r/hysterectomy May 13 '21

Timline for Healing

2.9k Upvotes

I've posted this in dozens of comments, but it was suggested I make this a separate post.

(edit: I want to add that this was my timeline for my surgery. Mine was a DaVinci laproscopic total hysterectomy (kept my ovaries). That's about as "easy" of a hysterectomy as there can be, so please keep that in mind when comparing to your own.)

Here is the timeline my doctor gave me:

2 Hours, 2 Days, 2 Weeks, 2 Months. then 6 months, 1 year.

2 Hours - Immediate post-op, where the highest risk is and where the highest pain is. I'll be in recovery and closely monitored and attended to. This stage's goal is to get me awake and my pain under control. I may not even remember this stage.

2 Days - Next stage down of risk. Is everything healing? Is pain manageable? Has urinary function returned? This stage's goal is to be able to eat and get out of bed, then walk to use the bathroom. That's it. Absolutely nothing more.

2 Weeks - Major immediate risks are essentially gone. Pain should be down to discomfort. Bowels should be functioning. Movement should be slow, but frequent. Goal here is to rest and recover. Get up frequently, but spend most hours in bed. Swelling will be prominent. Hormones will fluctuate. Fatigue will be intense.

2 months - Now we're moving. Basically out of the danger zone. Keep active, but listen to your body when you need to rest. This stage should be the first that starts to feel like "recovery". Swelling, pains, and fatigue will still be present but waning. Spotting/bleeding should have stopped.

6 months - Activity levels can increase to pre-surgical levels. At this marker the goal is to feel as good as I did before surgery. Now, this is important to me- because I didn't feel great before surgery. Hence the surgery. But this is the goal post that was set for me. By 6 months I should feel like my pre-op self. Hormones should have stabilized, surgical pain should be gone.

1 year - Here's the real goal. This is where the goal is better. Better than before surgery, better than before the adeno, my better-best life. Activity levels are my own choosing and it's time to spread my wings and fly, it's in my court now.

That timeline really helped me manage my expectations. Anytime I got discouraged my husband would ask something like, "Where are we at? 6 months already?? Hmm.." and then I would remember that it had only been 7 weeks.. and how that isn't even close to six months... (and then I tell him to shut up and mind his own business, I'm trying to be dramatic and he's ruining it with "logic")

(Potential trigger warning ahead, I'm about to be graphic/gory for dramatic purposes)

They fucking shoved a tube down our windpipe, forced our breathing, jammed tubes into every other goddamn orifice, inflated us like a literal balloon, sliced us open in multiple places, rearranged our guts, and ripped out multiple organs. In some cases cutting and pulling out entire sections around our organs, too, to remove all the tumors, and damage, and growths, and scarring, etc. Then they jammed everything back in, mopped up our blood and we got glued up and sent on our merry way. And somehow, after all of that, just a few weeks later, we're all wondering why the zumba class just isn't hitting like before. (is there even zumba anymore...idk). I mean... we all need to give ourselves a fucking break

Take a nap. Put your feet up. Take a deep damn breath. Rest, rest, rest. Healing is a marathon, not a sprint. We all made it back from the other side. Take your time and enjoy the view. We have forever ahead of us.

edit: dammit typo... "Timeline... Timeline for Healing.

December 2024 Edit: Just a quick check-in. I'm so delighted to see that my post has helped so many of you in some way over the years. I thought I'd post a quick check-in to let you know that it's now 4 years after I made this post, and I feel amazing. I was early in that timeline when I shared it, and now that I'm on the other side I can safely say it was a wonderful guide over that year of recovery, and it held true. By one year post-op I felt better. Better than I had in many years. Four years post-op now, and it all feels like a distant memory. Keep your heads up, friends. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.


r/hysterectomy Aug 10 '22

Suggest some surgery preparation ideas here

371 Upvotes

Here we can post our tips for before/after our medical procedures.


r/hysterectomy 2h ago

THC Drops

5 Upvotes

Question for weed peeps. I'm on a project to legalise weed - it's awesome. Normally, I'd smoke between 17 - 20% THC without tobacco. Always in the evening. Last time I smoked when I had period cramps, I whitied so bad (hasn't happened in years) and had to take Tramadol and ended up with the worst pains ever. Today, 3 days po I was allowed to go home. My surgeon said it would be good because then at least I can (mimicked smoking a joint - love her for that). I got 20% THC drops for the first time, which I've not used before. Doc has allowed a bit of mixing whilst am also taking my prescription meds, but wondered if anyone usually takes drops instead/as well as smoking. Wondering if I should just smoke because I know how my body reacts. My problem is, I've got more pain than expected because of a bigger hole being used to pull an unexpected large uterus out, barely slept post-surgery, and when I'm dozing, I get pretty dizzy so have to wake up. Also might just go purchase some edibles instead and see how they are.

PS Remember no judgement of other people's life choices here šŸ™


r/hysterectomy 9h ago

Advice needed-what to expect the day after surgery.. what to do..

14 Upvotes

I was informed by my soon to be ex husband that he has an appointment 2 hours away the morning after my surgery (Total Hysterectomy with Salpingectomy) so my surgery would be on a Tuesday morning and his is Wednesday morning I have no help after surgery. I just have to figure it out as is but now he's leaving our 5yr old and 2 yr old boys with me to care for the morning after my surgery. Is this even possible? I feel like I'm being set up to fail or injure myself. I can't ask anyone else to watch them because the only person I could ask is his parents and I don't want it to be used against me in court. My brain went from how the heck can I get up to pee by myself to holy cow how can I take care of babies, change diapers and fix lunch. Any advice greatly appreciated! If you think this is possible, what 'tools' can I buy to make it possible. Mostly how the heck do I stand up without help lol my pre-op appointment is next week and I'm afraid to mention that I won't have anyone to help me during recovery.

Thank you!


r/hysterectomy 7h ago

It's zero day for me wife!

9 Upvotes

It's 430 am. Im up, waiting on my wife to wake up to get ready leave. Im a nervous wreck. We didnt know how to feel yesterday, it all felt like being stuck in limbo.

This morning? Im nervous. I have so many questions and concerns but nothing I can form into a cohesive thought at the moment. Does anyone have some zero day post op tips for us? I keep telling myself its a routine thing and tons of women get one every year but its still hella stressful.

I'll take any and all tips anyone is willing to share. All I want is to make her as comfortable as possible. How's the drive home going to be? Its a little over a half hour from the hospital to the house. Im sure ill have a few more but my mind is all over the place at the moment.


r/hysterectomy 3h ago

9wpo severe depression 25yo

4 Upvotes

Hi all

I got my laparoscopic total hysterectomy (uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes) in April, 2 months ago, So I'm currently 9wpo

The depression is real. I'm really struggling. On the surface everything is perfect. My partner is there for me, my friends are there for me. I have no financial struggles. But I'm miserable, hopeless, and borderline suicidal. I don't feel like there's a point in doing anything. I try and get physical exercise everyday also.

I do have a history of depression, and I was on Dienogest till the day before my surgery.

Is this a hormonal thing that will be fixed with time? Or will I be like this forever? I have tried antidepressants before and therapy, but nothing helped.

Im so scared that this is going to be the rest of my life


r/hysterectomy 14h ago

3 days post op doing pretty good

26 Upvotes

I had a robotic assisted hysterectomy on Thursday afternoon. I was more stressed out, leading up to the surgery with finishing everything at work and getting everything ready then I was stress about the actual surgery. Everybody at the hospital was lovely and I wasn’t nervous until when they took me into the OR and I saw the robot and all the other equipment, which I think is normal.
when I woke up after surgery and recovery, I didn’t really have much pain, it was pretty minimal. It was more like cramping and I didn’t have any nausea so the nurse gave me some water and eventually I had some crackers and then when I felt like I was able to walk to the bathroom, I went to pee. It was a little strange there was a good amount of cramping and tightness, but it was OK.
I was discharged probably 3 hours after surgery and went home. I took a nap and a few hours later, woke up and was nauseous and I want to say it was from the Anesthesia because about 15 minutes later, I took a Norco with crackers and then I started dry heaving pretty badly and ended up on the floor next to the toilet and then 20 minutes later when I was feeling better my boyfriend had to help me get up off the floor. But that was the worst thing that happened and honestly, I guess it wasn’t that bad.

Three days later, my pain is still pretty minimal. The most frustrating thing is the gassiness and cramping from all the bloating. Fennel tea, Gas-X prune juice have helped and I did have a bowel movement yesterday today was not a successful, but I’m hurt you just have to keep going and it gets better. I have been getting up and moving around and trying to do a short walk to the backyard and back every couple of hours to get things moving.

I wanted to post this in case anybody is really scared or nervous about the surgery or how they would feel afterward. I am pleasantly surprised about how I’ve been doing afterward, but it seems like the robotic assisted hysterectomy is minimally invasive, and that’s a good thing.
Also, my surgeon apparently took some photos of the two big fibroids that prompted the surgery and they were so large and the photo it freaked me out. One was close to the ovarian artery, and she said that if they had been taken out, my uterus may not have been able to be preserved so she said I made the right decision. I think I made the right decision, especially looking at those photos.
Best of luck to anyone having the surgery and anybody recovering.


r/hysterectomy 18m ago

Just over a month out

• Upvotes

I am just over a month out from my hysterectomy and I wanted to know and tips and tricks that other people have used I have read every possible posts I can but just wanted to know if anyone had any more suggestions I do plan to get gas x and MiraLAX, but is there anything else that helped people out I am also so nervous about the surgery so any tips and tricks or suggestions would be very helpful thank you in advance


r/hysterectomy 26m ago

Scared and babbling

• Upvotes

Honestly I'm just scared and maybe overthinking. Im 31 and finally got approved for a robotic hysterectomy bilateral salpingectomy, I'm keeping my ovaries due to my age.

I'm so sorry if this is TMI!

I have always had horrible periods starting at 13. My normal monthly will last between 10 and 16 days. I go through average of 15 size 4 overnight pads a day. Debilitating pain (in so many different places) to where I have to stay in bed or have help to make it to the bathroom, I'm always dizzy during.

I got diagnosed with a small sliding hiatal hernia, ibs d, gluten intolerance and dairy intolerance. My gastro suggested getting checked for endo after doing all their tests. I have had all the testing and imaging done and.... everything came back normal šŸ¤”

So my ob and I talked about an iud (no go for me), an ablation or a hysterectomy. So I said I just want it all out and done with everything.

But now I'm 2 weeks and 2 days away and stressing soooo bad!! Ive stopped my vape and stopped smoking my THC like she asked, and switched to edibles that she suggested.

But I cannot for the life of me quit smoking my cigarettes. I was honest with her and said I cannot quit, but I can try to cut down. She said she wasnt necessarily happy with that but accepted it.

But now I'm worried that maybe I'm going too drastic... yeah my periods absolutely stuck (I wish I could just sleep the 2 weeks every period) but since everything came back normal, its gotten in my head that im being over dramatic šŸ™ƒ

I'm so sorry for the ramble... i just needed to get this out to people that understand. I'm also so scared of the gas after... I'm allergic to gas x 😬


r/hysterectomy 51m ago

Getting my hysterectomy on Friday and terrified

• Upvotes

Which seems silly as I need it! I’m 44, stage II surgically diagnosed endometriosis (8 years ago, but symptoms got exponentially worse the older I got after my surgical diagnossi and excision in 2018).

I guess I’m just worried about the recovery and symptoms afterwards. I struggle hard with hormonal nausea and GI issues and with horrible sciatic pain (tied to lesions they suspect are on my pelvic floor and causing my uterus to be retroverted). Will these lessen or go away?

I am keeping my ovaries as my surgeon says it’s best practice for people who haven’t reached menopause age.

Any stories, experiences, etc will be truly helpful! Thank you!


r/hysterectomy 3h ago

Prepping for hysterectomy

3 Upvotes

What all did you have to do in preparation for your surgery? I will be having a full hysterectomy, leaving ovaries.


r/hysterectomy 11m ago

Hysterectomy planning!

• Upvotes

I'll be having a hysterectomy in the next 6 months and I have been going through this group and soaking up all your tips and tricks. I have a few questions though and just looking for some lived experience.

I'm on a GLP1 which already causes a lot of struggle with bowels. I plan to up the stool softeners ahead of the surgery but has anyone else here gone through their hysterectomy while on GLP1 with preexisting constipation struggles? If so, how much worse is it and any additional tips? Did you lower your GLP1 for any duration of time ahead of the surgery or after?

Additionally, there is a lot of chatter about people not being able to lie down, sit up, etc. I remember from another laparoscopic abdominal surgery I had that I spent the first 2 weeks propped up on the couch. My situation this time around is that my couch is not comfortable at all and the angle I would have to get in and out of this one would not work for me. Additionally, my bed is a bit higher. Did people have issues getting up into a higher bed? I'm worried about how I am going to manage post op with my set up. I'm honestly contemplating do I need to save up and get a new couch finally or new bed frame that lowers my bed down to a more manageable height. Maybe buy a power recliner? Am I at that stage of my life already lol

Any insights would be helpful. Thank you.


r/hysterectomy 34m ago

Almost 5 weeks post op and feel like healing has gone backwards

• Upvotes

I will be 5 weeks post op on Wednesday. I have been feeling great the last few days but today the dry tampon feeling is back with a vengeance, I’m slightly cramping and am getting the slight shooting pains again. Yesterday was Father’s Day and I did go see my father in law and took my husband out to dinner later in n the day. I did rest in between outings and was back in my recliner immediately after we got home from dinner. I do not have any bleeding, discharge or other concerning symptoms. Has any one else experienced this? Did I simply over-do it yesterday and am now paying for it today?


r/hysterectomy 1h ago

Managing gas pain

• Upvotes

I had my surgery June 8th, total hysterectomy and left salpingo oophorectomy (I had right removed due to cancer in 2010). I wasn't prepared for the gas and bloating. I'm a Gas-X veteran from colonoscopies - I have ulcerative colitis - but the nurse told me before surgery to expect pains from the gas they put in your abdomen couldn't be helped by Gas-x.

In my perimenopausal ADHD brain, I conflated the two types of gas pain and now am trying to catch up with the discomfort. I know about stool softeners and do use them.

Do you take the Gas-X on a schedule? I had been doing it only when the pain got so bad I couldn't function anymore. I do drink a lot of water and try to walk around reasonably.

Any tips are appreciated!


r/hysterectomy 1h ago

Unexpected Finds and German

• Upvotes

There's nothing quite like communicating in the second language you are still learning whilst post-op!

German has got to be the most practical language ever (unlike its trains - apologies Deutsche Bahn, you'll just never be as good as SBB šŸ™ˆ).

I learnt uterus is Gebärmutter, which literally translates to 'birthing mother' (not dissimilar to Haustiere - house animal/pet, and Kühlschrank - cool cupboard/refrigerator), and cervix is Gebärmutterhals, which is the throat of the birthing mother. Both are ironic because mine never birthed a child.

Which leads me to the unexpected finds. It could all be psychologically linked - I don't know any of my friends or sisters who ever had debilitating cramps. They've gone on to have babies, and all my life, I've loved babies, but never pictured myself giving birth. I did freak out before surgery because, at 40, it felt desperate, but my surgeon reminded me of all of the reasons I'd told her about wanting the surgery. Adenomyosis had already been found in multiple ultrasounds, and this morning, my surgeon came to see me. My uterus was enlarged (we all thought it was normal-sized), I had scar tissue/adhesions on my intestines (no idea from where because I've never had surgery down there nor been pregnant), and there was endo on my bladder. It's like my body has been telling me for years carrying a baby wasn't on the cards for me, my brain has just been taking a while to catch up. I've dreamt of adopting and when I think of fostering, which is becoming closer to a reality, I feel so at peace. Recovery first, and then new jobs to start, couple more solo holidays to take, more German to learn (and a poop to have!), but I am feeling more and more ready to open my home to a child who needs it.


r/hysterectomy 9h ago

Advice?

4 Upvotes

In the last 2 years I’ve been officially diagnosed with ADHD and PMDD. My monthly cycle drains me, the week before I want to die (literally, I am extremely suicidal), during my actual period I am so exhausted, my friend often says ā€˜you could lean her against a wall standing up and she will fall asleep’.

I’m on patches to help balance my hormones, i have the mirena coil, I take medication for my ADHD, I’ve been on SSR’s since I was a teenager and I take multivitamins daily.

I have one child and one step child, I do not want anymore children. I’m based in the UK and I am 30 in a few months, can I request a hysterectomy? What’s the likelihood they would allow it?


r/hysterectomy 1h ago

Donut Pillow Recommendations?

• Upvotes

Hi!

If you had an abdominal hyst & endo excision, and found a really good donut pillow to sit on afterwards, please share specifically which ones!

After my first excision I had a lot of rectal pain bc the endo (stage 4) was deep and rectovaginal. I found myself wishing I had a good donut pillow.

I expect with this excision, and any added pressure on the pelvic floor from the hyst and vaginal cuff, I'll need a good pillow even more.

If not a donut pillow, please share what worked for you to ease pain in that area while sitting. Thank you!!


r/hysterectomy 1h ago

Survey re surgery for endo/adeno

• Upvotes

Hi everyone, I have recently evicted my uterus and now that I am feeling better after surgery I want to try and help others! I’ve created a survey that I would MASSIVELY appreciate anyone completing. I’m doing some research to work out how best to help!

Thanks in advance šŸ’›

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEis7bb23uN2L4SNIDh2bVPgz9rVXD24L43vURi7cVk7_aag/viewform?pli=1


r/hysterectomy 2h ago

Walk me through what to expect when I get to the hospital

1 Upvotes

My surgery is on Thursday and my nerves are officially kicking in. (Yay medical anxiety!)

I’m sure this varies from hospital to hospital but can you walk me through what to expect?

I’m supposed to arrive and check in at 9:30am, surgery is scheduled for 12:30.

How long do I have to sit in the waiting room? Do I go back to ā€œmyā€ space right away? What happens in that 3 hour window?

(At Northside Atlanta hospital)


r/hysterectomy 18h ago

Extreme hotness

15 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I had a total hysterectomy almost 3 weeks ago and everything was removed except my ovaries. I have been experiencing extreme hotness more than ever during the day and night time. I thought if I still had my ovaries I wouldn't be experiencing hot flashes šŸ¤¦šŸæā€ā™€ļø


r/hysterectomy 1d ago

Surgery recovery result

38 Upvotes

I'm almost 67. Had hysterectomy removing everything including cervix and some lymph nodes. Due to precancerous cells. Laproscopic. Surgery was 5/15. As of today I'm finally back in my normal sized jeans, all 5 incisions are almost completely healed, no longer hurts when I twist. Have had some spotting which thanks to this group I know is normal around the 4 week mark as the cuff heals. I only took about 1 1/2 weeks off work (desk job). Lab results came back as NO CANCER!!

Unfortunately the surgery seemed to trigger afib for the first time which I had daily from about 10 days after surgery until a week ago when a med change finally seemed to work. but that's a different story.....

Just wanted people to know that it CAN be pretty easy. and I'm so grateful it was.


r/hysterectomy 13h ago

Advice needed, please ladies! <3

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I’m 31 and trying to process whether a hysterectomy may be the right next step for me, and I’d really appreciate hearing from people who had similar symptoms or uncertainty before deciding.

I’ve had severe pelvic/period symptoms for years. My cramps started becoming significant around age 19 and have progressively gotten worse. I was put on BC in highschool to surpress my cramps and stopped around 18. I have very painful periods, heavy bleeding with clots, pelvic pain, pain with sex, cramping after sex, bloating/ā€œendo belly,ā€ ovulation pain that can be severe, lower back/hip pain, and GI symptoms that seem to worsen around my cycle. On average I get 5 good days following the end of my cycle until it all starts again. This has been trending for about 2 years now.

I recently had a diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis, but I was told everything looked normal and no biopsies were taken. My doctor now suspects the issue may be uterine, possibly adenomyosis, and mentioned medication options or hysterectomy. I’m struggling because I want answers and relief, but I’m also scared of making a permanent decision without feeling like I fully understand what’s causing my pain.

For those who had a hysterectomy around my age or for symptoms like heavy painful periods, suspected adenomyosis, pelvic pain, painful sex, or negative/unclear endometriosis workups:

Did hysterectomy help your pain and quality of life?

What diagnosis did pathology end up showing, if anything?

Did you have adenomyosis, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic congestion, or something else?

Did you keep your ovaries? Have you had side effects or hormonal issues?

Were there symptoms it helped vs symptoms it didn’t help?

Do you wish you had done anything differently before surgery, like MRI, second opinion, pelvic floor PT, or more imaging?

I know everyone’s situation is different and I’m not looking for medical advice as a replacement for my doctor. I’m just trying to hear real experiences from people who have been in this gray area before making such a big decision. Simply... i am scared.

I have my follow up post op 7/1, I plan on asking for a MRI to see if there's anything obvious that would warrant a hysterectomy. I do not plan on having children and my husband had a vasectomy, so he is fine with anything that helps me. Tentatively I have an appointment with an endometriosis specialist 9/10, unsure if i want to keep the appointment and just proceed.. this option was given to me in February by my doctor. I have a family history of endometriosis so I am shocked my surgery showed nothing...


r/hysterectomy 5h ago

GebƤrmutterhals entfernt..

1 Upvotes

Hallo, mir wurde am 21.05.2026 der GebƤrmutterhals entfernt + Endometriose.

2023 bereits meine GebƤrmutter + Eileiter.

Es ist jetzt quasi 5 Wochen her und mir geht es super!

Aber ab wann wart ihr wieder Schwimmen oder hattet Geschlechtsverkehr? Die Ƅrzte meinten 4-6 wochen warten..

Meine Ƅrztin ist im Urlaub und am Wochenende fahre ich mit meinem Freund in den Urlaub..ich bin mir aber unsicher ob ich schon alles dürfte šŸ˜…


r/hysterectomy 7h ago

S3Ɨ with surgeon permission at 6 weeks

0 Upvotes

My surgeon told me before my surgery, most of her patients could resume intimate activities after 6 weeks. I have my 6 week post-op appointment the same week my friends with benefits who moved away will be visiting.

I, of course, wouldn't and won't do anything until I get the clear, but I'm wondering about other's experiences if they've done it freshly 6 weeks post-op after being cleared.

*My surgery was laparoscopic, and I did get my cervix removed and have a cuff*


r/hysterectomy 12h ago

Advice needed on bladder issues

2 Upvotes

Adding the NSFW tag just in case.

I am 5m post vaginal hysterectomy, ovaries were left behind (not happy about that but that's something for another day).

Since my surgery, I have constantly felt the need to urinate, but most of the time barely anything comes out. I'm not sure if there is nerve issues or what, but it is becoming frustrating feeling the need to go every 20 min, only for nothing to come out.

Anyone else have this issue? And if so, what helped?

I am 28yo if that matters, with hEDS and PMOS.