Life After Hysterectomy

S., you should not still be in pain. You need to talk to your doctor about this. There is an emotional aspect to having a hysterectomy that not a lot of people seem to talk about. It all gets better with time. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your situation (you are cancer free, blessed with two wonderful children, have a husband who has stuck with you, etc.) and be patient. Do check with your doctor about the pain because scar tissue can sometimes be an issue and it does cause pain. Will keep you in my prayers.

Check out hystersisters.com and womentowomen.com Both sites have great info. on hysterectomy and womens health issues.

You have gotten good advice from the posters about the after surgery healing process of the body. Being that you are a younger momma and wanted more children this is the part that you are mourning. I had my surgery when I was in my mid 40s and have not looked back on it again. However, I was over wanting more children and felt freed from the monthly curse. You will find the happy middle ground and enjoy your new life. Your two little ones will enjoy your being around to raise them and you can watch life through their eyes and rediscover new things that were missing before. Be thankful for what you have and don't sweat the small stuff. If you want another baby or child then adopt there is nothing wrong with it. My son is adopted and we got him at 5 weeks old - soon to be 36. Once again life is so nice. The other S.

I had a complete hyst almost two years ago. I can tell you that the pain went away for me. Everyone told me that it would take 6 months to feel better, and they were right. I started feeling better at 6 months, but honestly, it took about a year before it all was "normal", especially with sex. I know that doesn't sound encouraging, but be patient. I know for my dh and I, sex at first was slow and he was very careful. For me, it got a little more comfortable every time until it actually started feeling good again. Now, I had pain w/sex before the surgery, so post-surgery sex is so much better once I got past the soreness from the surgery.

If it makes you feel any better, at about 4 months after my surgery I had a mini-breakdown b/c sex still hurt and I was afraid that it would always going to be like that!! I know it seems like the surgery is long enough ago to be healed, but it's MAJOR surgery and it takes a while for your body to get back to normal.

Good luck, and if you have any more questions feel free to contact me!

I had my hysterectomy about 8 yrs ago. It was the BEST thing I ever did. I have never felt more freedom, relief, looked or had an overall better health since my surgery!

First off.....I was finished with my family after 1 child. I felt a sense of completion. Therefore, I felt no "loss" as some of my friends have due to the surgery.

A resource I gained a lot of insight from was www.hystersisters.com. It is not for everyone....it is very to the point as far as what happens, how you feel, etc. MANY people feel MANY ways. No one is right or wrong. This site has everything.

After my surgery, abdominal, taking everything, they popped a patch on me and I have worn the same brand of hormone patch for 8+ yrs. I was concerned about the scar which is hardly seen now due to my efforts with vitamin E oil to reduce it. I still wear my skinny bikini and you can't see the scar or patch.

As for after effects, I never had the "swelly belly" and weight gain talked about on the sight that I truly was doing everything to avoid. I wore some type of band on my belly daily for weeks to prevent the swelly and I believe it did. I ended up with my perky C boobs growing and growing to perky DD's and that effect has been a super PLUS on me and my sex life. Never issues with pain or anything like that with sex. Honestly, I gained a lot of confidence with my new boobs...I LOVE THEM.... To each his own.....some moms might not be as opened minded as I am and that might be an issue with them.

My mindset upon surgery was that I was DONE as far as child bearing. I was concerned with the sex and weight gain that everyone seemed to tell me would happen. I am in the same size 4 or under that I was in, except for my perky boobs and I love that part....

A lot of it has to do with attitude. As for our family...we looked at it as something to go forward and in the event of something happening, we would not object with adotption,etc. We are completely happy with our family of 3.

My weekends consists of 10+ teens on weekend nights and I happen to have the "hangout" place. I am perfectly ok with that because I know what the teens are doing in my home and the parents who have teens here know that their kids are OK.

A perk to having the teen hangout to your home is you get to know your teen's friends and the boys of course...will keep your leftovers cleaned out!! It has become a weekly tradition here for part of the football team to come clean out my fridge.

Best wishes to you!!

Dear S.,
Can I say just give it to the Lord and be thankful you are there to raise your 2 children instead of someone else.If you are suppose to have another child the Lord will work out some way for it to happen. In the mean time be thankful for what you have. And that they have you to raise them instead of someone else. May the Lord Bless you and yours. Good luck J. G

S., I can feel your frustration, but please be patient. You have to allow your body time to heal properly. It may take you up to one year to feel your old self again. Some pain is normal after surgery, but if you are experiencing abnormal pain, you definitely need to check with your doctor. You may also feel more tired than before until your body regulates itself. But if your gut is telling you that something is not quite right, don't hesitate to call your doctor. But things will get better and you may enjoy not having to deal with the monthly issues. I am sorry for your not being able to have any more children, but give those two precious ones your best and if you still want more there is always other avenues. May God bless you and yours!
V.

I only had a partial hysterectomy (kept my tubes and ovaries) and my recovery has been pretty uneventful. I had mine about the same time you did, but my surgery wasn't invasive like yours as mine was done robotic laproscopic. Give yourself some time. It took more time for me to recover from my c-section (as far as painful sex) than it did my hysterectomy because the c-section was way more invasive. I say give yourself a year to recover. Your body has been through a lot plus mentally you are going through a lot because you still want more kiddos. I know it is hard, because I have a strong mommy desire too. I think I would have 6 ore more if I could! Some days I still "mourn" the loss of my uterus, but I am so grateful for the 3 I have. I have to say there is a new sense of freedom with having no cycle and I enjoy that sooooo much. I don't know if any of this has helped, but do give yourself a year to recover internally from your hysterectomy.