Surgery 3/31/04

Hello all. I just found out today that I will be having a hysterectomy on 3/31/04 for cervical cancer. I am 35 years old and don't know what to expect. I don't have my pre-op appointment until 3/16/04 so it will be a while until I can talk to my Dr. I am being scheduled for a vaginal with the possibility of a stomach one. They will be taking everything. Overies and all. How long should I be in the hospital? What is the recovery time? Should I do hormones? I need to know everything! If you have the time, would you please be so kind as to fill me in?!! Thanks so much!

Hi

Sounds like you've found this out suddenly. That's always a shock. If you are in the hospital just for the hysterectomy and not for further treatment, you could be in for a day or two or up to 5 days. Depends on your hospital, doctor, insurance, condition, etc. The recovery from this surgery seems to be about the same whether you have a vaginal or abdominal incision. 6 to 8 weeks until you resume all of your normal activities and longer until you are fully back to normal. I thought I was aback to normal by six months but at a year post-op I noticed I was really back to normal.

I think you can expect a successful surgery, minimal pain due to excellent pain management, and a normal recovery. And cancer free! How's that??

But what about hormones? My mom said that they were bad. But I think I should take them untill my body SHOULD have gone into memopause (not sure of spelling) I think I am too young to NOT take hormones. Any opinion?

Michelle