How To Thrive After Hysterectomy – My Partial Hysterectomy Story

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Shaunda Necole- How To Thrive Trough A Hysterectomy Surgery Today, Starting With A Farewell Party For Your Angry Uterus— Bye, Felicia!

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This one time at cheer camp— A mom I met from my daughter’s then cheer team asked me if The Mister and I planned on having any more children.

I said no, without hesitation!

At that time, he and I were already consumed with raising the kids we have, blending families, traveling, getting to know each other and all that new relationship stuff.

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Bye, Felicia! Farewell Party for my uterus before hysterectomy

 

Then about an hour later, I remembered the *real* reason why we weren’t having any more kids— not even by accident. 

When I told her that I had forgotten that I couldn’t have any more kids because my tubes were tied, we both looked at each other and burst into laughter! 

“How could you forget something like that?” she asked. “I dunno,” I said, wiping away my laughing tears from the corners of my eyes.

 

Get your free hysterectomy party printable! 

 

 

Busy living the dash

If you’ve never met me offline, then you probably don’t know that I was married once before I met The Mister. 

I’ve never shared this here or on social media before. My first husband died unexpectedly in a sudden car crash. I became a widow in my twenties with two small children— still so unbelievable and so surreal.

This tragedy was that pivotal point in my life where I had a rude awakening to the reality that we only have one life to live— and it could be a short one. The timing is in no way up to us. I made up my mind then that no matter how long of a life I lived, what is up to me is how I choose to extend the dash in between the years commemorating life and death.

I made up my mind that no matter the time span in between those years, my dash would be long and extended. My *one* life was going to be my best life! No regrets and no looking back. At the end of my story, they’d always be able to say, “Man, she did it all!”

So you see how I could have forgotten that I couldn’t have any more kids. I was living the dash! I had “closed the factory” after my son was born. I was too busy living life with no look-backs.

#AintNoHollaBackGirl!

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Farewell Uterus Party for Hysterectomy: Factory Closed

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Farewell Uterus Party for Hysterectomy: DIY Photo Signs

 

Factory closed

Fast forward some 15 years or so to the present day, and I remember again that there will be no more babies out of me. This time I remember because I’m about to have my uterus removed in a hysterectomy surgery. 

I was catching up with my agent, and she had a handful of questions about why I need a hysterectomy. 

Why are you having a hysterectomy?

Are you in pain?

Is hysterectomy major surgery?

What happens to your body when you have a hysterectomy?

What about your periods after— can you have a period without a uterus?

That’s when it hit me. There are millions of women, like me, who have no idea what’s really involved in a hysterectomy procedure until we are faced with the decision to have one ourselves. I decided that I wanted to share this journey with as many women as I can because many of us still have many questions about hysterectomies, even though it’s common among many women.

In this post, I want to answer these questions and more. 

I’m into my third-week post-surgery and finally feeling the closest to my normal self again. I learned along the way that there are several beneficial recovery tips that the doctors and nurses don’t tell you upon release from the hospital. I don’t know why they leave you to figure these things out on your own?

I had this conversation with my doctor’s nurse, who agreed with me that the post-op nurses leave out a lot of valuable information. Although, this begs the question that if she already knows that they are remiss in sharing helpful post-op info, why doesn’t she educate her patients herself?

Anyhow, I’m here to share with you what I didn’t know sooner. 

I hope that if you come across this article, it will be useful to you on your hysterectomy journey, too.

 

 

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Farewell Uterus Party for Hysterectomy: Bet you're glad that's Ovar-ies!

 

Pre-surgery & a farewell party for my uterus— “Bye, Felicia!”

I hosted a party at one of my favorite restaurants with my favorite girlfriends to say, “Bye, Felicia” to my angry uterus! 

Why was my uterus so angry? Because it’s had to deal with pesky painful fibroids growing all over it for the last three years. 

 

Sometimes the fibroids would cause lots of pressure, pain and extremely heavy-flow periods, once even putting me down for a week. I waited three years before deciding to have a hysterectomy surgery. 

 

What happens if uterine fibroids go untreated?

In my wait, the fibroids only got MUCH bigger. 

There are less invasive options to have fibroids removed, lasered away, or controlled (potentially), but the only sure way to rid them for good without the worry of them coming back is with a hysterectomy procedure. After three years of my uterine fibroids only getting worse, I made my decision to proceed with a hysterectomy surgery.

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Farewell Uterus Party for a Happy Hysterectomy Party

 

 

 

I would suggest to anyone having a hysterectomy to send off their uterus with a farewell celebration! 

My uterus and I have been through so much together— the “big red” starting when I was 12, two pregnancies, two births, fibroids and tons of monthlies! 

A celebration is also an opportunity for friends to show their support for your operation. It’s also a good time for you to answer their questions about why you need a hysterectomy. Post-op, you’ll be resting and won’t want much company right away. It’s normal to be very tired after.

As my friends and more importantly, as women, they completely understood my pain and my decision to undergo this procedure.

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Happy Hysterectomy Photo Props

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Party at Varia Norfolk Hilton The Main

 

We said, “Cheers!” and toasted to cancelling my monthly subscription! No more monthly cycles after a hysterectomy!

To prepare for my party, the only thing I made, other than dinner reservations, were these cute little farewell signs.

I used computer paper, my printer, laminating machine and paper straws (getting rid of the uterus, but saving the dolphins with the paper straws.) 😉 The invitations were created in minutes and sent out with the Hobnob app electronically. 

Then I picked out a party dress and showed-up! I was already practicing doing the least— which is the recipe to follow after surgery. I’m glad that I took the time (an hour, if that) to make the photo signs. They were the perfect party favors to compliment the restaurant’s table setting, and the life of the party for my guests.

 

 

 

Hysterectomy Party Photo Booth Signs Free Printable Download

 

Get your free hysterectomy “Goodbye Uterus!” party printable! 

 

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Farewell Uterus Party for Hysterectomy: Guests and Party Favors

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Farewell Uterus Party for Hysterectomy: I'm so Ova you!

 

 

SheIn dress  |  Wild Fable shirt  |  Gucci belt  |  Dr. Martens boots  |  similar Betsey Johnson skull bracelet  |  Free People earrings  |  similar Etsy ring  |  Givenchy lipstick  |

 

For more ideas for your goodbye uterus party, check out this post HERE.

Surgery day & officially breaking up with my uterus

The morning of surgery day was a breeze. No bathing with anything other than water. No cosmetics or makeup, and no food after midnight. 

I had already spent the previous week doing everything from washing and folding all of my laundry, mopping all the floors, bathing the dog, redecorating and organizing my bathroom and closet— basically anything that I knew I could not do around the house after surgery. 

I was only a little nervous the day of about the unknown (damn subconscious mind), but not too much worried. The friendly hospital staff immediately eased my nerves, and I had The Mister, my mom and my daughter by my side.

They sometimes call this procedure a partial hysterectomy because you keep your ovaries, while your uterus and fallopian tubes are removed (my fallopian tubes I had tied and burnt 17 years ago in the tubal ligation procedure right after my son was born).  

Most women, including myself, keep their ovaries in today’s hysterectomy procedures. If the ovaries are healthy, they can be kept. Keeping them prevents escalation into early menopause— and that’s NOT what we want right now!

Anyhow, they gave me my “cocktail” as they called it. I remember the nurses rolling me into the operating room— and then I woke up after it was all done!

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Sentara Leigh Hospital hysterectomy surgery

 

This is the part where my story takes a left turn, and nothing feels normal…

Unlike the other women I read about and talked with that shared their post-hysterectomy stories, NO ONE told me about the uber PAINFUL post-op gases. 

They said that after surgery, the gases that they fill your body with during surgery will be uncomfortable, and mostly I heard it cramps in your back and shoulders. 

Let me be the one to tell you that this pain was worse than contractions, ladies!

Not just in my shoulders, which defiantly made it uncomfortable to rest or sleep. The pain I experienced was like a baby elephant sitting on my chest— no, more like a herd of baby elephants stampeding through my chest trying to escape! 

The nurses told me this pain from the surgical gases is not the same for everyone (also probably why no one told me). Lucky me— I drew the straw for the most painful end of the spectrum, and this pain lasted ALL NIGHT!

Ask anyone that knows me; I have a high tolerance for pain (i.e., two c-section births with no epidurals, y’all). 

But this type of pain was heart attack style in my back and chest at the same time, and there wasn’t anything that the doctors or nurses could do. 

We just had to let the surgery gases “escape on their own.” I literally howled and screamed in my hospital room all night. I don’t know what the neighboring patients thought was going on in my room! 

Thankfully, I was blessed to have THE BEST team of night nurses who were right by my side with heat packs and massages— which is all that they could do.

 

Should you stay at the hospital overnight & should your husband stay overnight with you?

Today, many women go home within hours of a hysterectomy. I’m not sure how one would go home only hours after this major surgery. 

I stayed overnight. If it weren’t for the uncomfortable hospital bed (also partially due to the horrible surgery gases exiting my body), I would have stayed one more night for around-the-clock care. Your husband doesn’t need to stay with you overnight. The Mister came back in the morning and took me home in the afternoon, the day after my surgery.

The gases had escaped by the wee hours of that same morning. One huge hurdle I was over.

 

Do and don’t after hysterectomy:

Nurse Jenny, a post-surgery RN, read my article and left this helpful comment I want to share.

“I’m a post surgery RN. The gases you are describing do not come from your intestines or gut. These gases are used during a laparoscopic procedure to blow up the abdominal cavity ( the area between your skin layers and organs) so the surgeon can place a camera through one incision and the tools to remove or repair organs through the other incisions. Most laparoscopic procedures have anywhere from 3 to 6 small abdominal incisions.

The only way to get rid of this abdominal cavity GAS is to walk after surgery- this helps the body reabsorb the gases which decreases pain. The more you walk after surgery the faster the gases are reabsorbed which equals less pain and faster recovery. So when RNs ask you to walk after surgery, please listen.

Walking after any type of surgery helps the patient with blood flow, oxygenation, prevents pneumonia, builds bones back together and much more… Also eating protein after surgery helps repair skin, muscle and bones back together. Don’t eat a lot of sweets while trying to heal after surgery- bacteria loves sugar!! Hope this helps!!”

 

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Recovery Time Tips Stomach Pictures, Hysterectomy pictures of stomach after
Laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery incisions

 

 

 

How painful is laparoscopic hysterectomy? I’ve got 99 problems but a uterus aint one!

Yes, post-surgery and I had 99 problems— at least I felt like I did! For the sake of this post already being LONG, I’ll only concentrate on the core things that I wasn’t prepared for.

How come I didn’t I feel like I could go on a brief, day after surgery outing like the other women I talked to and read about post-hysterectomy? 

I felt like crap— and that’s saying a lot for me being that smiling’s my favorite! 

 

Laparoscopic hysterectomy: what is the incision site & is it noticeable?

What is the exact procedure I had done? I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy like the other women I knew and read about. In a laparoscopic procedure, most women have only four less-invasive pen-hole scars after their surgery.

I had those same scars on my stomach, plus an incision horizontal across my two-time giving birth, c-section incision— the one with 20 years of scar tissue underneath it! This extra cut happened to me because, in my doctor’s words, I had “a very impressive uterus.” 

 

ShaundaNecole.com - Post Hysterectomy Recovery

 

What size fibroids should be removed and how many pounds is a uterus?

Because of all the fibroids attached to it, my gynecologist said my uterus was 952 grams compared to an average-sized uterus at 76 grams. Wowza!

This third opening of my incision is why I felt so terrible. They had to cut me to get that baby-sized uterus out! And now I had more healing to do than most.

I didn’t make it out of the house for an “outing” until two weeks after surgery. 

I did go to see my doctor before my two-week check-up. I went because I was in so much pain, especially on my right side after every time I ate. 

My doctor said I had a small blood clot, but insisted it was normal and I shouldn’t worry— wait, what?! 

He said the pain was also from internal bruising next to the blood clot and my intestine. 

 

Things to buy before your hysterectomy: care package & recovery kit

Here’s the one thing my doctor recommended, along with everything else you should know, and what I wish I had known before surgery that I now know!

Hysterectomy recovery tips & what I learned during my two weeks of hard recovery:

1. Get Lularoe brand leggings- hysterectomy pants is what I call them. These are what to wear after your hysterectomy, and part of your hysterectomy recovery kit! Many ladies love Lularoe and look amazing wearing their fashions. They’re not my everyday jam, but post-surgery, Lularoe’s are the best thing ever! No elastic waistband to bother your incisions and soft like butta’! 

—I learned this pre-surgery online and bought seven new leggings for $5 each via the OfferUp app from a Lularoe consultant going out of business.

 

2. Get a belly band. While I don’t wear this anymore, I thought it was the best thing ever the first-week post-surgery. Because of the size of my uterus, I lost 2 pounds in belly mass! However, my tummy still felt tender and jelly-like. The belly band firms you up and is excellent for walking support.

It may also help with the question many women ask, “Will your stomach go down after a hysterectomy?” 

—I learned this pre-surgery online and wore it for about a week.

 

 

 

Hysterectomy Recovery Stomach Pictures Abdominal Binder Belly Band

 

3. Drink LOTS of water. Water is good for 100 million reasons, including help with movement, flow and the c-word (constipation) after surgery!

—I learned this post-surgery when reading online reviews about my next tip.

 

4. Get a stool softener. —Learned this pre-surgery online, and it’s true. I drank lots of water (see above tip) and only had to use these two or three days.

 

5. Take ibuprofen. It helps with swelling and obviously pain, but the side effect post-surgery is why you need tip number 4 and lots of water!

—My doc prescribed me ibuprofen, although I read online and had a friend tell me the same, that no one at the hospital told them to take ibuprofen post-surgery! They had to learn about it on their own after days of pain— Poor things!

 

6. Get a heating pad. Especially if you have an extra incision like me. I still sleep with my electric heating pad every night, as my doctor suggested I do.

—I learned this post-surgery. My doctor didn’t tell me to use a heating pad until AFTER I came for that early post-surgery visit to his office!

 

Get your free hysterectomy party printable! 

 

 

7. You may not be able to eat solid foods right away. It was about five days after surgery before I could eat solid foods. I wanted them! But my body wouldn’t hold ’em down. My doctor prescribed medication for nauseousness, but just like when I was pregnant, it didn’t work!

—I learned this post-surgery in the hospital when even soup wouldn’t stay down.

 

8. Saltine crackers for the win! These stayed down, so I would eat them before taking my ibuprofen. —Another post-surgery figure-out!

 

9. Ginger ale is your friend. Helps with nausea AND the release of any last gases from surgery trying to escape.

—Again, a post-surgery lesson learned.

 

10. Get a massage. I had a massage as my first outing two weeks after my hysterectomy. The masseuse had to modify my service because they can’t have you lay on your stomach until after six weeks post-op. Still, it was the best thing ever, and I started to feel like I was on the mend!

 

11. Walk— and I don’t mean for miles and not even power-style. In weeks one and two, I would walk the deck in my back yard when I was letting out Prince George, my puppy. Walking helps the healing and loosening of the incisions.

—Walking is THE ONE THING that the hospital and doctor’s office did tell me *pre-surgery*. Oh, and yes, to their credit, they did prescribe the ibuprofen, too!

 

12. Wear supportive shoes when you do go out. I’ve been wearing my comfy Birkenstocks everywhere from the porch to the doctor’s office, and probably because they slip right on and also I keep them by the front door. Today I wore a pair of really flat sandals, and I felt the hard, concrete walk. While these sandals are a fave of mine and never felt this way before, I need supportive shoes for the time being.

—No-one told me this one either, but maybe it’s a common-sense thing!

 

Shopping list for hysterectomy

Download your free hysterectomy recovery care package shopping list HERE!

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Norfolk Mermaids in the hospital

 

 

Lularoe leggings  |  Belly band  |  Heating pad  |  Birkenstock sandals  | Motivational timeline water bottle | Mermaid blanket

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Hysterectomy recommendations: Lularoe leggings & belly band
Lularoe (hysterectomy pants I call them)

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Hospital floral arrangement after hysterectomy

 

Life after hysterectomy & no more cramping my style!

I’m a few days over the three-week mark as of today— Yay me! 

I knew this was going to be major surgery, but my recovery has been more than I anticipated. 

 

Hysterectomy for fibroids recovery time

As of yesterday, my incision feels loose, and I no longer feel like I’m walking around with a tight elastic band stretched between my old uterus space and my breast bone.

It’s normal to be very tired after a hysterectomy, but now I can deep-sleep through the night again without waking up to anguishing stomach pain. Truly a relief!

At week two, I had two outings. One was my massage with a group of influencers in my area to experience and promote a local day spa. I agreed to this pre-surgery and was so fortunate on the timing!

For my second outing, I was a panelist speaker at a women’s conference, and even wore boots with heels to the event (Yaasss, Prince)! 

 

 

 

ShaundaNecole.com- Hysterectomy Party

 

I had such a fantastic time being out and about socializing that I forgot that I was a patient! It was so good to feel like myself again.

I’m taking a cruise in week six, and I can’t wait! Once again, it’s a work thing (no kidding), and I’m blessed again on the timing.  

Even if you don’t believe me that it’s a working cruise, it’d be hard to hate on ‘lil ole me– the lady with the extra hard recovery!

Remember my hysterectomy story when I share my posts from the cruise— and know that your girl earned this one!

Read all about my cruise and life after hysterectomy recovery HERE!

 

“Keep taking time for yourself until you’re you again.” —Lalah Delia

 

Is life better after a hysterectomy?

Heck yeah! Having a hysterectomy is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself!

If a good friend were considering a hysterectomy, I would suggest going through with it if they weren’t considering having children.

How do I feel about my surgery today?

My surgery 100% improved my previous symptoms.

I feel so much freer! Free from period pain and free from a monthly cycle to slow me down.

The fibroids are gone, and I no longer deal with the monthly pelvic pain and pressure, cramping from heavy menstrual bleeding, or excessive bleeding from a uterus in stress.

It’s easier to savor and enjoy every moment. I was 41 at the time of surgery, and I feel like I’m thriving in the years after today!

 

PLEASE NOTE: The information in this post should not be construed as providing specific medical advice, but rather to offer you information through the lens of my personal experience. It’s not intended to provide an alternative to professional treatment or replace a physician’s services.

 

For more happy hysterectomy stories, check out these posts:

1. How Having A Hysterectomy Changed My Life Forever

2. Identifying What Matters to Hysterectomy Patients: Postsurgery Perceptions, Beliefs, and Experiences

3. Why I Had A Hysterectomy At Age 36 & I’ve Never Regretted It

 

 

 

 

Post Hysterectomy Surgery Vacation In Belize

 

Get your free hysterectomy “Goodbye Uterus!” party printable! 

 

 

Do you know someone who could benefit from this story?

Share it with them & Pin the below image to your Pinterest hysterectomy board!

 

Ideas To Celebrate Your Hysterectomy Surgery

 

 

You may also like:

Happy Hysterectomy Party! How To Celebrate With A Farewell Party For Your Angry Uterus— Say “Bye, Felicia!” With A Virtual Party Until It’s Safe To Gather Again

Should You Have A Hysterectomy For Fibroids? Different Types Of Uterine Fibroid Symptoms & Hysterectomy Procedures: What to Expect In Recovery Week By Week

Robotic Partial Hysterectomy Recovery List: 12 Must Have Items Starting With Day 1 After Surgery: Everything No One Tells You— Not Even Your Doctor

 

 

 

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62 Comments

  1. I’m so sorry that you had so much post-surgery pain. That would probably be my luck too. After learning your whole story I think you’re an even more remarkable person than I did before. Your positive attitude is incredible. I understand now why you always try to fit so much into a day. Keep shining your light!✨

    1. Thank you so kindly for your kind sentiments! You’ve opened my eyes to why I try to fit so much into a day, too! Of course I know my own story, but sometimes it takes someone else to connect the dots on why we do the things that we do— Thank you!

  2. Such a great idea when you have to get rid of something to party with the people you love! How creative!

  3. Sounds like silver linings and rainbows ahead! I haven’t had a hysterectomy, but have had surgeries for angry uterus and ovaries, and that chest and shoulder pain from the gases is no joke!

  4. So glad to see someone talking about a hysto in a joyful way. When I had mine 10 years ago, I couldn’t find anything online that was positive. It was all dramatic and scary in the forum I found. I had a very easy time and enjoy the freedom so much. Thank you for this- you will help a lot of ladies just being open and encouraging.

    1. Thank you very much for your comment, Kayte. I feel the same as you do after having mine, and share exactly your sentiments- I wanted to share everything I “didn’t know” with as many women as possible so they would know! I’m sorry this type of message wasn’t available when you needed it, too.

  5. I could never have children..and had a hysterectomy in my mid-30s. I had endometriosis, and had suffered from just 1 miscarriage. My late husband and I took no chances. Until I set up a hysterectomy, we did the condom thing 2 more years. It was the best thing I’ve ever done.

    1. Mya, I’m so sorry you had a rough time before your hysterectomy, and my condolences for your loss. I’m happy to hear that on the other side of your surgery you have emerged with a “best thing I ever did” story! God bless you!

  6. Thank you for sharing. I am making my decision about “saying goodbye” soon. Lot’s of info and good ideas.

    1. I’m happy to hear you are feeling better. That is such a major surgery. What a great thing to write about this will help many women.

  7. Awesome of you to share your experience. Really useful to many people. Brave of you to go through it.

  8. I’m so glad I found your post! I had a laparoscopic surgery during infertility treatments 15 years ago and distinctly remember that pain from the gas. Now I’m gettting ready to have a hysterectomy in 2 weeks and was hoping to find some positive words and helpful tips. Thank you for providing both. ❤️

  9. You look amazing and your idea to say goodbye by throwing a
    Party is a great idea. We as women sometimes can feel less when they take that out. You have showed women you are phenomenal because
    You yourself is.

  10. What a great way to celebrate the end of your angry uterus! Good thing for other women to know.

  11. i didnt have fibroids i had a baseball size cyst on one ovary and one starting on the other.the doctor said we can do just a partial i said no cause im nor taking any chances you go in there and remove everything.i wasnt taking a chance of having to go back in…yes i was in pain also they gave me pain meds through iv after surgery for like 4 hrs then shut me off..then gave me tylenol after that.they made me get out of bed when i didnt want too and walk the halls cause they was sending me home tomorrow.i had trouble at first so they wheelchaired me back to my room and put me in bed..next morning i woke up i was in some pain but i got up walked to bathroom.then took a shower got cleaned up and told the nurse i would be more comfy in my own bed since hospital beds are hard.doctor came in saw me examined me wrote orders and my follow up and out the door i went…i was put on bed rest though for 2 weeks though but i was ok…i slowly got better and i take my daily hormone pills…no more uterus yaaa

    1. Sally, my experience at the hospital was similar to yours with the pain. I’m happy to hear you had a quick recovery after surgery. And yay— no more uterus! Thank you for sharing your story here with me and every woman reading that needed to hear from you.

  12. This was an awesome article with some great tips. I am almost 2 weeks post-op. Unfortunately, for me they nicked my bladder and I had to wear a Foley catheter for a week. Most of the tips you talked about in your article my OB had previously discussed with me and my night nurses were awesome. I really love the party you had before surgery. I wished I had of read this before surgery that would have been a good idea for me and my girls. Thanks for your great tips and honesty about your journey. Stacy

    1. Stacy, I’m so happy you found my post helpful. I’m wishing you a speedy and well rested recovery. Also, it’s not too late to have that party! Celebrate with your favorite gals once you’ve recovered! (It’s a big celebration having no more periods, LOL!)

  13. First I am sorry that you had to go through this. I am glad that you chose to share your story. Women need to keep shining a light on medical issues like thus. Thank you.

    1. Thank you so kindly, Debbie! Yes, my thoughts exactly- I wanted to help as many women as I can with what I experienced because it helps me so much when other women share with me!!

  14. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am an 11 year survivor of uterine cancer, I’d had a biopsy 3 months before my hysterectomy and was told that my fibroid tumors were acting up. When my uterus was removed, the tumors “looked odd” for fibroids. When they were sent for analysis the results were a sarcoma in my uterine muscle, not wall. It was a very aggressive and rare cancer. I’m happy to say that year after year my screening comes back negative. I really wish that I’d been able to talk to someone who’d had a hysterectomy before undergoing the surgery myself. Many of the things that you have brought up in your blog are so true, the most important thing you can do is take time for yourself to heal both physically and emotionally.

    1. Wow, Sanlyn- You’re a warrior! I truly appreciate you sharing your story here today. Every place we can share helps anther woman through this complicated journey. Thank you!

  15. I’m a post surgery RN. The gases you are describing do not come from your intestines or gut. These gases are used during a laparoscopic procedure to blow up the abdominal cavity ( the area between your skin layers and organs) so the surgeon can place a camera through one incision and the tools to remove or repair organs through the other incisions. Most laparoscopic procedures have anywhere from 3 to 6 small abdominal incisions. The only way to get rid of this abdominal cavity GAS is to walk after surgery- this helps the body reabsorb the gases which decreases pain. The more you walk after surgery the faster the gases are reabsorbed which equals less pain and faster recovery. So when RNs ask you to walk after surgery, please listen. Walking after any type of surgery helps the patient with blood flow, oxygenation, prevents pneumonia, builds bones back together and much more… Also eating protein after surgery helps repair skin, muscle and bones back together. Don’t eat a lot of sweets while trying to heal after surgery- bacteria loves sugar!! Hope this helps!!

    1. Hi, Nurse Jenny! I’m so thankful you stopped by to share your expertise. I’m going to place your comment higher in the article for more women to see. Much appreciated! – Shaunda

  16. This was a great piece! Super information! I said ‘bye Felicia’ in October! You nailed the part about the gases. That pain was REAL. Glad you are well. Blessings!

  17. Thanks for sharing your experience. You were wise after dealing with fibroids for that long. I’m glad you were able to get back to normal after a relatively short period of time and hate you had such pain post op.
    I had a hysterectomy a couple of years ago and recovered from the surgery fairly easily however my hot flashes to date are horrible. I’m glad you were able to keep your ovaries.

    1. Hi, Christy! Thank you kindly for stopping by and sharing a comment. Yes, I’m also happy about being able to keep my ovaries. I pray that your hot flashes become more manageable, or better yet simply go away!

  18. uterine fibroid is a tumor and causes many health-related issues sometimes it causes infertility but its treatment is easy holistic approaches are the most successful treatments.

  19. Getting ready to have The Talk with my OBGYN next week about breaking up with my uterus. I loved reading your posts about how your surgery and recovery went – I have ALLLL the subconscious concerns, but I think the quality of life improvement has to be worth it. Plus I’ve already had 3 c-sections so I’m no stranger to recoveries. However, I was wondering a couple things: First, a blood clot and the doctor said no big deal?! Do what now? That’s like my number 1 concern hahaha How did that resolve itself and did it scare you? Second, what was your recovery like compared to your c-sections? I kind of hope I can handle it well because I’ve done that so many times, but would love to hear your opinion on whether that helped you know better what to expect. Thanks so much for sharing your story! It really is amazing what we as women don’t know about this type of stuff!

    1. Cayce, I’m sending you big (virtual) hugs right now!! You sound just like me getting mentally prepared to say “Bye, Felicia!” I wish you nothing but the best and a much better quality of life after. As far as the blood clot, my Dr. just seemed so cavalier about it (which I did not like at all – I’ve since changed Dr.’s). But he was right, and it ended up dissolving as he said. And recovery compared to C-sections was actually faster as far as getting up and walking after. At the same time a little more intense – only because they were not able to remove my uterus by laparoscopy only. They had to disturb my C-section incision, which is what caused the more difficult recovery. That may not be an issue for you, tho (prayers it’s not).I’m so happy you found my story. I’m holding a vision for your better quality of life after. #BestLifeAfter

  20. I really appreciate this article! I just had my hysterectomy on 05/24/22 and had NO idea why I was having so much shoulder and back pain, and thank you for the tips on the leggings and belly band because I’m going to order some right now! God bless you and enjoy your life hunni because I sure am once I get back to my normal self!

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