Recovery from C-section vs Hysterectomy

I had a c-section 16 yrs ago and now I am going to be having a hysterectomy. Due to the c-section and tubal I will be having about a 6-8 in insision. What was worse to recover from......c-section or hysterectomy and why? What advice do you have that will help me recover faster? I did hear recovery from a hysterectomy is worse.

Thanks!
Joely

I had 2 c-sections and a tubal and an ablation. Then I had a robot hysterectomy. The hysterectomy recovery was unnoticeable as far as pain. I did have other complications that caused the hysterectomy pain to be overridden. I honestly didn't notice pain except for gas pain and had difficulty urinating. Since you will be having the big incision which I had to repair the complications from hysterectomy, you will experience the same type of pain that you did from the c-section. So really not unbearable. just use your pain meds and you will be fine. I felt pulling and pain when I coughed/sneezed/laughed, but use a pillow to hold to your tummy when you have to do this, and it will help. The recovery from the hysterectomy is not worse, but about the same or maybe easier because you know what to expect as far as pain. Take care!

I have had four abdominal surgeries in my adult life, in this order: c-section in 1988, c-section in 2000, hysterectomy in 2004, and hematoma removal at hysterectomy site in 2005....

All four were distinct experiences. From easiest to worst recovery, they go in this order: 1) Hematoma removal, 2) second c-section, 3) Hysterectomy, and the worst of all was my first c-section!

Other than the reality that some of the same organs are involed, the surgery is really very different. This upcoming surgery can really have an impact on your hormones, whether or not you retain your ovaries. (I found that out first-hand when my sex drive and response took a serious -- and I mean serious -- nosedive after my hysterectomy, even though I kept my ovaries and they are still working.)

Each woman reacts to the surgery differently. After my first c-section, I took 6 weeks off work and should have taken at least 3 months! In contrast, I could have gone back to work after 2 weeks following my second c-section.

The reality is you really aren't going to know how you feel until you are actually going through it. I found that the very best way to deal with my upcoming surgery was to read the stories in our Tell Your Hyst-Story subforum. There I could find hospital experiences and such to help me really get a better idea of how I'd be treated and what would happen to me on a daily basis in the hospital.

Many as you continue to plan and prepare.

I've had a gallbladder removed and 2 C-sections before my TAH BSO. I don't know if its the difference between being 40 yrs old when I had my last child and 55 now, but recovery seems a lot slower and more pain involved with the hysterectomy. I had no complications with any of the surgeries, but this time I made the mistake of not taking a stool softener once I got home. with the delivery you have a baby to occupy your time, with the TAH you get night sweats, belly
swelling and hair loss.

I have had 3c sections and this was the hardest recovery for me. The outer incsision healed rather quickly but it was my insides that hurt the worst. My insides were tender to the touch and sore. I was bruised at 4 days post op below my incsision

I've had 4 c/s and nothing compares to the amount of pain I had with the first one. I'm only two days post op from my hyst but the pain isn't that bad. I'm taking my pain meds as directed and plan to have a smooth recovery.

It isn't the immediate recovery that is so different. It has been the slowness of it all. After the babies I returned to a normal life quickly, but with the TAH I still would not be able to carry a baby and all the things with it at 5.5 weeks out. It is not the pain, I rarely take even over the counter stuff. It's the inablitly to do things becasue of fear of messing up your insides(there will be short sharp pains that let you know you've gone too far) or fatigue that keeps you from what is normal to you.