r/hysterectomy

Please feel free to specify in the comments what your job is, because obviously that has a big impact (whether you work from home, have a physically demanding job, etc.).

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Question for those who had laparoscopy and the surgeon closed wounds with glue.

How long before all the glue was gone?

I’m nearly 2wpo and though some has gone, a large portion still remains, I’m loathe to remove it like a scab and pick at it, but at the same time I’m curious how long it’s going to (literally) stick around for?

Today is the day. I'm all prepped, but the surgery before mine is running long. I'm anxious and hungry. I have been waiting for over 4 hours so far. I hope the person before me is OK and I hope my team gets a restorative break before me.

Basically, I've had worsening bladder issues for many years, and after years of begging the doctor for tests, finally I had a scan and they found a large fibroid that has enlarged my womb and is pressing against the bladder. Since I'm 42 and seem to be going through perimenopause anyway, the doctor said I could have a hysterectomy. But the side effects sound awful, a 15% chance of being left in chronic pain, needing a colostomy, etc. I already have a lot of health issues including having treatment for life for thyroid cancer, had a stroke and terrible chronic migraines. My bladder has become over sensitive due to the fibroid, which means I can barely eat anything without triggering a bladder flare. My diet is now so limited I have developed many nutritional deficiencies and my bladder can't even tolerate supplements.

Please tell me your hysterectomy experiences to help me decide whether to do this.

If you’re constipated… pls just skip the stress and do the fleet enema.

Has anyone had this procedure done? I’m scheduled end of year and debating whether I should proceed. I am also debating if I should keep uterus or have it removed during surgery. All of this can be so mentally draining.

Officially 13 days away from my total hysterectomy and had my pre admission appointment yesterday! Which brought up a couple questions:

1. What did you/are you going to wear there and to pack if you stay the night? I had told my pre admin nurse I was going to wear loose sweatpants and oversized shirt, which she said may actually be uncomfortable around my waist. So now I'm thrown off. Do I wear a dress? Something super loose and short? My sweatpants are fairly loose but of course do have a band. I have some shorts that are loose, but about the same "snug level" as the sweats..

2. What are you eating/did you eat days leading up to your surgery? I asked if there was a specific diet I should adhere to, and all she said was go light. And to stop taking my iron pills to avoid intestinal upset. (I've been in a state of chronic blood loss anemia so have to take iron daily.)

I was going to avoid any heavy meals a few days prior and was honestly thinking about fiber dense meals that sit light on the tummy, but also contain iron.

TIA for any thoughts and suggestions!

So it happened pretty fast for me I've been having pain for years I'm 48 going through perimenopause my periods were excruciating and so heavy so I made an appointment they did an ultrasound the next week and found a fibroid pressing against my uterus and she said it was located in a very bad spot so I decided it was time to have my hysterectomy got the call the next day that I was having surgery the next month so I had a month to prepare ( I over prepared due to my anxiety completely unnecessary ) I was all over the place emotional scared and grateful all at once. I went in and had my pre-op and met my surgeon and she is amazing she's so laid back but she understood my anxiety and answered all my questions I didn't realize that they were going to pull my uterus through my vagina that part kind of freaked me out because I also have an enlarged uterus and I had it in my mind they were just taking my uterus not my cervix and my fallopian tubes too but then we got to the day of surgery I had surgery at 9:00 in the morning and I was a mess I'm not real proud of how I acted but I was very nervous and the loopy medicine didn't make me loopy which pissed me off lol but once I got back there and the anesthesiologist started that mask I was OUT I remember waking up looking around and being very aware of what was going on I was talking to the nurse I was asking for my husband and freezing I had cold chills for 12 hrs after ans. they got me out of there so fast I was home by 3:00 p.m. and then it all hit the good meds wore off and I was in pain I couldn't move I was having a panic attack on top of everything else day 1 was a disaster but once I got my pain managed ate an edible finally got in a comfortable spot I was okay I was up every 2 hours using the restroom they pump you full of saline plus they want you up moving every two hours so the first night my husband would help me get up BUT let me tell you about day 2 it was a completely different day I woke up looked around and thought I feel pretty good I was able to sit up I was able to get up by myself I was able to walk through the house staying on top of pain management of course but anyways I felt good never had any of the gas pains that everybody warned me about never once took gas x I have been on the stool softener and miralax a week before surgery so I had my first BM and it wasn't comfortable but I just gave my body a chance to do what it needed to do and not push too hard you can literally feel the pressure on the inside where they stitch you and I have five incisions they're a little bruised but they're not big and today at 5 days I feel fantastic for somebody who just had surgery and thought I was going to be down for weeks what am I going to do for 6 weeks I can't go back to work for 6 weeks which sounds great but I'm going to get so bored I'm sure I'll figure it out though lol my only recommendation the only thing that I have consistently used and I'm so glad that I have is my binder it just holds everything in place because I swear sometimes I feel my insides moving around and it feels weird... I'm just wondering when I'm going to start driving again

1dpo from vnotes procedure

Everything went so smoothly! I went in at 7:30, procedure at 9:30, home by 4:30. Not a fan of the post anesthesia nausea, and they gave all the things to prevent it so I can only imagine if I hadn’t asked for extra. My only real complaint was the recovery nurse.

Straight to sleep in the operating room then I woke up in recovery to the most condescending nurse ever. I woke up in pain. I told her over and over it hurts and she said, “you just had major surgery, of course it’s going to hurt” and refused to give me pain meds. I was groggy, nauseous, and confused and just kept asking and she kept saying I didn’t need any. Then she asked my pain level and what if like it to be. I said 6 and I’d like 0 but would be okay with 3. She said that’s not possible. Finally, I asked her if my doctor said I wasn’t allowed pain meds or something and she said that wasn’t the case and gave them to me. I kept asking for my husband because I figured he’d advocate for me and she said I couldn’t go to him yet. Has anyone else experience someone telling them they shouldn’t be in pain immediately post-op? Seemed weird to me.

Anyway, since I’ve been home, the pain feels like bad period cramps. Keeping it at bay with Percocet and ibuprofen.

My favorite thing I got for the surgery is a C-section gel wrap that you can freeze. I just lay it across my abdomen and it feels so nice.

Thanks for all the people who have posted and answered questions in here. This group has made me feel so much more prepared and aware of the kinds of support I’d need. I would’ve canceled this thing if I hadn’t had this you all. ❤️

I just wanted to share a positive experience with everyone!

8/11 I had my hysterectomy where we took everything but ovaries and it was my 4th abdominal surgery.

I went home without issues same day and only needed Tylenol at night and barely used opiates at all. I’d say I felt more discomfort than I did pain.

Now that I am a week out I truly feel that the only limitations I have are the ones given to me by my doctor. That’s a good thing cause I’d easily over do it with how great I feel.

For context: I had 4 fibroids, adenomyosis, and was on HRT for a year to manage my perimenopause and nonstop bleeding.

The pain and discomfort of daily life vanished and was replaced with mild discomfort. What a win.

Best of luck to those of you waiting for surgery and I hope you have as much success as I have thus far!

I (29 F) have had horrible periods since I was a teen, and a few years ago was diagnosed with uterus fibroids. I recently went to to doctor to see if things had progressed due to worsening symptoms. After a pap and ultrasound, it turns out not only do I have the fibroids but one of my ovaries is measuring at 11 cm. They’re not sure why, but it needs to come out, they’re testing my levels for ovarian cancer and I’m still waiting to hear back. My doctor scheduled my surgery for a month from now to remove my uterus and the abnormal ovary (unless I have cancer then we’ll pause the surgery to see the best route).

I don’t want kids so that part isn’t an issue for me. I’m a little worried about my support system though . A year ago I moved to a new city in a different state from my friends and family. I have one friend that lives nearby from high school but otherwise I don’t know anyone but my coworkers. At the beginning of 2026 I met someone (29M) on an app and we’ve been dating since late January. He’s on the spectrum, which I only mention cause it plays into this situation. Since I found out about needing surgery I’ve been very stressed. I have to take 6 weeks off work to recover and will be essentially helpless for most of that time.

My family has offered to take turns visiting to help me during recovery, but my sisters all have kids and my dad works so they won’t be able to stay long. My boyfriend has said he will be here for me through it all, but in the last week he’s shown that he doesn’t handle stressful situations like this well. I was venting to him about the surgery after my doctors appointment and he could barely muster up responses other than “damn that sucks” and “I’m sorry”. he came over two nights later and I was quiet because I’m stressed about everything and he barely spoke as we watched tv then went to bed. He came over tonight and after sitting silently for 30 minutes I started crying and said I wished he would ask what’s wrong or if I’m okay when I’m clearly stressed and abnormally quiet. He said he “doesn’t know what to say or do to comfort me” and I told him he could ask me what I need or literally just how he can comfort me in the moment. He apologized and said okay then continued to sit in silence for 30 more minutes until I stated crying again and took a shower. I came out and he apologized then went to bed.

I’m worried now because he’s all I really have to help me after the surgery. I won’t be able to even vacuum or do the dishes let alone take care of my two giant dogs. My friend that lives nearby has a kid and works two jobs as a single parent so I can’t rely on her for support. I love my boyfriend but I fear he’s not going to be able to handle what this entails even though he keeps saying he will. If he can barely handle talking to me about the situation before it even happens how if he going to handle me needing help to the bathroom, possibly having a catheter that I’ll need help with for a few days, irrational mood swings, heavy bleeding, medicine schedules, my extreme pain and discomfort, etc. I’ve explained most of what I’m going to go through to him and he says he’ll be there for me through it but I’m worried he’ll be there but be a silent observer who’s more stressed than me. Is there a good way to broach this topic again and make sure he can handle it? Because he says he can but I’m worried after how tonight went. Any advice helps.

I am 4 days post op and honestly was a little freaked out reading everyone’s experiences leading up to my surgery. I am 4 days post op and honestly the most difficult thing I experienced was coming out of anesthesia. Just took me a bit longer than I expected.

My surgery was Friday at 1PM and I got home that night at 8:30PM. I was worried about pain so I kept up with pain meds every 6 hours just in case. Saturday night was my last night taking pain meds. The pain I felt monthly over this surgery was nothing in comparison.

Since then I’ve been eating well, using the restroom as expected and have little to no pain. I actually plan on going back to work tomorrow ( I work from home) but I’m so bored just laying around. Honestly I’m super excited and feeling completely normal after this surgery. I am almost 50 and have suffered from endometriosis for years so after dealing with that, this was a walk in the park and I’m so happy with my decision

I’m 2 wpo from robotic surgery for stage 4 endometriosis. I had a total hysterectomy, tons of lesions and adhesions removed. Right oopherectomy, it could not be saved due to growing a 7cm cyst for the second time. My left ovary was adhered to the pelvic wall and uterus. It had endo lesions as well as another endometrial cyst. It had to be freed from all that, and in my surgical report it says the ovary had to be restructured into a round shape.

After all of that, I have my doubts about my left ovary’s capability to survive. My post op follow up is in nine days so I haven’t asked these questions of my doc yet, but I plan to.

If I am thrown into medical menopause, what exactly does that look and feel like? My hormones have been a hot mess for so many years already. I actually feel calmer now than I did before my surgery. But maybe that’s a temporary relief.

I was already dealing with hot flashes, sensory issues, and perimenopausal rage (or as I call it, living in America in 2026). I haven’t had a cycle since my uterine ablation a year ago, and now of course I have no uterus. My hair has been completely grey since my 20s, so not even that helps me.

What symptoms should I look out for?

Emetophobes need to know.

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My procedure is sept 16. I had my endometrial biopsy yesterday and asked questions about getting a hormone panel, HRT, and recovery.

She said she only prescribed ibuprofen because her patients don't need any medication, and that if i had discomfort I should take Tylenol. She said I would go home same day, and that I should rest for 3 days-try walking a bit after that. The doc stated this was an easy procedure and that her nurse had this same one/was back to work in 2.5 weeks.

I feel like this contradicts everything I've read and was told by friends aunts/parents etc.

I actually have pain medication left over from my foot surgery so I'll have that if I need it. But she made it sound like its a walk in the park.

I'm just so confused.

I am 4 days post op from my hysterectomy. I honestly don’t know how to feel.
I went in for a c section. Baby was breeched. Found that I had placenta accreta. No other way but to have the hysterectomy to save my life as there was too much blood loss and it wasn’t stopping.
This was my first success pregnancy. My first child. And now the option for more is just???? Gone!… in the blink of an eye. Everything was going fine. Baby came out fine. But then.. my future is just, changed?
I keep coming back to that. I no longer have a choice.

Recovery has been hell. I’m in pain. Can barely get out of bed, keep having fevers spike. I’m exhausted.

What’s done is done though... just wondering what my future will look like now.

Also, does sex life change???

Update from my previous post, to which I also posted this in the comments there:

I did it. Got there an hour early, went back and was put under around 8:30 on Tuesday morning. Woke up really really needing to pee and praying someone helped me before I peed myself. They gave me cranberry juice and I felt...off? Totally forgot the anti nausea meds before going under! Threw up four times, twice on the floor and thankfully the last two times I got it into the trashcan by the door - learn from my mistakes and speak up and get the nausea meds!!

Apparently any time they touched my uterus it bled and they had to cauterize me three or four times but I am doing surprisingly really well. I imagined coming out of surgery and being a wreck - emotional, clingy, groaning in pain. Surprisingly I was none of the above, even before starting higher end pain relief and simply on account of the Tylenol before going under.

In terms of pain, belly button incision hurts when I try and roll over to get out of bed to pee and the gas pain is sometimes okay, sometimes unbearable, only on my right side for some reason. Throat hurts on account of the tube but it is doing drastically better, albeit still there not even 24 hours postop.

Cervix, uterus and tubes are gone. Kept my ovaries and she also put a camera into my bladder to make sure I was good on that front, which, thankfully, I am. Barely spotting but peeing a LOT.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

for all the advice, love and cheer. ♡

I am 4 weeks post op along with endo excision. My recovery has been going pretty well, but there are days where I don't move fast or get tired easily. My digestive system is also not 100% yet.

My husband has been pushing to make travel plans for later in the year as we usually travel in the fall. I am hesitant to commit to plans because this recovery has been day to day and I don't want to "ruin" a trip. The Endo and adeno had ruined a bunch of past trips since symptoms would flare. He keeps reassuring me he doesn't want to push me, but I feel like he is in a way.

Today, he said he may plan a bunch of solo trips because he likes to travel and starts naming off places that I would like to go to because I won't commit. It's not like I don't want to, I just don't know how I'll be in October/November and December. Am I being an asshole here?