TVH-keeping the ovaries - info & stories wanted

I have my pre-op scheduled for this Thursday. I expect to have the hysterectomy scheduled for the first week of March.

How was your recovery?
Sex- any changes?
Swelly belly issues?
How soon were you back on your feet and doing your normal activities. I lead a very active lifestyle and this really concerns me.

had tah on 1st feb vertical incision due too huge firbiods kept ovaries and cervix incase of anymore problems 3 weeks post op doing ok little sore hope you recover well xmary

I had a LAVH which is similar. Very little swelly belly and recovery was not bad at all. I could drive at 2 weeks and was told at that time to do what I felt like doing.....no real restrictions. I worked from home on the 5th day post op and went back to the office at 4 weeks. I tired more easily and was a little sore and achey. I took prescription pain meds for 2 days after surgery and then did not need any...not even OTC. I have not really noticed any changes in sex but then again we are being really careful....I am afraid it will hurt but so far it has not. I too kept my ovaries and noticed that for the first 6 weeks I was alot more emotional than usual. I am better now but still a little different emotionally than prior to surgery so that part was not been so great. Physical recovery was good. Good luck to you.

Hi!

I had a TVH and kept my ovaries. My recovery was uneventful. I was up and walking slowly the evening of my surgery. Since the recovery time is similiar to other types of hysterectomies of 6 - 8 weeks, even though I was up and around in about 2 weeks, I didn't resume any of my usual activities until I was released by my doctor at 6 weeks. Once you are released to resume normal activities, you will need to do so slowly.

I haven't experienced any changes with sex. It's just as good as it was before. The only difference now is no bleeding to interfere.

I did have a little bit of swelly belly when I started getting more active. It only appeared for me late in the day and didn't really interfere with what I was wearing. My jeans would be a little tighter in the tummy at the end of the day. My swelly belly was short lived.

These are only my experiences and everyone is very, very different. If you would like to read more stories about members who had a TVH, you might like to read some posts in Tell You Hyst Story.

Be sure to spend some time reading in Checkpoints. There is a lot of great information to help you prepare, not only for your surgery, but recovery as well!

Best wishes!

s, Deb

I had a TVH and kept my ovaries.For the most part my recovery was good.I did have a few problems along the way, but everything turned out in the end.I did get swelly belly for awhile after surgery.Gas-X is great for that and cut out the soda.It took a little while for the sex to really get good.I think mostly because I was afraid I would hurt something inside.Now the sex is better than ever!I was really afraid that would change before my surgery and it has.Only for the better!I feel like my old self again, but that took some time too.You really don't feel like yourself 6 to 8 wks. post op or at least I didn't.I really didn't start to feel good till about after 6 months.Sure the doc. release's you after 6 to 8 wks., but it takes awhile before you really get your energy back and feel like you again.I still get a few little aches and pain here and there when I over do it at work.Everyday gets a little easier.So take it easy and don't rush things, let your body heal right.