comparisons b/w hysterctomy and cesarean

When hearing I've had an abdominal hysterectomy, some people say, 'Oh, that's just like having a cesarean'. I am somewhat familiar with the cesarean procedure (haven't had one myself, but work as an aide in labour & delivery) and VERY familiar with a TAH/BSO. Are the recovery times the same in length, pain issues, etc?

Hi,

I have had 3 C sections and now a SAH RSO.

In the hospital the after pains were worse for a C section since they give you pitosin sp?? after the c section to cause the uterus to contract. ( I did not have a spinal but rather a genral for the c section.) I was out of bed quicker for the SAH RSO than the C sections

My at home recovery is WAY longer for the SAH RSA than the C section. WIth the C section I was up and at em taking care of my baby and was performing the full household routine in 2 weeks. This SAH RSO is taking longer and there are far more aches and pains. Dealing with some hormone changes is also causes some issues.

These are my experiences, maybe others have different scenarios.

Lizd

i had 3 c sections. i was thinking this would be similar and there is no comparison. as one of my doctors explained to me, no removal of organs is done during a c section. they open you up, cut open the uterus, take the baby out, and sew you back up. much less trauma. i am at almost 11 weeks post op and don't feel as good as i did two weeks after a section.

Same here, 2 c-sections and I thought my TAH would be like them, NO WAY! Sorry to say, but recovery is longer and the pain is different. With a c-section they aren't removing any organs, and that is the difference. Plus, they manipulate things around in there, there is swelling to contend with and lots of internal stitches that take a while to dissolve. It's just on a different level of recovery. Not unbearable, just different.

I had 4 c-sections. I had a TAH 6 weeks ago and this has been way worst! My Dr. said it would be, But I wasn't prepared for it to be. After a couple weeks with the c sections I was doing about everything, without any complications. I am still waiting on my incision to heal at 6 weeks. They used the same incision lines from the c sections and it didn't adhere like it was supposed to, so staples were remopved and it has been a waiting game every since.I kept my ovaries and I sure hope they don't ever have to go back in for anything.
We have a lot of stitches in there compared to c sections and it will take us a lot longer to heal.
Peggy

Hi,

I didn't have a C-section, but I do know that the two surgeries, other than the incision placement, are very, very different.

With a hyst, you're having an organ removed instead of just cut and sewn back up. You have literally hundreds of internal stitches holding everything together, not just a few to sew up the incision in the uterus. Blood vessels are severed, nerves are severed, ligaments and tendons are severed and reattached. There is much, much more involved than with a C-section.

The anesthesia is very different too. Most women have epidurals and are awake during C-sections, but with a hyst, you are under general anesthesia for hours at a time. (Which is part of the reason for the long restriction on driving. It can take up to a month for all the effects of the anesthesia and pain meds to clear your system.)

So next time someone says, "Oh, that's like a C-section", you can set them straight.

s,

Lisa

HA - I cant see much of a comparison at all with a C-Section and a TAH.

I had a C-Section and not this TAH/BSO. They dont compare. I was feeling great with my C-Section (bikini cut) two days after surgury. After three days in the hospital, I cared for my newborn, even did lots of stuff.

I had a TAH/BSO almost 3 weeks ago and I cant lift my cat let alone a child. This is much more difficult and the recovery time is longer- its also alot more painful with more swelling.

I had my uterus and both ovaries removed, and my incision is from bellybutton to pubis.

It is good to hear that the surgery is more intense and painful then a c section, I had my children naturally---why they use this term I don't know....if I hear one more person tell me "Oh you had a hysterectomy, that is just the same as my c section..I am gonna scream!!" I politely say, well the only similarity is for me at least the incision....the difference is that I haven't had a baby, have a great deal of internal stitches and have had organs removed!!!! Then I politely walk away....there are people who are aware and unaware, I am trying to be patient with the unaware but it is getting trying!!!!

Hello... Good Morning Everyone!!
Glad to see your comments posted on this topic... I, too, had 3 c sections and went into this surgery with my mind set that it would be "about the same".... I figured, same incision, same area??? WHATEVER!! This has been a MUCH longer recovery time and I don't remember having as much pain or achiness with the c sections... (maybe I was just oo busy with the babies??)
Anyway, I too, have run into those who have no idea what they are saying... they make comments such as " Oh, how come you had that done, were you having problems?" (DUH!, no I just wanted a major surgery!!) the other one that gets me... "Oh, I didn;t know you were having THOSE kinds of troubles!!" (Like I should have broadcast it to everyone!) and last but not least!! "Oh, sweetie, you'll be fine in a few months, you'll be sooo glad you had that taken care of... my "friend, favorite aunt, mother,etc" had that done... it was a breeze!" When I say that I had an abdominal hysterectomy, they look back with a blank look on their faces... ""??What??" So, I have said, kind of like a c section incision... ONLY FAR MORE to it.... then they start in with their labor and delivery stories or c section trauma memories!! PEOPLE!! I wish I could come up with a ridiculously stupid comment to come back with... they dont even realize how stupid they sound!
THANKS for sharing and for letting me vent!!
I am feeling stronger and healthier each day... it's been a long recovery and had some minor setbacks with my incision not healing properly at first, but I think I am on the upswing again, now!
Have a Great day!
Sandie

Hi ladies. I want to thank all of you for your comments on this topic. I have been stumped about how to reply to people who say a hyst is the same as a c-section. I'm in my 7nth week of recovery and we are moving to another city in a few days. This has been a busy time. There are loose ends to tie up and I'm in constant motion. There are days that I overdue it and pay for it.

Looking back on the weeks of recovery, I feel that I've really come a long way. But there is still a ways to go. It stings my heart when I'm aching at the end of the day, and someone asks me what's up and I tell them about my surgery and they compare it to a section, saying they know people who were up and at 'em right away after a section. I haven't known how to respond to things like that.

My son graduated from grade 8 on Friday. It was a lengthy evening. I was very proud of him. He had a wonderful time. BUT...it was a 4 HOUR AFFAIR (dinner, ceremony, awards, etc). In the 3rd hour of sitting, I just about died! I was twisting and stretching and walking when I could. It was hard to get through, my tummy was so sore. I actually looked around the room for a sofa to lay on. Thank God for my husband's sense of humour at that time, or I wouldn't have made it. My husband understands what's up but others don't understand why it would be a challenge for me to sit through a long ceremony at the end of a busy day.

So, there are times when it's still 'touchy' getting through the day. I feel victorious to do what I can at the moment! Two weeks ago, it wouldn't have been possible.

So anyway, I wanted to thank all of you for your comments on the two surgeries. I just want others around me to understand what has happened. You know, I really do feel so good about what I can now do in comparison to a few weeks ago. But every now and then, I run into someone who is 'shocked' that I'm not yet up to speed. Knocks the wind out of my sails....