Pain compared to C-section

I am new to the boards and have a question. I am scheduled to have a TAH/BSO next Wednesday. I have had two previous c-sections. Is the pain and recovery about the same as this surgery? I had little trouble with recovery from them. I have been experiencing a lot of pain with cysts for many years. I have been diagnosed with two terotomas and one fluid filled cyst. My doctor did drain the one cyst, but could not get to the other two during laproscopic surgery last week. He said that I had so much scar tissue from the c-sections he could not get to them. He said he wanted to do a TAH. I have always had a hard time each month and even during the month with cramps or pain. I do have a high tolerance to pain. I do not know what to expect so any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

I've never experienced a C-section so I can't give you a pain comparison, but it is a commonly asked question around here and there seems to be a pretty wide range of answers. You have to remember that with a C-section, you are only having a baby removed but with a TAH, organ(s) will be removed and there will be a lot of internal work and stitches that will have to heal.

I hope someone will come along and share their story with you. When you have time, if you can put your hysterectomy date in your profile, it will help you get the very best support and include you in that day's best wishes thread.

s, Deb

I too had 2 C-sections and now had TAH 1 week ago. Sorry to say there is no comparision to the surgeries other then my doctor used the same area for incision. The removal of parts makes your hystertectomy a far greater recovery time then the C-section surgery. I thought possibly the same as you but my doctor advised me quickly "no way".

I just wanted to let you know that I asked the same question yesterday at my pre-op. I have had 2 c-sections and 1 vbac..The nurse there said the pain is somewhat similar but recovery is a whole lot different. I am trying to think of it this way. When I had my c-sections as happy as i am to be a mom, it was hard getting out of bed many times a night to nurse,change burp and 9 times out of ten get something for dh or other children. So at least with this I will be a princess, pampered and catered to..(I think..lol).. Hopefully this will be easier for you. I wish you well
Betty

I have had two c-sections and a TAH. I had more pain initially with the TAH because they cut some ligaments, removed adhesions, explored around, etc. I think I have a high tolerance to pain, but the first two weeks after the TAH were pretty rough because of ligament/nerve issues combined with a cough. However, with both the c-sections and the TAH I noticed the discomfort sitting up was gone at 3 weeks - including the ligament issues. I am much more fatigued with the TAH, but I wonder if that is because I am 13 years older than I was when I had my last c-section. (I've also had a sinus infection which I am sure isn't helping me recover.) It did help the TAH recovery that I could focus on me, and not an infant. No middle of the night feedings, etc. Also, my children were old enough to help and my husband took over a week off work. Overall, I am so glad I had the surgery. I don't have the (adenomyosis) pain I had before the surgery. I am a little over 2 months post-op. I don't feel any pain, just fatigue. And it is really nice not having periods!

As ((Crossfire)) said, it's a very common question ... try a forum search. You'll find lots of posts and will then be able to compare experiences.

The way my surgeon explained it was this ~ "a baby is supposed to come out; the uterus isn't ... it's major surgery".

Good luck with your surgery and make sure you rest as much as possible ~ and for as long as possible ~ afterwards.

I had a c-section in 1997, an abdominal LSO in June of 2006, and my TAH last month. The TAH was more painful. But, the good thing about having the prior surgeries was that I was aware of what it would be like to stand up for the first time after surgery. With the c-section, I thought my insides were ripping out! With the LSO and TAH, I was better able to ease into it, and so it didn't hurt as much.

I had a C-section 24 years ago, so maybe have blocked some of it out, but I believe my TAH was MUCH easier to recover from. I suspect it is because my doc did not cut any muscle for the TAH, just moved it aside. So, although the muscle had to recover from the movement, it didn't have to "heal". I am just under two weeks out and am doing fabulous. Much more energetic and active than I remember being after the C.

One thing I do remember that was better about the TAH recovery. I didn't have to get up and feed a hungry baby every 2 hours! I definitely got more rest with the TAH than the c-section.

My c-sections were 16-18 yrs earlier than the hysterectomy. The hysterectomy has definately been rougher. I think the fact that I am 16 yrs older and heavier made a difference, and also like the others have said its a totally different surgery, the only similarity is the incision site.