The time has come!

[Kimberley]

November 27th @ 7:30 a.m.

[magnolia]

I had mine done in December of '97. I was in what the doctor said was "early stages of pre-cancer" - I had no problems whatsoever with my monthly cycle, just abnormal paps!! My uterus was also tilted, as I like to say, in the "back 40" somewhere!! Mine was done vaginally, left my ovaries - nothing wrong with them so he left them in and I'm glad he did - no hormone pills/shots for me, yet! I was back at work 2 weeks after having mine but....I was manager for an OB/GYN clinic here in town (not one of the docs who did my surgery) so my doctor let me go back to work knowing I was in good hands with physicians near all day if anything should happen - they sent me home each day for the first 2 weeks back at noon but paid me for the whole day - they were GREAT during that time Only problem I had was 6 weeks post-op, a cyst developed on one of my ovaries and ruptured - severe pain!!! Spent the week-end on the couch or in the bed but otherwise, have been fine ever since - and feel great! And don't let that myth about gaining weight after a hysterectomy bother you - I LOST weight after mine, actually lost too much and doc said if I hadn't stopped losing or at least gained a pound or 2 by 6 month check up, he'd have to run tests on me. I went from 132 pounds down to 117 in 2 months - I'm now at 125 and am staying in that general vacinity.

You'll do fine, I know you will And you'll feel so much better after you've had a chance to recover from the surgery! I'm here for you if you want to talk - just pm me and I'll get you my email address.

[Kimberley]

did your diet change after surgery? I'm a little worried about weight gain. Lord knows I don't need to add anymore!!!

Can't remember if I mentioned it or not but doc wants to do an abdominal hysterectomy.

[Mandy]

I have heard from a lot of woman that had it done, they are all happy and relieved! I bet you will feel a lot better afterwards Best of luck!!

[magnolia]

Originally Posted by Kimberley

did your diet change after surgery? I'm a little worried about weight gain. Lord knows I don't need to add anymore!!!

Can't remember if I mentioned it or not but doc wants to do an abdominal hysterectomy.

No, my diet didn't change other than I couldn't eat! I didn't go on to explain (cause I thought I had "yakked" enough), but the doctor thinks the anesthesia played a HUGE role in the intial first few days after surgery. I won't lie, I was one sick "puppy" the day after surgery - couldn't eat, all I could do was puke! And when I started back eating, all I wanted was chicken noodle soup. For almost a week after surgery, that's all I ate - soup and maybe come jello so my stomach literally shrunk from not eating so when I did eat, I couldn't eat much before getting full. I had mine on the 19th of December, just a few days before Christmas - I couldn't even enjoy Christmas dinner, was full after just a few bites and I was real weak feeling for about 10 days post-op. I'm the type, if I don't feel good, I just don't want to eat. But I also think something else was going on to cause that much of a weight loss in that short period of time. When I went in for 6 month check-up, I had gained 2 pounds so no further testing was done.

Before I had my surgery, I was not much of a sweets eater at all and still don't eat many to this day - give me veggies and I'm happy I didn't crave certain foods after having the surgery, and I don't exercise anymore now than I did then. In my opinion, and it's just that, my opinion, I think some people think that a hysterectomy means they are gonna gain weight so they figure, why not indulge and enjoy - and that indulgence and enjoyment adds on the pounds. If you eat like you do now after your surgery, you shouldn't have any problems in that department - you may gain a pound or two but don't we all from time to time! But like I said, this is just my opinion - not proven in any way.

For the betterment of your health, this is something you need to have done so put all your focus and energy into that and in getting better afterwards. Everything else, you can worry about later. BTW: both my sisters had abdominal hysterectomies - and they did fine And you will too!! Please don't hesitate to PM me or post something here if you want to talk - I'm here for ya

[rivermom]

Good for you!!! You will find that this is the best thing you've ever done!! I had the surgery almost a year ago. I also had issues inside and the hysterectomy was my only option.

Remember to give yourself atleast 8 weeks down time w/ help. You MUST have help because you will need a lot of rest. I am a strong stubborn sort and thought I could jump up in no time and get back to my normal activities, NOT!!! So, as long as you have plenty of help everything will be fine.

[Janet]

You are going to like it afterward so much. No monthly thing to worry about!!!!

I had my hysterectomy about 4 years ago. I had a tumor about the size of a small watermelon. I have a scar from just a little above my belly button to right above the hairline. My scar is hardly noticable because the stitches were used on the inside, but glued on the outside.

I love not having that creepy monthly visitor anymore. You'll love it too.

[khardy57]

I had a hysterectomy and ovary removal when I was 34 (right before my 35th birthday) I had endometriosos very badly and my colon and vagina had grown together. Needless to say, I was in extreme pain and spent mother's day that year in the ER at my local hospital. It was the best thing I ever did and I don't regret it. I had an abdominal incision because my colon had to be re-sectioned, so I took a full 6 weeks to recover.

You'll be fine. If they take your ovaries, make sure you have some sort of plan for hormone replacement. I slept with ice packs, and still do at times because of hot flashes. I still have them at times even though I take hormones, so I still use the ice packs in summer.

Here's hoping you have an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery!!