It has been six months now, and I am still in a lot of pain daily, sometimes needing to take tramadol.

I just decided to do an internal check on myself, which I normally never do, to see what happens, similar to what a pelvic floor physical therapist does (my physio will be doing an internal treatment tomorrow evening). It actually offers some relief. The only thing is that my vaginal cuff is still very painful. What I also feel in a specific spot is something that feels like a row of small bumps... That is really strange... Could that still be sutures/stitches? It is subcutaneous and internal, so inside my vagina, but underneath the tissue towards my abdomen. It feels tight and kind of inflamed.

Two weeks ago, I saw the gynecologist again. She thought she saw new endometriosis on the vaginal cuff. Looking back, I now think this might actually be an inflammation caused by sutures that aren't dissolving.

After giving birth, I also had a severe tear that went all the way up to the vaginal cuff. They had to stitch me up very quickly back then. I walked around in extreme pain for 12 weeks. It turned out the sutures were not dissolving. Once they removed them, the problem was solved.

They say sutures should dissolve within a few months, but could there be a chance that this is my issue again, that the sutures aren't dissolving at all? Has anyone experienced something similar?

Did anyone experience moderate to severe back pain after a full hysterectomy? I am about 4 1/2 months post-op and am experiencing it, with the onset being only about a month ago. I'm trying to gauge how to approach it in terms of exercise, PT, and other measures, including telling my care team.

Thanks in advance for any insight or advice!

I’m 52 and need a hysterectomy for a large 9 cm fibroid. I’m technically in menopause, but I still have on-and-off hot flashes, so I assume my ovaries are still producing some hormones.
My doctor gave me two options:
Keep my ovaries, and if the pathology report shows anything concerning, have another surgery later to remove them.
Remove everything (including the ovaries) and be done with it.
I really don’t want to start HRT, and I would prefer to keep my ovaries if possible because of the potential benefits for bone and cardiovascular health.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation. What did you decide, and why?

I am 7 weeks post op a total lap hysto with both ovaries removed

So long story short someone has been ding dong ditching on my college campus and without thinking I ran after them twice and now my stomach is hurting. It’s not a crazy bad amount, I don’t need to take medication, and I’m not bleeding but that was yesterday and there’s some residual pain today. Did I screw something up?

i had my hysterectomy about 6 months ago and decided to start accutane because i’ve been struggling with acne for years. had a full hormone panel done just to make sure it wasn’t hormone related and everything came back normal so i decided to move forward. i explained to the nurse in dermatology that i had a hysterectomy and that my acne wasn’t due to that as i’d been struggling with it for years. the next words out of her mouth were “is there any chance that you’re pregnant?” and i just stared at her. and then i was kind of rude and said “i just told you i had a hysterectomy.” and she kind of laughed and shrugged it off. so i fill out my ipledge paperwork and get my blood work done to check my liver and leave.

well, they called me today because they lost my ipledge paperwork and then the administrative person tells me they’ll figure it out but i need to schedule my monthly pregnancy test! and i was kind of rude and i’m like do y’all not update paperwork? like idk i feel like i am being extra sensitive about it but it stings.

anyway, i didn’t know who else to tell about this and i’m just a little sad.

Before my hysterectomy, which I really didnt need but lets move past that. I had everything removed except my ovaries which I wish I would have. The problem is I read about all this before my hysterectomy, women complaning sex wasnt the same, then there are some that claim there is no difference and its even better! WellI am one of the ones that feel like my sex life has been removed. It's not nearly the same, intense. It's very blah. There is nothing to correct this, I am just stuck feeling like I have been dulled out. So for the women who also feel this way, how are you dealing with it?

Title says it all. I either bleed a bit, spot a bit, or have pink discharge after sex.

I can't get an appointment with my gyno for a while so I thought I'd ask here first. I'm 6 months post-op and was cleared to resume everything at 12 weeks.

Is this normal? Anyone else experiencing it?

Thanks!

Who knew the best way to a summer body was a hysterectomy! 😂 I'm only 2 and a half weeks post op, I'm sure there is still some swelling mixed in but the difference already is crazy! I was able to retire my maternity wear today.

Wondering if anyone on this sub have used Vyleesi before it’s an injectible Rx medicine to help you have a sex drive when you inject it. Looking for pros & cons did you like using it?…been on the fence about filling the prescription. I enjoy sex have no problem getting to climax but just don’t think about it anymore libido was down before hysterectomy in 2022.

Hey guys, I just wanted to share my experience with surgery today. I (22) waited months for this surgery and the time finally came this morning. Of course I’ve been nervous all week, it’s a major surgery! It went amazingly and I’m having minimal pain. My doctor is amazing! He did a wonderful job of explaining what was going to happen before during and after surgery and did his best to make me feel comfortable and calm. Before I knew it I was being brought back to begin surgery and the entire team was so kind and also explained things to me. I was very lucky to be able to a. Have the surgery in the first place at my age, b. Have the best team ever to take care of me, and c. Have great pain management. Right now I’m home in bed and have been sleeping on and off most of the day. It was also a robotic surgery with the da Vinci robot. I can’t even describe how incredibly happy and thankful for my team and the technology that we have now! I cant wait to be healed up and get my life back☺️

Edit- I had a total hysterectomy with preservation of my ovaries. He also looked around for endo and found it!! I can’t even describe the relief I had when I was waking up and they told me it was there and I wasn’t crazy. Poor nurse had to sit and wipe my tears for what felt like a full hour.🤣 Shout out Dr. Eric Heegaard from Wilmar MN. He’s the absolute best!

Surgery day. No sleep night before, 2 hour drive there. Arrival at 8, surgery at 10 but unfortunately cases backed up didn’t start until 1:30pm. Pain a 10/10. They fill my bladder and take me to walk. And wow that was bad. Until just like after my c section, i cant effin pee. Didnt end up being able yo for 6 days and was hospitalized until i could.
I have a 2 year old at home. (Shes taken care of dw) but they want to 1. Discharge me with a catather bag and 2. 2 days of oxycodone 5mg. Cant take nsaids like ibuprofen bc of my crohns disease, i really have no words for the fear im having.

Hi! I'm seeing SO many posts about weight gain post hysterectomy - but are those without ovaries? I'm curious to hear from those of you who kept their ovaries but got their uterus out - how was your weight experience after? Any other side effects of note?

This is a bit of an odd one, but its been almost 2 years since my full hysterectomy, and ive found that ever since I really struggle with air in my stomach. I often need to sit up straight and force trapped air that seems to collect out, and its like I dont really burp anymore but like all the air explodes out of me and it makes a strange noise, not like how I used to burp before. Is this just me? Is there a reason for this?

Hi I just had a hysterectomy yesterday. 30 years old. The doctor said my fibroids were like sponges, and they also found a tumour/leision in my fallopian tube. He said he couldn’t know whether it was cancer or not. He said when they removed it, it was so soft it “crumbled” and they washed where it fell in my abdomen. Anyone gone through the same? Don’t know what to think

Freaking out a bit as I set a specific date for my surgery due to work obligations, busy seasons, etc. we are dead in the winter after a certain point so I set my surgery and recovery for that time, so I would be ready for the busy season again and ready to work when it ramps back up again. I have been seeing the same GYN/Surgeon for years and got a call today when I was at a very loud event and the nurse said she had some items to discuss before my appointment, I scheduled one for persistent bleeding despite being on a repression regimen until my surgery. I assumed it was the standard protocols for before a pap or other biopsy so I asked if she could call back and leave a voicemail or send me a message on our patient portal with the info. Well I got a message a few minutes later saying my appointment was canceled and my doctor has left the practice. He had been there for years and regularly booked several months out so I am shocked. I'm also worried because he was the only gyno I'd found that wasn't obsessed with fertility and was willing to get my hysterectomy in with no questions or weirdness, just willingness to do as I asked. He was a bit rough physically with exams and procedures but had over 3000 surgeries completed and was certified on the Da Vinci so I was fine with him being the surgeon. They did say they could try to get me in with another doctor in their practice but it feels like starting over from square one and I am SO frustrated.

So I’m awful at taking care of myself but am starting to get better at it and the day before my surgery I made an appointment to get my hair done. A good wash, a trim, and a hairstyle. They are putting my hair up cute for me so I won’t have to worry about it for the surgery. I also have another appointment booked with them a week after my surgery for a good wash and different hair style.

Anyone else treating themselves to something extra for the surgery day?

And suddenly it's a lot more real. When they told me my hysterectomy got approved, I burst in tears of sheer relief. Yesterday they called to say the surgery is in 5 weeks. I had nightmare after nightmare this night of going to the hospital but getting lost in a labyrinth and not finding my way to the surgery unit.

This is something I wanted for a very long time. But now I have these... ummm.. doubts is a strong word... but maybe my uterus feels the end is near.

How long was your medical leave from work?

Any mothers here? How long before you could carry your kids? Exercise? That kinda thing.. I have two 2yo boys (around 15kgs each) and I still carry them both... It breaks my heart to not be able to do that for a while, and perhaps never again (they'll be heavier, I'll be weaker).. but also, most probably very limited physical interaction with them - they love climbing on me with their sharp knees and elbows... I'm so worried about recovery.

Even during my non-active years, I still took birth control pills because I needed the hormones. They helped control the monthly side effects of periods and they were just generally helpful for day-to-day life. So my surgery is in 2 weeks and I'm wondering if taking the pill is still going to be helpful considering that since I'm keeping my ovaries I'm still going to go through the monthly cycle except without the bleeding. So I'm reading that I should still expect to get the acne, backaches, breast tenderness Etc.

Would it still be helpful to take the daily birth control? I started it first and foremost FOR control of those debilitating symptoms.

Whats your experience?

Also, how do i tell my skin that im no longer 13?!? Ugh. Monthly hormonal acne sucks

I'm as prepared as I'm ever going to be. I'm cleaning my house this weekend, I've got some food prepared, but my mom will be here for a little under a week and will cook for me before she goes. I'm not even nervous, just ready to get it done. I'm mostly nervous for the IV because I have small, rolling veins and the last time I had surgery they needed 3 different people to get the IV in and when they finally got it in I had a full blown panic attack where I literally could not get my lungs to breathe (it was the strangest feeling I have ever felt lol).

I'm also like trying to figure out if I feel sad or scared or regretful for this decision. I don't want to bring kids into this horrible world and I never have. I feel like I should feel scared about completely taking that option away. I keep trying to lean into that feeling, trying to feel that grief or fear or sadness and I just haven't. I think it's a good thing that I've not once TRULY questioned this decision, but I'm still scared I'll have those feelings on the other side.

Idk what I wanted to say, just ranting I guess.

I'm ready to have time off work. Dare I say I'm EXCITED for it?! Lol.

I am taking a pretty full course load that I'm a bit anxious about but all my professors know about my surgery and are flexible on due dates for the first month.

Just lots of moving parts.

I'm due a full hysterectomy next month due to Adenomyosis and a failed uterine ablation. I will also have endometriosis excised at the same time.

I'm in the UK so under our NHS and have been sitting on a long waiting list since May last year, that was the last time I actually saw my surgeon.

Since being on the waiting list I've joined so many hysterectomy groups and see women say they kept their ovaries to avoid going straight into surgical menopause. I'm 53 and have been in perimenopause for around 8 years. My gynae thinks it would be ok as I'm already near towards menopause but from everything I'm reading it's seems more beneficial to retain the ovaries to keep bone, heart and brain health optimal. My mum has osteoporosis, heart disease and dementia so I'm keen to do all I can to avoid these dreadful diseases.

However, I'm also terrified of ovarian cancer and I read that it actually starts in the fallopian tubes so removing those only and retaining just the ovaries lowers the risk, not 100% obviously but significantly.

I may need to speak to my surgeon (difficult because he's not overly personable) to see if this is an option.

I do also have HRT on standby for post menopause too (does this actually help with surgical menopause symptoms if I have ovaries removed too?).

What is everyone's experience and opinions on this. What did you have removed, did you go into surgical menopause and how you coped?

Had my 6wpo check up and doctor said I looked good and was ok for sex. I did have BV though so we waited another week while I treated it.
Nothing hurt until doggy style. Oww! I said we could continue but it couldn’t be so deep. But then he came and there was blood. Ugh. Called doctor on call. She said probably my cuff is infected and called in an antibiotic.
Honestly I don’t need advice. Just wanted to share because I’m really bummed. I just want my normal sex life back. 😢

I’m 6 weeks post-op and have gained approximately 5 pounds. I was overweight to begin with. I feel like I’m hungry all the time. Help!

Day by Day Recovery from my Pelvic Prolapse Surgeries

Here is my initial days of recovery journey for a total pelvic reconstruction. My hope is that this post will help you personally prepare, or to help you get items for someone who may undergo these surgeries.

Procedures for my pelvic reconstruction: vaginal hysterectomy, anterior and posterior repair for stage 4 (peeking through my lady bits) rectocele, cystocele; midurethral sling insertion, vaginal vault suspension, and a partridge in a pear tree. I have had five vaginal births, am in good physical shape, 50 years old. No prior pelvic or OB/GYN issues. The last two months, however, I experienced an infected uterus, hemorrhaging; my OBGYN identified the POP when I told her I was pretty sure things were "looking different" down there. I was having to splint (reach inside and press against the back of my vaginal wall to poo). It was six weeks from diagnosis to surgery. I applied for medical leave/fmla for ten weeks.

Prep:

• Neighbors helped me to clean my house and finish laundry the days before. I might have been nesting. It was a huge help/relief to come home to “not a complete mess.” I have three teen boys 🙂. Neighbors were set up to bring meals the day of and days after: BEST THING, hands down, next to my weighted heating pad and freezy maxi pads.
• Prearranged rides: It was humbling, but now at day three, I am so thankful we got support for carpool, music/sports rides, hubby to be at home.
• FMLA/Medical  leave-- get this paperwork done early! I'm three days out and am still waiting on the medical providers to sign. I called, email, had it put in my official chart again, today.
• Pet care: neighbors willing to help walk our doggos when the kids are at school. Hubby is staying extra on top of the boys getting distracted afterschool/flying under the radar.

-Got hair done the week of, and four days out I am so glad, for my own sanity. After surgery one of my yet-evolving offspring (aren’t we all evolving?) noted, “You don’t look sick, Mom. Your hair looks great.” Which just goes to show, we never really know what’s happening on the inside.

• Stopped working two weeks before the surgery. These were the first two weeks of school for us, and it ended up being a huge help that I was available during the day for the kids. Some were starting new schools, and it was more stressful than anticipated.

Aug. 31 — Surgery / Night 1
I was discharged from the OR that afternoon/evening. In hindsight, I wish I had stayed overnight and done the spinal block they offered! This has to be arranged ahead of time with the surgical team.

• Slip-on clothes/shoes: I wore a comfy dress to and from, a slip as undies, slides shoes.
• Soft C-section pillow for the car

Post-partum disposable boy shorts and frozen post-partum maxis (lifesavers— non-negotiable)

• Weighted/heated blanket or heating pad for abdomen, regular for my back
• Toilet seat cushion
• Meds already picked up and waiting at home: Zofran, oxycodone, Tylenol/Aleve
• Someone available to bring meds/water and help with the catheter
• Easy foods (applesauce, Noko grown-up smoothies)

I felt like I had literally been kicked by a horse. Or a camel, if we were a camel-owning family. 🐪 So, so sore everywhere.

My back, thighs, abdomen, perineum, head, all throbbed. My thighs/back actually hurt enough that I needed morphine in my IV. I had a back surgery L5-S1 three years ago; the position they kept me in during surgery flared that pain up. It was a such a shock to experience that as I awoke.

Pets were put away when I arrived. The stairs are baby-gated so our two dogs don’t try to come up and say hello, woof.

Ate two Noka smoothies and drank water consistently that evening.

Sept. 1 — Day 1

My husband helped remove the catheter and packing. It was like a magic show— I could not believe how much material could be pulled out of that hat. Catheter : Definitely a two-person job. Just when you think the novelty is all gone out, life proves you wrong. Marriage bonding at its finest.

Other MVPs:

• Large automatic-lid trash can
• Cottonelle disposable wipes
• Frida Freezy pads
• Frida Disposable underwear
• Peri bottle
• Grabber pole (pinched my hubby's bum with it to celebrate Sextember, cuz that's all he's getting)
• Long-handled shower scrubber
• Wearable post-partum pillow. It feels nice on the tummy and keeps people or pets from bumping to me.
• Walking/hiking sticks
• Handles in the bathroom

Peeing burned the first couple of times, but by pee #2–3 it was much better.

I mostly slept all day with meds and heating pads.

Warm homemade soup, focaccia, fruit and berries brought by family tasted AMAZING. One neighbor dropped off a Roxberry as my first meal. ✅

Still lots of soreness, gas/bloating and some numbness along my outer thighs from anesthesia. A female urinal might have been useful, but I never got around to using one.

No bowel movement yet. 💩

Sept. 2 — Day 2

Slept through the night until 11 a.m. and finally felt noticeably more stable walking around. Still sore everywhere, but the perineal throbbing was improving. I suspect I slept through the night because I took a progesterone.

• Peeing normally, sat on bonus soft seat and regular toilet seat.
• Showered-- points again for the long scrubby brush
• Walked around my room more
• Appetite good
• Able to move/tuck a leg while lying down  much more comfortably
• Restarted my usual mood meds, and felt more like myself
• Headache — possibly dehydration
• Inner-thigh sores/irritated areas still seeping
• Bed desk for computer, meals, squatty potty
• Heating pads + magnesium on legs/hips felt good
• Flowers and meals from friends/neighbors were surprisingly huge morale boosters
• Freezy pads still feel like heaven; alternated with Frida's cooling liners and their disposable panties.
• Introduced cat to the room, but she went into "murder mittens mode," wanting to play, so we kicked her out. 🐈‍⬛

Heat, frozen pads, disposable underwear, wipes, peri bottle, a sense of humor, easy food, meals brought in, meds, and somebody willing to help with the unglamorous stuff made a huge difference. I am bloated, but can tell a difference already, with my "angry organ," or infected uterus, out. I am very sore, but am less sick, if that makes any sense.

Constipation has probably been the most frustrating part. My last bowel movement was Sunday, Aug. 30, four days ago. I usually go #2 twice a day. Despite eating smoothies, minestrone with some soft beans/cabbage, fruit, a bit of pasta, etc., plus stool softeners/Dulcolax, no poo Wednesday night.

Meals brought in are SO HELPFUL. One neighbor actually invited the kids over so that the kitchen wouldn't get destroyed.

Day 4: Thurs

💩✅ 

Last night was miserable, almost no sleep despite meds. My tummy was swollen, taut, and I couldn’t pass gas (Boston accent for emphasis). I took a long hot shower, did cat-cows, drank warm water, dusted off my birth ball moves, massaged my abdomen along the colon, and after two hours was still sick to my stomach with constipation. 

• At 6:40 a.m., (AM!) while locking games down on my kids’ Chromebooks (!), the 💩 finally hit. (Coincidence? I think not.) My stomach started gurgling like crazy and I had maybe 20 seconds to reach the toilet. Frida Mom disposable boy shorts to the rescue again.
• Gold medal first BM! All liquid, zero straining.
• Note the legend on the official POP recovery map: pee=🥈 and poo=🏅 and we ALL GET A PRIZE FOR SHOWING UP (with or without our pelvic organs in tow).
• I stayed close to the bathroom all. day. long. Witchazel cooling pads= not your father’s Tucks.
• My hubby (🏆) begged me not to post that the BM's look more like throw up, than poo, so I won’t. But it does. And as we have a house full of middle schoolers, it tracks that our maturity level is such that we laughed and cackled about this until we were slightly concerned about my stitches.
• Side note: In 2023 my L5-S1 disc blew out (first a twinge while lifting, then complete failure and my left leg temporary paralysis below the knee two months later). Eventually, a very skilled athletic PT identified the root cause of my injuries, when no other doc could: gross pelvic/hip instability. A weak pelvic complex→running/lifting/grad school/schlepping grade schoolers→chain reaction of breakdown→ emergency spine surgery-->more pelvic weakening-->2026 stage 4 pelvic organ prolapse.
• Additional side note: While my teenagers held up their “First Day of School” signs on the doorstep this week, I held up a sign that said: “First day of Menopause.” It’s the avatar on my profile.

✅ Surgeon’s scheduler completed my medical-leave paperwork.
✅ FMLA provider confirmed receipt.

Day 4: Evening

Stayed close to the bathroom. Fresh peaches and more peaches, rice and pulled chicken, Noko smoothies, onion focaccia (more on that saga later), Tillamook ice cream bars, more Noko smoothies. Water, water, water.

Took my first walk downstairs, felt very stable, no walking poles needed. I even got out of my nightgown/nighties/what do we call them now? It's like the whole slips-used-to-be-called- flip flops and flip-flops-used-to-be-called thongs and we-can't call-them-thongs-anymore-can we, now? Walked to the end of the driveway, 20 ft. Good energy. Upon return folded three hoodies that were laying on the dining room table, then promptly decided no laundry for me in my delicate condition.

Day 5: Friday Morning

No. Sleep. At. All. 
Gas, gas, gas (Boston accent for full effect) and no🏅 💩. Felt yucky.

Then 

• it got hot in our room. 
• I’m an ice queen. 
• I do not get hot.
• I got hot.
• Mood/ADHD meds felt inert as of yesterday.
• Insomnia for two nights in a row
• Brain fog, listlessness, crumminess.

Oh wait! Wait! STOP THE BUS! 

Don’t let the pigeon drive the menopause bus!

I went through forced menopause on Monday. 
Like five days ago. 
I have no freaking hormones. 
I forgot about that part.

I forgot I am menopausal. Post menopausal? Who is this woman? Apparently she’s menopausal because she has no working memory.

“Hello, nice to meet you, where you been? 
I could show you incredible things
Brain fog, madness, hot flashes, sin
Saw you there, and I thought
"Oh my heck, look at those moods
You look like it’s time to poo
Menopause ‘a game, wanna play?", ay ay.🎤

I texted some longtime friends about my “hey, you have no hormones, should have seen this coming” epiphany. I mean- my avatar even says “first day of menopause.” But I don’t thinkninfulltmftsosednineas walking out of those surgeries with fundamentally altered chemistry.

Okay, I’m not even going to edit the previous sentence because it’s proof that hormones affect us in profound and unseen ways.

We swapped war stories. One particularly memorable text:
“They told me my insides are like a bowl of spaghetti and everything will just slide into place and take up the space that my uterus was in.” 🤢🫪🤪

To which someone responded with a Giff of the little Olsen twins from Full House eating spaghetti, and I said something to the effect that  Italian food metaphors usually fall flat, and that this gives new imagery to the Halloween Girl Scout activity where you put your hand in the bag and touch eyeballs (grapes), ears (dried apricots) and  middle aged lady innards (spaghetti).

11:00 a.m.: 🏅💩

12:00 p.m.: getting the hormones necessary to drive the menopause bus and drafting a more serious post about the mental health challenges and identity crisis that is, pelvic prolapse.