dVH/RALH: One week!! Please post your happy stories!!!

Since I need this surgery due to cancer, not a painful situation it is so hard for me to accept. If the surgery was to alleviate pain, or make my life more enjoyable in some way perhaps I'd be less upset. My life is GREAT! I have no symptoms!!!Of course I have read over and over again what can go wrong - please post some happy stories - how you are still the same person, sex not affected, tummy size back to normal, no bladder/bowel issues etc etc etc - Thanks!!!!!

Hi! Sorry to hear about the cancer. Hopefully the surgery will take care of that. I am on Day 16 of LAVH. I was very scared going into this surgery. My tummy was slightly swollen only for a few days. Its back to normal now. I didn't take any pain medication after Day 3 (lucky there too). I was feeling so good at Day 13 I did too much without knowing it and popped a stitch which caused some bleeding. Sometimes keeping yourself down and relaxing can be hardest of all!

Now I'm getting into the routine of relaxing. I've got Spanish to learn, a video game to play, new books, and my family (including my kids!) have all taken up the slack of the housework and chores.

I may get used to loafing around and eating chocolates!

Thank goodness for modern medicine and for this website.

Best of luck

Oh mchm! I really am feeling for you. I didn't have the surgery due to cancer, but for ongoing issues (enlarged uterus, polyps, fibroids, and adenomyosis). I had my surgery nearly 3 weeks ago, and I already am feeling much better! I worried horribly about all the issues that I could think of--mostly my ability to orgasm, and feel aroused...and also that I might have bladder control issues, and weight gain. I haven't been given the go ahead for sexual intercourse until six weeks, but we can so whatever we want sexually as long as my vagina isn't involved. My desire is as strong, or stronger. Also, orgasms haven't been a problem at all. No peeing my pants, either! I've lost some weight and not sure if that is because I'm not as hungry because I'm not as active, or from the surgery itself. I tire easily, but that is even getting better. The worst part is the worrying before surgery. I had to ask for drugs to help me sleep that week before, I was so worried! I am definitely still the same person! Wearing the same jeans I was before (although while at home I'm usually in my workout sweats). I know the reasons for your surgery is different, but there are mostly great outcomes after. So much is focused on the negative, and I was sucked into that. For me, I am SO glad I had my hysterectomy! I wish I'd been ready to do this years ago. Good luck to you! Try to stay busy, and focus on positives! Hugs!

I had my DTH Dec 10th..going great..I didn't notice how bad I really felt before the surgery....after, I feel like a new person..I'm actually HAPPY now and feel so much better (body)..sex drive is in over drive. As far is tummy back to normal..I'm obese and I did shrink some. My bladder and bowel are working better now since the surgery (oversized uter. caused bladder/bowel problems due to adenomyosis)...Good Luck on your up coming surgery sister...HUG'S

Hey mchm-

Sending best wishes your way for a speedy & uneventful recovery - I know your mind is all a-buzz with all kinds of thoughts with your cancer diagnosis, but hang in there. If you're not having any symptoms or problems, then I'll bet they found your cancer really early giving you an AWESOME prognosis for a full recovery!!

Today is my 6 month "hyster-versary" - I can't believe it's been 6 months!! Had dvh this summer at age 48 for enlarged uterus/fibroids (kept cervix & ovaries), and I'm not the same ole person - I'm a new & improved version of me!! I had a wonderful surgeon, and my surgery was a breeze with a super easy recovery, only missing 9 days of work. Not having periods anymore is THE BEST!!! (All my friends told me so ahead of time, and they were right!) Sex is even better because you don't have to worry about that "time of the month" being an interference to that; plus, everything feels EXACTLY the same to me & DH, plus everything works just great just like it used to!! Flat tummy is back, and no bladder/bowel issues either - I think I got all of your questions!!

For me, I also had an extremely unexpected side effect - I had been a menstrual migraine sufferer since the age of 30, taking both daily preventive medications as well as other pain medications at the onset of a migraine. My migraines have completely disappeared since my dvh!! My surgeon said that sometimes fibroids can get your hormone production whacked out, causing you to have migraines. I'm working now with my neurologist to gradually wean myself off of all my migraine meds, ensuring that the migraines don't return. I can't describe how great it is not to have migraines anymore!!

I've had a great experience with my daVinci hysterectomy - I hope you do too. Just remember - everyone is different, every person's procedure is different, everyone's response is different - so be sure you do what is right for you and do what's best for you and take the time you need to heal fully. Don't be in a rush if that's not what's in the cards for you - just take your time!! I just hope you're as happy with your procedure as I am.

Best wishes to you!
Di

I am having a great recovery too. Like you I was really unhappy, okay really angry, at the whole deal partly because doing something with my fibroids took so long (wait times in Canada to see specialists are ridiculous) and partly because I felt fine before the surgery and I knew I wouldn't feel fine after. Well what a surprise it was the next day to find no pain at all and just some pulling from the incision when I moved. I followed my doctor's orders in terms of lifting, driving, moving, etc. to a tee and after 9 weeks off, I am more than ready to go back to work. I did a bit of walking in the first few weeks but at six weeks, I was back to walking 10 to 12 km daily at full speed. I never had the fatigue or the not feeling like myself that can happen. I also never had the huge swollen belly that others speak of. I was back into my regular clothes right away. The fibroid did distend my stomach a lot so that had probably something to do with being able to fit in my pants. I am mostly flat now with a bit of swelling by the evening. However, I do have a roll over my incision that I am not happy about. I am working on it through walking and needing to maybe lose another 10 lbs. I recommend for you to get into the best shape you possibly can as I really believe that my physical fitness helped me have such a great recovery. Hope my little story helps.

PS. It is such a pleasure to be able to walk for a couple of hours and not have to find a bush or a store to relieve my bladder. That is the main reason I had the surgery and I am really happy with the results.

I'm 14 days post-op from a TVH and I swear, it's like I never even had surgery! I have been pain-free as of 3 days post-op and I was out shopping and running around at 7 days post-op (I would have been doing that sooner but DH wouldn't let me). The only reminder I have of the surgery (besides no sex/baths/hot tub) is the dull ache when I sneeze or cough.

I went to my doc yesterday for my 2-week post op check-up and all is well. He told me no baths/hot tub for another 2 weeks and no sex for another 4 weeks. Other than that, no restrictions and I am finished (no more check-ups unless I have issues). I'm 36, by the way.

Best wishes...it really isn't so bad (take Gas-X to the hospital with you)!

Everyone is different, so every recovery is different, but I can tell you about mine. Right after, I was fine, ready to face the world head on. A few weeks later though, I was sure I'd made a huge mistake. I was in pain, although I knew it was reasonable, and the swelly belly was awful.

I am approaching my first hysterversary and for one thing, it seems amazing that it's been almost a year. It just flew by! Everyone has been very supportive and compassionate, which makes things so much easier.

My husband and I enjoy as much, if not more, sex than before, and I am not taking any hormones or anything for that. In fact, I'd say it's more meaningful because there's no pain associated and there's more intimacy because he saw me through that very rough part of my life.

I have had no residual pain either. If nothing else, it seems like I can hold it longer when I have to pee. We joke that it's because there's more room in there for my bladder to expand. Boy do I gotta go when I gotta go though, hehe. Hubby says I should bring a book!

Stay positive, that is the key. If you stay positive and remember to look at the bright things, you'll be just fine!

I had DaVinci for endometrioid adenocarcinoma. I am sooooooo blessed to have been able to have my uterus, cervix, tubes, ovaries, and lymph nodes removed this way. If I had to do this over again, I'd have the same surgery and care by the same surgeon, the same anesthesiologist, the same OR staff, the same pathologist, the same hospital, and the same nurses and patient care techs.

Although I had a couple of little bumps along the way, there have been no serious problems and my recovery has been very uneventful. My gynocological surgical oncologist was pleased with the surgery and my recovery. Prior to surgery, I had uncontrolled postmenopausal bleeding, but no pain. My mom and I are so happy I got rid of everything... no potential for problems later! Although I need external radiation, my prognosis is excellent. I am looking forward to getting finished with treatment so I can celebrate!

BTW, we celebrate the anniversary of my thyroidectomy and diagnosis of thyroid cancer, have mini celebrations of clean scans and good bloodwork because it marks more time as a survivor (I'm a three-time, 22-year cancer survivor). I anticipate celebrating my hystanniversaries and follow-up tests in the same way because they are survivorship milestones. What great excuses to celebrate!

God's blessings and good luck!

I had a tah but got to keep my ovaries on December 15 th, 2010. I had this done because of fybroids and unpleasant periods. I am havibg a pretty good recovery. Tummy is pretty sore and swells some by the end of the day. I had my two week check up today and doc says all is well. I feel really giid but I think I did too much sone this week. Inscision kinda hurts. If I lay flat for a while it helps relieve the
pain. My recovery has been good. Good luck to you on your up coming surgery and don't worry all will work out fine. My husband was and us a big help through all of this. I hope you havre someone to help you too. Hood luck!