Just in case you're pre-op & trolling for good hysterectomy experiences!

Heck yeah!

Ok so I lov this thread, and of course, one of my fave Hys Sis' started. Awesome idea, Spacecake! This is exactly the kind of thread I would have looked for (and did) when I first joined this site 2 yrs ago. I am really, really happy that I had my hysterectomy and I will tell you my story.

I am 10 days post op. I feel really good. Like I am wondering when the next shoe will drop -good. I had a retroverted/retroflexed (read tipped backwards and bent at a 45 degree angle from my cervix) ) normal sized uterus which I found (after pathology came back) had 2 small benign polyps, mild adhesions (from my c-sec almost 25 years ago) mild adenomyosis, and a chronically inflamed cervix.

How did I even have a hysterectomy with seemingly insignificant issues? Well, 2 years ago, at 46 yrs old, I went to see a gyn, who was recommended by my BFF, because this doctor helps people with stress incontinence, which my friend had. I'm pretty active and I love hiking around with my Siberian Husky's and I was sick and tired of wetting my pants if they dragged me along too quickly after spotting a bunny or squirrel.

So I go see this doctor and she does the exam she says, "no wonder you're peeing on yourself, when you cough, laugh, sneeze or run, you have got a total pelvic organ prolapse going on." To which I replied, "what the heck is that?" The doc went on to explain that my uterus was tipped and sagging, forcing my cervix into my vagina, at an odd angle (no wonder when hubby bumped it I practically hit the roof!) my bladder was being pushed, into my vaginal canal, by my dropped cervix...which explained Why I hadn't been able to use tampons for years... and my bent uterus was leaning against my lower colon wall. The latter had helped to constipated me (for years, I have now realized) and all that straining (along with 2 lengthy vagingal births of big babies) created a rectocele, (a pocket formed when your rectal wall prolapses and makes your posteror vaginal wall cave in. Think, every time I beared down, it looked like my vagina was blowing bubble gum. This explained to me why I had been using counter pressure, with my thumb, against my back vaginal wall to poop. I found out that that is called 'splinting'. Who knew???

So, the doctor told me I needed a hysterectomy and a sling. And I told her I didn't think I was ready for something like that. I was really hoping for that one last late in life baby. Call me crazy, but I really love babies. So the doc tried fitting me for pessaries and every single one of them my body spit out. I couldn't hold one kind of pessary above my pubic bone that's how bad the prolapse was.

The doc and I went our separate ways, I went and got FOUR 2nd opinions, who all agreed with my doc. Then, I tried to see if I could get one last kid out of my husband, but my uterus and ovaries were unwilling to comply. I also lost 23 pounds hoping that the weight-loss would mitigate some of my prolapse issues, but it did not work! Hey, the upshot is look great in size 8 jeans again!

So, in July of this year, I went back to the doctor and told her I was ready to go ahead with the surgery. She scheduled me for my LAVH and bilateral salpingectomy (kept ovaries), with a uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension, native tissue rectocele repair and a tot sling. Whew! There's a mouthful!

Another really cool thing is that they took blood from me before they started the surgery, and they spun it down to platelets. Then, after they cleaned me out, when the surgery was finished, they laid my very own platelet rich goop all over my internal surgical site, which is supposed to speed healing and help prevent future adhesions. I thought that was super cool too. And I swear that's one of the reasons why am recovering so quickly.

I was totally worried about the sex thing, I was worried that I might never have an orgasm again, and that really freaked me out! But reading on the site for the last two years really helped to calm my fears about that and make me see that it tends to be the minority of people dealing with that situation and I was hoping to God I would not be in the minority.

10 days postop and this is what I have REALIZED:

1) No More Periods! I thought I wouldn't care about this that much, because mine were never terrible, they were still regular, and tho they had gotten heavier over the years, due to perimenopause, mine were nothing like some of the outrageous stuff I have read here. Heck, I rarely even got cramps. But now thinking about it I'm totally stoked!!

2) This may sound completely stupid, but I can actually feel when I need to poop now. That was not something I had experienced the last decade, at least. My rectum was so screwed up with my uterus leaning against it helping to back it up and then the rectocele screwing up the nerves. So it was rare for me to get the sensation of having to eliminate. Now, I actually feel the urge to go, so I go, and I'm done!

3) I will no longer have pelvic pain and bloating. Which for me,had nothing to do with cysts, fibroids, or endometriosis, but had everything to do with my pelvic organs falling down and putting so much pressure on my pelvic floor.

4) I should be able to go back to my old life where I get to hike around with my dogs and, if they see a bunny and start running, I can keep up with them and not pee myself!

5) My vaginal canal was so whacked out of shape from my prolapsed bladder (cystocele), my prolapsed rectum (rectocele), and my sagging cervix from my prolapsed uterus, that sex with my honey wasn't always so fabulous. It was kind of hard to feel them in there, like he was surrounded by squishy clouds. Lol. But according to my doctor, I will now have the vagina have a 16-year-old, due to the repair work, so that should make things really interesting for my husband and I, in a couple months! Woot!!

10 days post op and this is how I FEEL:

I only needed the narcotics for about seven days. I can't do NSAIDs because of stomach problems so that's why I relied on the narcotics. I feel really good. Like mostly normal. The only thing is this kind of dull ache where I imagine the surgical site is my vaginal cuff is healing. I have kind of stinging itchy feeling on the outside of me because the rectocele repair is basically like a big episiotomy.

I've had two hot flashes and only one sleepless night. I've been a little moody, but I think that's more to do with me being hyperactive, and having cabin fever coz I'm stuck on the couch, than about surgery. I have had weird dreams. Weird sex dreams. Others on the site have referred to having them too. My body seems to work in my dreams, so I'm assuming it will in real life.

My three little incisions are practically gone. I doubt I'll have scars. As for my sling, I have never been able to feel it (which I was worried about) and I can pee fine, tho not as fast as I used to. Best of all, I dont pee when I sneeze, cough or laugh. Yay! I've actually been carefully squatting down and picking things up (nothing weighing more than a gallon of milk, or petting my dogs, and gently moving around, doing laundry, folding laundry, doing dishes, cooking, doing stairs, taking short walks (not with the dogs) but doing things without pushing myself. I do stuff as long as I feel good and it's not tiring me out. That I feel this good 10 days out to me is a great sign. I was released to drive and took my daughter shopping just briefly today sitting in the car really made my bottom sore. I actually hadn't taken any pain meds in four days and had to take some after my local driving excursion. Also you really do use your abs when you're taking turns are stopping short and if you don't prepare for those you really feel it in your tummy. So, no long driving trips, over the next 5 weeks, for me.

So, other than an occasionally achy crotch, I'm really good!! I did have to give myself an enema 5 days post op because of the narcotic induced constipation. I do take miralx everyday, and most likely will throughout my recovery period, so was not to stress my rectocele repair.

Bottom line, I feel so good. I'm so glad I did it. I wish I'd done it 2 years ago. Sorry I wrote such a novel, but if I just found out I needed at hysterectomy I would want others to be as descriptive as possible as to their experience.

~Rachel

Spacecake this was a great idea! When I joined it was because I had trolled myself into a freakout. It was good to come here and find honest and simple answers with no embarrassment!

My TAH for honeydew and cantaloupe sized fibroids only required 24 hours in the hospital and recovery hasn't been bad so far. While I am thankful for great improvement, I also realize reading here that so many girls have been through so much and I don't know how you've dealt with it all! (Strong sisters I hear you roar! ) The change must feel phenomenal!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachel66 Like I am wondering when the next shoe will drop - I was sick and tired of wetting my pants if they dragged me along too quickly after spotting a bunny or squirrel. every time I beared down, it looked like my vagina was blowing bubble gum. I tried to see if I could get one last kid out of my husband, but my uterus and ovaries were unwilling to comply. So, in July of this year, I went back to the doctor and told her I was ready to go ahead with the surgery. She scheduled me for my LAVH and bilateral salpingectomy (kept ovaries), with a uterosacral ligament vaginal vault suspension, native tissue rectocele repair and a tot sling. Whew! There's a mouthful! Another really cool thing is that they took blood from me before they started the surgery, and they spun it down to platelets. Then, after they cleaned me out, when the surgery was finished, they laid my very own platelet rich goop all over my internal surgical site, super cool too. I was totally worried about the sex thing, I was worried that I might never have an orgasm again, and that really freaked me out! No More Periods!But now thinking about it I'm totally stoked!! This may sound completely stupid, but I can actually feel when I need to poop now. I should be able to go back to my old life where I get to hike around with my dogs and, if they see a bunny and start running, I can keep up with them and not pee myself! sex with my honey wasn't always so fabulous. It was kind of hard to feel them in there, like he was surrounded by squishy clouds. ……. But according to my doctor, I will now have the vagina have a 16-year-old, due to the repair work, so that should make things really interesting for my husband and I, in a couple months! Woot!! Weird sex dreams. Others on the site have referred to having them too. My body seems to work in my dreams, so I'm assuming it will in real life. Best of all, I dont pee when I sneeze, cough or laugh. So, other than an occasionally achy crotch, I'm really good!! Bottom line, I feel so good. I'm so glad I did it. I wish I'd done it 2 years ago. Sorry I wrote such a novel, but if I just found out I needed at hysterectomy I would want others to be as descriptive as possible as to their experience. ~Rachel

I HAD to highlight my favorites. You are such a SCRIBE SISTER!

I LOVE your novel! Apology NOT accepted.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by naturally Spacecake this was a great idea! When I joined it was because I had trolled myself into a freakout. It was good to come here and find honest and simple answers with no embarrassment! My TAH for honeydew and cantaloupe sized fibroids only required 24 hours in the hospital and recovery hasn't been bad so far. While I am thankful for great improvement, I also realize reading here that so many girls have been through so much and I don't know how you've dealt with it all! (Strong sisters I hear you roar! ) The change must feel phenomenal!

Sisterhood of the cantaloupe!!!!!!

(gah - & I thought I was all kinds of impressive with a cantaloupe & steroid enhanced grapefruit!)

	Quote:
Originally Posted by spacecake Sisterhood of the cantaloupe!!!!!! (gah - & I thought I was all kinds of impressive with a cantaloupe & steroid enhanced grapefruit!)

That last line, above, is gold!

In my case, the other shoe did, in fact, drop. Or rather I threw it at myself. I was cleared to drive last Thursday, took my 14 yr old dd out, locally, to grab some Halloween stuff. Had fun, came back with lots of 'crotchal discomfort'. (Yeah, made it up.) and then the Swelly Belly returned and I got a rip roaring case of insomnia. So, my butt has been on the couch (or in bed) since Friday. So, you live and you learn (especially not to throw a metaphorical shoe at yourself).

~Rachel thy name is Derp.

No more period pains and no more periods YAY YAY YAY ♡♥♡

I was scared to death to have my hysterectomy. I'm almost a month post-op and to make a long story short, I was scared for nothing. Honestly, the worst part was after they took the catheter out...I kept feeling like I need to pee REALLY bad but nothing would come out. The nurse told me that was normal and to expect to feel like that for the next 8 hours or so and she was right. The feeling got less and less urgent over the next few hours but it did last almost 8 hours lol. I only had soreness and a little gas after the surgery. It wasn't bad at all and my surgery lasted longer than expected...they were only supposed to remove the uterus because of fibroids but once the surgeon got in there, I had alot of adhesions so he had to end up taking everything out. The surgery lasted longer because he tried to save my ovaries because he knew I wanted to keep them but he couldn't save them. Oh well....I'm alive and healthy and that's what counts. Bottom line....I know I can't tell anyone not to worry or stress over a major surgery because I did. But it's really not a bad recovery.

Oh and BTW....the ONLY pain meds I took after surgery was Naproxen. I took it in the hospital, before I went to bed once I was home because I didn't want to wake up in pain during the night and I also took some the following night before bed. I stopped taking it on the third day.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by PinkSparkly Oh and BTW....the ONLY pain meds I took after surgery was Naproxen. I took it in the hospital, before I went to bed once I was home because I didn't want to wake up in pain during the night and I also took some the following night before bed. I stopped taking it on the third day.

Good story sister! And I love your pen name...