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.

I totally agree with evileen from the earlier post. Same experience and result. I had a fibroyd the size of a softball blocking the opening of my uterus. My periods were so heavy I was anemic. I jumped at the chance to have the hysterectomy and it has changed my life. I had it laparoscopically so minimallly invasive. Was back at work in 10 days and walking in 2 weeks. I gained little to no weight. I totally agree about not weighing yourself for a time. Feel better and do what is right for you and your body.
The freedom I have gained is priceless:)

you are not going to put the weight on if you stick to your food choices that helped you lose in the first place. I had HUGE ( even the doctor was impressed) fibroid .. had to have a complete hysterectomy... hang in there recovery takes a few weeks but you will be walking about ( is required after surgery) in no time. I was out camping four weeks after surgery. If they take the ovaries you will have hormonal changes but they can be managed fairly easily. You will be fine and in the long term will feel MUCH better with this gone. I was amazed at the difference I felt a few weeks after surgery...no bleeding, no pressure, no pain.. hang in there sweety you will do great

I had a cantalope sized fibriod and had a hysterectomy almost 10 years ago. I had no sudden weight gain afterwards. I think hormones play a part in that though. I still have my ovaries. Best wishes for you!

When I was 36 I had a hysterectomy. In 6 month's I grew a large grapefruit size tumor. They didn't give me an option. As fast as it grew they were afraid it was going to cause damage. They did mine laprascopic. I agree you can get up and move and eat smart and be back to yourself in no time. That was 16 years ago and I have never regreted the decision. I am now in the tail end of menopause. Get a second opion if you want to. I didn't and everything went wonderful. Best of luck.

I had one in March of 2009. They took my uterus and my cervix, I still have both ovaries so there are no hormonal issues (If your ovaries are healthy, there is no reason to remove them) It was the absolute best thing that I ever did for myself. Life is so much easier now. I feel like a new person.

As far as weight loss, I don't think the surgery itself affects it one way or the other, its what you do after your recovery period (6-8 weeks) is over that counts. There is no reason you can't slowly work yourself into an exercise routine afterwards. I currently do Strong Lifts 5x5 three times a week followed by additional weighted lunges and/or step-ups and a two mile walk (sometimes intervals). There is no way I'd be able to this workout if I had not had that surgery, because the pain was so debilitating and interfering with my job and my life. I can do so much more now than I ever could before.