Open hysterectomy- how did you cope afterwards?

Hi LoulouFrancaise

My surgery was laparoscopic but just thought I would pop a quick response here. There are some ladies on here who have had an abdominal hysterectomy so hopefully one of them will be along soon to share their experience. 

These links have some general information that may be of help.

Hysterectomy for womb cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support

Hysterectomy: Types, procedure, recovery and risks | Bupa UK

114-hysterectomy-for-endometrial-cancer-2017.pdf (christie.nhs.uk)

I wish you well for your surgery but in the meantime we are here if you need anything.

Jane

Hi I had an abdominal hysterectomy and it wasn’t that bad. Was last on list in afternoon. Had spinal and recovered from anaesthetic very quickly- back on ward at 6pm. Up the next morning- and in hospital for 2 nights. Was really uncomfortable getting out of bed at first and I found sleeping with a cushion was most comfortable for 1st few days. Was walking for 30 minutes within a couple of weeks.

Until staples out it was uncomfortable to bend, but otherwise not sure it was so different.

Mine was done as fibroids too large for laprascopic but v little pain. 

I had a radical hysterectomy in 2022, with removal of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes. I didn’t have to have the peritoneum or omentum removed. No cancer was found in any of the pelvic lymph nodes but 4 out of the 5 para-aortic lymph glands had cancer cells, so the cancer had started moving upwards. All my stitches were internal and although it was quite a long vertical scar, it’s hardly noticeable now. I was in hospital for 4 days. The physiotherapists had me out of bed the day after my op. They showed me how to get out of bed without putting too much strain on my tummy and I managed to totter around the ward with their help. At home I could not lay flat for a couple of weeks so slept more or less sitting upright with 4 pillows, which was ok. Getting upstairs was tricky but I found that going downstairs backwards was much easier.  I had to inject every day for 28 days which I managed but I was very pleased when I had completed the course! Following this I had 6 rounds of chemo and 4 brachytherapy but didn’t need any external radiotherapy. Hope this info is useful to you.