A friend had one this summer for a uterine tumor. She spent years feeling terrible with lots of blood loss, anemia, etc. Her recovery took closer to 4-6 weeks, but she is feeling better than she has in more than 6 years.
K
I had an ablation years ago due to severe anemia/heavy periods. In 2017, my estradiol numbers were through the roof and would not come down with DIM. I also had a large complex cyst on an ovary that was getting larger with monitoring over a several months. 3 consultations yielded different opinions (1 thought the cyst was probably cancerous, 2 thought probably not but suspicious enough to remove ovary). After much contemplation, I ended up with a total hysterectomy, removing everything. I was done having kids, the crazy estradiol levels put me at higher risk of cancer, the ablation would make it harder to catch uterine cancer early, and one or both ovaries were likely generating the excess estradiol. Thankfully, there was no cancer, but my uterus was a mess. It was minimally invasive, but it still took quite a long time to fully heal. Per my surgeon, it generally takes a full year to feel perfectly normal. I was thrust into menopause about 6 months later after the estrogen levels finally went down. Not fun, but I do not regret my decision. Had I been younger and not as close to natural menopause, I would have likely opted to keep an ovary.
Hi Corie. I had a hysterectomy (uterus, tubes and cervix out), but retained my ovaries in May 2016. I originally went to my GYN seeking an ablation due to crazy heavy, painful periods that were getting worse. Turned out I had a pretty large benign uterine tumor and so having the ablation would have required first having several procedures to remove the tumor (which may have grown back) and the stats on the number of women who have ablation and then later have hysterectomy anyway (about 50%) were high enough that I opted to just have the hysterectomy. I opted for the robotic surgery and have only one tiny scar at my belly button that isn't really visible. I had about a week of hard recovery where things like getting up or down out of bed or coughing were awful, but was reasonably mobile from the start. After six weeks I was back to normal activity except things that put weight directly on my stomach (e.g., surfing). I have never had a single regret. Being period free is amazing. Everything else feels the same - no early onset menopause, no diminished sex drive or side effects. PM me if you want to chat more.
Thank you to everyone for posting and sharing information!!
I am having my hysterectomy (uterus, tubes and cervix out) TOMORROW!!! I am excited and nervous!!
Corie
"A smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight."
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P&PTs for everything to go smoothly, with an uneventful recovery!
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sending you good vibes for a speedy, easy recovery!