Cheryl’s Vaginal Hysterectomy

Vaginal Hysterectomy
Age at Surgery 28
Location: Marshfield wisconsin

After having mostly light and short periods, I started having crazy long periods. Then I started having multiple periods per month. Eventually I ended up passing a really large blood clot, and it completely freaked me out. I went to the ER and was told I should have a D and C. They said with the procedure it would be like starting over with a new uterus. I was put on birth control to keep everything regular and calm. I was 21 at the time and my doctor told me that at some point I would probably end up needing a hysterectomy. I wasn’t worried though because in my mind I was convinced that hysterectomies were for old ladies.

The first year after the d and c and birth control was lovely. My periods seemed to be back to normal. I felt like it really was a fresh new uterus. It only lasted a year though. I started having really long and uncomfortable periods again. Then I started passing more and more clots. At some point, even with the birth control, I had a period that lasted two whole months. At this point my doctor suggested a hysterectomy. I wasn’t ready mentally though.

I thought maybe I could get my uterus to cooperate if I changed my diet and ate clean, healthy foods. I also thought my symptoms would lessen if I started exercising and lost some weight. No such luck (but I did lose 50 pounds). I tried different birth controls also with no luck. I asked my doctor about a uterine ablation. He said they typically don’t work for younger ladies. I tried different herbal things that all didn’t work. As I was trying all of these different things, my period was just becoming heavier and more painful. They were also becoming longer and unbearable. I became severely anemic and needed a blood transfusion after having a 72 day period. They tried to stop it with medications, but nothing worked. My period WOULD NOT STOP. I bled all the way until the day of surgery.

I was diagnosed with adenomyosis and fibroids in the end. I had a second and third opinion and was told the same things. A hysterectomy would be my best bet. So I went ahead and made an appointment for surgery.

I never stepped foot in the hospital. I had surgery across the street in the surgery center. Everyone there was so nice. I was very scared before surgery and they all did their very best to make me feel at ease.

I had a vaginal hysterectomy with regular anesthesia. They took my uterus cervix and one fallopian tube. I feel like I should tell you how much I weighed at the time of surgery because that was one of the things that scared me the most. I was very scared of the anesthesia because I was 330 pounds/149 kilograms.All of my worries were for nothing though because everything went as expected during surgery.No complications what so ever. It only took 1 hour!

I woke up in recovery in quite a bit of pain in my lower abdomen. I was pretty groggy at first and didn’t realize that all of the pain I was having was gas. Once I was fully awake I asked to get up and walk around. I was told that walking would help with gas pains.

They needed me too pee so they could measure my urine output versus what was still left in my bladder. The first time I had to pee I completely missed the hat! All of my urine went straight into the bowl and they had no idea how much I peed. The second time around I made it in the collection hat though. Then they did an ultrasound of my bladder to see how things were functioning. Everything was fine and I was free to go home.

I was a little apprehensive about going home only hours after surgery, but I knew that I was in good hands. My husband has worked in the medical field for 10 years. I was glad to be home. Being home I felt more comfortable to pass all the gas that was built up in my tummy. Every time I passed gas I would let my husband know and he would high five me in celebration. Hahaha! Gotta make things fun some how.

I had some pink spotting for a few days after surgery. I probably could have gotten away without even using a panty liner because the spotting never showed up on them, only on the toilet paper when I wiped. I was a little sluggish for a few days after surgery but I slowly regained my energy. After 6 weeks I went to the doctor. He said everything looked great and I could return to my normal activities. ALL of them.

I thought I would be scared to return to sex but I was so ready after so long of not having sex. With all the bleeding and everything going on for me before surgery it had been quite a while. I didn’t have any pain what so ever and sex was lovely. I also returned to the gym which was super. All in all recovery was pretty easy, and I am very grateful!

For the two years or so before surgery I was really suffering from lack of energy because of all of the bleeding. So, now I feel like a whole new person. I am very glad I had the surgery and  honestly wish I would have had it sooner. It has been about six months, and I feel great.

I don’t really have any advice for someone facing a hysterectomy, but I will say this: Ask any questions that pop into your mind. Your doctor gets paid a good amount of money so make use of the knowledge they have. Make sure you shop around. You don’t have to go with the first doctor that comes your way. And the Hystersisters website is full of very supportive ladies that make the journey much easier.