Hysterectomy question - what do they take out??

Hi smashy,

Your Macmillan nurses job is to be there for you and answer any questions, mine are amazing and always have lots of time for me, so don't be scared to call them. The operation is usually diffferent depending on individual circumstances, in my case stage 1a, grade 1, they took womb, ovaries, tubes and my cervix (that's pretty standard). Sometimes they take or sample lymph nodes and sometimes they take the omentum. It's worth asking your nurse or surgeon what they are taking and what they are leaving, as for example, if they leave your cervix you will still need to attend smear tests. 

Feel free to ask me any other questions too, I'm happy to share everything 

lots of love

xxx

Definitely ask your nurse.  You need to know what the plan is.  Maybe write down all your questions before you make that phonecall, so you don't forget anything.  And write down the answers you are given, so you can refer back to them later if you forget. I was shell-shocked too at my outpatients appointment.  I asked for various things in writing and also asked the doc to draw a diagram to explain to me what would be removed.  Lots of luck for your operation, I hope all goes well.

Thank you for the info. I think I’ll write a big list tomorrow and give the Macmillan nurse a call on Monday. I’ve got so much going around in my head right now!

How long did it take you to get over that operation? Again I suppose everyone is different.

thank you xxx

Thank you x

I am so anxious about everything . It’s all I can think about.

xx

Hello . Waitingfor any op is always a nerve wracking time. The fear of the unknown is often far worse than knowing what will actually happen. It’s definitely a good idea to write down all your questions and speak to your CNS - mine are great and we’re happy to explain things.

Have  you signed a consent form yet, and if you have, were you given a copy? I had an appointment with the gynae-oncologist before the op where he explained exactly what he would do. In my case, he explained that my op would be via vertical incision and that because I had an aggressive type of cancer he wound remove my womb, Fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and omentum plus some pelvic lymphnodes for sampling. He also explained all the risk factors and what he would do if any of those occurred. He checked that I understood everything then completed the consent forms and we both signed them. He gave me a copy to keep and which I had to take to my pre-op assessment and then to the op itself. On the day of the op the surgeon went through the consent form again to make sure I u derstoid and was happy about what he was going to do. 

In terms of recovery everyone is different. A lot friends on whether it’s by keyhole or incision. In the event it was all much better than expected. As it was by vertical incision it was a good few weeks before I started to feel stronger. My surgeon initially signed me off for 12 weeks - by then we knew I’d need adjuvant treatment and within that time I’d recovered well, was walking a good 30-40 mins at a time at a fairly brisk pace and could have driven if I’d wanted to. He told me that although they say 6-12 weeks to be back to doing all the normal bending, stretching, light housework etc it can take up to a year for your body to heal fully internally. 

I hope you get all your questions answered and that you can feel some peace of mind while you wait. Gentle hugs coming your way x

Hi Smashy,

I had all the bits taken away, and also the lymph nodes round the womb. My surgeon drew a diagram for me, but I'm not sure I wanted to know all the ins and outs of it !!!! Just wanted it out!!! I think the lymph now drains into my left leg, but its not bad, and disappears over night. Nobody seems very worried about it.

I had keyhole surgery which was fantastic. I was amazed at how little pain I had, and it was only like a bad period pain afterwards. At first they gave me a morphine drip, which was wonderful!!! After that I managed with paracetomol and after 2 days stopped them so my bowels wouldn't get blocked. I was forewarned about the bowels. My husband was told never to go more than three days without moving them, so on day 2 I took some Movical(stool softener) and it worked a treat. It was painful the first time I went but fine afterwards. I had more trouble with my bladder which refused to work properly for about a week. It was badly bruised and I had no feeling at all.

We went away in our motorhome after 3 weeks and the change did me good although I only walked half of what my husband did!! My consultant said I would be back to normal after 3 months and that was about right!!

All the best xxxx

My surgeon explained everything and drew a diagram. I had everything out including omentum and lymph nodes via keyhole 

by all means ask for information. You need and deserve to know what will happen. They also explain everything about anaesthetic etc at the pre med assessment where you might have to do a bike test.

Good luck!

Hi again Smashy.  I had stage 1a, grade 1, and the surgery I had was TLH and BSO.  I did not have chemo or radiotherapy.  That was October 2017 and I have recovered well. I was very careful to follow the advice I was given about not lifting and not exerting myself at first, and to rest. No wound problems, lots of weird tummy sensations and mild aches which eventually calmed down.  I do pelvic floor exercises (when I remember), I used to do those now and again anyway before anything was wrong with me. I had to avoid my usual sporty lifestyle for about 3 months but then got the OK from my CNS to resume my running and cycling, which I had to build up slowly from zero as I was very weak at first and my tummy ached if I did too much!  I saw a private physio who helped me to improve my tummy muscles.  Anyway, with perseverance things gradually improved and I did a half marathon in May this year, which is kind of back to normal for me, and that was ummm (counts on fingers) 19 months after the operation.

Hiya

Thank you for your reply.

I have really being enjoying my 50th year, got fit, had taken up running and had pledged to do one official 10k a month, then train up to a half marathon which is booked for next March! I guess that will have to wait now! I have got 6 medals hanging on my rack, so the other 6 are on hold!

I had a good chat with my Macmillan nurse last night, and she pretty much explained everything, and it sounds like I will have everything you have described above. I ma just preparing myself mentally and physically for op day, whilst trying to get work sorted out and my children's summer holidays sorted, so they're not bored stiff at home looking after a tired mummy!

You have made me feel far more optimistic than I did at the start of the week,

Thank you xx