Kimberley, it's going to be fine. You are going to feel much better after recovery. I had a complete (ovaries and uterus) hysterectomy in 1995, in December, just before Christmas because that's the least busy time at my work and my daughters would be home from school for the holidays. I've worked forever and wanted the time with them. My incision is a bikini cut, across the pelvis rather than belly button down. It hardly shows, and this was my 4th bikini cut abdominal surgery. My husband suggested they just install a zipper
.
Recovery was very easy, they gave me hormones on the operating table through my IV, so never missed a beat until recently when they took me off the hormones due to breast cancer potential.
If they can leave you ovaries, that would be best. I was over 40 and at the time, the rule was that if you were over 40 the ovaries go, too.
It's sooo nice not to have periods!!!!! My only complaint is that orgasms are not quite as intense as they were before. They said this was a potential side effect. It's not that much of a change though once you get used to it.
Don't know who your OBGYN is, but Dr. Jaynes did mine.
Keep in touch, and call me if you want to talk.
P.S. Weight gain after surgery was not a problem. Actually at first you lose weight after surgery because your body uses so much energy to heal. I've gained a bit over the years, but I think it's due to age and just getting lazy about watching the diet.