Abdominal Hysterectomy or Similar Surgery Recovery

Updated on February 24, 2012
K.B. asks from Dulles, VA
3 answers

Edited: How long before you got back to normal? Did you need help? What kind and for how long?
Did you have extreme emotional moodswings? How long did that last if you take the hormones?

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Okay- your post is all over the place.

I don't know a hospital around that doesn't have a lift for disabled people.

I had my hysterectomy done on 7 Feb 2011. It was the best medical decision I made. I was in the hospital for less than 24 hours. My recovery time was MAYBE 3 days - I had the Di Vinci method done - my sister was here to care for me and my family - all I had to do was sleep. I had NOTHING to worry about. I truly believe that's why I healed so fast. I didn't have to do ANYTHING but sleep.

I could not drive for two weeks after my surgery. Nor was I allowed to life anything about 5 lbs.

I would get a second opinion from a closer hospital. You will not be able to drive yourself home from the hospital - even if you are there for 24 hours.

If I lived closer, I would come take care of you. But OK isn't a short hop from VA.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I had a complete abdominal hysterectomy almsot 10 yrs ago and it was not bad at all.

I do believe recovery is a lot about your attitude, your overall health, etc. I'm not one to lay around. I followed Dr orders but I was at a track meet watching my daughter 3 weeks post surgery.I couldn't drive for 2 weeks which was the bummer.

At the time, my hubby was in outside sales and on the road a lot, as in 2-3 nights a week. My M. did come to get daughter to/from school and some other household things. Hubby and M. were with me the day of surgery but I stayed at the hospital alone at night. My hubby never missed his regular schedule of being on the road 2-3 nights a week. The hardest part was getting around the me not driving and that was not fun but not detrimental to our schedule.

I only had 1 really bad day of pain and it was the day the morphine pump was removed but I adjusted and went home the next day. I only took pain meds as prescribed by my Dr because I prefer not taking any Rx but the thing to make sure of was to stay ahead of the pain.

I went right on the HRT patch at the hospital and have been ever since. I never experienced weight gain, swelly belly, etc and my sex drive skyrocketed.

I'm in the best health ever and SO happy with my decision. It was the best thing I ever did.

The hardest part is waiting until the day of surgery and all the worries that come along with that and not being able to drive for 2 weeks.

The website www.hystersisters.com has a lot of info pros and cons regarding the surgery and it helped me with a lot.

No one can tell you haow your personal recovery will be. I am a firm believer in positive attitude and I went in with a good attitude and with the outlook of I am not staying down for long. Follow Dr. orders. I was in good shape when I went into surgery as far as health, weight, exercise as well.

I did not tell the school or many neighbors what I was doing because although I appreciate them helping out, there were people in my neighborhood who were going through cancer, etc and needed assistance a lot more than I did.

I did not view my surgery as a crisis, I viewed it as a new me and I LOVE the new me.

EDITED PER YOUR REVISED QUESTION:
1. Back to normal as in everyday activities and no hold ups from Dr as far as exercise, etc........... about 6-9 weeks. I was walking through the hospital halls the next day.

2. No I did not "need" help but it was very nice that my M. was here for a couple days to make sure I was settled in to my routine before she left. The help she gave was basically getting daughter to/from school a couple of days, basic household chores so I didn't have to do it for a few days.

3. No moodswings whatsoever, I went on the HRT patch at the hospital and have been on one since. I've never had a hot flash or mood swing and it has been almost 10 yrs.

I repeat that my surgery was the best health decision I ever made for myself and I have no regrets whatsoever.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

What type of hysterectomy would you have done? Laproscopic or abnominal?

I had the laproscopic done (not with the robot, like Cheryl) just a few months ago. I stayed one night because I have small children at home and my dr. felt I could use the extra rest. I was out of surgery and in my room by noonish. I slept for a brief time and around 3:00, I wanted my catheter removed. I was able to get in and out of bed through-out the rest of the day and night to pee (which you do a lot of of, due to the constant IV). The next day, I wanted to go yard "sale-ing." I felt that good. I didn't go, but took it easy. I slept on and off the next 2 days and was tender. I only took ibuprofen for pain from about 12 hours post surgery on. Never filled the hydrocodone script. I was driving within a week. I did over-do it a bit within the first week (with two littles at home), and had some posterior bruising around my belly button. Within 1 week I felt ok, but sluggish(70%). By 2 weeks, I felt good (like 85%). By the 3rd week, I felt great (99%).

I've heard abdominally is similar to a c-section. I've had two. I would guess my recovery would be similar to above, but add one week to it all. I did take the hydrocodone both times, but weaned off quickly. I think life would have been a lot easier had I not had a newborn to nurse every 2 -3 hours.

I would try to find a place MUCH closer, if possible. This type of surgery sounds "run-of-the-mill."

Best of luck. My hysterectomy was the best medical decision I have made. Ps. My ovaries were left....so I still have PMS and hormonal moodiness....just no raging period. :)

Best wishes!!!!

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