Thorpfrog.
Doc took my uterus, cervix, and tubes, but I kept my ovaries and they came back to life the first cycle after my surgery. I kept anticipating the "shock" that others have described and never had it. I could tell that I was ovulating and cycling with my teenage daughter. Our cycles have always coincided! I can feel when I ovulate, but it has never been painful. I still get the hormonal zit with it, though!
The nice thing is that since my surgery, my perimenopause symptoms have almost completely diminished.
I am 47 and my main complications were heavy, irregular bleeding (no more of that, thank the Lord!) and menstrual migraine. I have had no migraine since surgery! I discontinued the antidepressant I took for years, too, as my moodiness is virtually nonexistant now. It appears that the ladies are functioning well and still have life ahead of them.
I don't know anything about the waiting. My hyster was an emergency due to the sudden and massive bleeding - a complication of the Coumadin (blood thinners) I take for repetitive deep vein thrombosis. I found myself having an immediate and totally unexpected surgery. But everyone I have talked to says the waiting is the worst part. When you have so much time to think, the mind often dwells on the worst-case scenarios.
Try to relax and busy your mind with positive thoughts and information.
Don't get bogged down with all of the "what-ifs." Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries performed in the US (amazing!) You are in good company with the thousands who have gone before you! Your doctors and nurses are very skilled at it. They will make sure that this experience is as successful for you as possible.
Best wishes on your preparations, surgery, and recovery.
Likelyhood of surgical menopause after VagHyst keeping ovaries?
