# My Doctor Wants Me to Have a Hysterectomy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 9, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628 "2016-02-09T17:47:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/61 "2016-02-14T16:25:26Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > It’s just a big bunch of “But I Don’t Wanna!” going on, I think. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head here. The cancer is enough to cope with; adding on the need for a hysterectomy is more than enough to put you into “I Don’t Wanna!” headspace. It really isn’t a big deal when looked at in the context of the rest of your life. You get to add in a little more exercise as the weeks progress, though the lifting thing is still in effect. And you’ll never have to worry about it again. Take care! ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/62 "2016-02-15T13:03:04Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > My hysterectomy was prompted by fibroids and excessive bleeding so not the same decision factors but I did have the robotic type removal with tiny incisions in the belly button and bikini line. Mine exactly except maybe that I had numerous fibroids and one wrapped around my tail bone-I dont regret it at all. I dont remember being off for 6 weeks though. I cant remember anything these days anyway. Mine was done in 1995 Just glad to be rid of all the problems associated with the whole “bits” process. Always have, terribly. Now if these people would come up with something to replace the hormones and what not that come with menopause. We older women should not be put out to pasture with men who go on sexually for years and years and decades… ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Norse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/big_norse/32/9954_2.png) [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/63 "2016-02-15T17:58:03Z")
I’m kind of jumping on the bandwagon here, but here’s my personal experience. I had a full on surgical hysterectomy (incision across the abdomen) because my uterus was too large for laser due to fibroids. I walked a mile two days after surgery and was back at work in two weeks. Weight training will be out for a while, but if you ease into things and listen to what your body tells you in terms of stressing out the area, I’ll bet you’ll be fine in a lot less than six weeks. It was worth it, and it sounds like in your situation it will be one less thing you’ll have to stress about in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/64 "2016-02-15T18:32:37Z")
When I had this operation years ago, I made an autologous self-directed blood donation some weeks before the scheduled surgery. Obviously this was a planned surgery, not an emergency. I’ve had numerous other surgeries before, and my recuperation from this one was faster than any other. Even the best managed surgery is going to result in some blood loss. Something to ask your doctor about. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/65 "2016-02-16T08:19:41Z")
> [@WildBlueYonder](#): > > Now if these people would come up with something to replace the hormones and what not that come with menopause. We older women should not be put out to pasture with men who go on sexually for years and years and > > decades… They have, it doesn’t work well for everybody but that’s what HRT stands for, “hormone replacement therapy”. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/66 "2016-02-16T15:57:08Z")
I spoke to Dr. K yesterday and he agrees I should get the hysterectomy. He did some bloodwork and will forward the results to Dr. T. I left a message with Dr. T’s nurse that I wanted to have this done the week of April 18. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/67 "2016-02-16T17:57:43Z")
Good decision. Hugs. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/68 "2016-02-16T18:13:40Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I spoke to Dr. K yesterday and he agrees I should get the hysterectomy. He did some bloodwork and will forward the results to Dr. T. I left a message with Dr. T’s nurse that I wanted to have this done the week of April 18. Good luck. Regarding robot surgery, it has great potential. But please confirm the doctor doing the surgery has a lot of experience and is not “training” on you. It’s quite different than conventional surgery and the robot manufacturers are pushing pretty hard to get doctors switched to the new way. [This](http://www.sages.org/publications/guidelines/consensus-document-robotic-surgery/) is a good overview. This [article](http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304703104575173952145907526) outlines the controversies: > [@](#): > > Some surgeons with extensive robotic experience say it takes at least 200 surgeries to become proficient at the da Vinci and reduce the risks of surgical complications. That’s difficult for surgeons at smaller hospitals to achieve. > > Jim Hu, a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston who has done more than 1,000 surgeries with the robot, says it takes a urologist anywhere from 250 to 700 cases to master it. Dr. Hu considers the da Vinci a clear benefit for experienced surgeons, saying, “You can do a better job.” But he cautions it can do more harm than good when used without adequate training. I’m not a doctor, and I am not opposed to this technology. I’m just recommending you get an experienced surgeon if you go the robot root. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/69 "2016-02-16T18:30:13Z")
Dr. T did say I couldn’t have the procedure at my hometown hospital because it has to be when she and another doctor are both available. I’ll have to go to a hospital in Orlando proper, not Orlando(ish.) ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/70 "2016-04-23T13:55:01Z")
Surgery went fine, I spent the night in the hospital and came home Thursday. My insicsions look normal, and I have the good pain meds, the ones that ease the pain but don’t put me out like a light. I took a shower and walked down to the end of the driveway and back three times yesterday and I’d like to walk to the post office today, if my jailer…ahem, Ivylad, permits. 😉 I woke up this morning not needing a pain pill (it’s hard to describe. The kidney stone was worse. This is more like a general feeling of discomfort) but I won’t try to bluff it out. So, I’m officially half a woman now. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/71 "2016-04-23T14:07:37Z")
Did you get a pillow to hug to your belly if you cough or laugh? That was my biggest problem when I was recovering. Altho mine wasn’t laparoscopic, so I had the long incision down my belly. It’s been almost 30 years, but honestly, I don’t recall any major issues during recovery. Take it easy and don’t try to rush the healing! ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/72 "2016-04-23T15:12:28Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > So, I’m officially half a woman now. 🙂 No - you’re all woman, and you’re a hell of a woman, too. You’re doing what you have to do to stay healthy, ivylass. That’s what winners, do. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/73 "2016-04-23T16:20:06Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Did you get a pillow to hug to your belly if you cough or laugh? That was my biggest problem when I was recovering. Altho mine wasn’t laparoscopic, so I had the long incision down my belly. It’s been almost 30 years, but honestly, I don’t recall any major issues during recovery. Take it easy and don’t try to rush the healing! No long incision, just three little horizontal cuts, one right in my navel. I’m just feeling a little wobbly is all. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2016, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/74 "2016-04-25T03:25:04Z")
Mend well. You know your body, don’t push it at all but do enough moving around to keep you happy. But if the incision is icky at all take all precautions necessary to be good to yourself. I don’t know if you have a hate on for vacuuming (I do) but as Romanperson said waaaay up thread that can be strenuous. 12 years later my c-section incision hurts if i do too much of it. I live in an apartment with low pile carpeting, if i vacuum every other day it isn’t too bad, but when I try with a whole big house with fluffy carpets I end up in serious pain. ---
**Author:** ![Grrlbrarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrlbrarian/32/4048_2.png) [@Grrlbrarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrlbrarian)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/75 "2016-04-25T18:11:02Z")
Best wishes, **ivylass**! I’m glad you’re already on the mend. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/76 "2016-04-27T01:55:14Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > No - you’re all woman, and you’re a hell of a woman, too. You’re doing what you have to do to stay healthy, ivylass. That’s what winners, do. Freakin’ this. x1000. Love you. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/77 "2016-04-27T19:58:29Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > So, I’m officially half a woman now. 🙂 LOL! My wife says she doesn’t miss any of that crap they took out of her! Happy healing! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/78 "2016-04-27T22:31:25Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > LOL! > > My wife says she doesn’t miss any of that crap they took out of her! Happy healing! Oh yes - someone asked me if I was upset about losing a uterus, and I said, “No, it’s not like I was using it or anything.” I think most of us older ladies are all right with it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/79 "2016-04-28T00:39:09Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > So, I’m officially half a woman now. 🙂 Nah, now you’re a custom model. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628/80 "2016-04-28T05:51:53Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Oh yes - someone asked me if I was upset about losing a uterus, and I said, “No, it’s not like I was using it or anything.” I think most of us older ladies are all right with it. 🙂 I’m 33 and I’d have mine out in a fuckin’ heartbeat. But in keeping with women not knowing what’s best for ourselves, us child-bearing vehicles might regret not being able to fulfill our God-mandated duty so we rarely have that privilege. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-wants-me-to-have-a-hysterectomy/745628.md?page=5)