Complete Hysterectomy soon - really nervous

I am 44 years old, found out this past week, that I have enlarged uterus and numberous fibroid tumors, one the size of a grapefruit, others size of lemons. More small ones. Need to do complete hysterectomy, really nervous how my life will be after. Would love to hear from anyone.

Hi Billijo and

Are you able to keep your ovaries? If so, that will prevent surgical menopause which is what created havoc with me.

My surgery went very well. It wasn't the most pleasant time of my life (being in the hospital for three days isn't likely to be the highlight of anyone's life) but it wasn't my worst experience either.

I am sending many positive thoughts your way for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery!

Many s and Best Wishes,

Dear Billijo:

I am 42 yrs. old, and had a "complete" hysterctomy on 7/20/09, for the same reasons you are having yours. Although I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to keep my ovaries, I had a feeling they would be coming out, too. Not knowing this, was what gave me THE most anxiety...

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to keep them-however, I've always tried to think of the best case scenario of things as well as the worst, and have tried to prepare myself for both...(this just makes things easier for me to handle...)

Finding this site has been a "complete blessing!" As you can see, some women have great stories, some "ok" stories and unfortunately some have bad stories...

I have been VERY fortunate, and my story so far...has been GREAT! I left the hosp. with an estrogen patch, however I had "terrible" side effects, and my OBGYN said to take it off, and unless I had hot flashes, etc. we would try another type...so far, I have felt fine...and if I have those symptoms I will probably deal with them with natural supplements instead...I believe it's easier if we try to "embrace" our new stage in life than try fight it or dwell on it!

My surgery lasted three hrs, instead of two, but the recovery has been amazing and haven't had any problems. I had a LAVH, and was driving a week later

Some things that helped me were:

I accepted pain med every 4 hrs.(at the hosp. and at home the first week) I've heard it's better to be on top of it...

I asked for gas pain meds at the hosp. often...and had: Dulcolax (stool softener) at home that I took twice a day, the first week, and GasX to help with gas pain...(surprisingly, the gas pains, were worse for me than the surgery pains...)

Drank TONS of water, and did my respiratory exercises at the hosp. and at home.

I also had a pillow in the car to place over my tummy, when I came home from the hosp. (it made me feel safer and more "comfy"

Last, but not least...pamper yourself...and like everyone on this site says: You only have ONE chance to heal properly!

Good luck...hope this helps...and please stay in touch!

Many hugs!

Hi Billijo!

I'm 36 and had a total abdominal hysterectomy, including cervix, a few days ago. When my uterus was removed, they said it was twice the normal size and covered in fibroids. It was clear this was the source of constant pain and heavy bleeding for me. I opted to have my cervix removed as well since I was high-risk for cervical cancer (never had an abnormal pap). I was able to keep my ovaries

I was very nervous and stressed before the surgery. The day of, I was crying every five minutes. I was just scared of everything. What if I die on the table? What if they find cancer? What if I wake up in a lot of pain? It was stressful and emotional for me. Thankfully I had a lot of loving family and friends that reassured me and let me cry it out.

It turns out that I had a remarkable recovery. I barely needed pain meds, was able to keep solid food down the day after surgery, and was able to walk around and pass gas the next day! I don't think I could have asked for a better experience while in the hospital. I'm at home now recovering and taking it easy, but so far so good. I'm looking forward no more pain and heavy periods.

You're going to be scared, I can't tell you not to be. However one way to be less scared and more confident is by doing your research. This site is a wonderful resource. But also talk to friends, ask lots of questions, make sure that whatever you decide is the best possible decision for you. The only way to do that is to be honest with yourself and the people around you, and educating yourself.

You're going to be absolutely fine.

My surgery was less than 2 weeks ago and so it's still easy to remember how anxious I felt about it all. I couldn't even narrow down my fears to one or two. I just had a general feeling of anxiety. I kept busy at work and home and it helped greatly. I also bought a guided imagery cd and listened to it several times, including right before my surgery and it helped immensely.
I too have had a remarkable recovery. If you'd have told me prior to surgery that I'd be feeling this good, this soon, I probably wouldn't have believed it.
You've found the best place for advice and support, so you're already in great shape. I hope your surgery and recovery goes smoothly

You will feel fabulous...

I had fibroids that grew rapidly within a year, and ended up being the size of a 24 week pregnancy. They were so big, in fact, that they interfered with my ability to urinate. In other words, my urethras were being compressed because of the bulk inside my uterus.

I ended up having the surgery (TAH/BSO) and the only regret I have is not having done it sooner. In a nutshell, I had three massive sized fibroids that filled my entire abdominal cavity. They not only were compressing my urethras, they completely hid multiple other fibroids (my doctor stopped counting after ten...), a polyp and a blood filled cyst living underneath them.

It's now seven weeks later, and I feel fantastic. My recovery was textbook perfect, my urinary problems have disappeared, I have far more energy than I've had in ages, and I've lost 20 pounds (much of which was accumulated fluids from being unable to urinate properly) and three dress sizes.

One word of advice. When you get home - REST!!! Don't try to be superwoman. You need to heal properly and regain your strength, and after a few weeks you're going to be amazed at how good you feel...

Hey Thank you for responding, Not being able to urinate is how this all started, I just thought I had a kidney infection, but all this was so unexpected. Sounds like you are doing good, though, I am really glad for you. I have just been in so much pain, that I really can't wait to get it done and over with. My doctor said that this is comparable to a 20 week pregnancy. Both ovaries have to go, there are problems there also. Not really sure about the hormone replacement, he just said that we would cross that bridge later.
Thank you again for emailing, it helps to talk to someone who has been there.

Catarina,
Thanks for responding, glad to hear you are doing well. I have been trying to stay busy, at home and work, basically just trying to get through the time.
It really helps to be able to talk to someone that has been through it.

Hello iminvisable,
Sounds like you are doing good now, that has to be a relief. It seems that for the past month, all I do is cry. Honestly, can't wait to not have any more periods, and for the pain to go away.
Thank you for responding, it helps to talk to someone who has gone throught it.
Hope you continue to do well.

I think you'll be very relieved once it is behind you. Best wishes and (((hugs))).