On the 30th December I had a hysterectomy. This is something, after trying many other avenues without success, that was needed. I met with a Consultant last June and after reviewing my scan which revealed large fibroids that had once again returned, he advised that I should have a hysterectomy, leaving my ovaries so that I could go through menopause naturally.
My answer was obvious. No more pain, no more periods (woo hoo!). At my age although the possibility of getting pregnant was still a factor and was possible, I have never wanted children; so taking away that possibility was also something I wanted. Plus getting rid of the damn Mirena coil was an added bonus. I had already vowed never, ever to go through the pain of having one in again.
It is now coming up to four weeks since my surgery and I am pleased that I made the right choice. I have heard many different experiences about recovery post surgery, from what happens when you wake up, to potential pain, problems and mobility after. So I thought that I would share my experience with you so far.
I had a robotic hysterectomy. I do urge you to google the machine that they use. It is amazing! If you have ever seen RoboCop, the scene where they bring the machine into the board meeting and it ends up killing someone; it looks a little like that. It is very cool. Alas I did not get to see in person as I was already under anaesthetic before they wheeled me into surgery.
The next morning after my surgery (finished around 7.30 the last before), I expected to be quite a bit of pain. For me, the pain wasn't bad at all. In fact I was more concerned about the catheter that they were due to take out. I don't know why, but that freaked me out more than anything else.
Before they will discharge you, you have to be able to get up and move around, have the catheter out and have peed at least three times so that they know everything is working there as it should. I just wanted to go home. I had not slept well the night before. The nurses (who were wonderful) checked on me around every 45 minutes during the night so sleep didn't go too well. So I drank and drank until the required bathroom element was completed and I could go home.
Upon discharge they gave me a sick note for six weeks, which they told me was the minimum (I promptly lost this as soon as I got home and had to get another from my GP). They also give you seven injections, well six as they did the first in the hospital for me, which you need to inject into your stomach every day.
No one likes injections, but after the initial "I cannot not this" and then deciding that having my boyfriend in control of the injection rather than me would be worse (yes I am a control freak), I got the first one out of the way. By injection 4 I was an old hat at it and it barely hurt at all.
The first thing that I will tell you, which I think is a universal thing, is that you are going to be tired. Not just right after the surgery and in the days after, but for a long time. I am still tired, although I am not doing much of anything other than watching box sets and reading books.
Alongside the tiredness, for the first couple of weeks I was also experiencing insomnia. Sometimes I was wide away until 3-4 am. This is dissipating now. But the tiredness persists. My boyfriend tells me that I am sleeping less during the day now though, so that is some improvement.
One thing that I was worried about was the scarring. I knew that there would be five incision sites and I had visions of looking like Frankenstein's monster. I was very pleasantly surprised. There are five different sites, some with a couple of incisions next to each other. The size of them surprised me, barely half an inch, if that. Four weeks on, I have started to use bio oil and am happy to report that they will be barely noticeable.
Going on to the pain. Everyone is different, some get a lot, some get prolonged pain, some experience medium levels, some experience none. In general, my pain levels have been small. I have had a couple of days recently where the pain has increased, but to do with every knitting together I think. I was given three days of pain medication, one a day I think, but on the whole, a couple of paracetamol or Ibuprofen have held me comfortably. Some days I have none at all.
Before the operation and since having it I have been using the Hysterectomy section on Reddit. This has been massively helpful as many women have written about and answered questions that I wanted to know. If you have a hysterectomy, I highly recommend going on there.
One thing that I have learned is that it is important to listen to the "don't dos". Sex is obviously off the menu for a while. But the important parts are: don't lift anything heavy. Don't do too much, of anything. Don't drive.
Not doing anything is a challenge. But it is necessary. Doing the smallest thing can tire you out. Start small. Very small.
Because I have an office job I was given six weeks off work. If you have a more manual job they will sign you off for longer. Take the time. All of it. If, like me with smaller pain levels, you get the urge to go back to work early, don't. If you can't make yourself dinner without having to lie down after, you definately cannot manage to work for eight hours.
That is my journey so far. I will let you know how I go on when I get back to work in mid February. But I am healing well and am trying to enjoy this period away from work. This is the longest period I have had from work since I left school and no doubt will not have again until I retire.
So far, so good!
