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Recovering from my Hysterectomy

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It has been one week since my hysterectomy and so I thought I would share with you about how recovery has been, how pathology came out and how I am finally feeling.  I have shared these photos on my social channels but the story that goes with them is only here.

Hysterectomy recovery, laparoscopic hysterectomy recovery, how to ease surgical gas pains, how to recover from a laproscopic hysterectomy, pain of csection compared to laproscopic hysterectomy

I apologize for the photo above but that is a good place to start.  I arrived at pre-op on time.  All my blood work had been run, I was the most excited patient they had on the floor and I was just ready to go.  I made jokes and laughed and told every single doctor and nurse that came in how ready I was to end this chapter of my life.  I honestly wasn’t even nervous.  Not even a little bit.  Truly this surgery was meant to be if I had absolutely no nerves.

One little set back, my doctor forgot to run one of my blood panels and so of course my awesome nurse (shout out Joanne or Joanna…you were right my memory would be a hot mess), who had to get it out of my IV without blowing another vein.  She was really good at getting my veins, my veins are not so good at cooperating.  Once that was done another nurse (Rachel! I remember!), rolled me back to the operating room and the anesthesiologist told me he would be giving me the good stuff and I would not be aware of anything after 20 seconds. Try 1 second.  I have no recollection of anything after that shot and I guess that is good.

Hysterectomy recovery, laparoscopic hysterectomy recovery, how to ease surgical gas pains, how to recover from a laproscopic hysterectomy, pain of csection compared to laproscopic hysterectomy

I woke up in recovery.  FYI, a laparoscopic hysterectomy takes about 3 hours to perform.  There are many different ways of going about it but I have a small incision (about 1 inch across) on each side of my lower abdomen and one right through my belly button.  They took my uterus, cervix and my fallopian tubes.  I kept both my ovaries (yay hormones! wait nooooo).

Recovery is another 3 hour process.  You start in phase 1, which is like waking up and trying not to puke while they force you to eat and drink.  I survived and did not puke, although there were a couple moment. Phase 1.5 is where they make you get up, go to the restroom and get dressed yourself.  Then there is Phase 2.  This is the point where you get to sit in a reclining chair to catch your bearings and wake up even more before they roll you out the front door.  It took me about 2.5 hours to get through recovery and then I came home and slept for 18 hours.  When I woke up, my abdomen was swollen as you see above, and I was in some mild pain.

Hysterectomy recovery, laparoscopic hysterectomy recovery, how to ease surgical gas pains, how to recover from a laproscopic hysterectomy, pain of csection compared to laproscopic hysterectomy

The pain for me was a gas pains in my neck, shoulders and jaw, as well as along my c-section scar and my belly button.  The two incisions on my sides don’t even bother me.  I loaded up on painkillers and decided I felt good enough to go to my great uncle’s military funeral service.  That was the worst decision I would make.  I moved slow, I was good about sitting and relaxing, but my body told me that I overdid it.  I don’t regret going, I was able to see family that I see very rarely, but I don’t recommend an excursion less than 24 hours after surgery.  I do want to let people know that for me the pain of this was worse than the pain of having c-sections.  They had to cut through a lot of scar tissue from my c-sections to get that pesky uterus out and that is likely why I was in more pain then my c-sections.

The next day I had a friend massage my neck and shoulders to get that trapped gas out (they pump your body cavity with CO2 to access the organs easier) and then I laid low, stayed on top of my medication, iced my tummy, and learned that I was supposed to be taking Ibuprofen to help with the swelling.  I swear you guys, they did not put anything in my discharge paperwork about this and if my doctor did tell me, I was out of it.  Within hours I started to feel human.  The only part that bothered me was that everything inside felt like it was going to fall out my belly button, so I purchased a pregnancy belly band to hold me together and since I couldn’t wear my go to jean shorts, or jeans, or even skirts, I have been rocking LuLaRoe leggings everywhere I go.  They really are buttery softness and luckily a friend of mine is going out of business and I was able to raid her inventory to get a few new outfits so that I would feel less frumpy. I tried my other legging options and the waistband was too binding across my tummy. LuLaRoe for the win people!

Hysterectomy recovery, laparoscopic hysterectomy recovery, how to ease surgical gas pains, how to recover from a laproscopic hysterectomy, pain of csection compared to laproscopic hysterectomy

Yesterday was the first day I almost felt normal.  I am still tired and sore.  My belly is starting to show all the bruising from surgery and I am still swollen.  However, I stopped taking the narcotics and am just taking Ibuprofen now.  I have driven a few close places to get up and moving a bit and to not be stuck at home with two wound up kids and a puppy and big dog that thinks she is a puppy.  I am thankful to my family that has been here to help with the kids, make me rest and take good care of me.  My husband was changing the ice packs on my tummy and getting me meds in the middle of the night and took puppy duty which I was so thankful for.

The derma-bond glue on my incisions is starting to come off and the swelling is going down so that is a positive.  Getting up is not as awful as it was and pathology came back good!  I had a couple uterine cysts and some on my ovaries that they removed too.  I am eager for it to be next week already so I can feel even better.  I am still restricted to just 15 lbs of weight, which kills me because my puppy is 20lbs and my nephew is about that or more, so holding them is not happening ?.  I have a 6 week post op check the week of August 24th and then I should be cleared to be a normal human again!  I am so excited to have my life back people!

Thanks for reading that lengthy mess!  Have a great Tuesday!

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Rachel

Friday 1st of March 2024

Headed for mine, one week away! I have a mass that has taken over my whole left ovary, they are going to try to take just that. We will see. They keep telling me it might be more! I hate the uncertainty and unknown. I have purchased tons of Gatorade, stool softener and new PJs lol. I have been on edge and nervous, this is my first surgery. I am very glad to have stumbled upon your story, as well as others. It’s comforting and definitely makes me feel better, thank you for all the great tips.

Laura

Sunday 3rd of March 2024

You are welcome. Good luck. I was very nervous too. You will do great

Pamela

Thursday 26th of May 2022

I had a complete hysterectomy 2 years ago. I wish I would have never done it. I gained 40 lbs have not been able to lose it since. It has totally messed up my body. I have the worst back pain, hip pain, and I don't know what has caused severe heaviness in my legs to the point that I can barely walk now. It has ruined my life. My hormones are so messed up I can't even get any sleep at night. If only I could turn back time I would never have done this.

Laura

Thursday 26th of May 2022

I am so sad that this has been your experience. I am 5 years out and having mine was the most life changing positive experience I have ever had. I am assuming you are working with your doctor as that sounds very unpleasant.

Tiffany Spencer

Thursday 19th of May 2022

Hi, thanks for sharing. I'm having mine May 26. I'm a little nervous cause I have Lupus and I don't want my body to think "attack attack invaders" ? afterwards but I'm glad they're letting continue my prednisone and plaquenil hopefully that will keep things at bay. I've been under before but no longer than an hour. So just hoping everything goes well.

Laura

Wednesday 1st of June 2022

I hope your surgery went very well!

Fallon

Saturday 11th of September 2021

I just found out yesterday that I am going to need to do this. I have had 2 c-sections prior so I am worried about the scar tissue. I am worried about a lot of things. But I can’t keep going to the hospital after bleeding for 20 days straight and needing transfusions. Thank you for being brave and honest. ?

Laura

Monday 13th of September 2021

Hi! I had 2 csections as well and the scar tissue was no issue. I did have a bit of tenderness at the area where my incision was, but nothing major. I promise you will feel a billion times better.

Randi

Monday 15th of February 2021

Thank you for this post. I'm having surgery on the 24th of this month and didn't know what to expect. Your article helped ease some of my anxiety

Laura

Tuesday 16th of February 2021

I am so glad! I truly am elated that I can help others. I read nothing but horror stories and I wanted to let people know that it is not all that bad.

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