TVH: Upcoming hysterectomy 12/2: Multiple worries

I am scheduled for a vaginal hysterectomy 12/2. I had a d& c with biopsy which showed atypical hyperplasia. I am 60 and play tennis, walk and work with a trainer 2x week. I recently lost a lot of weight and am worried about gaining weight during recovery. I also have had trouble with severe constipation. My GYN and PMD think I should have my tubes and ovaries out. My nurse friends say I should keep my ovaries. I’m starting to doubt myself now
How long were you in the hospital? Did you have a urinary catheter? How soon could you exercise? Any pointers to avoid constipation? Anything you wish you knew before you had surgery?
Thanks!

Hi Njcisme to HysterSisters!

I am so glad you found this site.

If your ovaries are healthy, keeping them is a good idea. Even in menopause (which I am sure you are in), they release small amounts of hormones. Removing your tubes is a good idea, as it is thought that certain ovarian cancers start in the tubes, so this reduces your risk. Here are articles that may provide information:
25 Health Risks Related to Oophorectomy and Surgical Menopause
Should I Keep My Ovaries if I Am Near Menopause?
What Ovarian Hormones Do for You
Surgical Menopause after Natural Menopause
6 Tips to Help You Prepare for Surgical Menopause
Fallopian Tubes and Ovarian Cancer

Weight gain after having a hysterectomy is not a given. I had my surgery over 9 years ago, and I have not gained weight. I eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Regarding your exercise routine, talk to your doctor about what you do. S/he will be able to tell you when you will be released to exercise again. You will have to SLOWLY work back into your routine. At first, however, you will be taking brief but frequent walks as these help you heal. You will not be bedridden, but you will need to rest much. Here is an article:
Weight Gain after Hysterectomy

You will have a catheter during surgery (they will put it in after you are asleep). You may still have it in for a time while you are in the hospital. But, normally it comes out before you leave.

Hospital stays for a TVH is normally 2 to 3 days. You will also need to meet certain medical conditions before you are released. Here are articles on hospital stays:
Hospital Stay for Hysterectomy
Hospital Stay? How Long after Hysterectomy?

Talk to your doctor about your severe constipation. Hopefully they can give you something to help.

Keep in mind that recovery will take weeks and not days. You will need help with cooking, cleaning, dishes, laundry, shopping, driving, etc. Here are 10 Tips for Preparing for Your Hysterectomy. What I found most useful were the following (some may not be possible due to the pandemic):
-Meals in the freezer that can be put in the microwave
-Easy foods for breakfasts and lunches
-Loose fitting clothing
-Prepare your recovery corner with pillows and blankets
-Plan entertainment for your brain
-Small pillow to hold against your tummy for coughs and sneezes (or pet visits)
-Super clean your house
-Get your hair cut

Just know that you are not alone in any of this. We will be by your side throughout this process.

if your ovaries are healthy, what is the reason your dr would want to remove them? even after menopause, they provide you with small amounts of very beneficial hormones. with a TVH, your cervix will also be removed and you will have a vaginal cuff. follow your dr's orders regarding exercising. i'm pretty sure a vaginal hysterectomy is same day discharge so ask your dr about that. you should have a pre op appointment where all these questions should be asked.

I agree with the above on keeping your ovaries. I kept mine at age 48 because my surgeon and I agreed that the benefits of their continued hormone production outweighed the risks; I did have my Fallopian tubes removed to lower my cancer risk, as Marestail mentioned. As for the hospital stay, I spent one night in the hospital, with a catheter in; the nurse removed it the next morning, and supervised my first bathroom trip to make sure I was peeing okay before I could be released. As for your exercise routine, mine includes swimming, yoga, and strength training with free weights; after my surgeon gave me the all clear at six weeks, I recognized that my level of fitness had declined during the time off, so I started slowly, and gradually worked my way back to my prior level. Thanks to my exercise routine, combined with a healthy diet, my weight has remained stable. As for your constipation, here are my top picks for items to have on hand: a good pair of walking shoes; an easy-open water bottle; peppermint tea; frozen blueberries; whole grain cereal like oatmeal or All Bran; a fibre supplement like Metamucil or Benefibre; magnesium-rich dark chocolate and pumpkin seeds; sugar alcohols from apple or pear juice, prunes, dried apricots, or sugarless gum; a Squatty Potty or small footstool to elevate your feet while you're on the throne, which can help by properly aligning your rectum so the poop can pass through more smoothly. Wishing you all the best for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery!

Thanks everyone for sharing your great info. This will be my 4 th procedure under anesthesia during Covid so I’m a little overwhelmed and done with all of this( new heart valve 4/20, breast papilloma removed( benign ) 8/20 the d& c and now the hysterectomy.
My preop visit is 12/1 which is the day before the surgery.

I had an abdominal hyst and was in the hospital for a day and a half. I did have a catheter but my doctor only used one since I had a larger incision than planned and he thought I'd be too uncomfortable in the first 24 hours. They took it out the following day.

Ask your doctor what you can take for constipation. Drink lots of water, walk around a little often, and just know it will happen when it happens!