Female Sterilisation/Hysterectomy - anyone had either? Looking for advice

fsdss

i had a full abdominal hysterectomy, inc ovaries and cervix, 4 months ago (i am 42) i have had no problems with menopause as i am on a oestrogen gel.
i have had none of the poorlyness i used to experienc weekly (inc headaches) since then

and i feel Bl@@dy Fantastic.............

Oldernotwiser

catkins wrote: »

I had a hysterectomy over 20 years ago when I was in my late 30's. I kept one of my ovaries. I had it because I had a fibroid the size of a football in my womb. I had very heavy periods which lasted over 7 days. I used to flood even with a tampon and a towel. My womb being so large was pressing on my bladder which was horrible.

I had the op on the Friday afternoon, had a shower Saturday morning and went home Sunday! My surgeon said he believed that most surgeons make the mistake of getting women to take it too easy. He believes if you are reasonably young and fit then you get up the next day and walk about. He told me when I got home not to do anything stupid but otherwise to try and carry on pretty much as normal. He told me I could do housework but not anything heavy like hoovering or changing the bed! He said being told you should not lift a kettle is just stupid. He also told me to make sure I walked every day which I did.

Friends and work colleagues that have had hysterectomies have all stayed in hospital for about 7 days, not being allowed to even get out of bed for 2 days and they have all had problems. It took them much longer to get over the op and none of them went back to work before 6 weeks.

I had 4 weeks off work but I could honestly have gone back after 2. I had no problems whatsoever. No pain nothing. I felt fantastic compared with how I felt before it.

I agree with a lot of this. I think that the recovery time recommended after a hysterectomy is often exaggerated. I was in for 5 days and was able to go for a short walk after a week, although it was tiring.

On the other hand, don't underestimate the possible psychological effects which can take you by surprise.

tw1nklestar

i had a sterlization about 16 years ago when i was in my late twenties after 3 children - the op was fine went in at 8am was out after eating toast and having a wee about 1pm - was in the hairdressers having hair permed (it was a lot of years ago) the next day - that was a mistake as i had to sit in the chair for 4 hours and had horrid trapped wind pains in my shoulders - the only thing i regret about my op was i never had pmt prior but my god did it kick in after.....when speaking to a nurse post op she said a lot of people find this happens - just wished i had been warned before cos i felt like i was going mad for a couple of months until i was told it was pmt and normal

hotchop

I as sterilised when I was 24, personal choice... saw the doc on a thurs, the consultant the following tues and had the op on the tues... In and out in a day, a couple of days rest and was fine and dandy

Had a partial hystarectomy aged 32 due to pain and blood loss... 2 days in hospital... back in work for short burts, 2-4 hours twice a week after 2 weeks and back full time after 6 weeks..

I should have stayed off for a cpl of weeks... I was in agony, not that I would admit it!! Ever so tired and still had pain

Its the best thing I ever did........ For a max of 6 weeks off work, no more pain, periods, pmt, ... ever!

peachyprice

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Short term, perhaps. Excluding renal colic, pancreatic cancer and a whole load of other incredibly painful things. But Pigpen is pretty clued up on pain, gynaecological and surgical.

See, this is the problem, most people, healthcare professionals included do not realise how much pain burst cysts cause. No, it's not cancer, no it's not life threatening, so how can something the size of a pea bursting possibly be as painful as we say? I don't know why it causes so much pain (not discomfort by a long shot) perhaps it's something they excrete, perhaps it's the hair and teeth that grow in them exploding through your insides, I just don't know and no doctor has ever been able to tell me. But they do cause a white hot pain that overtake your body rendering your legs and bowels useless and cause you to pass out.

With all Pigpens gynae problems, I didn't realise she'd had burst cysts too.

pain and unpleasantness from osteopenia, osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, tooth loss from periodontal disease, cataract formation, all of which are at increased risk following a normal menopause at age 50+, therefore being even greater risk at an earlier one, probably outweigh the pain of cysts.

Those conditions aren't a given though, they might happen, it's a risk. Right here, right now BM is experiencing real pain that is stopping her living her life. I had three episodes over the couse of 2 years, luckily I was in safe places when they happened, not very nice places to pass out and crap yourself I must admit, MIL was most upset at the mess I made on her carpet, but at least I was indoors. If this was happening to me on an almost monthly basis I would be too frightened to leave the house.

It also needs to be taken into consideration that's it's likely BM will lose her other ovary anyway. She's already lost one, I lost a half, if cysts are bursting with such regularity it might be considered that it's only a matter of time before she loses the other one. So she can live a life of agony until that happens then still be at risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, tooth loss from periodontal disease, cataract formation or she can be pre-emptive and actually be able to live a normal life.

Basically, if ovulation is an issue, why not get long term contraception that prevents it? Certainly less risky than an elective surgical procedure.

That won't stop the cyst growing though, it will only deal with part of BM's problem.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

peachyprice wrote: »

See, this is the problem, most people, healthcare professionals included do not realise how much pain burst cysts cause. No, it's not cancer, no it's not life threatening, so how can something the size of a pea bursting possibly be as painful as we say? I don't know why it causes so much pain (not discomfort by a long shot) perhaps it's something they excrete, perhaps it's the hair and teeth that grow in them exploding through your insides, I just don't know and no doctor has ever been able to tell me. But they do cause a white hot pain that overtake your body rendering your legs and bowels useless and cause you to pass out.

With all Pigpens gynae problems, I didn't realise she'd had burst cysts too.


Those conditions aren't a given though, they might happen, it's a risk. Right here, right now BM is experiencing real pain that is stopping her living her life. I had three episodes over the couse of 2 years, luckily I was in safe places when they happened, not very nice places to pass out and crap yourself I must admit, MIL was most upset at the mess I made on her carpet, but at least I was indoors. If this was happening to me on an almost monthly basis I would be too frightened to leave the house.

It also needs to be taken into consideration that's it's likely BM will lose her other ovary anyway. She's already lost one, I lost a half, if cysts are bursting with such regularity it might be considered that it's only a matter of time before she loses the other one. So she can live a life of agony until that happens then still be at risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, tooth loss from periodontal disease, cataract formation or she can be pre-emptive and actually be able to live a normal life.



That won't stop the cyst growing though, it will only deal with part of BM's problem.

Yes, dermoid cysts can be painful. They don't tend to disappear during the month, though, what with the various constituents in them.

Fluid filled cysts hurt when they burst too. I have those myself.

reallyunsurenow

After searching the internet tonight I have come across this thread and I hope you dont mind me posting on it. I am due to go in and get sterilised on Tues (11th) but are now having real concerns about the recovery. I have received the general info you get from the dr and gynaecologist which explains very breifly what to expect however I have come across some worrying experiences. Please can anyone give there own true story. I have read you can be in alot of pain afterwards due to trapped gas, abdominal pain which is to be expected and some vaginal bleeding, it is recommended you use sanitary towels instead of tampons. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

blue_monkey_2

hi newbie :wave: good to see you on this thread.

I cannot help with everything else (as it was my question) but I can with the trapped gas. They use the gas to blow your stomach up and get a look inside and yes, it is horrible. Make sure you have a stack of peppermints with you and this helps with the pains. I had the gas with my laporoscopies and it is unpleasant but goes after a few days really. Good luck with your op. Please do come back and let us know how it goes.

I am seeing my doctor next week.

reallyunsurenow

Hi, i just wanted to let you know i had my surgery yesterday and it really wasnt as bad as i had expected. I woke up from the surgery in extreme pain but the nurse soon got me some painkillers which helped. I have had some light vaginal bleeding but nothing to be worried about. I havent had any shoulder pain from the gas but i have bin drinking peppermint cordial so i think that has helped. I had a ok nite but was very sore, i have spoke to my gp tday and she has given me some extra painkillers which i am taking on a regular basis. Im so pleased its over and hopefully after a couple of days should be feeling back to normal :-) xx

blue_monkey_2

Thanks for the update, I am glad all went well.

I have to go and see my doctor on Friday - I am not sure whether I should ask now or wait as I do not want to mess up my insurance by having a PEC I am under a consultant for. I am going to get the pill and after I get back from Florida, deal with it then. I have a week of spotting before my period is due as well but it always follows the same pattern so I do not think anything untoward is going on.

I hope that you recover well and it makes life so much better for you, thanks for posting back it really is appreciated. x