 Total Abdominal Hysterectomy - My Story |
From the Abdominal Hysterectomy Stories Articles List |
 Related Titles
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy - Debbie's story
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy - My story - help for loss of libido
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: TAH/BSO - My Story
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy/BSO My Story
TAH - about my total abdominal hysterectomy
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
Advertisement
Hi. I thought I would share my story in hopes that it will help other members with upcoming hysterectomy surgeries. I know I was very nervous for mine and this website was a wonderful help.
I am 29yrs old. I just had a total abdominal hysterectomy (removal of uterus, cervix, tubes and both ovaries) on Nov 4th. I had this surgery due to endometreosis. I had tried serveral treatments, including two laprascopies with little positive results. I finally decided, after 7yrs of suffering both physically and emotionally from endometreosis, to have a hysterectomy. In addition, I have been battling high grade abnormal cervical cells for the past 2yrs that don't seem to want to go away. I had to go in for biopsies every 3 mths to make sure they didnt' progress to cancer. That scared me a lot and I was always nervous to go to those appointments. That just added to my decesion that it was in the best interest of my health and quality of life, to have this surgery done.
Please don't worry about the surgery itself. Even though I had had to previous minor surgieries before, I knew this was major surgery and I was really scared. Honestly, you do not know a thing. I feel asleep almost immediately after going in to the surgery room and didn't know a thing till I woke up in the recovery room.
I will say that when I woke up in the recovery room I was in a ton of pain. My stomach felt incrediably sore and my back was killing me. The nurses continued to give me increased doses of morphine but it didn't hellp a whole lot. I was in a lot of pain for the rest of the day and night but was so tired and on so much medication, that I slept a lot. The next day was slightly better as they increased my morphine dose (PCA pump) but I was still in a lot of pain.
They took the catherter out the morning after my surgery and I went to the washroom for the first time. I was incrediably dizzy, sick to my stomach and in a lot of pain trying to walk. I had a very hard time going to the washroom. I just couldn't seem to go. I found it help to just relax and take my time. Running the water did help and I also found a huge help was standing up for a few seconds and then sitting back down on the toliet. It would relax those muscles and would allow me to go to the washroom a bit more. Expect to not be able to go pee very well for several days following your surgery...you need patience.
I was released from the hospital 3 days post off. I spent most of my time in the hospital sleeping (I was so tired I never could stay awake for long) and I didn't eat or drink much as I felt incrediably sick to my stomach (probably due to the medication I was being given). Also keep in mind that I didn't have a BM till about 5 days post op and it was quite uncomfortable and continued to be uncomfortable (slightly painful but nothing overwhelming) for several BMs following the first.
It felt great to be home in my own bed. I still felt horrible. I was in a lot of pain (especially my back) and still felt sick to my stomach and could barely eat.
I found the turning point was around 7 days post op. I started to feel less sick to my stomach and my appetite returned. The doctor also put me on better pain killers which helped a lot with the pain.
I am now 14 days post op and feeling better. Each day is getting better. I still rest a ton and do very little except maybe go for a drive with my hubby and a very short walk. The pain is decreasing (mostly feel the pain in the morning because my body is sore from being in bed all night). My incisions are healing nicely. My stomach is very tender and I am also finding my hips to be sore the last day or two.
Every day is getting better and I am totally glad I did the surgery. Even through the recovery, I feel better than I have in years. I was positive I wanted the surgery beforehand but you never really know how you feel about it till after. I am more confident then ever in my decesion.
I have been blessed with 3 beautiful, healthy children so I felt ready to have this surgery and give up the possibility of having more. I wont' lie, I did have a few days following surgery where it bothered me a bit and made me a bit sad. I felt part of me was gone and also sad at the fact I would never be able to have any more children. I am moving past that though and know that I am incrediably blessed and the reality is, even if I had had more children I would've just continued to want more. I think it is in our nature as women to be like that.
In regards to having both ovaries removed and the surgical menopause.....I am happy to say I haven't had one symptoms of menopause. I was put on estrogen replacement 3 days post op. That may be the reason why I am not having any negative menopause effects...ie: hot flashes, mood swings, etc. To be honest, I feel better than ever. Endometreosis really messed with my emotions and made me emotional and moody. I hated it. Now I don't feel that anymore and I am so happy.
I hope this has been helpful to others out there. It is a personnal decesion so do tons of research and soul searching and make sure this is what you want and what is best for you. I wish everyone the best of luck in their surgery and recovery process.
Related Titles
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy - Debbie's story
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy - My story - help for loss of libido
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: TAH/BSO - My Story
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy/BSO My Story
TAH - about my total abdominal hysterectomy
|
|
|
Advertisement
 Helpful Links
|
|
|
Store »
Hysterectomy Checkpoints
