Hysterectomy - Plainfield,IL

Updated on September 14, 2011
A.S. asks from Plainfield, IL
9 answers

Has anyone had a hysterectomy? What did you have to do to prepare for surgery? How was the hospital stay? What about the recovery process? Any info that you are willing to share will be appreciated. Someone may need to have one & she is terrified so I want to do what I can to ease the stress but have (luckily) never had surgery myself other than to get my wisdom teeth out. Thanks in advance!!

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N.D.

answers from Chicago on

BEST DECISION EVER! Why did I wait so long?

I was 34 when I had mine, which is a lot younger than I or my doctors had hoped. I struggled for 8 plus years with severe pain and about 15 years with heavy bleeding and Polycystic related symptoms. The last 8 were the worst and I am just now one year post-op and loving life. Why did I wait so long?

Surgery- best nap you will get, especially if you have children. Post-op. Can be a little painful but healing is pretty quick. Your friend will be feeling pretty good within a couple of days and back to normal-ish by one month or so. Oh and tell her that Orgasms aren't an issue. :) If she had them before, she probably still will, even without the uterus.

Seriously. No big deal and I had the major proceedure. As A. wrote, the Da Vinci method is much quicker and less invasive. I just chose the other way to ensure that they got everything out that was making me sick.

Best of luck. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away. :)
N.

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R.C.

answers from Chicago on

I am all about the happy hysterectomy, too. (plus, I had a tummy tuck at the same time). The combo surgery made the recovery longer but I got my life back. Every aspect of my life is better! I also spent a lot of time on the hystersisters website.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Hey, A.....
My hysterectomy changed my life for the better. I can't even describe it.
I had been in the hospital so many times, gone through so much pain and agony. It got to the point I couldn't even ride in a car, any bump hurt me so bad.
I'd had tons of surgeries and to be honest, my hysterectomy was actually a breeze as far as recovery.
The pattern of the pain returning surgery after surgery was finally broken.
I had an absolutely fabulous doctor. I was cared for so well.
Surgery of any kind can be scary, but I'd been through so much that it was just time for it to be over.
My son was a year old and I had an older daughter so I needed help because I couldn't pick my baby up for a while. I couldn't drive or overdo it for x amount of weeks.
There are things you have to make arrangements for.
Painwise, it was way easier than having my appendix removed.
Seriously.

Have a doctor you feel comfortable with. Ask all the questions you can. Prepare for some help when you get home.
Feel a thousand times better after it's all over.

Best wishes.

3 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

First and Foremost............ my hysterectomy was by choice and the BEST CHOICE I ever made for myself. This was about 10 yrs ago.

I have never looked better, felt better, had more sex drive, never had the swelly belly, weight gain, etc. I had a hormone patch from day 1...... I opted to TAKE IT ALL... and lessen risk for other issues.

I could never be happier. The absolute WORST part was waiting until surgery day and the worries affiliated with that part of it. I had a complete hsterectomy.. abdominal incision (bikini... cant even see it now thanks to vitamin E oil).

I am still a size 2 or lower except the hormones made my boobs grow and I have perky 32DD's on my petite body but I love it!! My Dr. said we needed to bottle whatever happened to me, LOL because it is perfect!!

A very helpful website I relied on was www.hystersisters.com It has everything you can imagine. My story is on there as well... My recovery was great.

Recovery is what you make it. If you are the type to want to be in bed, cared for, and nurtured for days, then you can make it that way. For me, I am a go getter, not one to stay in bed, follows Dr orders but will not lounge around doing nothing. I was at a track meet within 3 weeks. Would have been sooner but due to the surgery, you can''t drive for 2 weeks.

All in all........... I have NO regrets and would do it all again. I've never felt better.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

A.:

I had my hysterectomy on Monday, 7 Feb 2011 - it was the best thing I did!! YAHOO!!!

Typical prep - EKG and Ultrasounds...

In the hospital for 24 hours...I had the Di Vinci method - three small incisions on either side of my belly and one in my belly button. They did everything they could through the incisions and then pulled it all out vaginally.

My sister was here to care for me. The gas that they put in your abdomen hurts as it dissipates - my dog jumped on my belly at 48 hours and I was back to myself and my sister and I went shopping on Thursday...

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!!! If anyone goes in with a crappy "this is gonna hurt" attitude then it will be sucky - totally - sucky...I was sooo excited to finally be rid of my girl parts that I couldn't WAIT to get it over with!!!

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P.K.

answers from New York on

I have to ditto A.. I had an abdominal hysterectomy and did fine. Was up
and home on the third day. A. is right: Attitude is everything! Good luck
to your friend.

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P.W.

answers from Dallas on

A.,
A hysterectomy made me able to live again! Recuperation was not bad, but mine was vaginal. Tell your friend it will be okay. Plan to let people help her out for a couple of weeks. Accept meal offers graciously. Let her husband baby her and keep the kids/animals under control. Look at it as a vacation. I was off pain meds within 3 days and walking around my house, increasing slowly almost immediately. I enjoyed Lifetime movies and long naps. Within a week my sister was driving me to the gym and I was carefully walking slowly on the treadmill for 5 minutes, working up slowly daily.

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M.W.

answers from Chicago on

All I have to say is if your friend is in Plainfield, IL, make sure her doctor is not apart of Adventist Bolingbrook network! That's a serious procedure and I've had to change doctors/network over a minor LEEP procedure.

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K.H.

answers from Chicago on

I had my hysterectomy in May of last year. I had a few complications because I had undetected endometriosis that knitted some things together inside and they had to separate them before they could remove the uterus. I had the full-on abdominal surgery so mine may have been a bit more to recover from than those who have had the vaginal removal. I did get to keep my ovaries which is a big bonus--my mojo was left intact, and yes, at 6 weeks out I was having lovely orgasms again. : )

The first few days of recovery are a bit rough, but every day you feel better and better. The most important advice I received was to REST! Tell your friend to listen to her doctor and take advantage of the time and well-meaning friends and relatives. My mom stayed with me for 2 weeks and another friend organized rides for my kids, meals, etc. I was humbled by the number of people who came to my assistance. Tell her to ASK for help! Your friends want to feel they are doing something for you, and even if it's just an errand, it can mean a lot for you and for them. Lie on the couch, read, and sleep, sleep, sleep. Good luck to her!

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