Pre-Op Hysterectomy: Open House Chat Thread - Today Mar 19, 2017

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Originally Posted by Ruscinda ... I am nervous first of all because of my size. I am obese & I am afraid there may be complications due to my weight. Also, since I've had cancer I fear they may find additional cancer during this surgery. Lastly, my husband is not very supportive & I'm concerned my recovery will be stressful because of his attitude. The closer I get to Thursday the less I sleep. I'll be glad when this is over.

Hi Ruscinda,

As a fellow cancer survivor I understand your fears. Some of us wonder & worry for a long time when & where cancer will rear its ugly head again. I think it's easier to stay on guard for it rather than be shocked by those terrifying words "you have cancer" again. All I can say is deep breaths, focus on the here and now and keep your hands busy. Worrying is not productive (I keep telling myself this as well!), but preparing and keeping busy is!

I am sorry to hear your husband is not very supportive. Below are a few articles that can help him understand, hopefully he will be open to reading them and helping you more.
5 Things Your Family Needs to Know About Hysterectomy
Do This- Not That: How Hubby Can Help
Helping Your Hubby Understand Hysterectomy

If your husband is not receptive, I suggest considering yourself as recovering at home alone. We do have ladies here who have recovered at home by themselves, and it is do-able with some preparation:
Living Alone & Recovering From Hysterectomy
10 Tips for Recovering at Home Alone After Hysterectomy

Has your surgeon expressed any concerns regarding your weight? I suggest practicing Getting In/Out of Bed before your surgery, and also purchasing a grabber tool for picking items up off the floor.

Special Considerations for Overweight Patients

I am sending you for a safe surgery & uneventful recovery!

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Originally Posted by LBEEKS Hi, I'm 51 and going in next week for a hysterectomy. My doc is leaving my ovaries. I've had 13+ fibroids for years and is caused my uterus to get very enlarged, which has caused all sorts of issues: pressure on bladder, back pain, pain with intercourse, heavy painful periods, etc. I've been on Lupron for 4 months to shrink my uterus enough to have a vaginal hysterectomy. I have Addison's disease, so we are trying to do the least stressful option for my body. My biggest concern is of course complications, which could cause big problems for a person with Addison's. I'm also concerned about sex and not being able to achieve orgasm after. Thanks for listening!

Here is an article you may find helpful:
Dealing with Chronic Illnesses

Your doctor and medical team are aware of your Addisons and will do everything possible to keep you safe during your surgery. It's hard not to worry about complications but what is interesting is that even those of us without any other existing conditions can have them - so please don't assume they are a given. Positive thinking really helps reduce stress

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Originally Posted by Mimi76 ... So now I'm sitting here waiting for tomorrow. Honestly I was fine, but last night I started getting all weepy. Like I could cry at the drop of a hat! I heard Chuck Berry died and started crying. A friend mentioned her coworker had lost his wife last year and I start panicking about dying and leaving DH alone. I'm worried they'll open me up and find something terrible... ...On a less panicky note, I'm trying to drink a lot of water today to keep from being dehydrated tomorrow. My last two surgeries had difficulty with the IV line because they were delayed a few hours and I was dehydrated from the no food/water after midnight rule. Plus NOT looking forward to post op constipation.

Hi Mimi76,

The weepiness is common as our surgery date approaches. The waiting is really the hardest part for many of us! The fear of dying is common too. Do what you feel you need to help put your mind at rest. Some women write letters to their loved ones and tuck them away just in case. Journaling can also help us process these emotions. My strategy is keeping busy so I don't think too much!

Keeping well hydrated pre-op is excellent! Getting the bowels moving post op is our first big milestone. I suggest being prepared in advance: buy stool softeners, Gas X, Smooth Move tea, prunes, bran muffins, oatmeal, etc. Once you are able, get up and walking as tolerated. Moving helps get the digestion moving again, along with lots of water.
Do This-Not That: Gas & Constipation
You can do this! Wishing you the best for your surgery & recovery!

What Am I Having Done Inside?

Some women are unsure about what exactly will be done inside during their surgery & what all the terms we use here mean. The first thing to know about hysterectomy is that the cervix is part of the uterus, and not a separate organ. Therefore Total Hysterectomy means the entire uterus (including cervix) is being removed. Ladies having a Partial (or Sub-total/Supracervical) Hysterectomy are retaining their cervix.

Removal of the ovaries & fallopian tubes may be done at the same time as a hysterectomy, but it is a separate procedure altogether and is called a Bilateral Salpingo Oophorectomy.

Having a Hysterectomy: What Do I Need to Know?

What Are the Different Types of Hysterectomies?

Vaginal Cuff: What Is It?

Click here to see more Abbreviations used on this site, and to see the acronym for the type of surgery you will be having.

All set for TLH 3/23. Cancelled once and got a 2nd opinion. Now wishing it was already over with. I'm 2nd guessing everything. Having the surgery done by a minimally invasive gynecology surgical specialist. Have an 8cm fibroid...possibly larger by now. Constant pain, on high estrogen birth control to control bleeding (which is causing my face to break out something awful) and just plain tired of it all. 40yo, married for 17 years, no kids...never wanted any....but for some reason when you are told you cant....it just hits you...

Hello all,

I am 44 years old and will have a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy next week. I have been hesitant to take on this procedure as I am unsure if the aftermath of surgery will be more of a burden than the symptoms I have right now. I have been reading the good, the bad and the ugly which is not very comforting. However, I am facing the surgery and my decision has been made. I have had uterine fibroids diagnosed since I was a teenager.

I have been plagued with extreme Pre and post-menstrual syndrome, lower back pain, constant urination, long cycles with lots of flow and all of the bad mood and lowered quality of life that all those symptoms bring: insomnia, fatigue, weight gain and etc. I attempted throughout the years to control the excess estrogen that contributes to fibroid growth but my lack of discipline and extreme weight gain contributed to their growth and here I am with a 5 month pregnant size belly. So, it is time to face the music and nip it in the bud.

I wish everyone here going through this surgery the best recovery possible and to a routine procedure with no complications. Please listen to your body and take heed to all the advice provided by the ones who came before us.

Best of luck and courage!

Hi ladies!!

I'm a 35 year old mommy of 2 (19 yr old and 18 month old). After long years of abnormal paps and 2 cone biopsies I was diagnosed with cervical cancer this January. Not how I intended to start the year but it is what it is. At this point I'm not even sure how I feel, only know it was not the news I expected but somehow was prepared for it. I just hope and pray that everything will go well.

Hi All,

I am 38 years and I am scheduled for hysterectomy surgery via the DaVinci method on Tuesday 3/21 as a result of fibroids. I've been plagued with painful, frequent, and heavy menstruation.

My fears going into surgery are that there will be problems setting up my intravenous line (scared of needles) and that my bladder could be affected.

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Originally Posted by Tri it Chick Hey there... A year later, and I am back at the doctors seeing a new specialist who believes I have Endometriosis as well so I am now scheduled to have a laparoscopic Hysterectomy. This Friday is the day. I am excited about it but very nervous at the same time. I have a lot of girlfriends telling me it's the best thing I'll do...

Hello Tri it chick
Thank you for sharing your story! It sounds like you made some good decisions based on the events you have been through even down to finding another specialist. Expectations vs Reality is a great article. Everyone is different with regards to surgery along with healing. Keeping a positive attitude will help in that journey.
on your upcoming surgery along with an uneventful recovery!

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Originally Posted by MIllieMae15 I might be weird in saying that I am actually excited for the surgery and for what my body might be like when I'm healed. As of now I will be keeping my ovaries, but those will be taken if my doc feels that they are in need. I hope that my body will finally find an even balance, A few weeks post I plan to get my hormones checked to see if I need to holistically manage them. I will say that I am most nervous about being forcefully put to sleep. I had Lasik done a few years ago and that experience was quick and easy but the emotionally being without vision for a few seconds was a little scary feeling. I am going to have to see if they have music I can listen too. I would love to make some new friends on here to talk to throughout this process.

Hello MillieMae
Having major surgery depending on the circumstances can be nervous yet also bring that feeling of “finally!”. Busy yourself with chores or shopping. Do something fun for yourself. You are going to have some wonderful sisters to share in your healing journey with.
Can My Anesthesiologist Help with Pre Op Anxiety? provides some insight on what they can do and/or help with especially regarding your comfort before surgery.
Put that music on and dance sweetie. You are going to do great!

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Originally Posted by alinkashultz Hello all, I am 44 years old and will have a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy next week. I have been hesitant to take on this procedure as I am unsure if the aftermath of surgery will be more of a burden than the symptoms I have right now. I have been reading the good, the bad and the ugly which is not very comforting. However, I am facing the surgery and my decision has been made. I have had uterine fibroids diagnosed since I was a teenager. I have been plagued with extreme Pre and post-menstrual syndrome, lower back pain, constant urination, long cycles with lots of flow and all of the bad mood and lowered quality of life that all those symptoms bring: insomnia, fatigue, weight gain and etc. I attempted throughout the years to control the excess estrogen that contributes to fibroid growth but my lack of discipline and extreme weight gain contributed to their growth and here I am with a 5 month pregnant size belly. So, it is time to face the music and nip it in the bud. I wish everyone here going through this surgery the best recovery possible and to a routine procedure with no complications. Please listen to your body and take heed to all the advice provided by the ones who came before us. Best of luck and courage!

Please do not blame yourself for lack of discipline and/weight gain being the cause of your issues. I experienced many of your same symptoms. My fibroids continued growing after menopause - my doctors keep "assuming" they would shrink - but my rambunctious Fibroids scoffed at these doctors and just keep growing. I was slim at the time so weight doesn't always play a part (if at all).
Have confidence in yourself for making the right decision for you.
Hugs and hang in there!