LAVH: Worried about feeling "empty"

Hey ladies,

My LAVH is on Monday. In my right mind, I am 100% at peace with my decision. My DH fully supports this and I have lots of help during my recovery. We have two great kids and don't want more. I'm not worried about the needles, the surgery, the scars, etc. I'm terrified about having an empty feeling inside that's not going to go away. Like my feminity is gone or something. People keep saying things like: "You're so lucky, you'll never have another period!" OR "I'm totally jealous." I know they're trying to help, but the comments make me feel sad.

How was your emotional recovery after your surgery? I'm keeping one ovary, but everything else is going to be removed.

Amy

Hi Amy! I"m pretty new here too. My surgery isn't until 12 Jul. Best of luck on Monday!!

I have a lot of the same feelings as you. I had to have a breast reduction and b/c of the stretch they had to basically take the nipple part off and sew it back on so it's there but doesn't work like it did. That made me sorta feel unfeminine except the loss of 6 lbs. of breast tissue made me feel wonderful!! I was okay w/my uterus going, but when the Dr. suggested taking the ovaries too -- that was a shock. I've read, researched and truly trust my Dr. so that's going to be my choice to take them. I have two co-workers who had hysters in their early 40s. They LOVE LOVE LOVE it & I asked them about the feminine part and they reassured me that it would be fine, so that helps me.

I'll look forward to hearing about your recovery as I wait until July!!

I know that I will feel empty, and quite honestly I am ready for it. Not the empty that I feel less of a women, but the bloated pregnant feeling that I get that special time of the month. I had my tubes tied at age 28. I am now going on 39 and I so want this to be over. So tired of going through the motions without an outcome you know? You will feel fine, besides they will give you some good meds! lol! we are all here for you. I dont go in until July too, but I am counting down the days!!!! Best of luck we are all pulling for you and a speedy recovery!
-Blesses,
Sunny

Amy,

I'm empty-headed (two brain tumor surgeries since 1990), flat-chested (two breast cancer surgeries in the 2000's), and without uterus/ovaries (prophylactic procedure - since January.)

My skin is better than ever (got rid of the culprit), my energy has been great ever since the hysterectomy/oophorectomy. I wished I had gone through the procedure 20 years ago.

If those 'parts' are useless/causing problems/potentially harmful, why be sad about getting rid of them? You've already got two great kids, still have one ovary...

My 2nd Sister had the same reaction when faced with her hysterectomy due to a huge uterine fibroid 11 years ago. She put it off several times because (her husband's words) she thought she wouldn't be a woman any more. Trust me, your feminity is not going to go away. 2nd Sis is still the most feminine one among the three sisters...

I don't feel empty at all. I was so happy to get it all taken care of. I had already had my tubes tied so it really wasn't that much of a mental change I guess. I had previously had a hard time deciding if they should cut me open and remove parts; however after one more really bad period and a lot or research I did resolve that. I am so glad i did.

I personally think I would be at a loss if i had to undergo a mastectomy. That would be really hard for me.

I wasn't worried about the empty feeling until it hit me afterwards. It's nearly been a year since my hyst (a full hysterectomy with tubes and ovaries and cervix removed last July) and sometimes that feeling still comes back. That's when I try to focus on the two girls I do have, despite all of the health problems leading to my hyst. And I have a wonderfully supportive husband who meets every menopausal craving with a quizzical brow raise and a nod, lol. It really doesn't last long when you focus on the blessings you do have left.

AES--Amy
My surgery is Monday as well..Uterus and cervix are going buhbye. Will keep both ovaries.
The surgery definitely won't make us less feminine. I have had to deal with the emotion of having something taken away as well.
I too am 100% convinced of my decision.
I just rest in knowing that I will feel better. And hopefully you will too!!
I will be thinking of you Monday morn "almost"HysterSister.....................
Christie

I have a feeling this may be normal. My oldest is 22 and my youngest is 18. I would never even consider having another baby. However, my date is approaching this Monday and all of a sudden babies seem so extremely cute to me. Maybe it's just a "woman thing". I'm sure once I don't have to deal with the bloating and the periods and the cramps, I'll be 100 percent happy with my decision. All of my friends have said, "It's the best thing I've ever done. I never regretted it for a second."

I can only speak for myself but I feel sexier and more like a woman than I have in a long time! I can be frisky when I want and not when my cycle dictates, I no longer have to plan outings around packing enough feminine products and will never again have to use heating pads for the painful cramps!

I had cervical cancer tha was found after the op and am not quite done with treatments. I understand your worries but for me, my surgery has freed me to be me again and loving life!

I can see where it would make us feel sexy, I mean yeah, I have the whole one week of good, and 3 weeks of bad each and every month. I am tired the week before my visitor, the week of and the week after. It will be nice not to plan every single camping trip and every single trip to the Islands around my visitor. I cant wait for that. I cant wait to wear white and not panic that I MAY or MAYNOT start that day. I have spend alot of time and money on the cleaning and replacing of my undies!!! Now that I read your post, I agree! Sexy and free is how I am gonna feel, I am gonna push all other feelings off the roof, along with Flo!!!