Partial hysterectemy???

carrie123

carrie123

Cathlete
I'm scared and confused. I have researched it on the web, did some reading at the library, but would really like to know first hand from real ladies out there.

My doctor wants me to have a partial hysterectemy when I go to have my bladder lifted (I know, I'm falling apart;). I'm 34yrs. I'm pretty sure I have all the kids I want. I just don't know what to expect. I'm also very curious about what happens to, {well to put it politely), the sex drive.
Well, I'm off to get some more info. It's probably a delicate subject, so I understand if nobody wants to discuss it.

I tried to ask my mother about it, but she just closes up with personal subjects like that. She's just no help.

Carrie

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Hi Carrie - my mom had the exact same procedure - a bladder lift with a partial hysterectomy. The good news is that the recovery wasn't too bad (I know it's TMI, but she had the procedure where they go up through the vagina, rather than making abdominal incisions). Also, as long as you get to keep your ovaries, your sex drive shouldn't change, since your ovaries produce your sex hormones. I hope this is encouraging new for you. Don't worry - you'll bounce back from the surgery in no time. Good luck! :)
 
Not speaking from experience, but I do have knowledge to share. When they perform a hysterectomy, they can remove the uterus and the ovaries (complete) or just the uterus and leave the ovaries (partial). If they leave the ovaries, you will not experience the absence of hormones. If they remove the ovaries, women go into "menopause" without the hormones.

Hope that is helpful.

Mo
 
Well, I had a total hyst, but if I had been able to leave my ovaries, it would have been heaven! It's still such a nice thing not to have that TOM ... such a bonus! Later I had a 2nd surgery to lift my bladder, so I know how THAT goes. I'm not sure if this applies to you, but at the same time the doctor also made me, um, smaller ... as in my babies were over 9 lbs and 8 lbs, if you know what I mean. THAT helped in the sex dept, too. ;)
 
Okay, this is kind of detailed so stop reading anyone who's squeamish. I had a partial hysterectomy last fall and it was one of the best decisions I ever made!! Mine was due to uterine fibroids (horrible bleeding, clots, anemia--way TMI, I'm sure!) I only had my uterus removed (kept my ovaries and my cervix) Keeping my cervix meant they had to perform the surgery abdominally, but I had read that keeping my cervix would/could help prevent incontinence later in life. I was in severe pain immediately after the surgery and the next day. Had to do the pain pump pretty much on schedule. However, 2 days after the surgery I only needed Advil for pain. By three weeks afterward, I was walking 3 miles in 45 minutes (flat ground, not hilly). My DH and kids helped enormously with household chores (they had to do laundry, dishes and grocery shopping) Why did I ever get better?? LOL! Anyway, I am thrilled that I had the surgery. It literally changed my life and the recovery was not nearly as bad as I expected. No problems with sex drive or discomfort. Actually better since I wasn't out of commission for at least a week every month! Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions. I did a lot of reading beforehand (need to go find those books if you want exact titles).

Jonahnah
Chocolate IS the answer, regardless of the question.
 
Yep I'm getting the bladder lift at the same time, plus I'm thinking of having them remove the appendix while their in there since my dad just had to have his removed and he's 56. So might as well.

Is it just me or does it just keep going downhill after 30??? I know things could be alot worse so I'm counting my blessings. Thank you everyone. You guys are all so wonderful.

I think I'll be able to handle some of Cathe's jumps after the bladder lift, I'm kind of excited to get back in the swing of things. I love to exercise but have had to take a break from it. I can feel the DOMS's already:p

Carrie

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Carrie, I had a complete hysterectomy about eight years ago. I was 28 at the time, and long story short, I went in for what the doctors thought were large cysts on my ovaries, and came out of surgery having been diagnosed on the table as having a borderline tumor on one ovary. They treat is as cancer and take everything out as preventative treatment. So I had uterus, ovaries, appendix, omentum, and I don't know how many lymph nodes removed. Fortunately, surgery cured it and I didn't need any further treatment beyond that.

Recovery from the surgery really wasn't too bad...it took me about two weeks of pain meds, but by the third week I was feeling worlds better, and at six weeks post op I was back to working out regularly. My husband bought me a treadmill (because my kids were 18 months and three years at the time; it was easier than trying to find time to get outside and run) and it wasn't long before I was logging five mile runs several times a week.

My sex drive never waned. :D Once I was fully recovered, it was actually better than it was before surgery, maybe because I wasn't experiencing the hormonal ups and downs of a regular cycle. I should mention that because of my age at the time, the doctors immediately put me on hormone replacement therapy post surgery, and that probably helped. However, I'm now thirty six and have weaned myself off the HRT over the past year, and I feel great. Sex drive is strong as it ever was. :p I'll often say that it's the best thing that ever happened to me. No PMS, no cramps, no period...I don't think it gets better than that.

You'll find women's experiences all over the internet and they'll range from positive to horrific. It might be wise not to read too much, or at the very least, remember that every individual handles things differently. I firmly believe that the biggest factor in your recovery and how you handle a hysterectomy is attitude, JMHO.

Best of luck to you. Please keep us posted.

Jennifer
 
Thank you very much for sharing your experience Jennifer. Everyone here is really wonderful. It actually sounds nice not to have to deal with the horrible TOM symptoms, and well other not so nice things too. Fibroids and such.

Thanks again, and I will definately keep you posted. I'm sure with the positive outlook you guys have given me, it will be fine:)
Carrie

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I had a partial hysterectomy three years ago because of a grapefruit sized fibroid that caused excessive bleeding, anemia, etc. Kept my ovaries and cervix. What was truly wonderful is that it was done by laparoscopy, so I had virtually no pain, started exercising within a week of surgery. It's the abdominal incisions that cause all of the extended recovery time. I would ask if there's a surgeon in your area capable of doing it by laparoscopy--it's the best! I went to Bay State Medical Center in Springfield, MA fyi.
 
Just thought I'd add...

When I had my total hyst, I was completely out of shape. The doctor recommended moving gradually, but the first time I tried I could barely make it to the neighbor's mailbox. So I gave up.

Three years later, when I had the surgery to lift my bladder, I was a Cathe fanantic. After the surgery, I couldn't wait to get out of the house. Day by day I'd increase the amount I could walk and recovery was SO much easier! Piece of cake!!!!
 
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