Hi Deb, I had a vaginal hysterectomy so can help if you need it.  Carol

Hi I had full abdominal hysterectomy 6 wks ago and large 45cm cyst removed,  appendix too, also the ooph bit, layer of abdomen. I feel absolutely great and 2.5 stone lighter. Cyst was stage 1 grade a pre cancerous, so all good and no further treatment required. Happy to help with any questions. Best wishes lou

Hello ladies 

thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I am due to have a laparoscopic hysterectomy next Tuesday along with removal of ovaries etc (the works). I would welcome any advice about coping on the day and afterwards and any tips for a speedy recovery, as well as what not to do.

I know you have to take it easy but I was told not to do any hoovering (no loss there) and I won’t be able to drive for six weeks!!!

Fortunately I’ve recently retired but I’m normally busy and love my car.

I haven’t told my family yet (only my husband) and would like to be back to ‘normal’ ASAP.

Hi, first of all don't expect speedy recovery, I think you really do have to just accept that there will be things you can't do or shouldn't do even though you feel able. I am nearly in my 7th week of recovery and I am still asking for help. Consultant said no lifting for 3 months. My hubby pours a drink for me out of 2 litre bottle, I won't lift it. I have a very heavy frying pan I won't lift. Only just picked my 1 year cat up this week! Of course everyones body is different but I guess I am being over cautious as there is no way I want to do damage and go back to hospital. I was told I could drive at 5 weeks after I saw consultant. I had no pain in area and he was happy with my stitches and scar. I have a long vertical scar, but had full abdominal, so probably different I think to you. Nurse told me to take each day as it comes as your body will feel different. If you feel tired, rest. Don't stand for long. Do move about though, I found I got stiff like I had been doing a lot of work and muscles aching (I was a gardener before this) if you cough or sneeze hold a cushion to tummy as its surprising how much your body moves. They will tell you all this after op, I'm sure. Your body will let you know what you can and can't do. Just need to chill, give yourself time to heal and enjoy some time to relax and be waited on! Luckily my mum stayed with us for 6 wks to help. On the morning of op I was extremely nervous. I had mp3 music player with me. There was a lot of waiting, got there for 7am, they took me for op at 1pm, in that time nurses, surgeon and anthetist saw me. Hubby was allowed to be with me until they took me away. I was given a calming tablet which really helped as I was very anxious. Tell them exactly how you feel and they will help. I wore just tracksuit as when you change with curtains pulled around you put all your belongings in your small bag which they put on your ward. I didn't get to open my bag until about 3rd day and a patients husband did it for me during visiting. Remember you can't lift, bending difficult too. I am starting to write bit of an essay here now! Sorry, I had never had op before. Yes I was scared when I went in room where they knock you out. I had to have epidural drip in back, yes it felt uncomfortable when they did it but after I didn't know it was there. Staff were fantastic. I don't remember falling asleep, in recovery I woke up after 5 hr op and was chatting away to staff and felt really good and they let me ring hubby who was amazed how normal I sounded. Spent night in critical care just to be safe and observed but I was fine. Spent 5 days in hospital. You probably wake up with catheter in, which was fine. I was checked every 4 hrs day and night. So not much sleep. I had no real pain at all. Drive home in car was a little delicate, they advised me to hold pillow over stomach, but it was better to just hold seat belt away from tummy. Obviously I wasn't driving! When home I just took things slowly. They gave me stool softener tablets. I hadn't really eaten properly in hospital, they said coz of drugs, lost my appetite, so there wasn't much to come out but they do ask if you had bowel movement and weeing OK. Don't use any pressure on toilet just relax! Have toilet tissue in easy reach as you probably won't want to twist your body much. I couldn't lay down on my side in bed and spent first month propped up with pillows to sleep, just because it felt tender laying on side. I also found getting up out of bed was easier if brought legs up, you know like when they used to do cycling motion in air, put my hand behind knee and sort of rock myself up, rather than use stomach muscles straight away. Again you will know by how you feel what is best for you. I will stop there but if you want to know anything just let me know. I think your op is slightly different to what I had though. I really do feel great though, I take paracetamol when I feel a tiny twinge. I get hot flushes. I am looking forward to get out in my garden next year and do some work. Oh and you must tell your family, surely they will come and help you. 

Hi,

I was diagnosed with hyperplasia atypica following taking Tamoxifen for just over 2 years to treat my oestrogen positive breast cancer. 

I had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy including ovaries and cervix 7 weeks ago. 
I only needed to stay in hospital for one night, felt fine and was ready to go home. 
I was driving after 2 weeks, was back at the gym after 5 weeks (at a reduced pace) and am going back to work next week.

I was careful not to lift anything and did the recommended exercises straight away. 
I am unable to take any HRT but at the moment, I don't feel the need for it.

I feel absolutely fine, ready to move on and leave all that behind me. 

What I think may have helped with my recovery was that I tried to make sure I was as fit as possible before my op. I'm convinced that it helped. 
A positive attitude must be a good thing. 
Try not to listen to other people's negative experiences.

We all react differently to treatments, everyone is unique.

Stay positive and take advice from the experts, not just the consultants but the physios too! 
Good luck and best wishes to you 

x