Overweight and having a hysterectomy

I'm about 120 lbs over weight and scheduled to have a LAVH on Sept 18. I had my preop yesterday, and my doctor kept telling me that with me being overweight, I would have more complications. It was almost like he wanted me to back out of the surgery? Just a feeling I got. Maybe he was just put out because I refused to have an ablation first.

My Dr does not have the best bedside manner. He's good, just not very talkative. I have to drag out any information I get from him.

Anyway, my question is to those of you are/were overweight and had a hysterectomy. Did you have any problems, long recovery or wish you hadn't had it done? I'd appreciate any advice/help you could give me.

I was about 50 pounds overweight when I had the big incision hysterectomy. I wound up with a wound that "split" and needed packing for 5 weeks. That was very scary at first, but I had excellent visiting nurses who took care of the incision every day. By the last week, I could pack it myself. At the 6 week check-up, I needed to only bandage it up, and it was completely healed before 7 weeks post-op.

This complication is more common for fat people, but it was at least a little puzzling for me. I'd had a cyst surgery 5 years ago when I was about 70 pounds overweight. The hysterectomy surgeon used the scar from that surgery as the "map" for this surgery. I had a very minor wound issue with the cyst surgery, but healed much faster. But, I know the hysterectomy was more complicated and I was on the table for nearly 5 hours.

And, the visiting nurses did tell me that some of the patients who needed this kind of wound care did have lap surgeries, but it is less common for them.

I also had cellulitis, a tissue infection beside the incision after the hysterectomy. It's not clear what caused that, but the doctor told me they were cleaning out a pus pocket in my abdomen, and one of my ovaries was very infected. I also had odd pain in that area from the time I was in recovery. The cellulitis showed up a week post-op, and I was on antibiotics for about 3 weeks. I don't think that's particularly related to size, I think it's more related to an internal infection "migrating" outward.

I should stress that of course I felt like crap for the first two weeks or so post-op, but everyone does. I rested, I ate when I felt up to it, and, in fact, was encouraged to eat more meat to help with wound healing. I also tried to walk when I felt OK. I lost about 8 pounds post-op.

One complication after the last cyst surgery was a lot of blood pressure problems as my BP was not well-controlled at that time. Since then, I've gone on Benicar, and my BP was fine the whole time around the hysterectomy. If your BP is problematic, be sure to talk to your surgeon about that.

Try not to worry about your weight too much in recovery, but do make a point of getting up and around as soon as the doctor says it's OK. Pre-op, practice using your arms to get out of chairs and off the bed.

I've been walking a lot, and while I only walked 24 miles in July, I was back up to 70 miles in August. Even a little activity every day will help you.

Good luck, and try not to worry.

I was about 100 pounds overweight when I had my hysterectomy, and I remember being so worried about not healing. I have a huge vertical incision that although is still nasty to look at, healed perfectly fine with no complications.

All of my stress and anxiety was for nothing, I bounced back quicker than my friend who is in amazing shape with not an extra pound. When I was having my surgery she kept telling me how bad the recovery was and that I needed to be prepared, she had such amazing stomach muscles and the recovery was hard for her so imagine what an out of shape slob would feel like.

I think recovery is about the person and not their shape or size. I am 18 months out and if they told me I had to go in tomorrow to get it done again I would do it gladly for these results. My quality of life is so much better, nothing holds me back anymore! Good luck, I hope you breeze through surgery and recovery!

I am overweight too and wondered about how much harder it would be to heal from my hysterectomy than it was my c-section. I have actually found it has been easier for me.

When I spoke with my doctor before surgery he told me not to worry b/c where I carried my weight wouldn't affect my incision sight(s). He had actually said that a little extra weight helps the body deal with the stress of the surgery.

I can ss that, but when I need to lose around 80 pounds that's more than just a few extra pounds imho. I think the major key to recover for the chubby gang is making sure you completely dry off your wound cite and follow extra caution in care.

The only major issue I have personally seen when it comes to recovering is if you are diabetic it slows healing. Otherwise I think you will be fine.

In fact I have begun healing a lot quicker than my older sister ever did and she was a size 2 at her surgery. It's the only time I've been glad I've had a llittle extra padding

Oldmare, I should say, I'm sorry if I sounded too negative in my posting on possible complications. I was also feeling much better after about 3 weeks than many women who were lighter than me. I'm almost 9 weeks out now, and am only having back trouble and insomnia. But, I had back trouble and insomnia before the surgery, too.

Thank you all, for sharing your stories. I'm still waiting on the date for the surgery. I am overweight and my doctor tried to talk me out of a surgery, but agreed to do the surgery when he realized I know what I'm asking as I've done a lot of research.

Although, I actually forgot about the overweight part until I read this post...

I weigh about 270 pounds. I had the DaVinci surgery and never had any real pain, only soreness. I don't think it could have gone any better, I can't imagine a smaller person having a more positive experience than I did. I was back at work after 3 weeks ( I have a desk job). I never really slowed down much at all. It has been 9 weeks now and I feel fully recovered. Best of luck to you!

Sounds like you need a new doctor. I'm serious, not being a smart aleck.
I'm about 130 pounds and just had the Davinci hysterectomy on 7 Aug. I'm healing fine and not having any complications. It sounds as if your doctor doesnt feel comfortable. You need to feel like you are going to be taken care of. Get other opinions.

Thank you to everyone who posted. I have found so much support and understanding on this forum. It has been wonderful!!

forcythia ~ You were not negative at all! I asked for advice/experience and that is what you gave me. Luckily, I do not have blood pressure problems. You told me your experiences, and that gave me things to look for in my recovery. I want to thank you for that.

smack664 ~ Thank you! Your post just goes to show that everyone heals at a different rate, no matter the size or shape. Hopefully I'll heal as well as you did!

boiler01 ~ Thank goodness I don't have any diabetic problems, so I don't have to worry about that while healing. My pcp who is a DO, doesn't think I will have any more problems than any one else who is having the surgery. He told me I may be a bit stiff for a few days since I'm having a LAVH. I have RA in my hips and being on the OR table for a few hours might cause me to stiffen up some.

Vimsen ~ I kinda shocked my Dr. yesterday when I had my list of questions to ask him about the surgery. I guess he is just used to women who just do as he says. Good luck with your surgery and feel free to message me if you want.

bargriffin68 ~ I hope I have as good of a recovery as you did. Sounds like you had one of the best recoveries I've read about on here.

Bigdeal ~ I probably do, but he is a really good Dr. Just not a good "talker". MY pcp said he would refer me to another gyn if I wanted, but then I would have to go through all the tests again. Then there is the insurance. I've already had my gallbladder removed in April, so my out of pocket is almost met. If I go to another Dr. I may not get into surgery until after the first of the year, then it would cost me more.

I am so glad I found this sight. Reading everyone's stories, experiences and progress has helped me tremendously! I learn something new every time I log on. Thank you everyone!

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Originally Posted by oldmare Bigdeal ~ I probably do, but he is a really good Dr. Just not a good "talker". MY pcp said he would refer me to another gyn if I wanted, but then I would have to go through all the tests again. Then there is the insurance. I've already had my gallbladder removed in April, so my out of pocket is almost met. If I go to another Dr. I may not get into surgery until after the first of the year, then it would cost me more.

If you're comfortable with your surgeon and he's comfortable operating on you, then I can definitely see about not switching doctors so you keep your surgery in the same calendar year. But just FYI - you should not have to go through all the tests again. If you do decide you want to switch doctors, then just have the test results given to the new surgeon.

I'm about 60 pounds overweight and had my surgery done with DaVinci, so not quite in the same boat as your LAVH surgery, but while my doctor said he would be more comfortable if I was able to lose some weight before the surgery, it didn't affect my healing at all. The biggest issue he said with heavier women was that your organs typically were harder to either move out of the way or see around, because of fat deposits. I tried to get him to take some of those deposits out, as long as he was in there, but no go. *sigh*