Tomorrow is the day, and I have a question

Hello. So I glad I just found this board!

I'm scheduled for a hysterectomy tomorrow. It will be abdominally, and they are removing my uterus and cervix. I have known for months, and not been one bit nervous. The doctor said recovery would be 4-6 weeks, and I figured it would be no problem. I just assumed (wrongly it appears) that it would be no worse than my previous C-sections.

Now today, several people have come to me with horror stories, about loooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggg painful recoveries. I was assuming I could return to the gym in 6 weeks, begin walking in 3 or 4, and go on vacation in mid January. Now I'm panicking that I've made future plans I never should have. Can someone PLEASE tell me what I can expect as far as recovery.

Thanks so much!

Hi Flb,

Don't know if I can help you much. I had lavh/bso 3 weeks ago no long recovery for me. So far only problem is very tired . You surgery will be alittle different from mine, but I'm sure someone will be along soon to get you some good advice

Keep The Faith!
s for you

Good luck tomorrow! Please don't worry. The same thing happened to me - many people want to tell you the terrible things. Remember everyone is different and we all respond to treatment and heal in our own way. I am 16 days post op for a TAH BSO. I have some discomfort but mostly I feel great. I started walking outside in my yard last week. Today I went to lunch with friends. Just little things - but it's all coming back. I have a pretty active lifestyle and am confident I will return to it. I am scheduled to take a vacation in December and see no reason that I won't be able to. Again, we are all different - but just listen to your body and it will let you know.
Best wishes tomorrow.
LouiseM

I also had a remarkably easy recovery. I'm nearly 9 weeks post-op, and after the first week it was fine. The only problem I had was to keep reminding myself not to do too much, because I felt great! Everyone is different, but I tried to get into really good shape prior to my surgery. I'm 43, but feel 20 again!

Lots of luck to you, and hope you have an easy recovery!

MarlaSue

TAH/BSO 9/7/01

Flb, you know how some women love to scare you with horror stories (some of which, I suspect, aren't half as bad as they remember).

I'd say your expectations are about right. I won't lie to you--for the first 4-6 weeks (it's different for everyone; could be more, could be less), you're going to need to do at first nothing, and then very little. That part will probably be more aggravating than you expect. You'll get very tired and sore if you overdo it... but then, typically, the recovery smooths out. From what I've seen - and my own experience bears this out - most women start to be able to slip back into their normal lives by around six weeks. Slowly. Did you hear that??

I think you'll be able to keep to your plans. Just don't expect wonders when you get back to that gym!

Good luck tomorrow. Get back to us as soon as you can to let us know how you're doing.

Hugs and prayers,
Laine

I think you will be fine for your mid-Jan vacation. I had a TAH (one ovary left and ticking along great with no HRT!!) in March, 2000 and I made the same plans as you at my 5th week mark and it worked out fine. I just didn't over do it. The first few weeks are the worst and each week then becomes better and better (IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO HEAL CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME AROUND). We only have one chance to heal properly and that's the first time around ... so take it easy and rest a lot (and that ALWAYS means with feet up). Have everything by your bedside (including your computer/laptop and water). Don't even lift the milk jug to pour...tilt it on the counter top to pour in the glass. If you really pamper yourself during the first few weeks you will have one of the best vacations yet!

Please let us know how you're doing! LOL