Having a Complete Hysterctomy

I had to have a complete hysterectomy when I was 34,and it was the best thing that ever happenened to me.I had endrometreosis,and the pain I had all through my adult life was debillatating.

Having a hysterectomy changes all women. Some women are less sexually active. Others are more. Just remember to try and get out of bed to walk the pain away as soon as possible. It will make the healing process go better. Also I would tell your dr to tie up your bladder so when you get older it doesn't fall out of your vaginal region. I was out of bed the same day and going for walks down the hall and back so I could hurry up and get out! My healing time was excellent despite a week before I had a gall bladder surgery. LOL. take care. YOu will do fine.

Jo Ellen,
I had a partial...I have (1) ovary left. I never felt any weirdness about parts missing in my body. I was happy that the cancer was gone and bonus...no more periods! I take our nutritional supplement so I don't have to worry about hormone replacement. Many of my friends are no longer on hormone replacement therapy because they are on our products, so many benefits to it and no side effects! I love that.

Good luck to you!
Sincerely,
A.
www.HopeShared.com

Hi. When I had my hysterctomy i felt very incoplete. I was only 25 years old and it was a matter of life or death that i did it. After a few years the feelings went away and i was better. Now that I have moved on with my life and I am with someone that I want to have a baby with I cant and that put a hurt on the relationship. He understands and we have talked about. But the feeling do go away it just takes time.

Everyone is different, but if afterwards you start feeling moody and flashing I would suggest the estradiol patch. Pills are processed through the liver(where most of the meds are filtered out) and patch administers directly to blood stream. Way more effective for hot flashes than a pill.(I tried premerin and the estradiol pill) I fought taking anything for three yrs.- after not sleeping for more than 20 min. at a time for three years, I gave up.The patch really saved my sanity. If you are truly miserable before surgery, then it will be a relief and you can take care of menopausal symptoms with the patch. Good Luck

I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago. One ovary was left in so I haven't had some of the problems other posters spoke about. Like before, I do still cycle occasionally. I was never consistent. My biggest problem is that you lose some of the muscle tone and have to work at keeping it. I have not been good at that. I never felt like I was missing something.

My biggest piece of advice is keep moving! As soon as they tell you that you can move around, do it. I am not usually a good patient about that, but I had a 4 and a 6 yr old at home that I didn't want to scare too much. I managed to walk my 1st grade son to the bus stop 5 days out of surgery. My husband went with me so if I collapsed me could get me home. :-) I probably got all my energy back around the 5-6 week mark.

Hello. I did not have a complete, but I had a partial done last October at the age of 31. I am so glad I had it done. I do not feel like there is anything missing. The only downside that I have noticed, is that I have gained some weight and can't seem to get it back off. But, I have been told by other mommas on here, that's pretty normal and I will eventually lose it. Also, one other thing, I do still have cramping at times, but am told that will also pass as my body gets used to the change. (plus with a full/complete, you probably won't have that issue) Hope this helps!

Hi Jo Ellen, Although I have not personally had a hysterectomy, I supported a friend through her's and was introduced to a website that is extremely helpful in what to expect from lots of fellow sisters who have been where you are.

A nurse in her surgeon's office directed her to
www.Hystersisters.com She was just returning to work after her hysterectomy. I found it very insightful... hope you do too!

God Bless!

Hi Jo Ellen, I had a total Hysterectomy at 42 It was the best thing I have ever done. For a few months I had mixed emotions and felt a little empty but as time went on and I had no more pain and no more excessive bleeding I was really glad I had it done.
When I was at the Doctor before the surgery and he asked if I wanted to leave my ovaries I said no take it all and this was because my Mother had cancer and I did not want to take the chance. I went on Primerin for years to help with the hot flashes. Now they say it's not good for you and can cause breast cancer so the doctor took me off I went on a Natural supplement from Melaleuca Called EstrAval it really helps.
Good luck and if you want more info just let me know
M.

Jo Ellen,
I had a complete hysterectomy last September.
I have no complaints, it did take me the complete 4-6 weeks to recover and not feel completely tired after 20 minutes of being up and moving.
Now night sweats are horrible, but I am now using Vivelle Dots and they are working really well, Premarin did not work for me.
I will say that it has taken the year for my body to completely figure out that I am missing a part, I do feel as though I cycle once a month, but that too is getting better.
If it is truly needed, you will feel so much better afterwards.
Goodluck

I had a total Hys. when I was only 27yrs old I am now 45yrs old and have been on Premrin all this time, now they (doctors) want to take me off because if causes breast cancer. I must say the hot flashes,mood swings ect.. is driving me and my family crazy! My advice is make sure you know what this will do to you in the long run and understand what your body will go thru and to answer your question: No you do not feel like your missing any of your parts.. Get plenty of rest and relax after surgery because it will take alot out of you. I would say it is a 6months recovery period, seriouly. Don't let these Men doctors tell you it will only take a couple of weeks and you will feel fine, everyone is different but it will take your body at least that long to adjust.. Good luck Jo

I was on high blood pressure meds for 10 years along with valium. Because I started to have really heavy periods i needed the surgery. My doctor did a partial hysterectomy leaving one ovary. I had a new laease on life and felt better than I had in years. No more high blood pressure, no more valium and no more concerns about any of the "heavy" period " problems. I did not miss any piece or part and it really had nothing to do with feeling like "less"of a woman. Good luck.

hi, I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago and can only say how glad I was to give myself such a gift. I don't hurt, my anemia has lessened, and feel so much better. I opted to have my tubes and ovaries removed too, so that it was a one shot deal. I took HTR for about a month then was able to go without. You will hurt for a few weeks, but it will be well worth it. Good Luck and God bless.

Hello my 100% advice is go for it. I had a partial when I was 23 and hurt so bad and then when I was 42 my Dr. did the complete and I have never felt so 'good' in my life. I didn't even think of missing any part of my body. My mood changed and I feel great. At our age we don't need all those x-tra's anyway. Good Luck and take the big leap you won't be sorry. KP

Hi J., I just had a total hysterectomy on March 5 2010 so far so good. You have pain and you do have a a pain pump your after surgery. Your stomach do swell. the worst part was getting up after surgery and sneezing and coughing. I'm not hurting that much my incision is healing good and I have a great doctor and nurse who I can call about anything. rest and Walk was my motto. U will be find I wish I would had did this a long time ago. Good Luck from S.