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catgirl

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81 replies

Latest reply was from Beth

Aziraphale

Veteran

Una, I think I wrote this exact post five years ago! I had a benign fibroid that just kept slowly growing after my second pregnancy. It was the size of a small melon by the time I had it out. I chose an open laparotomy, which meant one low scar and a longer healing period, but I am SO HAPPY with my choice to have surgery. The added bonus is no more periods...I had no idea how freeing that would be. (I still have ovaries, so unfortunately, I still get PMS...oh well, at least I don't have to deal with menopausal symptoms just yet). Oh, and of course, having a flatter belly was nice, too.

If you have any questions about the surgery, please don't hesitate to ask or PM me.

ETA: Oh, and I no longer have to go pee every hour. A 20-week-size uterus squishes your bladder something fierce!

catgirl

Veteran

Thank you! I know you went through this and I will definitely have questions for you. Maybe I'll finally drop these stupid 5 pounds now!

Lucy

Veteran

Oh you poor thing! Good to have some answers.
I had a hysterectomy in my 30s, so also feel free to hit me with any questions. I found recovery slow, to be honest, though as the doctor told me, having a three year old doesn't help anyone recover from major surgery...

Aziraphale

Veteran

I found the first week pretty rough, the second week better but my incision was still very sore. Like Lucy says having small kids (mine were four and eight) probably doesn't help. You won't have that issue, as your son is twelve-isn now, right?

Mine was a hysterectomy too, although a "subtotal" one -- that is, they left my cervix in. I think that helped the healing process. I didn't exercise beyond walking for a full six months though, just to make sure everything had fully healed up.

I'm pretty sure Janet will have some advice on this topic, too.

rachylou

Veteran

Crazy! You'll have a real nice complexion after surgery, tho. It's the oxygen

Eliza

Veteran

Glad you have an explanation and a plan, Una. It is always hard when things don't make sense. All the best with it.

Inge

(website)

I'm glad you found out what is causing you all this discomfort, Una. Surgery is never fun, but in this case it is going to be a relief, isn't it.
Good luck with the procedure, take enough time to heal properly and do keep us posted.

Helen11

Veteran

No, it's not strange to be looking forward to surgery when you have those issues to be resolved!
I'm sure that your healthy eating and exercise now will help you recover quickly. But do be kind to yourself along the way.
I hope you feel much better soon.

Anonymous

Oh, gosh Una. What a good job you now know what's causing your problems. I had a laparotomy about 14 years ago to remove scar tissue on my tubes. I remember that with good rest and food and just walking for exercise after about a month, I healed nicely. You'll feel tons better afterwards. Good luck!

Anonymous

Oh my goodness, Una! Thank God you found out what the problem is. I hope the procedure goes well and that you have a speedy recovery.

Glory

Veteran

I am so happy you discovered the cause of the problem. You will feel much better when it is done!

viva

Veteran

Oh jeez! What great news -- a diagnosis and a treatment. I wish you a speedy recovery. I'm so glad there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

LACeleste

Veteran

Sorry you are going through this Una and I look forward to when surgery is behind you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(((HUGS))). Surgery is never fun, but at least you have a happier body to look forward to.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Take good care of yourself going in to the surgery. And ask to have your iron levels checked (ferritin) before and after the surgery to be sure your levels stay high enough to heal.

Wishing you a very speedy recovery!

Anonymous

Good lord - awful , but great to be able to resolve it. I want to know how you doctor finally diagnosed the enlarged uterus? Ultrasound? I'd be lined up for that surgery tomorrow if that were me

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

So sorry to hear this, Una. You poor thing.....you must be so so uncomfortable! Take care of yourself....wishing you a speedy recovery!

Peri

Veteran

Wow, I'm so sorry you have been having this experience! And yet so glad you have found an answer and can do something about it. Surgery is not fun, but definitely not the worst thing in times like these either. I haven't had this, so no practical help, but with you in spirit and hope it goes fast and easy!

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Three recollections - granny panties and the loosest pants you have to wear home from the hospital. It takes a while for the gas they use to inflate your abdomen to dissipate out and pressure on the belly was uncomfortable. And chapstick! There's something about the anesthesia that is awful on soft tissues.

And then what to do with all the extra female products? It took me forever to get rid of them, I don't know why. There's an expense I don't miss.

Susie

Veteran

I was THRILLED to have a hysterectomy after living with fibroids for some time. I didn't realize just how bad it had become (painful cramps, looooong periods, etc) until it was over and I felt so much better. Definitely worth it IMO.

JAileen

Veteran

I was having problems, and at my annual checkup my gyn asked how things were, and I broke into tears. I guess that said a lot. Anyway, I had it removed laparoscopically, and was back at work in three weeks. I could have gone back in two, but my gyn said three. No scar - he went in through my belly button. I even got a video. I suppose a medical person could make sense of it.

Anonymous

You're going to have a brand-new body, which of course will call for fab new clothes! Boy, you're not going to miss those fibroids AT ALL. Wishing you a very speedy recovery!

Gaylene

Veteran

There is nothing weird about looking forward to surgery to resolve a problem. A younger friend had a similar operation a year ago. She was very diligent about following doctor's orders during her post recovery so everything went smoothly. I remember her biggest complaint was how hard it was to remember to not jump back into her regular activities too quickly since she felt so much better!

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks to all of you - I knew I'd find love and support here.

Lisa, my provider could feel it just by prodding on my mid-section. Although it's not an obvious protrusion, it explains why I feel bloated and preggo all the time. The swelling starts about two finger widths below my ribs. That's why I get such miserable stabbing cramps when I sit for a while, especially when I eat anything - there's just no room in there and my ribs are digging into my innards! I had an ultrasound which revealed the fibroids, too large and many to remove without just going the whole hog. UGH.

I am glad to hear that so many have had this successfully and been so happy with the results. All products will go the women's shelter. I was just reading about how much more misery feminine woes add for homeless teen girls.

JAileen

Veteran

Re feminine products: you might keep a small amount for house guests in emergency situations.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Wow - glad you have the problem identified and should get relief soon. My mom had her ovaries removed last month laproscopically, not as big a deal I know, but she also found that the gas/air from the surgery took a while to be reabsorbed. It made her shoulders ache, because apparently the gas rises once you start sitting up. She also had to go to the bathroom constantly for about a day, because they'd had her on IV saline for long enough that it was like she'd drunk water constantly for hours.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I wish you the boringest surgery & recovery.
Boring = good in healthcare

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I'm glad you found an answer and hope you have relief quickly.

DonnaF

Veteran

What a relief to have a definitive diagnosis, and more to know there's a solution. How soon will you be scheduled for surgery? And will you be giving up waist surrendering looks after you heal?

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