Leslee’s Robotic Hysterectomy

daVinci Robotic Hysterectomy
Age at Surgery 37
Location: Choctaw, OK USA

I had uterine fibroids that bled for about a year and a half. It started off gradually, spotting between periods and periods lasting an extra day or two, but gradually it all blended together and I was just bleeding nonstop. My mom dealt with the same issue at this age, and she put off surgery for 4 years. I did not want to wait that long, so when my doctor suggested hysterectomy, I jumped at the chance.

The surgery wasn’t bad. I stayed in the hospital for 1 night and went home the following morning. I don’t know exactly what anesthesia I was given, but I was knocked completely out and it seemed to be the blink of an eye when I woke up again. I had good nurses who stayed on top of my pain management, and lots of friends and family messaging me well wishes and funny pictures.

Recovery was okay — it was going pretty smoothly until I got a bad cold a couple of days after going home, and wound up with a nasty cough for 2 weeks. If I hadn’t had the cough, I’m sure I would have felt better sooner. I also dealt with some pretty bad constipation in the days after I came home. I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH: GO BUY SOME DULCOLAX SUPPOSITORIES BEFORE YOU EVEN GO IN TO SURGERY. YOU WILL MOST LIKELY NEED THEM, AND THEY WORK BETTER THAN ANYTHING.

I felt human again after about 2 weeks, bled/spotted off and on as I healed for about 5-6 weeks, gradually resumed normal activities (including sex) after about 6 weeks, and felt fully healed at about 4 months.

My health has been so much better since the hysterectomy. I would absolutely do it all over again. The scariest part was the anticipation, but once it was all over, it was all uphill. I will say that I did gain a bit of weight in the couple of months immediately after the surgery, probably because I was a bit scared and didn’t wanna overexert myself while I healed, so I made a habit of sitting on the couch all day (haha). A sedentary healing process + an especially cold and wet winter this year means I’ve got some work to do now that it’s spring and I’m fully healed. I’ve never been overweight by any stretch of the imagination, so it’s kinda funny seeing a round little potbelly when I look down.

A big one that I know a lot of women wonder about but it’s a bit taboo to talk about; the sex is fine. It’s better than fine, it’s great. The hubby and I have always enjoyed an active sex life, and being sans uterus hasn’t slowed us down. That first time after I was cleared to resume intercourse was a bit scary because I didn’t know if it would hurt or not, but it was wonderful. No problems at all. And I don’t have to worry about bleeding or hurting afterward anymore like I used to, so that’s a definite plus.

Don’t be scared. I know that’s easier said than done, but you’re in good company. It’s a very common, very safe procedure. Recovery takes a bit of time, and it’ll seem to go on forever while you’re in the middle of it, but it’ll all be behind you in no time, and you’ll be so glad you had it done. And remember that you’ve got a community of women right here to help you out and talk to you any time you need it.

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