4 days until Hysterectomy

I have my surgery scheduled in 4 days! I am really scared after reading different websites about side effects and mainly about the weight gain. I work hard at maintaing my weight and do not want to "blow up" after my surgery. I hope someone has some information to help me feel better about having this done.

Hi Jennieelaine and

We’re happy you joined the Hystersisters community! There is a ton of solid information on the site, and the members have unlimited cyber-hugs to dispense and experiences to share with you at every stage of your journey to good health!

If you haven’t already done so, please do yourself a favor and register to receive Hysterectomy Checkpoints. It’s one of the best features of the site, in my opinion -- designed to accompany you through the entire hysterectomy experience from start to finish, and beyond!

You can take the opportunity to prepare yourself for what’s ahead by reading the Pre-Op Articles. You might find the following particularly helpful:

Weight Gain After Hysterectomy?

Coping With Pre-Op Anxiety & Fear

What to Expect at the Hospital

What to Bring to the Hospital

How Others Can Help

Is Sex Afterwards Really The Same?

You might enjoy browsing through the stories in the Tell Your Hyst-Story section. The posts are sorted by the type of surgery that was performed so it's easy to find the stories that tell about the type of hysterectomy you are scheduled to have.

Through the years, hundreds of women have shared their personal suggestions in Hints from Members that you may also want to peruse.

Rest assured you have come to the right place. Best wishes as you prepare for your trip to the Castle!

I am finding that I just do what I was doing before. Do not be alarmed your belly will swell. For me once the gas passed, a lot of it went down. Also Buy sweat pants, (not elastic, drawstring) do not force yourself in a pair of jeans, it will make you feel worse, and your belly bigger. Take it one day at a time, recovery takes 6-8 weeks.

You will have swelly belly!!! It lasts for approx. 8 weeks, but your tumm will definetely go back to normal. As far as the weight gain goes, well, we're all different, but mostly once you start with menopause it's quite likely that your body shape will change. I have put on about 5 kilos, and I'm rounder than what I used to be. Not happy with it at all, but know have started to eat a little better than what I was. I was on a steroid before for a couple of months and experienced fluid retension, now I've come off that and I'm on HRT. It's only been 4 days, but my clothes are fitting better already.
This is so much to process! Not only is it overwhelming that we have to endure such a huge operation, but the after affects are not too promising either. Take one day at a time. We are all different, remember that it takes time to heal, and if you choose to take HRT then that too will take time to stabilize.
I wish you the best of luck through this journey.
Thinking of you.
Lisa/Australia
TAH/BSO 23rd Sept. 08

Immediately after, the bloat is due to the IV fluids. This goes away within a week. The swelling is 90% down by 4-5 weeks, depending.
This is a major operation. It takes as long as it takes.....

A swollen belly is what I always hear about here, not much actual weight gain. But it will be the last thing you'll be thinking of. You'll be keeping the gas down (less pain), and trying to see how much you can do without overdoing and creating a problem, and keeping any pain under control (mostly in the first week only.) So you won't be worried about the weight.

Take care and feel free to ask any questions here.

Kara

	Quote:
Originally Posted by ReliefSeeker A swollen belly is what I always hear about here, not much actual weight gain. But it will be the last thing you'll be thinking of. You'll be keeping the gas down (less pain), and trying to see how much you can do without overdoing and creating a problem, and keeping any pain under control (mostly in the first week only.) So you won't be worried about the weight. Take care and feel free to ask any questions here. Kara

I am not aware that you gain any weight really. Fluid retention is temporary. I had 10 lbs gain first day home. You essentially pee it off though!!! My uterus was almost 4 lbs. I still have yet to see that drop, but it also depends on how one is eating!

I HAD PIZZA TONIGHT... :snort:

I still have swelly belly but it is getting less. I think I have put on a bit but probably from lack of exercise. I haven't noticed anything drastic and I still eat like a horse.