Hysterectomy Forum - Has Anyone Had a Good Outcome After a Hysterectomy?


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not ready 4 this

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Has Anyone Had a Good Outcome After a Hysterectomy? Posted: 01-30-06 10:28am


I was told that I needed a hysterectomy about 3 weeks ago. I got a second opinion, which was the same. Since then, I have been reading a lot. I haven't read of anyone who was happy with their outcome. I have severe endometriosis, enlarge uterus with fibroids and multiple adhesions. I have severe pelvic and lower back pain, extremely heavy periods, my hemoglobin was 7 (normal should be 12-14). I am so tired all of the time. But, from what I have read, it's worse after the hyst. I am worried about a lot, but to be honest. I like my hormones. I enjoy sex and it is a large part of my relationship. Is there anyone who has a normal sex life after a hysterectomy?? Has anyone tried different hormones? Has anyone tried testosterone? If so, what were the outcome? I am close to changing my mind and living with the pain and fatigue.

hotty

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Hi Posted: 01-30-06 12:03pm


My name is mary, I just found out friday that I need a hysterectomy as well, therfore I didnt enjoy sex, im basicly falling out you could say. Im scared to but I guess its for the best, but I wont need to take harmone pills though, hes leaving my overies in, is your overies alright? This is a new thing for me because I always had my periods, it sounds like you are having the most problems with your female organs , but im telling you if you dont have this done, it will only get worse. Im feeling what you are, I dont want my uterus pulled through my virgina, but if I dont get it done my problem could end up into a bigger problem, my mother had endometreosis ,so she had to have one done too, so they say if your mother has had problems then your daughter has a 30%chance to have it too, both of my kids weighed ten pounds when they were born so thats what started the whole thing with me, , well good luck on the decision that you make , and I will keep you in mind, and pm me any time you like ok, my screen name is hotty.

Kia

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Posted: 01-30-06 15:38pm


Ok the reason for not reading about good experiences is that the people who have problem free surgury - go away and get on with their lives as if nothing happened. Only the people with problems seek answers. So for most people they have a few weeks of discomfort - go back to work, gradually build up exercise and lifting and are never heard of again.

sandyallen

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Posted: 01-30-06 16:17pm


Hi there! I have had a lot of surgeries in my time and the best by far is my complete hysterectomy! No more periods! Cancer free for four years! I do still have to goin and have a pap once a year to make sure the cancer has not retuned but it has been great for me! Good luck to you! Keep us posted. Think positive!

not ready 4 this

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Posted: 01-30-06 19:19pm


Thanks for the replies. I am just really getting cold feet. I wish you luck mary and congrats to sandy for the success. What are some views on hrt, especially testosterone?

kitcat26

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Posted: 01-31-06 15:03pm


I am 26 yrs old and had a total hysterectomy oct of 2004.... At my age I did not want it but the pain and the chances of my ever conceiving made the choice clear......I had it done and sometimes when I look at my 2 1/2 yr old miracle baby I wish I didnt have to have the surgery so I could give her a brother or sister....But I with I didnt have to have the surgery is what im saying..............In other words....Yes it may sadden me but im am finally pain free...And havent been to the er in a while .....I feel sooooooooo much better besides my other problems but I had a wonderful experience........... My mother too had the surgery and here is a tip...Ask about having an epideral once you are out.....My mother had it and it was much easier for her than me....Pain wise .......Her pain was controlled a lot better....She was numb upon waking from surgery and was hooked up to her pain pump and once the numbness wore off she started pushing her pain button for her meds.......Her dr was nice and left her hooked to her pump until the second day (day she left) where it was much diff than my situation....So it is very very very important to discuss how your dr plans on controlling the pain after surgery....Remember you are paying him/her to do their job and you must make this clear on how you plan on being treated or you can always find a willing dr hope I have helped in any way possible any other questions feel free to ask me....Another very very very helpful website that got me thru the hysterectomy was a site called hystersisters.Com it got me thru it and after it

Kia

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Posted: 01-31-06 15:50pm


Just be aware that a morphine pump isn't the answer to everyone. Morphine does not help pain for me in the slightest all it does is make me violently sick - not something you want to be doing after major abdominal surgury. Even though I had made this clear I was still hooked up to a morphine pump and I was admonished like a naughty child when I refused to use it.... Mind you my surgury was rather unusual anyway. Yes, i've had a hysterectomy (oct 2004) which was during my pregnancy (18 1/2 weeks - uterus ruptured) and after all that I still have a uterus. No i'm not mistaken and yes my doctor thought I was nuts until I eventually persuaded them to do an u/s and proved them wrong lol

kitcat26

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Posted: 01-31-06 20:23pm


You are right kia.....My mother is very very very sensitive to pain meds so I told her to make sure they gave her nausea meds with her pain meds ... Everyone is very different in how they respond to medication.........They didnt get my pain under control until about 8 hrs of painful complaining..........Once the pain is ahead of you it is very hard to get it under control........And because each of us are very different it is very important to make it clear to our doctors what we expect and know what they expect before surgery

Kia

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Posted: 02-01-06 04:21am


Oh heck yes - too right. Although for me personally I deal better with "big pain" without meds. Little pain and I am a complete wimp but proper pain and I seem to cope better lol. I know I am unusal but the nausea meds actually make me sicker and I totally confused the ward sister because my feet swell up when they are cold not when they are hot lol

not ready 4 this

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Posted: 02-01-06 15:45pm


Thanks for taking time to reply kia and kitty. I am not so much worried about the actual surgeryand pain. I know it is going to hurt really, really bad. I also know that I will heal. What I am terrified of, is what I will live with after. Did either of you have your ovaries removed also? Are you on hormone replacement? Kitty...Two years later, are you still having problems? Do you feel bad, is your sex life ok. I don't mean to be personal, but I like being a female with all of my hormones and most things that go with it. I met with my dr today and told him I had backed out. He knows how much pain I have been having. I sleep with a heating pad, I was thinking of getting another...One for my back and one for my stomach. He said he doesn't want me to do anything that I don't want to do and that he would treat me with all the other alternatives he can...But he also said he felt like I was putting off the inevidable. That I would have to have one within 2 years. So why put up the pain and fatigue until then. I don't know why I am so afraid. :(

kitcat26

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Posted: 02-01-06 18:32pm


Well me and my mother both did not have our ovaries removed.... Remember each person is different ..... My ovaries went into shock at first and this is common due to the surgery so I had some hot flashes for a week and then that went away....My sex life is the same as in there isnt much of one but that is not because of the surgery ... That is due to my two yr old and work that keeps my mind off of that subject ha! Just keep in mind that everyone is different and have this surgery for different reasons....My reason was pain....After having my daughter I felt as though I never stopped having contractions and this went on for a yr before anything got done and I feel sooooooooooo much better now..... But that is my story .... Remember that they do not have to take your ovaries unless there is good reason to do so .... And in that case it would be in your best interest to do so....... As much as you should trust your doctor, you must first trust yourself and your thoughts on this subject........ If this surgery is going to happen anyhow, I would go ahead and get it over with so you can adjust...The younger you are the easier it is in recovering just make sure your doctor has gone over all options of surgery .........Ok I notice you too have pain.......Trust me, im soooooooo thankful I had the surgery .... I may not be able to give my daughter a sister or brother but I can be a better mother to her now that I am pain free.... You must decide if you can live with the pain or not.....It is your decision and yours alone..... Good luck to you and I hope you keep us posted on whatever decision you make :wink:

Kia

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Posted: 02-02-06 05:48am


I have kept my ovary that they could see - they think I have the other but they can't find it!??! I also had a double uterus - although my surgeon failed to notice that. The ruptured uterus was removed. I carried on having a "normal" menstrual cycle and when I told my surgeon he said I was making it up. That went on for 9 months until I finally talked them into an u/s and they found that yes I do have a uterus and thats when they found I must have had a double uterus. I have pics of my removed uterus so I know they did do that lol. Unfortunately, assuming I had the usual one uterus my surgeon removed the healthy tube. The possible remaining tube is either blocked or malformed - they suspect. I had various post operative problems, but I won't worry you with them. Even with my problems we resumed our sex life at about 6 weeks and to be honest neither myself or my oh can tell the difference. Sex is the same and orgasms are the same.

notsosure

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Hysterectomy Posted: 02-05-06 22:32pm


My girlfriend finally had her ovaries removed about 6 weeks ago, and this was to prevent ovarian cancer. She had breast cancer 4 years ago and it was suggested she have this done if she wanted to reduce the chance of cancer returning. At first the "whole" quality of life issue would not leave her mind. The hot flashes,mood swings,dryness and loss of libido was all in her mind. We both new what she was in for, even though every body is different. With the cancer she had previously she cannot take any hormone replacements. She is currently taking a anti-depressent that is suppose to help with the hot flashes and mood swings, however they don't help with vaginal dryness or the loss of libido, in which she is experiencing. We had a great sex life prior to the surgery and it was a very important part of our relationship, now its just wait and see. The oral sex is ok,but it's just not the same, you just don't feel connected. But the most important part is that she has a greater chance of survival because she will be much healthier.

Kia

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Posted: 02-06-06 15:43pm


Vaginal dryness is so easily remedied. There are plenty of lubes on the market. Just find a water based one that she feels comfortable with and lube is not only for during sex. She can use as required through out the day/night to make her confortable - although she may want to use it sparingly until she finds out how much she needs to be comfortable.

anonymouse

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Posted: 02-24-06 21:20pm


I had a vaginal hysterectomy in may of last year. I can honestly say it was the best thing i've ever done for myself. For seven years I struggled with endometriosis and adenomyosis. That meant daily pain and it got worse with time. I had many laparoscopies, but nothing ever helped. Fortunately I was able to keep one ovary, so I have had absolutely no hormonal effects. And because I had the surgery vaginally I have no scar. As for sex, it's better than ever because i'm no longer in pain. Good luck to you. If at all possible, keep one or both of your ovaries. Don't let them talk you into having them removed. That's where all of the scary stories come from, the hormonal crap.

Deedee1431

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My Honest Opion Posted: 03-09-06 02:52am


Do not let them take you ovaries.

Kia

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Posted: 03-09-06 07:43am


Deedee I know you think that sounds like good advice and in many cases is. But saying do not let them take the ovaries could be wrong for many people. Discuss this at length with your doctor if you are going to have a hysterectomy. If your hyst is because of severe endometriosis or risk of ovarian cancer, then removal of the ovaries may be the best course of action for you.

anonymouse

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Posted: 03-09-06 08:10am

kia_breizzze wrote:

if your hyst is because of severe endometriosis or risk of ovarian cancer, then removal of the ovaries may be the best course of action for you.

i had endometriosis and I kept mine. The ovaries should only be removed as a last resort. Otherwise a perfectly healthy woman will be thrown into menopause and worse.

Don't let them take the ovaries unless you are ready to dry up and be done with it. Google beverly johnson's story about her hysterectomy. It's a lot of stuff that they don't tell women.

Kia

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Posted: 03-09-06 13:25pm


If you hyst is because of severe endometriosis, (not just the fact that you had a bit of endo), but if that is the key reason for your hyst then it makes more sense to remove the ovaries as you will be at risk of having continuing endo problems as severe endo is likely to invade the ovaries anyway. Yes removal of the ovaries will cause the menopause. However, if you are only keeping your ovaries to delay meopuase for what might only be a couple of years, yet have risk of ovarian cancer etc then it makes more sense to remove them otherwise you are just going to subject yourself to another surgury at best a couple years down the line. I kept my ovaries when I had my hemi-hyst because I was a) only 25 and b) had no history of any pelvic infection/disease, no endo and no other complications. (my hyst was because a rudimentary horn ruptured - the one part was removed leaving behind an almost "normal" uterus. However, my incompetant surgeon failed to notice this and also removed my "good" tube)

Chickky

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Hyserectomy Posted: 03-13-06 00:48am


I am 32 and I had a hysterectomy over a year ago, well let me tell you that it was the best thing that has ever happened to me, I have had three c-sections prior, plus major reconstructive surgery on my uretuer as well, I had a small amount of expected complications, but nothing that wasn't taken into account before the surgery. With the right Dr. You should feel completely at ease with the whole precedure before they even start. I had severe endometriosis, I was bleeding non stop for 90 days full flow, when they finally decided that because I had two beautiful children, and had my tubes tied for 7 years that it would be the best thing to eliminate my problems. I have had the best sex ever since, I thought that sex was suppose to hurt, guess what....I doesn't!! Please talk to your doctor, and if your not comfortable, then find a new doctor, because with the right medical team, the precedure is not nearly as bad as it seems. Oh and make sure they don't take your overies if they don't have to. It will save you a lot of hassle with hormones.