TAH/BSO - In retrospect, What I'd Do Differently - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

		HysterSisters > Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles
TAH/BSO - In retrospect, What I'd Do Differently

TAH/BSO - In retrospect, What I'd Do Differently

From the Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles List

HysterSisters Articles

Options to Hysterectomy
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Hysterectomy Stories
Ask A Doctor

I had a TAH/BSO due to a very large dermoid that ate my right ovary. Also, my uterus was exremely enlarged, and my left ovary was fused to it. The tumor was adhered to my bladder (which had turned blue and was bruised) and there were a ton of adhesions that had to be cut. Because of the extent of the ickiness and scar tissue from 2 C-sections, the dr was not sure what he was looking at and was worried about cancer, so he sent me to an oncological gynecological surgeon. The good news is that it was not cancer. The bad news is that because I was so worried about cancer, I never took the time to really find out exactly what having a hysterectomy at 44 would really mean for me and my body and my life.

So my advice to my pre-op sisters:
1) Make sure you take some time to realize what you might experience. The mood swings, hot flashes, depression, aches, uncertainties are all very real possibilities and, while treatable, are still very troubling and invasive if you are not prepared for it! I thought I was losing my mind and if it weren't for this web site, I might have.
2) Make sure you research your HRT options and understand the pros and cons. Don't be afraid to really discuss with your doctor what he/she feels about HRT, and afterwards, don't be afraid to ask for what you need. My dr is not an HRT fan, but immediately agreed to a low-dose estrogen tablet when I explained the symptoms I was having.
3) Although I thought I was OK with having all these parts of my body removed, it has affected my body image more than I thought it would. Make sure you enlist some emotional support for this difficult time. Jokes and humor are fun and sometimes help, but be sure you have someone you can cry with if you need to.
4) I downplayed the surgery to my family and that was a mistake because they were not prepared for what was going on with me when I came home.
5) Your doctor is not joking or exaggerating: it takes a long time to completely recover from this surgery. Even at almost 4 weeks it is an effort to even do a load of laundry. I have suffered several set-backs from my stubborn insistence on trying to do too much too quick. Please accept help from family and friends. Everyone recovers at a different pace, but don't push it - you know what your body needs. Listen to it!
6) There is no right or wrong, everyone's journey is different. I am still in the early stages of mine and I have a long way to go. If I can help any one of you, please don't hesitate to PM me.

Bless you all and good luck!

Printer Friendly Version

TAH/BSO - If You're Nervous Or Scared, Please Read This

TAH/BSO - It's done, done, done!

Find A Doctor Near You

David Zisow, M.D. 2005 Rock Spring Rd Ste. 3 Forest Hill - Baltimore MD 21050 410-879-1139	Jonathan Y Song, M.D. 2455 Dean St. Suite A St. Charles IL 60175 (630) 513-9160	Mayra J. Thompson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dept OBGYN Dallas TX 75290 214-645-3888
Clifford Rogers, M.D. The Everett Clinic, Dept. of Surgery and Gynecology 1330 Rockefeller Ave, Suite 120 Everett WA 98201 425 339 5424	Jennifer Cova, M.D. 7700 Washington Village Drive Suite 210 Dayton OH 45459 937-433-6513	Francisco Garcini, M.D. 1870 Silver Cross Blvd Suite 210 New Lenox IL 60451 815-463-3000
Ellen Wilson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd - Dept of OBGYN Dallas TX 75390 214-648-4747	Lino Montilla, M.D. 3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203 Fairfax VA 22033 703-391-1500	Chris Hutchinson, M.D. Suite 7B, 1301 Taylor St. Columbia SC 29201 (803) 254-9461 (Ext. 136)

Receive support and resources for your hysterectomy related needs: