Hysterectomy - Problems after?

Posted by Samson @gregv, Jul 28, 2024

I'm having a full hysterectomy the end of August. I have my preop appointment Tuesday but, can any of you here give me feedback having had it yourselves?

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Jul 30, 2024

In reply to @gregv "Yes, and that's why I decided to do the surgery." + (show)

@gregv I'm nor certain if you are responding to me. Do you mean that you decided to go ahead with the surgery because of your history with cancer? How was your appointment to day?

Samson | @gregv | Jul 31, 2024

Naturegirl; Partially that and partially because I don't want the scares anymore. A previous gynocologist that I admire told me that all the cancers there grow very fast and when you do finally find them, it's usually too late for survival. His advice was to get a hysterectomy when I could, don't mess around with all the other steps. Plus my age, my auto-immunes, etc., make it smart to follow through now when my body is maybe young enough still to recover. My appointment was yesterday and she made me hesitate for a few hours while I considered...she said she might find a lot of scar tissue and adhesions from my last surgery. That it would take more work and maybe a general surgeon to assist. I'm going for it anyway.

Samson | @gregv | Aug 26, 2024

Well, I'm postop and doing okay, surgery went well. Now I want to ask (and don't know if appropriate), I'm concerned my sex life is over. Anyone have advice?

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Oct 20, 2024

In reply to @livedinrochester "I just had one too at 72 as they thought I had Ovarian cancer but it..." + (show)

As far as aging faster, yes if you are not using bioidentical hormone replacement.
PBS documentary called The M Factor is an excellent resource.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Oct 20, 2024

In reply to @gregv "Well, I'm postop and doing okay, surgery went well. Now I want to ask (and don't..." + (show)

Why would your sex life be over? Especially if you are going to be taking bioidentical hormone replacement.
The testosterone component helps with libido and the estrogen helps with vaginal atrophy. Hope you continue to have a great sex life.

nurse07 | @nurse07 | Jun 27 12:17pm

In reply to @gravity3 "As far as aging faster, yes if you are not using bioidentical hormone replacement. PBS documentary..." + (show)

Hi, was curious if your doctor told you aging quicker without your ovaries or did you hear or read it somewhere?

I am turning 64 soon and will be getting a total hysterectomy plus removal of both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.

My doctor said my ovaries are not producing any hormones at my age. I was concerned about lack of hormones due to removing both
ovaries.

She never mentioned aging quicker without, them so wondering where you got that information .

Of course I have gone through menopause but the aging thing and possibly needing hormones was never mentioned in our discussion about surgery.

Thanks in advance for reading

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jun 27 10:00pm

In reply to @nurse07 "Hi, was curious if your doctor told you aging quicker without your ovaries or did you..." + (show)

I cant remember what the context was in the discussion. I must have been referring to something I saw in that documentary.

RefluxGoAway | @njp515 | Jun 28 5:38am

In reply to @nurse07 "Hi, was curious if your doctor told you aging quicker without your ovaries or did you..." + (show)

I was never given the option for hormones, either, but it doesn't matter because I probably wouldn't have taken them. Yes, the doctors will happily tell you that you are not producing any hormones at all and so losing all those bodily parts will have no effect on your sex life, your sex drive, your hair, or your skin, etc. I'm nine months out of surgery and internal radiation treatment, and people say I've never looked better. I think my skin is duller, so I've kicked up my skin care regime and buying better products! I also think that losing weight is critical for us post-menopausal women prone to gyne cancers. That fat is our enemy.