BSO & Ovary Removal 11/15....what to expect?

I had a partial abdominal hysty 20 yrs ago, but I'm having a Birch procedure on the 15th and dr is removing remaining ovary. Can anyone tell me what to expect both pre-op and post op?

Also, a couple of well wishers at church warned me yesterday .... that my sex drive would be completely gone and that I'd probably be a raving maniac for a few weeks until my body adjusted to the lack of hormones. Needless to say, that did NOT bless me!

I can't help with the pre/post op feelings (don't really know what a Birch proc is), but I can tell you about the hormones.

You don't say how old you are, and I think your response to having your last ovary out will be somewhat dependent on your age.

But I'm 39, had an SAH, BSO in June, so I'm 5 months post op. I DID experience wicked hot flashes, for the first few weeks after surgery - since I had severe Endo, I refused all hormone replacement, so I'm going it alone. I'm not taking anything at all, no black cohash, no soy, nothing.

I also experienced some mood swings, again, mostly in the first few weeks post op.

I went back to work after 8 weeks, and by then, the mood swings were mostly gone; I was and am still having hot flashes, but they've gotten less severe as time goes on. I do carry a small fan around with me at work, so if I get overheated, I turn it on, and can cool down.

For what may be the most important question - sex drive. Everyone is different, but my sex drive was non-existant for about 3 years before surgery (my husband might say longer than that). About 4 weeks after surgery, it came back with a VENGANCE!! And unfortunately, had to wait several weeks until I could do something about it!

We basically went from once a month (and I was reluctant for that once a month) to once a day, after we got the OK at the 7 week mark.

We've backed off from that once a day, but we're at least 4-5 times a week, and I'm mostly the initiator.

So my sex drive is MUCH better than it ever was before.

Thanks so much for the reply. I'm 45 so I'm probably about due to hit menopause anyway...this one ovary has delayed it as long as it can but doc says its on its last leg and has to go. The Birch (sp?) is to repair a fallen and weakened bladder. I'm having abdominal and doc thinks there will also be quite a bit of adhesions to deal with since I've had 2 c-sections and a hysterectomy previously.