TAH: For those that have been there, done that...conference 5 weeks after hysterectomy (TAH)?

Is it realistic to think that one would be well enough to speak at a conference 5 weeks after a TAH?

I know experiences vary greatly, but I have been invited to speak and would love to commit. However, I would hate to let them down if for whatever reason I am not well enough by that point.

It's not unrealistic that you would be well enough to do it. As you said experiences vary and it would depend on your recovery rate. I had a fairly easy recovery and my pain was tolerable. I'm not saying that I didn't have some not so good days but the good outweighed the bad by far. I was released for all activity at 4 weeks, sex six.

At five weeks I was still moving a little slow, but I still felt pretty good. I eased my way into activities. So I would say to you, talk to your doctor and see what his or her recommendations are and go from there. Because one person's experience may not be yours.

Ok, I am exactly one week out. I feel better then I did before surgery! Yes I am tired, sore, and a bit cranky but compared to how I felt with my never-ending cycles I am great! I think it is perfectly reasonable. Now today I napped almost all day. Yesterday I wandered around Walmart for about 45 minutes with my mom, she drove me there and back. I am going to a meeting for work tomorrow and hoping to hit a second one. I am going back to work on Monday. I am an instructor and I have an evening class Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday so have to be at work from 5-9:30 on those nights plus 8-11:30 on Fridays. My hubby will drive me to and from and carry my books in for me. I am really feeling up to it. Will it be too soon? Not sure until I try. I have found that recoveries are as varied as the women who have a hyster. Mine was for menorrhagia caused by PCOS. No fibroids, no cancer, no growths. Normal sized uterus but due to never having a full-term pregnancy my uterus was too high up for any other procedure. I have not regretted it once!

Good luck to you!

I also had TAH and I could have done it with no problem. I was back to almost normal before that, driving, working, cooking etc. I felt good my whole recovery, and as the other poster said, much better than before my surgery. Obviously there are no guarantees, but I think it is very realistic to think that you would be up to doing that.

For me, it wouldn't have been a problem. At five weeks my only restrictions were don't lift more than 30 lbs and no exercise machine. My sister came to visit at five weeks. I had no trouble cleaning up the apartment and refreshing our supply groceries to include her favourite before she arrived.

The only issues I can think of are:

1) Don't try to lift or carry more than 30 lbs. You may want to get someone else to carry luggage, laptop, projector, etc.

2) If the conference is formal, be warned that you may still have some "swelly belly." Your usual formal clothes may not fit.

3) Wear flats, not heels, esp. if you'll be standing the entire time you're speaking.

I agree with other posters here. My limitation in addition to what other sisters have said would have been to be able sit down with feet up. And I would plan for short periods of doing one thing with rest in between. I was easily exhausted if I didn't plan rest time. So if you go good luck and relax as much as you can. Oh I think discussing it with your Dr is a goog idea he/she knows how much work has to be done inside that will effect your healing.

Hugs,
Anndy

Thank you all so much! I am seeing my doctor for the last time before the surgery today and I will definitely be bringing it up, but I feel more confident hearing about it from those of you that are on the other side of this!

Yes, I have already requested that I be able to sit while I speak, and they are happy to accommodate, so that helps. I just would hate to commit and then let them down, but I feel better knowing that for the most part you all would have felt good enough to do so! Thank you very much.