Emma, I had a complete hysterectomy (womb, fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix) in September 2014.  I had keyhole surgery, no pain afterwards and was told I could drive after 10 days.  I took no pain medication after.  The only thing was the fatigue, so when you need to sleep, just go with it.  Frequently I would be in the middle of reading a newspaper and just fall asleep. And it lasted for a few months for me.

Please let us know how you get on.

Dear Pauline

Thank you for your reply. Your surgery seems to have been very straightforward. Surprised to hear you were driving so soon. I can only hope I have this type of surgery. I am awaiting my consultant appointment to find out. Dreading being told there could be radiotherapy or chemo afterwards.

I will certainly not fight fatigue. There is no point is there.

I hope to be able to return home and fend for myself with outside help with cleaning the house. I should be able to  prepare food - more important than cleaning :D

Thank you again.

Hi ​Emma

​I had full hysterectomy in 2014 due to the size of the fibroid and they also did an abdominal hernia I had a very large cut from above my bellybutton. I had chemo and radiotherapy afterwards but it was not started until my wounds were healing.The main thing is to do as you are told - no lifting not even a kettle or pan and I could not drive for several weeks (the test for driving is could you do an emergency stop without harming yourself). So it depends on what type of surgery how quick you will recover. I am not trying to worry you just to say that I have recovered it's taken a bit longer but has been worth it. Try not to worry once you know what surgery you are going to have then you can make plans.

Hi Emma, I had a total hysterectomy 14 years ago and had the old style bikini cut like a ceasarian cut. One thing I did learn from someone was to take cream with me for my elbows! Yes elbows, because you use them a lot to push yourself up on the bed and they rub on the sheets. The cream was a god send. Other than that yes I was sore and tired and surprised that I could not push a heavy door open.  Hope all goes well, take care x

Dear river56

Thank you for replying and your advice. I had not realised that lifting a kettle was not allowed. The reading I have done only mentioned vacuums and shopping bags. So thank you for that information.

I want to be as prepared as possible as living alone. Once I can see the consultant I hope I will be told the type of surgery. Waiting and waiting. Another bad night for me. Hardly any sleep again.

Thank you again.