My hysterectomy story: here's what I wish I'd known | Dr Louise Newson Podcast

Comments · 68

• EM

  @EmmaC-p4o · 1 year ago

  I stumbled across this podcast just before a subtotal, lapro assisted abdominal hysterectomy last week. It was almost the nail in the coffin for me not going ahead. It made everything sound frightening and the &quot;other side&quot; a total unknown with more pitfalls than it might be worth. My issues were fibroids and heavy bleeding after prior myomectomy, attempted but failed ablation, and uterine fibroid embolization, none of which solved the problems. <br><br>Fast forward, and I&apos;m 5 days post op, and feeling great, physically and mentally now too - now that all the GA is out of my system and my bladder and bowel function are fully back on track. The biggest challenge will be trying to keep on resting for the next few weeks.<br><br>I had a 5cm incision and 2 tiny lapro incisons. I had GA plus epidural in order to avoid all the groggy super strong painkillers. I came home the next day and &nbsp;I&apos;m pain free at home with ibuprofen.<br><br>So I wanted to come back here and say to anyone who has listened to this and is feeling scared and put off by it, &nbsp;please just block out the noise online, be positive about your own experience, and listen to whichever doctors are advising YOU personally. Prepare well - eat, sleep, exercise, and ask lots of questions and get the best possible methods and outcome for YOU.<br><br>Good luck, stay postive x

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• US

  @user-py4ff2zw2v · 4 months ago (edited)

  I had zero support after my hysterectomy and went into a surgical menopause, it’s been a horrific time - I had to do lots on my own - cook, empty dishwasher, laundry etc. It has delayed my healing. Thank you for speaking about these issues. I am however so grateful to have had a female surgeon who is / was compassionate .

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• JU

  @Julie-netball · 2 years ago

  I wish i found this before my hysterectomy. &nbsp;Thank you for being so frank. <br>I had to beg for a hysterectomy i had 2 years of such heavy bleeding at age 50. I was told i should be going into menopause but i couldnt live with the heavy bleeding from fibroids, unsuccessful treatment with decapeptyl and a fibroid resection. It has been the best decision ever, i couldnt leave the house for about 6 months. I felt this was a last resort and it was hard post op, but i have my life back. I&apos;m 4 months post op and feeling so much better. It needs way more discussion and how it impacts women lives. I overall have fou d this a positive experience.

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• SA

  @sarahh1331 · 1 month ago

  I&apos;m 9 weeks post hysterectomy for uterine cancer. I live in Canada. I had 1 appointment around 3 weeks post op. The cancer was only in my uterus so no more treatment needed. My recovery was and is still difficult. The oncologist (who did my surgery) discharged me from her care at that ONE appointment post op. My family doctor isn&apos;t comfortable taking over my care so I&apos;m waiting for an obgyn to take over my care. I was already post menopause and had to stop HRT &nbsp;when I got diagnosed. My mood is awful and hot flashes and night sweats made an appearance post surgery. My cancer is estrogen and progesterone positive. I worry about my current health and future health. I&apos;m struggling so much.

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• AS

  @AS-yh6xu · 11 months ago

  Thank you, dr. Newson. For sharing your own struggle post surgery. Experience is everything when it comes to anything, actually. I am educating myself on a possible future hysterectomy and find many many doctors post &quot;positive&quot; reasons without personal experience and I honestly do not trust those. This is the most serious decision in woman&apos;s life. I need to know everything to be prepared and make my own decisions as much as possible.

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• JE

  @JessSlater-m8v · 2 years ago

  This is a very helpful discussion, I had TAH and ovaries removed almost 3 months ago…….it is a big recovery physically and I would consider myself fit and slim before hand and I’m 42…..Also emotionally it’s a big thing to go through. The positive side is that I have my life back after anaemia and a huge fibroid. Surgical menopause is hard and obvs so much worse for a woman who cannot have HRT. One annoying thing is everyone assumes I am fully recovered now ! But it is a big change and I get fatigue very easily.

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• JA

  @jax-sx9pk · 1 year ago

  I am perimenopausal had a hysterectomy (kept my ovaries) 6 months ago, due to severe adenomyosis. I was very nervous and called my doctor a couple days beforehand to discuss my doubts. I still decided to go through with it and I am so glad I did! My expectations were that I would no longer have a period. What I did not expect was that within 24 hours, I would feel like like my old self again and the majority of my numerous and severe peri symptoms would vanish almost instantaneously. My black cloud of depression was gone, and within days I knew I needed to come off my depression meds because I started feeling like I was on speed. Within a month, all my peri-anxiety and the regular adrenaline rushes I had been having for a couple of years, were gone. &nbsp;My energy level went through the roof and despite just having had a hysterectomy, I could not sit still. By the end of the first week post-op I had to keep reminding myself that I just had surgery. My mood has been stable for six months, no issues whatsoever. My energy started to wane and my brain fog started again around month 3, at which point I started on estrogel. I am up to 4 pumps a day, but not sure it is enough or I am absorbing it well enough. My energy level has bottomed out again, I am tired and having regular naps. I am also having vaginal irritation and low libido. Luckily, those are the worst of my symptoms, and life hasn&apos;t been miserable like it was for me pre-hysterectomy.

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• JU

  @juliejenner8427 · 1 year ago

  This was so very helpful indeed. At last some real information about hysterectomies and how to get the help you need to fully consent or not and to recover.<br>Talking about the complications is realistic and the psychological support needed is deeply important.<br>Thank you so much<br>🙏🏻💙🕊️

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• LI

  @lisabracewell9668 · 8 months ago (edited)

  i have been diagnosed with womb cancer and will need a hysterectomy ... I live by myself and wont have the support availabe. &nbsp; Im a little concerned., but thank ful for the information.

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• SH

  @sherrymanners1718 · 2 years ago

  Thank you for this interview and honesty. I’m 7 months post total abdominal hysterectomy at age 59. It has been, and still is the hardest thing I’ve gone through. I’m still struggling with pain, tiredness and depression. My husband was incredibly supportive and helpful during recovery but it’s a lonely journey as each woman will experience it differently. I’ve got an appointment with a pelvic floor therapist soon in the hopes I can will find a way to finally be pain free.

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• JA

  @JackieBrown-q9q · 2 months ago

  Great podcast.

• 30

  @30jenniferwomble · 2 months ago

  Im gonna have my total hysterectomy is 2 weeks so I definitely need some emotional support for the ones who had it done before.