Let’s talk about hysterectomies!

Hi marmitefan59,

I had the same initial diagnosis pre op, 1a, and it remained the same grade post surgery- thank goodness, and hopefully yours will too. The pre assessment was bloods, ecg, weight, height, masa swab and generally making sure your in the best health possible to face surgery.Our hospital trust use the enhanced recovery programme which has proven an easier recovery from surgery, and plans your discharge before you are admitted to hospital. I had 6 bottles of pre-op drinks to have the night before and at 5am on the day. My surgery was done laparoscopically, and I had both a spinal block and general anaesthetic. The spinal block was recommended as I have major issues with my spine and a compressed nerve to my leg, so this made recovery better. In total honesty, the fear I had before surgery was far beyond anything like the reality. Once I actually arrived at the hospital at 7am,I somehow became much more calm, and it was so surreal, like an out of body experience, which, even as I write this sounds ridiculous, but it’s the only way I can describe it! I think I had had so much time beforehand to contemplate what I thought was going to happen, in reality it was much easier. Once at the ward, I was given a gown, elastic stockings, and glorious ‘mesh’ knickers! The anaesthetist & surgeon came to check I was ok, and answer any questions, then I was walked to the theatre suite and handed over to the anaesthetic room. Once there, I can’t really remember much as I was off to sleep before I knew it! Once in the recovery room, they keep a close eye on blood pressure etc, I had no pain at all, and quickly taken back to the ward. You have a catheter until the following morning to allow your bladder to rest, but I had to keep looking down my gown as I thought they hadn’t done anything as I had no pain at all, I was expecting much more. Food and drink were offered straight away, and I just rested. Observations were done regularly, and pain relief offered, and I only had a couple of paracetamol later in the afternoon for discomfort, not what I would call pain. I took my own peppermint tea bags, and I’m so glad I did as they had run out! I just drank this the whole time I was there to help with the dreaded trapped wind, and it definitely helped. I took my own water bottle which had a straw on the top which was brilliant, as you don’t have to bend to drink! I drank loads of water, determined to make my bladder get into action so I could go home the next morning! Another tip was my phone charger had a short cord, and I couldn’t twist to get it, so other ladies recommended a longer charger wire, as I used it for my iPad too. The big pants tip is a godsend! I bought a multipack from matalan, and they were so comfy, coming right over the belly button. The small cuts are either side of your tummy and in the belly button, and only have sticky tape on which is taken off the same day. I took my own sanitary pads, as they are much softer than the nhs ones, and I only needed them for 3 days, but this does vary from person to person, so don’t worry at all if it’s much longer. Anti coagulant injections are sent home with you, and I had to have them for 28 days, which came as a complete shock! They sting like mad, and my legs and tummy were black and blue and full of lumps! My husband got far too much pleasure giving me them for a month! Once home you must take it easy, no lifting, bending, stretching, because you feel like you can doesn’t mean you should! I kept resting between having a walk about, and over days you become aware of your own routine. Laparoscopic surgery is truly amazing, to think you go in one day, have what is still a major procedure and come home the day after is fantastic. I remember my mum having a hysterectomy years ago, and she was in hospital for 2 full weeks and not allowed out of bed for 3 days, how the advances in medical treatment have improved is amazing. The results took 3 weeks for me, and I was telephoned by my specialist nurse, although I had an appointment with consultant 7 weeks after surgery. At any time, if you have any questions you are encouraged to ring your nurse,you don’t have to worry over anything you feel you need resolving. There is a list on this group which I used on what to pack in your overnight bag, and it was brilliant, so helpful. All in all Marmitefan59, I personally recovered really well, and quickly  getting back to doing things gradually, and haven’t experienced anything untoward. I’m sure you will get lots more help from other ladies on this group, and if there is anything more I can help with or answer for you, please message me. I hope you get your date really soon, and can get your surgery over so you can start your recovery . Sending lots of hugs, love Emm xx

Hello MarmiteFan59, welcome to our lovely group of ladies who's combin knowledge really helps, certainly helped me when I was diagnosed and had my surgery and was wanting to know what was next. The waiting is the worst part,  but the op I found was very doable just felt strange about it as I was just turned 38 when I had my surgery so was hit with the surgical menopause which wasn't as bad as I expected but the hot sweats were a nightmare at first I am getting used to them and warming myself when I chill and then swinging windows open when I get too hot. Fans are nice to I have paper towels which I discovered actually help me feel dryer when I get the sweats on. So I feel more comfy..

well I have to say that Emm post was really good, I really cannot add much to that other then I was totally amazed at my op. My hospital is part of the enhanced recovery program and I had some powder you added to water to drink the night before.  I was nervous arriving early morning but was put at total ease, they checked my blood pressure and gave me some rather lovely stocking to wear or the sexy ones as we commonly like to joke about but they do protect your ankles from swelling if you have any problems like that because your going to be unable to move for a determined time. The surgeon said anesthesia came to talk to me and told me what was going to happen,  I was down as being keyhole,  although I ended up half and half as I had  a bulky womb so they had to cut into my belly button down a bit but it wasn't huge. They pump air into your abdominal space so they can see things much better and you can get some pain in the shoulder from it, which they like you to tell them. I stayed overnight and when I came round from surgery I had a self admission morphine drip, I was amazed that I has no pain,  I was bloated though and I had a catheter in. They keep a check on you and I had a lovely meal not long after I was back up in the ward, in the recovery room I had a lovely nurse looking after me I have to say it felt very comforting that she was reassuring me as I came round and held my hand. I didn't sleep well though overnight,  neither did another lady, I could settle I was tired but my mind was in overdrive.  The next day they got us all up, I was the only one not to be sick, when you first stand up you feel totally drunk it was a weird feeling but once I was up and walking about I felt better,  they then took the catheter out and wanted me to go to the toilet a few times before I was discharged home. A word of warning have a pillow/cushion between you and the seat belt it really helps not having the belt against you. The wind pain you get I actually drank peppermint tea which really helped.  Your bowels have a little sleep too durable your op so I was given movical to get things moving,  I also had a week of injections to prevent clots. The dressing came off the next day I was home and I could shower although I did need help. I had 2 little cuts and one the bellybutton down but amazing that the op wasn't as bad as I had expected.  To be honest I reas most do very well and are home very quickly.  It's important to remember to not to lift,  bend or stretch where possible.  If you live with someone it will certainly help them cooking etc. But if your alone having some prepared meals is helpful as you can stick them in the oven etc and your not standing too much. It's a balance of rest and gentle walking, you will tire quickly but you can build up walking. Apart frigging me being a total fool and snapped one of my internal stitches I healed very well. The internal healing takes longer then we realise but as long as we are respectful of our bodies then it's no too bad. 

Sending gentle bear hugs  

I ended up having my surgery done open as they said they couldn’t do mine keyhole because I had a lump in my stomach which they thought was cancer but turned out to be nothing and was from when I had to do blood thinning injections last year as I had a blood clot in my leg.  Like the others my recovery was the same, I stayed in 3 nights and was allowed home after they had measured 3 wees and I had been for a poo.  I had a morphine pump and something inserted under my skin in my stomach for pain think it was a rectus sheath and given IV paracetamol and had hardly any pain, even once they were all removed I hardly had any pain I was sent home with codine but didn’t use it just paracetamol or ibuprofen.  I only had one bad day in hospital and that was the 3rd day, I was throwing up a lot and was given three lots of anti sickness medication but nothing worked.  Nurse and doctors put it down to the trapped wind and once the catheter was out and I was able to walk round properly and not just from the bed to the chair I soon felt better as the walking around got the wind moving.  The staff couldn’t have been nicer and the surgeon was lovely as I was terrified I wouldn’t wake up and I was crying on the operating table saying I didn’t want to do it and he was holding my hand and telling me everything is going to be ok.  I saw my surgeon last week and he is happy with everything, would healing nicely and now I will be going to a different hospital for chemotherapy as they are questioning some lymph nodes in my pelvis and they couldn’t remove them as I was a high risk surgery because of my weight so they didn’t want to have me asleep longer then needed and they had to remove my bladder from the womb as they had stuck together so chemo to blast the nodes as they aren’t sure if they are cancer or not so going with better to be safe then sorry.  I wish you luck with your journey x

Hi Marmite Fan,  my experience was pretty much like the others have said. Before my diagnosis in July 2020 I was fit and well and not overweight ( well a few pounds maybe!).  However eleven months prior to my hysterectomy I had open surgery for a ruptured appendix ( I found this far worse than the hysterectomy!) so because of this I had to follow a “bowel cleansing diet” for 3 days before my op. It meant nothing with fibre and by day three only allowed to eat jelly or ice lollies! My pre op was MRSA swab and covid screening. I think I went down to the theatre at about 1.30 and was back on the ward by 5.30. Seems a long time but my lovely surgeon had to clear up  the mess inside from the appendix op, lots of adhesions and bits stuck to each other. Before I woke up they put in a catheter, I had been really scared about this but when I woke up I didn’t realise it was even there!  I had glue and dissolvable stitches, so no need for dressings.  My lovely surgeon personally phoned my husband to say all had gone well.

I had a restless first night with lots of trapped wind. I wasn’t bleeding at all, and only needed paracetamol for pain relief. The next morning the catheter was taken out, it didn’t hurt at all, and I was sitting in the chair and walking to the loo unaided. They like to know your bladder and bowels are working before you are allowed home, so as my bowel was a bit sluggish I had to stay a second night. I was given the stockings and anti clotting injections to use for 28 days afterwards, which seemed like forever. I could do the injections myself, I was told by surgeon to put them into leg and not into stomach, they cause a lot of bruising and sting like mad!

About two or three weeks after my op I went to the loo one evening before going to bed and found the toilet bowl was full of blood. I rang my CNS in a panic the next morning, she said to get back to her if it continued but that it was probably stitches dissolving, and I had no further trouble. I thought my recovery was amazingly quick. Once I had my histology results ( Grade 1 Stage 1b) my surgeon suggested I have three sessions of brachytherapy to reduce chances of recurrence. Since then I have been on three monthly checks, actually it’s more like 4 months as they are busy, and they have been mostly telephone consultations.

The recovery from keyhole surgery is quite amazing, but you have to remember that you are still healing inside and take things very slow and easy at first. I hope it all goes well for you,

Viv x

Hello again MarmiteFan59. I can't add much to what the lovely ladies have already said but I can add a little info that may help...

It might be a good idea to download this booklet Understanding Womb (Endometrial) Cancer. I found it invaluable on my journey. You might find some questions you want to ask after having a read.

Click on the link I’ve created to find out more information covering diagnosis and treatments for Womb cancer.

You might also find this link to what to take in my overnight bag useful for when you have surgery.

It’s always good to talk and the Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listening ear. It's free to call on 0808 808 00 00  8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Have a look to see what is available by Clicking here .

There is also an Ask an Expert section, but you should allow two working days for replies from our expert team.

Sending you welcoming hugs, Barb xx 

Hi marmitefan59,

I had the same diagnosis  in July 2019, had my surgery in August, this was by keyhole and my hospital  also put me on the enhanced recovery program with the pre op drinks, some of which I had to drink at 4am!  My husband dropped me of at the door of the hospital at 7am, even though this was before covid  we were encouraged to  go in alone so we could be prepared for surgery. My surgeon and the anaesthetist came for a chat, there were four on the list for surgery that day and I  was so pleased when they said that I  would be first. I  walked down to the theatre  carring  My bag and pillow. It was all very calm and I  tried to practice  My yoga breathing as I  was given the anaesthetic.  Next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery with the surgeon saying it had all gone well. Once back on the ward I  was pretty much out of it for most of the day, I  felt really sick, though I  wasn't this surprised me as I have had anaesthetic before and never felt sick. I wasn't  in any pain and though I  was told at my pre op that I would have a catheter I didn't have one. As my sats  we're low I  was on a saline drip, I'm  sure this is what was making me feel sick because during the night they took it out so I  could walk down to the toilet and I then began to feel better, I  could only face water on the day of the op. The next morning I was able to shower and we were all encouraged to  go to the dining room on the ward for meals. I  came home that evening with two weeks  worth of injections and pain meds that I  didn't need, I  just took paracetamol for a  couple of days. I  had a call from my CNS within two weeks of the op to confirm my diagnosis was still stage 1A grade 1. I  recoverd well from the op and was going out for short walks within a couple of days of coming home, though I  was really careful not to lift anything and left the hoovering to my husband for about six months! Following a  visit to the consultant about 5 weeks after the op I  was put onto the patient initiated follow up plan for 5 years.

I'm  also a marmite fan especially with peanut butter!

I hope you get a date for your surgery soon and that everything goes well. 

Hello MarmiteFan59

My experience of laparoscopic hysterectomy and oophorectomy(removal of cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries) is very similar to others.  This time last week I was packing my bag now I am on my 4th day of recovery.  I arrived at the hospital at 0730 and was shown to my bed and asked to undress, put two gowns on and my pressure socks.  The nurse then went through some general questions and my consent form, the surgical registrar visited, my surgeon came to see me and explained what she intended to do during the operation then the anaesthetist came to check on my general health and any concerns.  They were all really lovely and I could ask them anything which was worrying me.  By 0850 I was in the anaesthetic room and after having more checks of my blood pressure etc a couple of cannulas were fitted.  The staff were so lovely and reassuring.  A few deep breaths through a face mask and the next thing I remember was being in the recovery room.  My temperature had dropped a bit so I was wrapped up in the couple of blankets and had an oxygen mask on.  I was able to monitor my own pain relief through the cannula but once I was back on the ward I managed with just paracetamols.  I was aware of the nursing staff checking my blood pressure, temperature etc about every 30 minutes but I was asleep until early evening.  I had a saline drip and catheter fitted snd wasn’t allowed out of bed.  The wind in my chest was not pleasant but a lovely nurse rubbed my back for me and made me a peppermint tea to help to release it.  I was sick a couple of times .  I had a wonderful and unexpected visit from my husband who had to do a covid lateral flow test before coming but some hospitals may have other rules.  I didn’t get much sleep overnight and I was so pleased when the catheter was taken out and drip finished so I could get out of bed.  Sat on the chair and had some toast and jam and a coffee before going to the bathroom, a bit wobbly and very slow walk, only needed to do one wee as I went so much!, had a wash and got dressed.  You do need to take knickers a couple of sizes larger than usual and a very elasticated waist skirt.  Back on the ward I dozed on and off until being allowed home about 4pm.  Pillow to put between you and seatbelt was a great suggestion.  I didn’t realise just how painful my shoulders would be and really struggled to get comfy the first night but pain went the following day.  I agree that eating prunes or figs is really helpful as you do get blocked up. Be kind to yourself.  Good luck with everything.  XX