My Hysterectomy Story … So Far

I had an elective hysterectomy four days ago. It was a long time coming. I had almost constant pelvic and lower back pain (kind of like bad period cramps) and urinary urgency — meaning I always felt like I had to go to the bathroom. The culprit for me was lots of scar tissue from four C sections adhering the uterus to the bladder and abdominal wall. Things are supposed to be free moving. Mine weren’t.

All went well. One minute the OR nurse was asking about my trip to Mexico, the next I was in recovery. The surgery was done robotically, and took about four hours, but without the obstacle of scarring, it can be much quicker. I came home that night and while surgery is never fun, I cannot complain too much. It hurts, but not too much more than a C-section AND this time I didn’t have major abdominal surgery and have to take a baby home with me. Round the clock Advil and one Percocet at night to sleep seem to be doing the trick. Starting tomorrow, my plan is to wean off the meds, but I’m allowing myself a few days because I know how important sleep and rest is to recovery.

There are pics of my incisions below, but don’t scroll down if you are squeamish.

Why do I share this with you? While the jury is still out on whether this solves my problem, I have every reason to believe it will. Why did it take me so long? I think women suffer in silence. It is ingrained in us from such a young age that bleeding and cramping and mood swings are just something we have to deal with. Yes, we may complain, but we never really feel there is a solution. Since deciding to have this surgery, I have encountered so many other women who had a hysterectomy for one reason or another. They all say the same thing. I’m so happy I did it and I wish I didn’t wait so long.

If you are suffering from heavy periods, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, urinary urgency and/or incontinence, you should definitely not assume this is just one more crappy hand women are dealt with. Talk to your doctor, and if he or she dismisses you, find another one. If you are done having children, you really don’t need your uterus anymore. I still have my ovaries (which will come out the minute I get through menopause because of my family history of ovarian cancer) but my uterus, my fallopian tubes and my scar tissue are gone. Good riddance.

Too many of you are in pain, are stuck indoors at least one day a month and are suffering in silence. I’ll post an update in about a week with more of what to expect after a hysterectomy, but for now, I can honestly say, it ain’t so bad. Warning: Pics below.

Day One — Four incisions, one though the belly button. The fact that they are higher up seems to be making it easier to stand up straight.