Hi, i had a radical hysterectomy in 2015 but mine was done “key-hole”. Is this what you’re having?

If so, in answer to your questions -

1) No. I woke up in recovery and then was transferred back to the ward.

2) No. No drain. Although I did have a catheter in place for a week afterwards 

3) No epidural. I was put to sleep and pain management through a drip in my arm. However this was removed after my first night after surgery and I was given tablet pain relief.

4) No enema

5) I won’t lie. I felt pretty rubbish when I woke up but the nurses managed my pain pretty effectively.

6) I was discharged after 2 days. Could only manage getting changed into clean pjs or slouchy clothes for about 2 weeks afterwards. I felt pretty exhausted in the initial period afterwards.

hope that helps xxx

Hi

i had a radical hysterectomy, ovaries and tubes via keyhole in May 2018. Using my experience these are answers to your questions.

1. I woke up on the gynae ward.

2. No drain from the wound but I too had a catheter which was removed the next day,

3. Yes I had an epidural as an aid to pain control.

4. No enema

5, I had very little pain. Paracetamol was enough for a couple of days.

6. I was up and dressed and home the next day. Loose clothes were needed for a few days after. 

I was recovered within four weeks and able to do most things. Tiredness comes and goes. No heavy lifting for a while. You will be advised for how long. I found it helped to get up and walk around for ten minutes each hour whilst not asleep. Recovery time and time in hospital is longer if you have open surgery. 

And by the by I was 64, not particularly fit and have been type 1 diabetic for 57 years.  I think it’s all to do with attitude.  Hope this helps. Please ask if you want to know more. I hope everything goes well.

Sundial

Hello Story78,

I had a radical hysterectomy, tumour removal plus momentum removed just four weeks ago. I drove today for the first time so really polishing my halo! I had open surgery because of the size of my tumour (they would never have got it out of a keyhole anyway)

I don’t remember waking up in recovery tbh but remember being moved to the ward and remember being settled in bed. This was after four hours in surgery but I was attached to a morphine pump, which was a god send. Be warned if you don’t use it, then they take it away. I needed it but then I’m a wuss with pain. It was left in for 24hrs. I really only clearly remember from about 8pm onwards after getting back to the ward at about 5pm.

I didn’t have a drain, and none of the ladies on the ward had one either.

I had an epidural injection beforehand - is that what you mean? It certainly helped with the pain until next day.

One of my new friends from the ward called it The Mother of All Surgeries. I won’t lie, it was jolly painful. Moving was a real challenge. Even after four weeks I still have discomfort. Morphine helps and you can ask for painkillers during your stay. It’s grit your teeth time, but as I said, I’m a wuss anyway. 

No enema before surgery. Catheter was in place for 24hrs and peeing and pooing can be a bit of a challenge initially for a few days, especially if you pick up a tummy bug like I did. You can feel air and trapped wind in your abdomen when it moves through your system - then add in diarrhoea as I did as I got home. Not good! 

They get you up the next day and out of bed to walk to the loo. You won’t feel like getting dressed in the first day or two but having a shower is bliss. The first time I wore clothes was coming home on day four. Your tummy will bloat a bit so you’ll need comfy loose fitting clothes - well I did, though my stomach was much, much bigger with the tumour before surgery.

hope that helps. Good luck with surgery and especially for a speedy recovery.

xx

Thanks for the replies!! I've only just received notifications that anyone had. 5 days after that post I spent a week in hospital which included a drain, 2 blood transfusions, catheters and several infections and I'm happy to say it was all worth it. I got the all clear on November 1st 2019!!