Comment from: CinCityResi, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: March 11
I had my total vaginal hysterectomy six days ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. It was performed as an outpatient surgery for fibroid tumors. I still have my ovaries, so I have no immediate hot flashes (although I had them occasionally before and will continue to progress normally through menopause). I went home the same day. My doctor was very thorough in explaining the procedure, what to expect before, during, and after. She recommended a stool softener to start taking three to four days before surgery and continue as long as prescribed pain meds were used. I took the pain pills for two days and one night only. The rest is just a general feeling of discomfort, but much more comfortable than having a period every month! Ladies, if you continue to go back to your doctor for pain, other symptoms, etc. and are told it's all part of the "healing" process ... run to another doctor. It's not normal ... you should feel more like yourself, and probably better than you've felt in months, in just a week or two after your surgery, even though you won't return to most of your normal activities for five to six weeks. The only regret I have is that it took four years to find a doctor who cared enough to listen and act!
Comment from: thankfulinohio, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: March 12
It's a little after three weeks after my total abdominal hysterectomy. The first day, I had a pain pump that I was pushing every five minutes because the pain was so bad, but the next morning after they removed the catheter, I was feeling a lot better. I was getting Percocets in the hospital but ended up not being able to take them without getting sick. (It's not fun to throw up with all those staples in my abdomen.) I had some very good nurses who were helpful with any problems ...even with moving my bowels. I had ended up having an enema to get my bowels to move. I would rather do that than wait to have a “hard” bowel movement. I have still been taking a stool softener and herbs that help with my bowels. I would really like to know when my almost-three-inch belly overhang will go away! And it's still tender to the touch, but at my doctor appointment, I was told that everything is healing as expected. I've been taking Advil or Aleve for pain (What a joke, they don't really help.) and Tylenol PM to help me sleep. (Yeah, right, with the night sweats.) I'm going to check my local health food/herbal store for relief. Because I have a job where I can sit, I am going back to work next week part-time (four weeks after surgery). I have a very understanding boss who has been through several female surgeries and will let me take work home too. I had my hysterectomy because of my 30-day heavy periods (even at the age of 52!). I'm very glad that I did because the pathology reports showed that I had the precurser cell to uterine cancer. I thank God for my decision to have the surgery.
Comment from: Mariposa25, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: February 13
Four weeks ago, I had a vaginal hysterectomy and repair for a prolapsed bladder. The first few hours after surgery were quite painful, but by the next day, I no longer required any pain medication. I stayed in the hospital for one and a half days. I was released with a suprapubic tube in place for three more days. I was told to measure my urine output each time I voided, then open the valve of the tube and measure the residual urine. After three days, I returned to my surgeon for a post-op visit with my readings in hand. By then, I was slightly uncomfortable, but certainly in no pain. He checked me over, removed the tube, and I was told everything looked good. He then released me to fly back home to Maui where I live (surgery was at Kapiolani hospital on Oahu). I flew home, and by the next day, I was driving and "scooting" around town. In fact, a friend had to remind me that I'm not a 16-year-old girl! I had to stay off work for four weeks, and I really tried to follow my doctor's orders about not lifting or doing any heavy work. But I can honestly say that aside from the pain immediately following surgery, the whole experience went very well and pain-free. I saw my surgeon after four weeks, and he was pleased with my recovery. No need to see him again! My bladder is functioning perfectly fine. I do not have any issues with incontinence, pain, burning, etc. I was fortunate to have an excellent doctor.
Comment from: sheila2cats, 55-64 FemalePublished: December 12
I had my hysterectomy several years ago when I was 50 and had no complications at all. I had the surgery in the afternoon, vaginally, and went home the next afternoon. I had a little pain on the ride home and over the next few days. I had no constipation problems (and I have had them all my life). I never felt better than after I had the surgery. It has been several years, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I did take HRT for quite a while; the hot flashes were bad. Now, I am free of the HRT and still feel great.
Comment from: Another Kathy, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: December 12
I had a vaginal hysterectomy, a pelvic organ prolapse repair, and a sudden inguinal hernia repair performed all at the same time about seven weeks ago. The surgery took almost six hours, and I spent three nights in the hospital. I had a catheter for two weeks and then I had to be trained to catheterize myself for another week and a half. I thought I was going to be much better at six weeks, but this is still very uncomfortable after seven weeks. My doctor has my disability approved until Dec. 1, and we will discuss then if I'm ready to go back to work. I am definitely better, but I only started driving again yesterday. If I overdo it and stay on my feet too long, I have to recover the whole next day. I even still need a painkiller, once in a while. I also have this pressure/burning sensation right inside the vaginal area. They say "everything is looking great and healing properly. You just have a lot of stitches there." I'm hoping that within the next four weeks I'll be right around 100%.
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There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. Some ovarian cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abnormal vaginal bleeding, however, they usually do not present until the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment.
Endometriosis is the growth of cells similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometriosis implants are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of the pelvic cavity. They can also be found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder. Treatment of endometriosis can be with medication or surgery.
Though uterine cancer's cause is unknown, there are many factors that will put a woman at risk, including: over age 50, endometrial hyperplasia, using hormone replacement therapy, obesity, using tamoxifen, being Caucasian, having colorectal cancer. Symptoms of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer) include abnormal vaginal bleeding, painful urination, painful intercourse, and pelvic pain. Treatment depends on staging and may include radiation therapy or hormone therapy.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus and are usually round or semi-round in shape. The most common symptom of a uterine fibroid is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include pressure, pelvic pain, pressure on the bladder, or pain during a bowel movement. Treatment options vary from surgery to medication.
Cervical dysplasia is a condition in which the cells of the inner lining of the cervix have precancerous changes. There are two types of cervical dysplasia; 1) squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 2) cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Cervical dysplasia is caused by infection of the cervix with HPV (human papillomavirus). There are various diagnostic measures for cervical dysplasia. Treatment generally depends upon the progression of the dysplasia, mild, moderate, or severe.
Benign uterine growths are tissue enlargements of the female womb (uterus). Three types of benign uterine growths are uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and uterine polyps. Symptoms include: abdominal pressure, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse. Diagnosis and treatment of benign uterine growths depends upon the type of growth.
Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem that arises during any phase of the sexual response cycle, preventing an individual or couple from experiencing sexual satisfaction. Physical, medical, and psychological conditions may affect sexual functioning, resulting in inhibited sexual desire, inability to become aroused, lack of orgasm, and painful intercourse. Treating the underlying physical and psychological problems usually resolves most female sexual problems.
People who have bladder spasms, the sensation occurs suddenly and often severely. A spasm itself is the sudden, involuntary squeezing of a muscle. A bladder spasm, or "detrusor contraction," occurs when the bladder muscle squeezes suddenly without warning, causing an urgent need to release urine. The spasm can force urine from the bladder, causing leakage. When this happens, the condition is called urge incontinence or overactive bladder.
Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells (endometrial cells) similar to those that form the inside of
the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. Endometrial cells are cells that are shed each month during menstruation. The cells of endometriosis
attach themselves to tissue outside the uterus and are called endometriosis
implants. These implants are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian
tubes, outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of
the pelvic cavity. They can also be
found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder, although less commonly than other
locations in the pelvis. Rarely,
endometriosis implants can occur outside the pelvis, on the liver, in old
surgery scars, and even in or around the lung or brain. Endometrial implants,
while they can cause problems, are
benign (not cancerous).
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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I had my total vaginal hysterectomy six days ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. It was performed as an outpatient surgery for fibroid tumors. I still have my ovaries, so I have no immediate hot flashes (although I had them occasionally before and will continue to progress normally through menopause). I went home the same day. My doctor was very thorough in explaining the procedure, what to expect before, during, and after. She recommended a stool softener to start taking three to four days before surgery and continue as long as prescribed pain meds were used. I took the pain pills for two days and one night only. The rest is just a general feeling of discomfort, but much more comfortable than having a period every month! Ladies, if you continue to go back to your doctor for pain, other symptoms, etc. and are told it's all part of the "healing" process ... run to another doctor. It's not normal ... you should feel more like yourself, and probably better than you've felt in months, in just a week or two after your surgery, even though you won't return to most of your normal activities for five to six weeks. The only regret I have is that it took four years to find a doctor who cared enough to listen and act!
Related Reading: hysterectomy | hot flashes | menopause