WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for March, 1999: Re: Please tell me if you are happy after your hysterectomy

Re: Please tell me if you are happy after your hysterectomy

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Sun, 28 Mar 1999 10:12:30 -0600 (CST)

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At Sat, 27 Mar 1999, Debbie wrote: >
>I have surgery scheduled for April 7th to have my uterus and at least
>one ovary removed. We hope to save the other ovary to keep my hormones
>working. The "bad" ovary has a possible cancerous cyst. The doctor
>plans on an abdominal surgery. Any advice from those of you who have
>had this done would be welcome. One of my big questions is "is sex good
>after this surgery?" I've heard so many horror stories that I just don't
>know what to think. Thanks.

Debbie,

In a word -- YES! Very happy. I had an LAVH a year ago, one ovary was left in place. Sex is just fine - in fact better because it was painful for me prior to surgery.

Things you can expect: to feel tired for a couple of weeks, to tire easily for a couple more weeks, to have pain the first week soreness a couple weeks after. To have some menopausal symptoms about 3-4 weeks post-op (time may vary as well as severity), to take a minimum of 2 months to really feel great.

What you can do about the above: take it real easy on yourself you've just had major surgery, nap often, take the pain medication you're given as needed, move slowly and gently. If anyone offers assistance to you - accept it. If nobody offers - ask for it. Work up to taking a walk outside and be happy with going to the corner and back. For the menopausal symptoms you may experience - call your doctor. I had night sweats and hot flashes and was put on a 3 month course of low-dosage estrogen patch. It worked great and I have had no return of symptoms.

Most importantly - be kind to yourself and you should expect to heal completely. Be aware of your incisions and take care of them. Do not try to do more than you are capable of, be patient and let the healing process advance on it's own course, don't be hard on yourself for accomplishing less than you want to in a given time frame.

Be well,

--
Lea
my opinion is my own and comes from nothing but life experience.

Next message: Tara: "Important Birth Control Question."
Previous message: Barb: "Quality of Life"
In reply to: Debbie: "Please tell me if you are happy after your hysterectomy"
Next in thread: Harriet: "Re: Please tell me if you are happy after your hysterectomy"

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