Hysterectomy!!

any words of wisdom would help!! I am seriously scared.  I am having a abdominal Hysterectomy and I am overwhelmed.

I don't have any experience with this but I wanted to let you know you are not alone! I will be thinking of you and wishing you well.

Oh my....you don't look very old! Try to have the Doctor keep your ovaries! You don't want to go on hormone replacement at your age! I have had a complete hysterectomy 7 years ago. I enjoy the freedom of not having any PMS, cramps, and excessive bleeding, anemia, and all round feeling bloated! You will do fine. Discuss your concerns with your Doctor too! They can really help!

Good luck!

Huggs!

Forgot....We could not have any children but there is always Foster Parenting and Adoption. I have adopted my 20 year old when he was 2 years old. We are still doing Foster care and I love it!

thank you!! for the response.  No I am not very old just 28 and scared.  I do get to keep my ovaries thank god!!! But I have pre cancerous cells on my cervix so it is unavoidable. Thank you for the support!! :D

Hopefully your dr/nurses have answered all your questions to alleviate any concerns stemming from the unknown, and I presume (esp at your age) you did get a 2nd opinion before agreeing to such a major procedure...

Having said that, a very dear friend of mine just had the same procedure last Tuesday. She is 74, was up and moving around the same day, was sent home on Friday, and is doing extremely well.

Im sending healing thoughts of a speedy recovery your way :)

pre-cancerous cells? Do please make sure you get a second opinion. My mom had pre-cancerous cells in her uterus and her (GP) doctor said a hysterectomy was necessary. Her second doctor--who had more experience in these kinds of cancers--said no, that a much smaller procedure and monitoring was all that was needed. She is doing great 2-years later, no reoccurrence. I have no idea what your situation might be, just take care.

--wishing you well.

Last October (on my 45th birthday!) I had this procedure done.  I had previously had a cone biopsy to remove abnormal cells on my cervix.  The pathology report showed they were cancerous, stage 0.  My doctor told me that if I wanted more children he would not do the hysterectomy, but instead have frequent checkups to watch for more cells.  Since I already have 2 teenagers I opted for the surgery and the peace of mind.  I agree that a second opinion is a good idea.  

I didn't have to do anything special before the surgery, however on my own I chose to eat very lightly the days before.  When you get to the hospital they will prep you, IV, etc. (you can shave yourself at home).   I got a catheter in recovery but don't remember much about it except feeling for a moment like I really had to pee!  After that you don't feel it and when they take it out it doesn't hurt.  I was given a morphine pump so I could self medicate.  The pain is uncomfortable but not unbearable.  Too much morphine will make you nauseous, so go easy.  Walk, walk, walk after surgery, even if it is difficult.  If you don't you can get horrible gas pains.  My incision was 'glued' so I didn't have stitches or staples.   Whenever you need to move around or cough, place a rolled up sheet or blanket over your stomach and press lightly - this will help a ton.  You'll go home in a couple days and you should take it easy!  You will feel pretty good, but if you try to do too much it WILL catch up with you.  I had some trouble with my incision bleeding so I stuck a thin maxi pad to my clothes over the incision and that worked great.   I took six weeks off work and was more than ready to go back after 4 weeks.   Today I feel great, the scar is low enough that it doesn't show, and I don't have any periods.  I still get some mild phantom PMS but that is going away.  I also have more room for my bladder so I don't pee when I sneeze anymore!

Hope this wasn't Too Much Info!  Good luck with whatever you choose.

I had a hysterectomy (left me my ovaries), also abdominal. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. I can give you lots of advice in terms of recovering more quickly from the surgery.