Post Menopausal Women who had hysterectomies

Would like to compare stories with the 60 and up age group

I am 54 and had my surgery when I was supposedly post-menopausal.

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Originally Posted by bbcolorado I am 54 and had my surgery when I was supposedly post-menopausal.

How was your recovery

My recovery is going well, I think.

At week 5, I have more stamina, but then crash after a few hours out and about. I feel like I am less patient, but that could be because i am so tired all the time. I am NOT sleeping well--2 hours every other night, and on other nights 5 max--always broken-up sleep. Though I must say I was never a good sleeper.

The incision appears to be healing well, still sore and a bit numb.

Over the last few day have had a dull headache--maybe that is from stress, not sure yet. Or could be no ovaries!

What surgery did you have, were your ovaries removed? How are you doing?

Had a TAH/BSO.

I am 10 years post menopausal and didn't want to worry about suspicious cells and tumor on uterus at this age. My friend just recovered from endometrial cancer and I know what she went through. Thank God my report was benign.

Only took advil for swelling from day 4, no pain at all. After week one, I had to remind myself that I had surgery and not to do too much around the house. At week 2 I started to remove the surgi strips one day at a time.
At week three, I drove to the mall and shopped for 2 hours. started to feel some pressure and knew it was time to go home and relax.

Belly still feels swollen but got into my jeans. Go for my post op appt. next Tuesday. Hope Im healing inside.

I am 64 and into my third week post-op. Mentally feel great, yesterday my doctor said I could re-start my HRT which I have been on for about 14 years. I love it. Recovery-wise, had a setback on day 6 post-op with very severe constipation. Went to the ER, got treated and given Movicol to take for a couple of days. Am now right on top of the situation, taking 3 caps of Metamucil per day and 2 stool softeners. Bladder-wise is a different story. Have terrible pains when I need to pee, about every 2 hours, even right through the night. No burning or stinging, just the actual bladder seems to spasm or something. Am going to be tested for a UTI just in case. After I have been I use a heat pad and the pain goes away quite quickly. Am not taking any painkillers - stopped on day 5 post-op. The incision is still sore every time I move. Am walking several times a day around the house and a few 2 minute sessions on the manual treadmill. When walking my abdomen feels heavy and the incision seems to pull.

I really don't want to hear about the sisters who are walking miles LOL - perhaps they are a lot younger than us! Good for them and I am pleased that they can do that, but I keep reading about over-doing it so will continue at my slow pace.

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Originally Posted by Jasnick I am 64 and into my third week post-op. Mentally feel great, yesterday my doctor said I could re-start my HRT which I have been on for about 14 years. I love it. Recovery-wise, had a setback on day 6 post-op with very severe constipation. Went to the ER, got treated and given Movicol to take for a couple of days. Am now right on top of the situation, taking 3 caps of Metamucil per day and 2 stool softeners. Bladder-wise is a different story. Have terrible pains when I need to pee, about every 2 hours, even right through the night. No burning or stinging, just the actual bladder seems to spasm or something. Am going to be tested for a UTI just in case. After I have been I use a heat pad and the pain goes away quite quickly. Am not taking any painkillers - stopped on day 5 post-op. The incision is still sore every time I move. Am walking several times a day around the house and a few 2 minute sessions on the manual treadmill. When walking my abdomen feels heavy and the incision seems to pull. I really don't want to hear about the sisters who are walking miles LOL - perhaps they are a lot younger than us! Good for them and I am pleased that they can do that, but I keep reading about over-doing it so will continue at my slow pace.

Haven't been on hormones for 8 years but use premarin vaginal cream twice per week. Dont know if I will need anything other than this after my TAH/BSO

I am 4 week post TAH/BSO. I am 56 (almost 57!) and have been menopausal for almost 10 years. I had the surgery becaise I had a 14cm cyst on my left ovary which looked "suspicious". Given my history of fibroids, cervical dysplasia and polyps the doctor recommended the TAH/BSO. At my age I figured there was no reason to look at other options. My path report has come back clear so that's a relief!

Otherwise I think my recovery is going OK. I feel pretty well, am sleeping well and my "plumbing" seems to be working too. I am walking a few blocks every day and have driven a couple of times. No more naps and just taking Advil when I need it.

I also had a setback during the first week with a nasty abscess in my incision. Antibiotics cleared it up but I felt pretty bad for a few days.

However, my belly is still very tender especially if I do too much...like yesterday. I love to garden and decided I was feeling OK so I sat on the grass and pulled out weeds for a while. BIG MISTAKE! Now I am swollen right up to my ribcage. I basically vegged all day on the couch today with a good book but it still hurts.

The only other problem I have is a pins and needles feeling behind my left knee. My family doctor looked at it a couple of weeks ago and didn't think it was a blood clot. It is gradually getting better. Probably a pinched nerve.

I am not sure but I may have a had a few hot flashes at night...not sure though as it also has been pretty warm! Other than that I don't feel any symptoms. I never had to take HRT before and don't imagine I will need it now.

I am seeing my gyn/onc tomorrow for my 4 week check up and I hope he will tell me that everything is healing well.

The good thing about having this surgery now is that I don't have any little ones to worry about- just DH and me and the cats!

Also I am retired so I don't have to stress about going back to work!

not over 60 - just 56 but went thru menopause in my early 40's with official menopause declared at 46. had da vinci robotic TH & BSO on 3/26. surgery was recommended due to 10 cm cyst on right ovary and enlarged uterus - as my gyn said these are body parts that should not be doing anything any more and they are - that is a problem. luckily cyst was negative and as uterus had precancerous cells, and as the surgeon said "if we hadn't done this now you would have been back in 3-4 years with actual cancer". recovery has been relatively easy - no spotting or pain meds after first 3 days. fatigue yes. week 4 had a moderate amount of incision site soreness - had to work on that a lot. did take every bit of 5 weeks to get the bowels working normally but bladder was so glad to get cath out that it got normal after first week. sleeping not great but that was issue before the surgery - have sleep apnea and in fact had my appointment with sleep doc 1 week post surgery - boy were they surprised when i told them. adjustment in CPAP not totally successful and have appointment with another sleep specialist in 2 weeks. started back to work yesterday - do home care physical therapy - appear to be tolerating it well. see surgeon on the 20th for what i imagine will be my last visit with her. not doing any hormones - was doing them for a while right after menopause but got nervous with all the potential issues so stopped - read somewhere that even post menopausal ovary removal can cause issues - has anyone else seen that anywhere - what i read did not go into any further detail - laura

I'm 58 and had post menopausal bleeding and hyperplasia so had my TLH on Feb 18. Dr left my ovaries since she said they were healthy and would still secrete some helpful hormones even past menopause.

My recovery has gone pretty well. I have been frustrated with how long it's taking to feel normal again. I returned to work at 7 1/2 weeks and it's been very rough. Lots of aches, twinges, and tugs returned and I didn't expect that.

I've had no increase in hot flashes. I consider myself lucky to have been able to go through perimenopause and menopause slowly. I feel bad for these young gals who are thrown immediately into it from their surgery.