Long term effects of hysterectomy

I am 59 and had a robotic hysterectomy in December 2025. I was in hospital for 1 night, required no pain relief post surgery and recovered quickly. I am sure being active and healthy pre surgery supported my recovery. By February I was back to walking the distances and at the speed I could do pre surgery. If I hadnt needed adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy I would have been back to Spin & Circuits no problem at all. Being fit & healthy will be assets for you moving forward. Grade 3 is high risk and hysterectomy is best treatment option to keep you healthy in the future. I am sure you will bounce back quickly.

Hi JackieN, could you say a bit more about your concerns about a hysterectomy turning you “into an old woman overnight” as I’d like to understand. For your info, I’m 66 and I had a hysterectomy at age 62 years 5 months so only a little younger than you are now. My op was laparoscopic and my recovery was quicker than it was for my C section in 1989. I was determined not to be a “victim” and set my mind on recovery as soon as I woke from the op. The morning after my op, as soon as my catheter was out, I was out of bed and walking to and from the loo and up and down the corridors. As soon as I got home from hospital I went for a 5 minute walk round the block. The next day I did 2 x 5 minute walks and then started slowly increasing. By day 4 I was getting in and out of my car and rehearsing the movements for driving. A week after my op I was back in church and out for lunch, By two weeks post op I was walking 30-45 mins a day. It wasn’t “easy” but I was determined. I’d encourage you to go for it. 

Thank you for responding so quickly. I've read that hysterectomies can cause ongoing bladder and bowel problems as well as weight gain.

I do agree though, mindset is incredibly important. Thanks for your feedback

Hi 

I was 48 when diagnosed with stage 2 grade 3 rare  womb cancer. This was on the back of my daughter having an eating disorder for 3 years previously. As a single working mum I thought I was done but was then faced with this. It actually made me very poorly and was the size of an orange. I had my radical hysterectomy 6 weeks after diagnosis, after  a few admissions in to hospital being very ill. I was relieved when the hysterectomy was decided and had a radical hysterectomy, abdominal, cut from above my tummy button to well, you know where!

I would advise staying in hospital till you know you're ok, having been to the loo and feeling hungry. I went home after 3 nights but had to go back and I had an internal infection and had to go back on day 5 or 6.

6 weeks after I had chemo, external  and internal radiotherapy 

I initially was an emergency, as I had a haemorrhage and was in resus 10 days before diagnosis. So, I guess I didn't have time to consider or worry about options . A pro in a way.

By the time I  got to radiotherapy, I read a lot of research papers ( NOT Dr Google) . I wanted to do the best I could with what I'd been dealt. There is a power in acceptance. It doesn't make if fair or ok but it helped me to try and do the best for myself in the situation I was put in to. 

I could only deal with one part at a time. Op, chemo, radiotherapy. I read how I could may be help myself, with diet, supplements alongside all the medical treatment available to me. I too was worried about changes in going to the loo etc. 

Overall, the NHS saved my life ( and actually not daughter's) , more than once. My life had changed but so far all changes are very manageable and I'm truly grateful to be alive.

I'm still processing this ( 15 months post treatment) which is probably why I e said so much. Bit please, if you have any specific questions, please ask x

I also have a post radiotherapy service at my hospital. Are they talking about treatment after an op? 

JackieN, I’m asking this gently - have you been Googling? If so you’d do far better asking us here as otherwise you’re likely to risk scaring yourself with out dated or even wrong info. Hysterectomy is still a major op but it’s very different to how it was years ago. Many of us have laparoscopic/robotic procedures which involved a number of small incisions - I had 3, one in my belly button, and two about an inch wide on my abdomen - one on the level of my ovaries and one nearer my cervix. With dissolving stitches topped with glue. I can only speak for myself but I’ve had no bladder or bowel issues, and certainly not weight gain - in fact the opposite. I don’t really see any reason for weight gain especially for someone post menopausal unless they’d decided to eat more and move less.