TAH 2009, after going in for scar tissue removal

After having severe pelvic pain for more than three years, my OB decided we needed to do surgery to remove scar tissue that had built up after having two c-sections.

After delivering my third, also by c-section, my doctor was able to get an idea of the scar tissue. The delivery was difficult because of all the scar tissue that had built up.

At my post-op 6 week check up we scheduled the out patient surgery to remove what scar tissue we could to alleviate my constant pain.

The surgery was planned as lap and after a quick recovery I would be home later that day. During the surgery i started bleeding uncontrolably. The only way to get to the source of the bleeding, due to having such severe scar tissue, was to remove my uterus.

After waking from surgery I could see the look of fear on my partner's face. It was then I learned that I had the hysterectomy, and lost so much blood that they had to do a transfusion.

The pain I felt in the hospital after the surgery was like nothing I had expereinced in my life. And, mind you, I had three c-sections up to that point. I later learned that the amount of scar tissue removed, coupled with again being sliced open, and having the hysterectomy, was like "three surgerys in one".

My bowel, bladder, and intestines were fused together to form one giant mass. That mass was fused to my uterus. the pictures are disturbing.

After being in the hospital for the three days I went home with the feeling that I was "no longer a woman". Then I get news that I had to return to work in two weeks or I would lose my job.

The original surgery started as lap, so I had those scars, the incision, the internal pain from the scar tissue removal, and pain from the hysterectomy. Needless to say at two weeks post op I could not walk.

The emotional toll was bad enough but the fact that I had nno support from my employer added to that.

I am now 1 1/2 years post op. I have come to terms with the fact that I am still a woman regardless of what I do not have inside of me. but that was not easy to come to terms with.

I joined this site because I continue to have effects of the surgery and think I may be experiencing menopause. This is difficult for me as I am only 36. Emotionally it is taking its toll on me.

In the 24 hours I have been a member of this site I now have an appointment with my OB because the effects I am experiencing, I am learning, are not "normal" so long after surgery.

The plus? I never have a period so I can swim whenever I want, wear white all month long, and have literally had the best sex of my life. So, there are some positives to my journey, and I embrace them.

I look forward to my continued journey. Thanks for the support.