Take advantage of the advice on Hystersisters - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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Take advantage of the advice on Hystersisters

Take advantage of the advice on Hystersisters

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

One year ago today I had a TAH. I had adenomyosis and fibroids and had been bleeding/hemorraghing for 9 years.

I had been avoiding the decision re a hysterectomy for years. I had progressively worse heavy bleeding over an 8 year period. At first evening primrose oil, B-100 supplements and Vitamin E helped. Then each year the bleeding got worse. The flooding started at about year 6. I was still determined to hold out and wait. I consulted a biochemist, a holistic physician, and had alot of testing, hoping I could get through to menopause. I also started progesterone therapy.

But it got to the point where my iron deficiency was wearing me out, the pain was so bad I was eating Naprosen, the cost of feminine hygiene products was becoming prohibitive, and I was exhausted from running to the bathroom during work hours (I had a couple of instances where I was not able to leave a meeting and when I stood up I almost passed out, although I had to run to the bathroom as my clothing was starting to soak through with blood-even with multiple feminine products). I was just totally tired of the monthly hassle for a full 7-10 days.

I was lucky in a way as I managed to find an excellent surgeon who was very experienced in doing TAH - he was almost more of a technician.

I used HysterSisters extensively. I recommended the site to as many people as I could that I knew were facing similar problems and decisions. I also researched other websites, taking what I felt was the best advice from all.

Use every resource available to you to help you out, and be good to yourself - nobody else will be, although usually everybody is sympathetic.

For pre-op prep - mix your laxative with Gatorade, and keep drinking Gatorade throughout the day. It helps your body maintain the electrolytes and ensures that you are not dehydrated to the point where you are so weak that you can barely stand up. Also, drink chicken broth until you are told that you must stop liquids - it also keeps you nourished.

Be very good to yourself after surgery. I took 3 mos off from work (even though the surgeon thought I was being ridiculous - but after so many years of bleeding, I was worn out). I was extremely careful about moving, using aids to help me, not lifting anything except light things for about 4-5 weeks. I used a wedge in bed to prop myself up for about two months. It made it easier to get into and out of bed. I didn't have any children so I didn't have that worry, so I was able to take it easy. Although I didn't buy the "chillpillow", I had something similar and it did help.

Again, I was very fortunate, without complications, just the belly swelling, and some minor post-op pain (not as severe as the pain I had been having during my periods), and wondered why I had not made the decision to have this surgery years previously when I probably could have gotten away with a vaginal hysterectomy.

I have not had any complications in the past year. I had soreness around my bellybutton and vertically down to my pubic bone for about 6 mos, but that has since resolved.
I was able to start exercising at about 5 mos - yoga and gentle pilates. Started cardio afterwards.

Thanks again to Hystersisters - it is a great resource!

Catherine

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TAH: 1 Year Later

The day my life changed, for the better.

Find A Doctor Near You

Clifford Rogers, M.D. The Everett Clinic, Dept. of Surgery and Gynecology 1330 Rockefeller Ave, Suite 120 Everett WA 98201 425 339 5424	Alison Clarke DeSouza, M.D. 3100 Coral Hills Dr. # 207 Coral Springs FL 33065 954-341-9777	Lino Montilla, M.D. 3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203 Fairfax VA 22033 703-391-1500
Nisseth Urribarri, M.D. 3001 Coral Hills Dr., Suite 300 Coral Springs FL 33065 954-341-2916	Richard W Farnam, M.D. 1700 N. Oregon Suite 520 El Paso TX 79902 9155335600	Ken Sinervo, M.D. 1140 Hammond Dr., Ste. F6220 Atlanta GA 30328 770-913-0001
Leonard Rosen, M.D. 3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203 Fairfax VA 22033 703-391-1500	Jessica Vaught, M.D. 21 W. Columbia St Suite 101 Winnie Palmer Hospital Orlando FL 32806 321-841-6060	Keita Sakon, M.D. 7190 S. Cimarron Rd. Las Vegas NV 89135 702 870 3921

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