My surgery date is 7/7/03 and I have lots of ???s

As I said in my subject line my surgery date is 7/7/03 in TX. I'm not at all nervous about it but I have a few questions that I know only a woman can answer. Here goes . . . I've talked to several of my friends and I have gotten conflicting answers. My doctor is going to do my surgery vaginally and I wanted to know what was the average recovery time. I'm 43 years young and this is my first surgery ever!!! The last time I stayed in a hospital I had my son and that was 26 years ago!!! I've read several times that if the surgery is done abdominally the recovery time is longer. I just don't want to be stuck at home for 6-8 weeks because I'll probably loose the little bit of mind that I have left. My fibroid tumors are 8 cm [4 of them] and then I have several smaller ones all around. My cycle has just started to get heavy during this last year and each time it lasts around 6-7 days. I've been on the Atkins Diet for 8 months and have lost alot of weight but my stomach [lower section] never would go down at all, so when my cycle started getting heavier and heavier that's when I knew something was wrong. I already have a son and I don't want any more kids so I think this is the best option for me. Any information that you ladies can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to Hyster Sisters!

The usual initial recovery time from a total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH) is 4 to 6 weeks, with complete recovery taking anywhere from 6 months to a year.

While it's true that abdominal surgeries require a longer recovery time, it's very important to remember that you're still having major surgery with an organ being removed and hundreds of internal stitches, so you'll need to allow yourself time to heal, since you only get one chance at a complete recovery.

Feel free to post any questions or concerns you may have.

Best wishes and s,

Lisa

I had a TVH on 5/8...5 wks. today. You will need the full six weeks just to let all of the internal sutures heal. I know that it seems rough. I spent my days running around doing things. The thought of 6 wks. seemed like a life sentence BUT it is really needed. My recovery has been on the good side,only a few issues with gas and stuff...yeast inf. at 3 wks. But all of it is tolerable and it is rather hard to believe that I am now 1 wk. away from my 6 wk. check-up. Please follow all of your Drs. instructions and the list of what a good princess should and should not do from this wonderful site. My prayers are with you.

I'll just tell you that for additional money I had a tummy tuck at the same time as my hyst. BUT I had an abdominal hyst.

My recovery for the TAH was a full 6 weeks and really at 8 weeks is when I felt totally recovered. I've heard those with a vaginal hyst feel better sooner, but internally the healing still continues.

TC

Thanks to each and every one of you for replying to my post. I feel soooo much better and I will do everything my Dr says. I'll keep you posted on my recovery. TexasChick: That tummy tuck doesn't sound half bad!!! Take care and I'll e-mail you soon.