Embarassing Question

Hi. I am new to this forum and to the idea of having a hysterectomy, since I just found out Thursday that I am having one on September 22nd. I have had problems for years, but no one has ever suggested this fix before. So I am trying to do all the research I can and find out what I am in for. They are doing a complete hysterectomy (overies and all) vaginally with the help of laproscopy? Anyone been through that? Can you give me a heads up on hospital time? Totally recovery time? OK...and here's the embarrassing question.... I have read several articles that say that it can be harder for a woman to have an orgasm after a hysterectomy.... Does anyone know this to be true or false??

Thanks in advance for any advise you can offer!

Pam (Willsangel)

Aloha Pam, I'm new too! I found this after my hysterectomy..it's been very helpful. I'm in my 2nd week of recovery. I had the laproscopy assisted vaginal hysterectomy.(kept my ovaries )
My time in the hospital was 2 nights. The recovery has been getting easier each day. The first few day were the hardest, but the nurses were very generous with the pain medication and encouraging when it was time to get up and walk around. I woke up with a catheter in which was nice, since I didn't wan't to get up and go to the bathroom right away. My pain was similar to crampy feelings...but the part I wish someone would have told me about was the gas pain left over from the laproscopic procedure. I found that to be the worst...but they said the more I move around,the faster it would move out of me. I had one uncomfortable night and then it just kept getting better each day.
It's great that you are preparing yourself and getting information. I went into it not knowing a lot, but grateful that I wouldn't be in pain and bleeding any longer. Best wishes! Aloha, kona girl

welcome... i too had this type of surg in fact 2 days before dede. I just went for my 2 week check up and am doing great for me it was the best decision

Pam,

Your initial recovery time usually around 6-8 weeks, although the LAVH (I think that's the right initials) is a couple weeks less, due to no incision. To be completely healed can take 6-12 months. Everyone is different and I do hear wonderful things about the type of surgery you're having, so hopefully one of our Sisters will get in here with her experience!

As for sex and orgasms afterwards...it couldn't be better

s
Cat

It's good that you're getting as much information as possible now. I did the same thing and it helped me alot.
I had the same type of surgery that you are planning. It's called an LAVH/BSO. I also had my cervix removed and my appendix at the same time. I have 3 tiny scars from it. One in my belly button that you can't really see, one in the middle of my pelvic area and one off to the side.
The recovery time wasn't that bad. I feel fine now, but my turning point came at about the 4 week mark. From there it all just kept getting better and better. By my 2nd month, I was doing normal things without much of a problem at all. Now, keep in mind that I had just had a surgery in January too and wasn't completely healed before we went for the hyst. My healing was actually a bit slow compared to alot of the other ladies with the same surgery.
The hospital stay for me was 2 days but only because I was having a bit of a problem using the restroom that first day. But I did get up and walk as much as possible to help that along.
Those articles you read can be a bit misleading. You have to think that they probably didn't take into account things like depression, stress or hormones/no hormones when they do those articles. When I'm really stressed out, it's harder to get aroused than it used to be. However, when I have the stress under control, it's not hard to have an orgasm at all. In fact, without the worry of pain with sex, I think it might be a bit easier than before. I also take hormone replacement and I think that helps me with the physical aspect. And my hubby tells me that it feels no different for him than before so he's happy.

Had TAH, so can't answer about LAVH.

No problem with orgasm, probably easier for me. Just keep in mind that putting pressure on yourself to have an orgasm is the surest way to not have one.

Few pointers for that first time ....wait for doc's clearance! Remember to use plenty of lubricant, plenty of foreplay (aw, shucks) and take it slow the first time and consider a position that puts you in the drivers seat. Stop if anything hurts and let your doctor know.

Take care and don't be embarrassed to ask anything here. There really aren't any stupid questions.

pam i was having problems with my computer or on this site last night and could not get my full response out so....

i and doing great i am 17 days post op today and i feel very Normal--- i have to remind myself that i just had surgery and to take things slow. i had an lavh they left my ovaries (they are still working fine and i am only 27 so i did not want to go on hrt yet, when the time comes ok but since i am so young i wanted to wait) i stayed in the hospital 2 night because i live an hour and 1/2 away from the hospital i would have gone home the next morning but i felt it was safer to stay. when i came to the pain was not bad at all for one thing they had given me drugs and the other thing being that i had bad cramps all my life so the pain was nothing. i was really sleepy the first day but after that i was ok. i had a catheter but it did not hurt at all i too was glad i had one so i did not have to get up and pee all the time.

once i came home i took a percoset but i only took one cause they made me dizzy and that was the only pill i took the pain was pretty much gone.

As for the O's well i have not tried internal yet (of course) but outer ones work wonderfully i was bad and tried at about 1 week probly a bad idea but for some reason since the surg my desire has been through the roof. Could it be cause i have been told i could not have it i don't know but i hope it lasts) for me before sex was not always that great cause afterwards you would have to take a shower and changes the sheets .... and not from getting al hot and bothered either. so i am looking forward to sex without bleeding.

i hope this gives you more things to think about if you have more questions just ask. you can allways find someone who has been through just about every situation possible on this site. good luck

Hello again everyone!

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my questions. I feel better about everything already!

I hope everyone is doing great and I have to say that I love this site! It is great to have this kind of support out there!

Pam (Willsangel)

I do not know about the vaginal hyster but I can tell you that it is actually easier for me to have an orgasm. It was very very hard to have on before surgery but now it is no problem whatsoever. Good luck!!

I think having the big "o" is easier after the surgery. I had a TAH ( cervix gone ovaries kept) and being in much less pain before, during and after sex makes it a totally new and exciting feeling. I would even say that sex is better now that the pain is gone. I would have severe pain after sex, which put a damper on things as I think one anticipates the pain in a way....but now it is so great knowing that you will have little or no pain afterwards. I also had very insensitive people tell me that having the hyster would mean no more good sex???? I felt like telling them---"Hey I not having my vagina removed....." Also my aunt who is 60 had a hyster years and years ago--I told her about some people's comments about your sex life going down the tubes after the surgery---she said "You'll have to tell them about your old ***** aunt then!" I nearly died laughing---she reassured me that this would not happen!!

Good luck!