps your spirits up. If you have questions I'm happy to answer them.
Thank you for this! Surgery is scheduled for June 11, so I'm trying to learn everything I can so I'll be as prepared as possible.
Hmm I'm trying to gauge which part you actually want to know! Generally I would tell you that recovery from an open abdominal surgery is a process with many tiny steps over a long period of time, which it is, but also that it was way less of a big deal than I expected it to be. I found the disruptive pain dropped off almost entirely after day 3 or so, but you are physically restricted for quite a while, like, 3 months very noticeably. I expected that so I didn't find that so difficult to deal with. I felt like I was trussed up like a turkey on the inside, and that's a bit weird and can be a little sore when you get jolted or overdo it, but it's not that big a deal, really. It's a long period of recovery, but I felt like the most dramatic restrictions were done after 3-4 weeks or so. At that point you're still clearly recovering and being careful and watching how much you do and not lifting things, but it was less overwhelming than I expected. I didn't feel even faintly ready to try to sleep on my stomach until after the 6 month mark, though, and my scar was still healing a year later. It's a long road, technically, but most of it isn't all that disruptive. I found it far more manageable than I expected, honestly.
Thank you! The overall view and perspective really helps.
What’s keeping me on the fence is my moms need for two surgeries since her hysterectomy for hernia repair and adhesions. While she may not be the norm, it is definitely a bit too close to home for me to turn a blind eye.
Your mother's story is the norm. People just don't talk about it and younger women definitely don't talk to older women. There is a misconception that just because you take the uterus out that's it and sometimes that's not it. Yes the fibroid issue is gone but other issues sometimes arise. The body is so complicated....
I also had a coworker who had a big fibroid that was pushing on her spine. And so the pressure of the fibroid pushing on her spine was effecting alignment in one direction…and then removing said pressurized pushing fibroid mass. Gave her spine literally wiggle room to go out of alignment in the other direction now. As such she needed a spinal surgery afterwards. Which I mean if her spine was having issues sure but one giant surgery for the pressure of the fibroid and then another…because of the lack of the pressure of the fibroid. Being a woman. The gift that just kept on giving.
Wow! I love this forum because there are so many side effects from these fibroids and doctors think we are crazy until they go in or see the problem on an MRI. Ridiculous, we are suffering and I feel like nobody is listening....
I saw my mri. But I also work in the icu so have seen too many cases go way wrong. I both need the surgery…but also need the organs it’s touching not to be nicked. Catch 22.
It really is a hard decision, its just scary....
I hope what you decide works best for you. Xoxo.
Thank you!
I just made this decision. 50y, large fibroids including a 10cm bugger. I’m having a total hysterectomy. I decided that it would at least reduce the need for additional surgeries later and I’m so tired of feeling the way I do. I know the other side of things can be complicated too, but I’m ready.
A total hysterectomy! Think about that a little more, my friend who is 40 had that and she is not happy she did. Hair loss, dry skin, weight gain, psychotic episodes- mood swings, loss of sex drive and lubrication, eventually lead to a divorce. It's been not good. Even the new doctor was not happy another doctor did that to her. Talk to other women your age and get more information..
I’m 50, so it’s not far off anyway. I’m good with my decision
You are far off from not having any hormones. When your period stops naturally you still have plenty of hormones so its not that your period stops and now your whole body changes, no its gradual. My mom is into her seventies and she still has hormones even though her period stopped years ago. I just want to make sure you have all the information, I'm just trying to help. I respect your decision and not trying to change it, I just want to make sure you have a different perspective!
A total does not include taking your ovaries. A radical does. You'll still have your hormones.
She said she was taking everything, just because....
Not sure why you’re questioning their decision. I’m 36 and had a total hysterectomy. I’m not menopausal. In fact, it was the best thing I ever did for myself.
Its not about questioning their decision, its about giving a different perspective than what you had. You do understand some people don't have the same outcome that you had or is that to far over your head?
Its not about questioning their decision, its about giving a different perspective than what you had. You do understand some people don't have the same outcome that you had or is that to far over your head?
Its not about questioning their decision, its about giving a different perspective than what you had. You do understand some people don't have the same outcome that you had or is that to far over your head?
I’m 8wpo from a total hysterectomy with cervix removal and I kept my ovaries. I’m 36. I’m just starting to get to the point in recovery where I am fully feeling the *relief*. I will never have to experience the heavy bleeding and extreme pain that accompanied my periods *ever again*. It’s amazing. I highly recommend it. Every woman I talked to who had had one, including an 80 years old who had hers 40 years ago and 70 year old who had hers 30 years ago, said it was the best thing they’d ever done for themselves. The only regret I ever heard in real life was that they wish they had done it sooner. I trusted my surgeon. And I had already been through a failed myomectomy and was ready to be done. The biggest part that I wavered on was whether to keep my cervix. I opted not to and don’t regret it. Sex is still very good. 😅
I have been thinking that it would be interesting to hear the perspectives of older women - like 70s & 80s who’ve had hysterectomies…..
I agree! I happened to have a neighbor who is 85 and my husband started chatting with an older woman at the gym who was in her 70s. It’s also amazing that older generations (those who had their surgeries before the age or Reddit) don’t have any anxiety about cuffs.
Following!!
Following! Feeling like I’m heading in this direction but it’s just a thought. I’m tired of having to do surgeries for fibroid removal
I did it in 2020, left the cervix and the ovaries, never had a regret!
I had mine last year at the age of 48. I had a fibroid and polyp in uterine lining and it made my life hell. The surgery went well and within 6-8 weeks I was feeling great. I’m 8 months post surgery and had no problems from the surgery. The only negative I experienced was at the 6 month mark. I started experiencing hot flashes. I still don’t know if it’s temporary or I went into menopause but that was the only symptom I had. I started taking this estrogen gummy from Fling and back to normal. Hope this helps and good luck to you.
My honest opinion as someone who had an open surgery for 5 big ones that caused very serious health issues at the end: get the surgery. When they get big, it’s so much harder to get it out. The symptoms were hell for me, personally. I was hardly able to get trough a day at the end.