Hysterectomy vs. Cesarean

Hi, I am 26 and had my TAH about 10 weeks ago. My friends, and family have been a huge support through out this for me, which I have absolutely appreciated BUT one of the main things I have heard from the ladies around me is "I know exactly how you feel, I had a cesarean when I had my kids" Now I have to ask, Is it horrible that part of me has wanted to yell, No you don't!! Aside from them both being abdominal surgeries they have nothing in common and are in fact quite opposite!!........ I don't know maybe I am just being overly sensitive when it comes to this subject. That's why I thought I would throw it out to you ladies and see what you thought.

My dr told me that what we have had is nothing like a c section. She said a c section is relatively quick, open them up and take out the baby. It's over. With a hysterectomy, parts of your body are being removed, resituated, etc. so basically there is no comparison!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by chezshelly My dr told me that what we have had is nothing like a c section. She said a c section is relatively quick, open them up and take out the baby. It's over. With a hysterectomy, parts of your body are being removed, resituated, etc. so basically there is no comparison!

Thank You!!

Hey Sally ~
I have had both surgeries. I had a cesarean when I had twins at the age of 27 1/2 and then TAH with oophorectomy & appendectomy at the age of 46 all in one surgery. I was younger and no not nearly as much surgery was done on me. I was home from the hospital and caring for 2 babies night and day 3 days later. I have been told by others that have had a c-section that I was an exception that they had much more discomfort than I must have had. I don't know, maybe different levels of pain tolerance too.
But at 46 after the surgery I had, I know I would not have been taking care of two babies day and night three days post op.
My ob/gyn that did my TAH said part of my discomfort was that I did to much after my c-section and it caused adhesions. After my TAH/Oophorectomy/Appendectomy I made sure to take it easy so I could heal properly.
Anyway, thought I would share my experience.
♥
PS
5 year hysterversary today!

Thank You for sharing your story! Congrats on your 5 year hysterversary!

I've had both and no, they are absolutely nothing alike!!! I used to think that recovery from a c-section was rough (my first one at least, labored to only have to have a c-section to pluck him back out of my pelvis as he was stuck), this recovery for the hysterectomy (TAH, with oophrectomy, as well as 3 hernia repairs) isn't bad, but better than my c-sections.

I'm sorry your first delivery was so crazy! I'm glad it all ended up ok Thanks for the reply

Don't take their insensitivity personally. Some people think that they are trying to make you feel better by telling you their horror story but each person is different. As with age. You had your hysterectomy young and I had mine at 45 because drs refuse to listen to me at 42. If they had listened then I would have only had 3 incisions rather than the huge c-section scar Im forced to look at everyday. I wish you well in your recovery and tell them that while you appreciate what they went thru what you are forced to go thru now is different. Good Luck itll get easier!

Thank you! You are right, and most of the time I am pretty good at letting it slide because I know it came from a good place. It's just every once in a while it hits me in a different way.

Sally, that would make me want to throw things! lol

Even though you know they mean well, blah blah blah - it's still a bit infuriating. I've had both surgeries too. And the hysterectomy is hugely different! So much more recovery involved. I don't know if there is a way to say that, gracefully. To somehow let them know about sutures and bladders and ovaries and everything left inside having to be re-situated because so much is attached to the uterus. ETC! I suppose not. You are showing great restraint to not clobber them.
hugs