8 wks post op TAH: my progress - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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8 wks post op TAH: my progress

8 wks post op TAH: my progress

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HiLadies:

This is a different kind of experience for me in more ways than one. I do not really consider myself a good story teller since I'd rather read one than be one.

But here it goes:

For the past 25 years I have been having various aspects of female problems which I usually decided it had something to do with my hypothyroidism. I have had hypothyroidism since I was 7 years old ( I am 36 now). But now I am getting side tracked.

I am not sure what years each surgery etc took place since now its all blended together--I had the problems for so long I got tired of keeping track.

When it started I was having problems with cramping and heavy bleeding; my first doctor changed my medication to a monthly birthcontrol pill to help me control the bleeding. My doctor and I at the time started talking about my having children so we started some fertility type testing.

Meanwhile my bleeding etc started to get worse so I decided to change doctors to another one. My second doctor found out I had fibroids the size of a baseball removed them with a bikini line surgery. Then he too decided to do fertility testing; I then changed doctors. By this time my heavy bleeding and cramping had been going on for at least 10 or more years.

My first two doctors were both men so I thought it was time to try a female doctor since she would know what a woman was going through. Don't get me wrong; male doctors are just as good as females but a female doctor worked for me.

Well my present doctor first tried a D & C which worked for about a year. By then my cycles were bimonthly and lasting about a week at at time. I was having to use Always overnights 24/7 the whole period.

Then we tried the uterine ablation which lasted for the about five years. Each year I would go in for my yearly exam and my doctor would refer me for a pelvic sonogram. The monitoring of the fibroid went on for several years. We also wanted to give me a chance to possibly have children. She suggested that I take Aviane which was a monthly birthcontrol pill to help regulate the ovaries and she also told me there is a chance the periods would come back.

Well in 2009, I had the pelvic songogram which revealed the fibroid plus a uterine cyst. My doctor then discussed my options with me which included a D & C, another procedure I can't remember--that did not work, and a hysterectomy.
I opted for the hysterecomy, I had just turned 36 years old and we figured my chances of having my own children was dwindling. My doctor had also told me that the uterus was really swollen and it was pressing into my bladder.

My TAH was done on January 18th 2010; 8 wks ago today. During the 2 and half hour surgery they removed the uterus, one ovary and a lot of scar tissue. One of my ovaries was completely wiped out by scar tissue.
My doctor gave me the pre-op instructions which really helped me in my recovery. I have had no real bowel problems to speak of plus my bladder is doing a lot better since the uterus isn't pressing into it. My hospital stay was about 3 days and then I pretty much Housebound for the 2 wks afterward. My doctor gave me one flight of stairs restrictions for the first two weeks, weeks 3 and 4 were 2 flights of stairs restrictions, and then weeks 5 and 6 were 4 flights. I have now resumed all normal activities.

I am riding my horse several times a week, going on vacations etc.

Other than the first two weeks my recovery has gone really good. I have followed my doctor's directions to the letter and it helped me immensely in my recovery.

Hystersisters has helped me with guiding me through biweekly checkpoints as it related to my recovery. I have been able to connect with women that have had the surgery during the same week as mine. Along with the ability to get questions answered or provide support for others. I have used the site to do research on hormone supplements for HRT options.

I really recommend this site to any woman that is considering a hysterectomy; It has been a valuable tool.

Even though the first two weeks were rough; I am glad to have decided to have a hysterectomy. I am still in the early stages so I have yet to discover it's affect on me in the long run. I am sure I will be fine; I have done so well thus far.

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8 Weeks Post TAH

Abd Hysterectomy Aug 2009

Find A Doctor Near You

Liza M. Colimon, M.D. 21 W. Columbia St Suite 101 Winnie Palmer Hospital Orlando FL 32806 321-841-6060	Clifford Rogers, M.D. The Everett Clinic, Dept. of Surgery and Gynecology 1330 Rockefeller Ave, Suite 120 Everett WA 98201 425 339 5424	Jon Nielsen, M.D. 9825 Hospital Dr. Suite 205 Maple Grove MN 55369 763-587-7050
Charles Miller, M.D. 120 Osler Drive Suite 100 Naperville IL 60540 630-428-2229	Bret Lewis, M.D. 5780 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Ste 295 (#2 Location) 11975 Morris Rd., Ste. 310 , Alpharetta, GA 30004 Atlanta GA 30342 404-255-3633	Mayra J. Thompson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dept OBGYN Dallas TX 75290 214-645-3888
Ranae Yockey, M.D. 800 Biesterfield Suite 750 Elk Grove Village IL 60007 847-981-3698	Terri B. Pustilnik, M.D. 501 Medical Center Blvd. Deke Slayton Cancer Center Clear Lake TX 77598 713-665-0404	Laurence Orbuch, M.D. 202 Spring Street 2nd Floor New York NY 10012 212-343-3040

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