fibroid tumor getting a hysterectomy

Yes!! Had myomectomy to remove over 25 fibroids. I chose NOT to have hysterectomy, and got a second opinion because first specialist insisted the best option was hysterectomy... i did not agree. I did not want to deal with the ramifications in terms of hormones, early onset menopause, all the symptoms associated with menopause etc. etc. so make sure YOU do your homework regarding all your options! Sometimes all the options are not presented to you and you have to go looking for them.

The key is to be as strong and healthy BEfORE surgery so that recovery is as easy as possible. Also because you will be unable to exercise for a while after surgery you need a good nutrition strategy. This is key. I did not put on any weight and am now back to full on workouts and dropping the rest of this nasty fat.

Are you having the surgery laparoscopically or incision? If its laparoscopically, recovery time will be shorter. If you will be having an incision like I did, recovery time is longer.

A

I love having had a hysterectomy! Feel so much better afterwards!

I had it laparoscopically, and it was easy. I didn't have pain during the recovery, but I did feel VERY fatigued for a couple of weeks.

I would take short, easy walks and rest after. Did not gain weight, but I was careful about what I ate. Remember to eat enough protein for healing tissue.

I think that you will be very surprised how much better you feel after having it done.

AND - no more periods, cramping, bloat, PMS!

I had a hysterectomy due to a large fibroid about 4 years ago--best thing ever! No more pain, numb legs, etc.

Anyway, you won't be very hungry after surgery. Portion out healthy foods (fruit, vegetables, etc) before you have surgery so it will be ready for you when you get home.

DO NOT weigh yourself for a couple of weeks after surgery. Why? Because they're going to load you up with fluids in the OR and you're going to weigh more. I had around 6 pounds of stuff removed, but when I got on the scale, I weighed 3 pounds more than I did pre-op. It takes a while for that fluid to leave. Trust me on this--do not weigh yourself! Also, take sandals or loose shoes to wear home because your toes are going to be sausages and regular shoes will be painful.

Oh, and I had laparascopic surgery, even with such a large tumor. My biggest incision was an inch long. I was back on the treadmill (walking at a 3 mile pace) in two weeks.

I had a partial (I have my cervix and ovaries) done at Brigham and Women's by Dr Walsh (an expert in the field) due to fibroids. Recovery was a breeze and I did not need any pain medication after I left the hospital. It was day surgery. I took one week off from work. Five days after surgery I was back to walking 4 or 5 miles a day. I have a one inch scar on my belly. The other incisions were in my belly button and another one blends with the stretch marks. I have no regrets doing it.

She is 31 yrs old, not 50, she is 4.5 hrs drive straight highway from BWH that has been the leading institution in fibroid research for the last 40 years and were advocating against hysterectomy even 20 yrs ago.

These are all the treatment options,

http://www.fibroids.net/fibroids.html

Nina,
I am not try to put you down. I just have seen many female friends and relatives given similar advice and when they have explored their options and had second opinions in different institutions they were happy they did not had a hysterectomy. You were just told about it a week ago. It is scary and upsetting at this stage. You are very young and such an operation brings many hormonal changes. Most of the others who found it great they are 20 yrs older than yourself. Plus, when we take an action, we try not to second guess it because then we would feel guilt/upset that we did not have the opportunity/option to do what the other person can do now with modern technology. Yes, you are not a child, you are an adult. That does not make any difference as females are vibrant people who want to have a full life to their 80+.

Getting a hysterectomy doesn't mean you will definitely have hormonal changes if the ovaries are healthy. I had two fibroids and tried birth control to stop or slow down bleeding. It had the reverse effect and I hemorrhaged. The OP doesn't want opinions on whether it's the right thing to do or not. I didn't either. I was tired of what I was going through and wanted it to stop. End of story.

To the OP, if you are or you become anemic it may take you a bit longer to recover and get back to exercise but you can still do a lot to make sure that you eat well. I lost a few pounds and considering I was at the mercy of my husband's cooking that's kind of a miracle. You might consider making several meals to put in the freezer and writing up a list of groceries for someone to pick up for you when you need to restock the kitchen with healthy food. You may not have much of an appetite for a week or longer.

My second bit of advice is to read all you can on hystersisters.com. It's an amazing site full of women who are either preparing for or recovering from hysterectomy. Feel free to add me as a friend and message me if you'd like to discuss this further. I had my LAVH in November so it's all still very fresh in my mind. I wish you a fast and uncomplicated recovery. Just try to do your best to focus on healing and nourishing your body and everything will fall into place as far as your weight.