What do they mean about change?

Hi,

I hear so much about how a woman "changes" after having a hysterectomy. What do they mean about change?

Change in the way your body looks? (Will I look different and not have the body I had before?)
Change in personality?
Change mentally?

Can someone explain this to me, thanks..

Elizabeth

HI Elizabeth,
I suppose there can be change in all of those areas - depending on what kind of work you have done, what shape you were in before surgery, and how you react physically and emotionally to the surgery.

Speaking for myself, I kept my ovaries, which I think helped keep me hormonally balanced - (they don't seem to have shut down in any way since surgery, which can happen sometimes - as a temporary "sleep" or as a failure)

Physically - I've lost weight. Paritally because I was on meds before surgery which bloated me up, but only partially - - I was really careful about what I ate after surgery because I wanted to be kind to my intestinal system, and I ended up losing about 15 lbs -- over all in the last year I've lost about 25.... so that is an unexpected bonus!

Mentally, I've had some ups and downs. I thought that because we had decided a long time ago not to have children, the loss of my uterus would not bother me. Well, it did. and NOT because of the inability to have children, but rather as a loss of a sense of myself. I'm still having some trouble working that out, but I know I'm not alone in that. (see the thread on A new Phase in Post-Op articles)..

I don't think my personality has changed at all. I was certainly quieter for a little while after surgery, but I think that's perfectly normal as you go through healing.

I have to say that I have had a pretty routine recovery period, and I'm now at 6 months.

best wishes

I kept my ovaries so perhaps that's why I didn't change at all after hysterectomy, except that I felt a whole lot better without huge fibroids.

Changes:

I had a TAH/BSO. Changes?? You bet. My periods were always irregular, except when taking hormones to try to control the bleeding, or for a short time I was taking BCP's. I was the wicked witch with PMS, and I felt crappy for at least a week leading up to my period, then during my period was miserable. I also always had breakouts, worse just before my periods.

Since surgery - no more PMS or wild mood swings. I take 1mg Estrace every day, and my moods are pretty stable. No more breakouts either. I also have more energy than I had before surgery. This is because I felt terrible and was also quite anemic. I am closing in on my 2 year hysterversary; I lost about 10 pounds immediately post op. I've maintained for the most part, with the new year and resolutions, etc I'm making a real effort to lose weight and exercise more. I have so much more energy than I did before. Last spring my DH & I bought new bikes and ride a lot, several times a week until it got cold and the snow started.

Do you suddenly age as a result of surgery? I didn't. I'm 48 and have a 2 1/2 yo grandson. People are always mistaking me for his mother, when I correct them they tell me I don't look old enough to have a grandchild.

There can be changes in the way a woman "sees" herself after surgery, good and bad. For the woman who feels that her womanhood or her entire being is defined by the ability to have children, whether she was planning to have more or not, losing her uterus can be devastating which can lead to problems.

If you have some underlying condition such as depression, etc. that you take medication for there could be unexpected changes. You will need to work with your DR to make sure your HRT (if you decide to take it) is working in tandem with your other meds.

Personally I was never one of those who thought having a period was a wonderful thing. I remember with my first period thinking that having fun (and a life) was over because of the inconvenience of having a period once a month. I do feel a wonderful sense of freedom now - freedom from PMS, cramps, accidents.

The bottom line is everyone is different and is having surgery for their own reasons.

Best wishes!