Preparing for full hysterectomy

That is such good news!  The waiting for a surgery date seems long, but their estimate will be fairly good - I think I heard 2 weeks ahead and you will be called in for a pre op assessment beforehand.  

I had my hysterectomy by keyhole and I can honestly say that it was so much better than I expected!  It is normal to be worried, it is still a major operation and Pauline will need to take care not to do too much afterwards - however she is likely to be home the day after the operation.  I was surprised how little discomfort I had and how soon I felt I could go for a short, gentle walk.  Looking back - for me the injections and constipation were the worst things post op!  My hubby did the injections for me  - I just couldn’t !   You will be an amazing support. Good luck to you both

Hi Emma, it’s good to have good news! Have they mentioned probable grade and stage? I had my laparoscopic hysterectomy on 22nd January, in overnight and home the following afternoon. If you look a little further down this section you will find a Hysterectomy diary that I’ve been writing which may help. What helped me most from my husband when I came home was not fussing too much, making me hot drinks (as kettle lifting is a no no if heavier than one cup full), being happy with ready meals, walking the dog leaving me free to do my 5 minute walks twice a day (starting the afternoon I came home), doing the shopping and driving me if I needed to go anywhere. But letting me listen to my body and decide for myself how I was doing. I strongly believe that the key to recovery is standing up straight and being sensibly active as soon as possible - this will get the circulation going, will help clear the post op mucus from the bronchial system and will help the digestive system/bowels get going again (including clearing wind). I’d recommend a light diet until the bowels get properly going again. My appetite was low initially post op anyway so that wasn’t difficult! Hope she hears soon - she will likely get an appointment for a pre op assessment first. 

Hi Marmite, it’s stage 2 womb cancer at the moment. I imagine the histology after the op will confirm this?

Your tips are useful, thank you. I’m planning on getting some dates and prunes in for post-op movement!

Take care,

Emma

Thanks Gwen! Pauline broke her ankle in Nov 2020 so I’m familiar with the injections! Can I check where you had them? As last time they were around her tummy, but surely not this time? 

Take care,

Emma

Hi Emma, mine was stage 1A pre hysterectomy, revised to stage 2 as a few cells were found on my cervix. I had no constipation post surgery, things just took a day or two to wake up! I stayed off wheat (which typically constipates) and had fruit and it was fine. Another tip for helping - emptying the kitchen bin and taking that and the recycling bag outside, and putting the rubbish out on bins day. It was something I hadn’t thought of and the kitchen bin contents can get quite heavy - even just the lifting the bag out of the bin can be too much. I’m nearly a month on and still having Dave do that just in case.

Yes - in the tummy it is!  I think some have been told they can do it in the upper thigh, so might be worth asking.  I was a complete wimp about it - we celebrated after the last injection- it felt like a milestone in my recovery to be finished with them

Hi Emma and Pauline, yes, if you prefer you can have them in the thigh instead.  I had mine there (alternating between each thigh) every evening.  

Another tip - I suffered from terrible constipation so just in case I would have a packet of Senna in.  This was recommended to me by the nurse at the hospital and it worked.  I would also recommend stool softeners too however you may be given them by the hospital.  Tinned prunes are known to help too.   

You probably won't need to have codeine when you are at home (as that is quite strong medication) but you won't be given ibuprofen or paracetamol to take home with you as you can buy these yourself so probably worth have a couple of packets of both of these at home.  

Any other questions please just ask.  

Not that I am wanting to encourage anyone else to be a rebel, lol, but just wanted to point out that though the injections are a recommendation, they’re not mandatory and you can refuse them. I had one the night of my hysterectomy and then no more. My consultant had said to me pre op (when I queried the injections) that he thought that I was so active that I’d only need one the night of the op, but when it came to the morning of being discharged my papers said injections. My consultant was a relative newcomer to the hospital (though very experienced) and at his London hospital not everyone was felt to need injections, whereas at this hospital it was standard policy for everyone, so basically I think he’d been told to toe the line! I asked if I could refuse, I was told yes; I asked if I had to sign a disclaimer, they said no. I was given advice about exercise, being well hydrated, wearing my Norah Batty stockings, twirling my feet and moving my legs when in bed and in a chair, and watching for signs. And I was fine. For me the decision was the right thing,

I’d suggest that starting a light diet in the day or two pre op can also help guard against constipation afterwards. I had my op on a Saturday - so ate a light diet on the Thursday, making sure I was well hydrated too, and on the Friday I had my main meal at lunchtime (aiming for a poo in the evening) and then just soup (no bread) and yogurt in the evening, plus one pre op drink then and then one about 6am Saturday.

Bramble65

Hi Emma & Pauline

I can't add much more to what the ladies have already said. It's basically listen to your body and don't overdo things. No lifting or bending and gentle walks asap to speed recovery.

We've all covered the "Poo patrol" so what's been recommended are all good. I was given Movicol by the hospital as well as senna.

So it's time to clean out the cupboards, hem curtains etc.etc before you pack the bag,

Big hugs, Barb xx