Ladies with hysterectomies

rgohm

I am a 35 yr old woman, who has recently had a hysterectomy; they were able to save my ovaries, however. So my question is: Has anyone had a hysterectomy while being able to keep there ovaries and if so, do you still gain weight around your ovulation time? I realize I have no womb to have "prepared" for implantation but (sorry TMI) my breasts still get really painful and I do still get that "ick" feeling. Basically, I am wondering if this could contribute to SOME weight gain during my non-existent cycle?

I will start writing my weight down everyday to track this and I will eventually figure it out, but that could take months, so I am wondering what your experiences are like?

P.S. There is no need to feel bad about me having such a surgery so "young", I appreciate the sentiment, but to be honest I am thrilled about having had one, my life is so much better and less painful, WAY less painful! :drinker:

MBNagel74

I had a hysterectomy back in 2010 when I was 35. They were able to keep my ovaries, so I wouldn't need to be on hormone replacement. It was the best decision I ever made... I suffered from endometreosis, and had tried other alternatives prior to this. For me, the hysterectomy was the last resort.

Yes, I still gain at that "TOM", have the mood swings, the water retention, headaches, and the food cravings. In fact, most of the symptoms I had (with the exception of pain and passing out from loss) are still there - just a little less.

Edit to add: My doctor did not warn me of this. I suppose she assumed I knew. The timing of the month was off in the beginning (but then, that was normal for me... I was never a 4 week kinda gal - more like 6-8 weeks). It has "regulated" so now it's more like every 5 weeks.

rgohm

Thanks for replying! I was having some monster sized cravings several days ago and I am sure that was what it must have been! I am glad to hear your hysterectomy helped you as well. When I tell people that I had one, most of the time they look so sad for me and say "I am so sorry" and it makes me feel bad for them because I really feel relieved. I am not trying to down play other's feelings whom are heart broken about getting one, but for me I was done having kids anyway so for me it was a blessing!

lazyv310

I also had a hystorectomy and got to keep my ovaries, my Dr. did warn me that I would have symptoms for awhile. It has been 3 years and I do not seem to notice them much anymore so hopefully yours will go away also.

MBNagel74

People still feel bad for me... Probably because I didn't get to have any of my "own " children - which is crazy for 2 reasons: 1) I wasn't able to have any anyway, and 2) My step-daughter IS my own - or at least, that's how I look at her.

After 3 years, I still get the symptoms... But, it is different for everyone. And the food cravings always come first with crying to commercials being a close second!

Zekesmom

I'm on that bandwagon, and when I get a longer moment to post I will add my story in here .

rgohm

People still feel bad for me... Probably because I didn't get to have any of my "own " children - which is crazy for 2 reasons: 1) I wasn't able to have any anyway, and 2) My step-daughter IS my own - or at least, that's how I look at her.

After 3 years, I still get the symptoms... But, it is different for everyone. And the food cravings always come first with crying to commercials being a close second!

It makes me smile when kids get the love and affection they need and deserve :bigsmile:! Sounds like a very lucky little girs!

I am so glad that these symptoms are not just me!

rgohm

I'm on that bandwagon, and when I get a longer moment to post I will add my story in here .

I look forward to hearing your story.

Zekesmom

My story is extremely LONG and would take forever to write so here is the Reader's Digest version.

I got my very first period on my 9th birthday and from that day on it was hell. By 12 my periods were so bad I would end up in the hospital from intense pain. Dr's told my mom I was over reacting and that the cramps I was getting would get better as I got older. Not once did any of them try to dig into what was causing the pain. It would be so bad I would be unable to walk and I would be passing clots like golf balls.
When I was 17 and living on my own I managed to convince a doctor that I needed a specialist. I was sent to an endocrinologist and a ob/gyn who specialized in fertility issues. After numerous tests, some very invasive, I was diagnosed with PCOS and Endometriosis. I also had a lot of scarring in my fallopian tubes and had uterine fibroids. I was put in for surgery and that first surgery went quite well.
During the next few years I underwent 3 more surgeries for PCOS and ENDO, as well as trying to get pregnant. Trying to get pregnant proved to be next to impossible and I was told my dreams of having children were slim to none. We tried everything, all the surgeries, IUI, IVF, needles, pills, everything. Nothing worked.
Thanks to the medication they put me on for PCOS I ended up rapidly gaining weight. I went from being a very slim 110lbs on a 5'3" frame to a whopping 190lbs in approx 7 months. Then came the drugs to help get me pregnant...another 20lbs added on.

In Oct 2005 my husband and I gave up. No babies for us. I went to see my fertility specialist on Oct 31 and set up my appt for a hysterectomy as that is what we chose to help end the pain, both physically and emotionally. He was on board with the decision, as even someone as young as I, he thought that my body needed it.

In January 2006 I went in for my U/S for my pre op for the hysterectomy and got the biggest news EVER!!!

YOU'RE PREGNANT...and it's TWINS. We had gotten pregnant with no drugs, no needles, no pills.

I won;t go into too many details, but it was a horrible pregnancy, filled with medication, a surgery, and an emerg c section. A very sick baby followed but I'm glad to say I have an amazing 6 1/2 year old wonder boy

After that birth I was told that my body should not under any circumstance endure another birth. I was given a tubal ligation 5 months after the birth of my son and started on the Lupron shot. This made my period disappear and for the first time in YEARS I was almost pain free.
In January 2010 I decided to join my military husband and sign up for military service. It was a short lived dream as when I did the urine test I was informed I was pregnant. Talk about SHOCK! How in the world did I get pregnant? Tubes tied, and on Lupron...no period in 3 years. I was scared as hell.

After another scary pregnancy but one hell of an amazing drug free 40 hour labor, my youngest son was born. I was high as a kite on endorphine's and then my world crashed down.

My uterus prolapsed and I had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Leaving me with nothing. I was empty.

I went through the next year feeling lost. I felt as though I had lost my best friend. Here was this horrible, evil, pain inducing piece of **** ( sorry ), that had been ripped out of my body, and for some reason I was mourning it's loss. I thought I would be happy to have it gone forever. No more pain right? For the first year I cried. I finally sought therapy and was diagnosed with PTSD. Sounds crazy doesn't it. PTSD from losing your uterus.

It's been 28 months. And now looking back, I wouldn;t change anything. NOT ONE THING. I don't miss pain. I don't miss curling up on the floor crying. I like that I don't have to call in sick to work. The feeling of never having to buy another tampon ever again is amazing lol. But there are drawbacks. I have gained weight that I have a very hard time losing. I gain weight in places that are usually where men gain it. Facial hair is more common now. I get "ghost" pain every month, though that is getting less and less. I still get cravings each month but I think that may be hard wired in to me. I have no sex drive anymore and no motivation left to care I found that since getting my hysterectomy I feel "old".

But I still wouldn't take it back. I have 2 beautiful boys and I am pain free so that I am able to enjoy them!

jmsladky

Thanks for posting. I am 38 and last Feb I had hyster. left my ovaries in. I have continued to pack on pounds. It is very frustrating! I have started really watching what I eat and walking alot!!

rgohm

Zeke'smom - Wow you certainly went through enough for 20 women! Congratulations on your two sons! I am sorry that you had to endure an emergency hysterectomy, my mom went through an emergency hysterectomy as well and didn't appear to have adjusted as well as you have, she also had endometriosis. Thank you for sharing your story. It is always amazing to me how often women aren't taken seriously by doctors, I think maybe if we were so many bad diseases wouldn't take hold of us. It took me two doctors to finally find one that took my pain seriously instead of giving me one of those little half smiles and saying "you say you hurt but there is nothing wrong". I had adenomyosis which is similar to endometriosis, just about the placement really, but it turns out I was also FILLED full of scar tissue that was tangled up in my intestines and all over inside from my previous surgeries. I feel better now and hope to get healthy and stay healthy!

LDE6040

It is great to see your posts. I am scheduled to have a hysterectomy in March due to continual bleeding (3 weeks) and this is after ablation. I am trying to decide if I should keep my ovaries or have them removed. I have the typical peri-menopause symptoms, hot flashes during the day and night sweats. I started menopause when I was 43, even though the Dr. did not agree, I know my body. I am now 48 and my current Dr. agrees I started when I was 43. I want to keep my ovaries if I am almost through menopause. My mother completed hers when she was 51. The Dr. said I could do HRT but I am unsure. I have researched on the internet but still cannot decide. I know you are not doctors. What do you all think? Any help is appreciated.

missjanetleigh

I had mine in 2007 and was able to keep my ovaries. I notice that when I lift heavy weight or scoot heavy weight my ovaries will hurt. My doctor said that was normal.

He also told me I would continue to have monthly symptoms like I still had everything.

My life is so much better, I was bleeding so badly, I had a stalk of polyps when most women have small berry type.

I was able to start loosing weight and hit the rut so here I am.

I hope everything goes well for you, : )

jahenry17

So glad that I found this link. I am going to have to have the surgery this year due to fibroids. I think that I am going to get a tummy tuck at the same time to get rid of the stretch marks and scars from my c-sections.

I am planning to keep my ovaries.

What was recovery like?

jnichel

I didn't know that there was such a thing as a hysterectomy when keeping the ovaries. I thought all the internal "plumbing" was moved. My wife is thinking about it (we already have three kids and I've been snipped), but I'm guessing she'll want the ovaries gone, as she's looking to get rid of all the PMS symptoms.

sissiluv

My mom had to get a hysterectomy some time ago because she had fibroids that had the potential to become cancerous and I think she was losing a lot of blood due to them too.
She kept her tubes however, which had been tied previously, so she wouldn't go into instant menopause. I'm pretty sure she still has the ovaries as well, just her womb is gone.

She had some difficulty with getting around initially and gained some weight because of it but six or so years later she's A-Ok and is teasing me everytime I go into period mode. :c

heatherloveslifting

If you still have ovaries then you are still ovulating, meaning hormonal fluctuations will be no different than those of a woman with her uterus intact. (The ovary is still the major source of estrogen and progesterone and they are still being produced in a cyclic manner). This will continue until you run out of oocytes to ovulate (menopause).

ETA I haven't had one, I'm a reproductive biologist.

tmos512

I would think that since the ovaries are the source of the hormones, if they are still there you'd get everything except the bleeding. I have only one ovary and was told nothing would change, and it didn't.

MBNagel74

I had a partial hysterectomy by urging of the doctor. Given my age, I would have needed hormonal therapy if I had them removed as well. I would rather not put pills or other "hormones" into my body if my body could generate them on their own. So, I still PMS every 4-6 weeks as I would have if I had all my "plumbing"... So, yep... Symptoms are still there. I get the swelling, bloating, headaches, lower back pain, and the munchies when the time is coming. I just don't pass out from the blood loss anymore. (And the money saved on supplies!)

As far as recovery, everyone is different. For me, I was in the hospital for 24 hours, and was OK to be up and about a few days later. I was sore for a couple weeks, but nothing unmanageable. For personal reasons, I did not take the pain meds and was able to manage the pain with OTC drugs instead.

Zekesmom

Post surgery for everyone is different. I was quite lucky on mine. I had a full abdominal 6 inch incision. I had already had 2 previous incisions along the same spot and one was a hip to hip c section. I expected a long and painful recovery. I was very pleasantly surprised. My surgery took place on a Fri around noon and I was up and walking by 7pm. I took no pain medication except OTC Tylenol plus some advil for swelling. I had my catheter taken out at 6am the following morning and was released at 11am. By Sunday I was out walking the block and Monday I went for lunch with a friend. I found I tired quite easily and didn't push myself too hard. Other than being tired and some aches it went amazing. At my 2 week mark I packed up my 2 children, a 7 month old and a 5 year old and drove 2200km to stay with my brother for 7 weeks. I actually worked out and walked every single day and lost close to 20lbs. I started jogging again 6 weeks post surgery.

But then about 3 months post I started gaining weight and my hormones went crazy...now I am fighting it all.

But NO PAIN. So the trade off is still worth it but I'm actively fighting the weight.

Serah87

I had a total hysterectomy because of endometriosis about 8 yrs ago and so glad I did that, pain free!!! :bigsmile:

teachmom32

Yes, I still get bloating and food cravings, acne, painful breasts, etc. I also get twinging pain in my ovaries (I have/had endometriosis). My doctor told me the only thing that would change after my hysterectomy was the pain would be gone and I wouldn't see red. I had endo, adenomyosis, and fibroids. Best decision I ever made, although I think it may be affecting my weight loss...

Lone_Wolf70

When my wife was 34, she had a radical hysterectormy and kep the ovaries. IT didnt effect her weight, but the ovary would constantly become inflamed and had to have it removed a few months ago. Weight gain shouldnt be an issue. Just diet/nutrition/exercise.

perfectingpatti

I didn't know that there was such a thing as a hysterectomy when keeping the ovaries. I thought all the internal "plumbing" was moved. My wife is thinking about it (we already have three kids and I've been snipped), but I'm guessing she'll want the ovaries gone, as she's looking to get rid of all the PMS symptoms.

Removing her ovaries will get rid of all the PMS symptoms, but she'll be facing a whole different set of symptoms because her hormones will be affected.

I had a hysterectomy, but kept both ovaries. I've never had any PMS symptoms and I'm going on 5 years post surgery now.

perfectingpatti

Weight gain shouldnt be an issue. Just diet/nutrition/exercise.

False. Weight gain CAN be an issue, depending on what types of hormone replacement therapy you're put on. Contrary to what some believe, medication can cause weight gain. I'm not saying you can't do anything about it, but it is a real issue for some people.

Lone_Wolf70

Weight gain shouldnt be an issue. Just diet/nutrition/exercise.

False. Weight gain CAN be an issue, depending on what types of hormone replacement therapy you're put on. Contrary to what some believe, medication can cause weight gain. I'm not saying you can't do anything about it, but it is a real issue for some people.

note: I said "shouldnt" not "will".

rladd6421

i had a hysterectomy when i was 32 but i got to keep my ovaries. I never noticed any "PMS" symptoms and still don't but that could be because i only had one about 3x a year anyway. I love the decision i made and wouldn't change it for anything.

perfectingpatti

note: I said "shouldnt" not "will".

I got that. But gaining weight after hysterectomies is very common and often does present an issue. Just because you can diet, eat well, and exercise to lose the weight doesn't make it a "non issue". I may have misunderstood what your point was, though, so I apologize if we're really just saying the same thing.

michelefrench

abdominal hysterectomy in 2004, left one ovary in...and once i had recoved from the surgery, i gotta say - best i'd felt in years and years!! rarely do i get any pms type symtoms anymore, although i do credit the occasional crying jag to that...best move ever, although I am having a really hard time w/workouts involving lower abdominals, not a clue if its actually due to the surgery or that's just my weakest muscle...probably the latter...

jez4ever

What about the sex life after? My wife is thinking about having it done. However, we don't want to mess that up! Honest answers, PLEASE.

teachmom32

No change in sex life. If anything, it's better because there is no more pain.