Hysterectomy Post-Op Video (19 weeks post-surgery)

[@michellejaffe688]

You have no idea how much this video has comforted me. I’m having a bilateral oophorectomy next month and I am so scared. Especially after being on so many support groups where it seems like everyone is really suffering. I have cysts too and they aren’t going away after watching them for over a year. So glad you are doing well and thank you for the reassurance that life will go on. ❤

[@callieyoutube]

I remember reading horror stories too and people complaining in support groups. I’m so glad I didn’t let that stop me. My quality of life is so much better. No period, no cysts, no PMS, I will have anemia testing done next month to check on that, but my symptoms of anemia have definitely improved.

[@josiesalmon2030]

Thank you for these videos, I’m having the same operation next week and have been very anxious after reading stories on the forums, it’s so refreshing to come across a positive experience. Grateful that you took the time to do these.

[@callieyoutube]

Everything is going to be okay. The recovery takes time, but week by week, month by month, you’ll start feeling like yourself again, even better than ever. I’m here if you have any questions or just need some reassurance or emotional support 🤗

[@MuMu-fu7qe]

Thanks for sharing your story! Tomorrow I start week 4 post op total hysterectomy for fibroids. I feel amazing. You're so right, after having such a poor quality of life, this surgery is actually a good decision. I'm still processing mine psychologically, but recovery has been incredible. I feel better now in recovery than I have felt in the past 5+ years.

[@callieyoutube]

I am so happy for you! I have never had fibroids but I know women who have and they are no joke! And you feel good now, but you’ll feel even better as your body heals more and more and you’re able to truly embrace this new chapter life! I’m so grateful that you finally have relief!

[@mcrchickenluvr]

Yes ma’am. I’m only 12 days post op and it was the best decision I’ve made regarding my health I think I’ve ever made.

[@jasmineadkins-wills2297]

I had a partial hysterectomy 25 days ago. I kept my ovaries. I have zero regrets about having the surgery. Yes, I’ve had a struggle getting back to normal, but my quality of life compared to before surgery is so much better! I’m looking forward to 6 months after surgery, to see how much better I will be and feel at that time! My Dr told me at my 1st follow up appointment, that she believes this was the right surgery for me.

[@callieyoutube]

I’m so proud of you and so happy that you’ve had such a positive experience!

[@sarahogren3697]

Thank you for making these videos!! I go in for a Robotic Assisted Total Hysterectomy in 2 weeks. This was the recommendation due to fibroid the size of an orange and I'm 46, so there's no more child bearing in my future. I have 3 amazing boys. I've had excessive bleeding and anemia for 2 years, inverted uterus longer than that, and the past 10 months crazily excessive back and right hip pain. This is the worst because I'm incredibly active. I surf, hike, bike, jog, go to the gym...and typically would get at least 7-12 or more hours straight exercise per week. I'm currently down to only being able to walk due to pain. Getting up out of bed is difficult because my back hurts. It's hard to get in & out of the vehicle due to pain. Once I got stuck literally shrieking in pain mid-way to standing up and needed my spouse to come lift me up. This is not me at all.... I am so hoping this pain goes away. The only other concern I have is very slightly elevated prolactin levels. I've gotten mixed messages on this from different doctors. Again thank you so much for sharing and I agree...there needs to be more of these videos out there for women to know what to expect. ❤

[@callieyoutube]

It definitely sounds like you need this surgery! Give the recovery time but I feel very confident that you will love your new life and have no regrets!

[@sarahsiddiqui6045]

Thank you so much for the tips and reassurance! Your so kind to take the time out and paying it foward. I'm so happy you are doing well! Do you mind me asking what brand pills do you take? Thanks!

[@callieyoutube]

I just take the generic version. It works great for me 🙂

[@jill4809]

Hi .. my name is Jill from Minnesota, I’m 52 years young. Had a hysterectomy around 5 years ago.. but kept my ovaries… currently I’ve had an mri due to back pain, nausea… long story short .. my doctor called me to give me my complete ultrasound report… so she told me that I have a ovarian cyst as well as a concerning solid lesion… now this Wednesday I will have a second ultrasound to see if any changes in growth of lesions. I’m not wanting to have my ovaries removed because I would like to retain my ovaries.. but my regular doctor feels that it is not a good idea to keep them due to a possible future chances of having ovarian cancer… my mother had ovarian type of cancer… b My ca125 was reassuring to the gynecologist I’ve seen. But he recommended ovaries to be removed… I don’t want to take hrt.. scared of developing heart disease and poor bone density… so not sure what to do as far as to have surgery or not…. Is this a possible inpatient stay???

[@callieyoutube]

Hi Jill! I haven’t done my 1-year post op video yet (even though it’s long over-due) so I haven’t talked about this yet, but I actually don’t take HRT at all anymore. It was the best decision for me. Every bad symptom I was feeling before went away immediately when I quit the estrogen. I know it’s controversial. I know all the information out there for and against HRT. But ultimately, I had to do what felt right for me. And that was quitting HRT. I have never to this day ever experienced a single menopause symptom. No hot flashes. No headaches. No night sweats. No nothing. The only thing is that I gained 8 pounds which most of my friends and family have said I needed to do anyway and that I look better now. I say all of this to say that you don’t have to take HRT the rest of your life. You may be like me and not need it and feel better without it. I have been off of HRT for 6 months now and I have no regrets. I am finally living life to the fullest without the issues I had before my surgery and without the symptoms HRT was giving me. I am very careful about my bone health and overall health. I went home the same day as my surgery but I know women who have stayed overnight or even a few nights. I was ready and happy to go home and get started with recovery. I hope this helps and I’m here for you every step of the way, any questions you have or support you need!

[@rachelcoleman4693]

How are you doing? Have you experienced any body changes or weight gain since your hysterectomy?

[@callieyoutube]

I’m still doing amazing! I take .5 mg of oral estradiol every night and I have experienced zero surgical menopause symptoms. It has been 2 years and I currently weigh 2 pounds more than I did on surgery day.

[@sarahsiddiqui6045]

How many incisions do you have. Have they healed up well? Any tips with healing and with three kids? Thanks so much and happy to hear your recovery went well!

[@callieyoutube]

I just had one incision- in my belly button. You can’t even tell I had surgery at all. No scars. I have 3 kids and during recovery, rally up friends and family to help. The first 2 weeks are rough, but after that, it gets so much easier. Have a heating pad handy. It helped me with soreness. Have a pillow close-by in case you need to sneeze or cough. Stock up on things to keep yourself busy for the first couple of weeks- books, knitting, word search puzzles. Stock up on your favorite snacks. Freeze some meals beforehand if possible. Drink lots of water. Expect to have a hard time going #2 for the first week. It will be uncomfortable. Have some stool softener or gentle enemas on hand. I liked having loose, comfortable underwear for a few weeks. It takes a while for the bloating to completely go away, usually 6 weeks. Be patient during this time. It *will* go away. Gas-X can be very helpful with easing bloating. You might want a belly binder, but I don’t recommend them. A lot of women swear by them and they are probably just fine occasionally, but I was warned that they can increase the risk of problematic adhesions and infection with prolonged use. The recovery requires a lot of patience, but it is so very worth it. I would go through the surgery and recovery 3 more times if I had to in order to feel the way I do now. I seriously feel better than I ever have- physically, hormonally, and mentally. It is the best decision I have ever made for my health and I am confident that you will say the same thing! I’m here for any support, reassurance, or tips! You’ve got this!

[@cookiemonster8142]

Hey Callie, me again - when did they tell you that you could go back to exercising like how you had been accustomed to previously? And don’t sweat 5 pounds honestly! What’s important is as you say, your life is so good now, post-op!

[@callieyoutube]

Thank you!! I don’t know how I missed this comment, I’m sorry! I was able to continue normal exercise 6 weeks after my surgery 😊

[@galoreofbooks6216]

How long did your stitches take to heal ? Im 13 weeks post op and still have stitches

[@callieyoutube]

I did not have stitches that were very visible. Mine were in my belly button. But within a month, my belly button was totally back to normal. I wish I could be more helpful, I'm sorry! I know other women that had multiple incisions around their tummies took different amounts of time to heal. Unless it seems irritated or infected, it should heal just fine in its own time. I would say a healthy diet and rest are very important when it comes to the body healing.

[@r-jproductions1343]

​@@callieyoutubeYou only had 1 incision with a lap assisted robotic hysterectomy? How did they do that? Did you had any vaginal incisions? Hope you're doing well after your surgery. Are you taking any HRT? A while ago you mentioned you weren't taking any HRT. Are you having any bladder leakage or prolapse issues after surgery? Scheduled for a lap robotic hysterectomy with 1 ovary removal. Scheduled for a hysterectomy in 3 week s and kind of scared. I have fibroids and heavy bleeding.

[@callieyoutube]

@@r-jproductions1343 I am so sorry about your fibroids and heavy bleeding! I had issues with hemorrhagic ovarian cyst ruptures before my total hysterectomy, so I know the toll that pain and heavy bleeding can take. My surgery was called a “keyhole” surgery. The doctor went in through my belly button and performed the operation with a robot. I don’t have any vaginal incisions, just a cuff where my cervix used to be. I quit taking HRT altogether for a while because my doctor would always say “we want you on the lowest dose possible to prevent menopause symptoms”. Well, I kept lowering the dose every few weeks or months and eventually, I wasn’t taking any estrogen and was still having no symptoms. I had been without any estrogen at all for 2-3 months when I went back to my doctor. He was shocked that I wasn’t taking any estrogen at all and wasn’t having symptoms. He said that I need to be taking some amount of estrogen, even if it’s only .5 mg because of how young I am. So I began taking .5 mg and have been taking it ever since. I have no bladder leakage and no prolapse issues. As a matter of fact, I was just at the urologist 2 months ago because of a kidney stone and he commented on how healthy my urinary system is. My bladder empties completely, no UTI’s, lab results were good, functioning optimally, everything was good. I was really scared for my surgery too. I put it off for a year and endured the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience of hemorrhagic ovarian cysts all that time because I was terrified of having a total hysterectomy. I was scared about menopause symptoms, hormones, my mood, weight gain, sex drive, etc. But I can honestly say that I have not experienced any of those things. It has been a positive experience for me. My quality of life has improved so much. I never have to worry about periods again and plan my life around them. I’m no longer at the mercy of fluctuating hormones. I’m no longer anemic. I have no regrets. You will be so happy to never have to worry about fibroids or heavy bleeding ever again. That alone will be such a blessing 💕

[@r-jproductions1343]

@@callieyoutube Thank you for your detailed reply 🙏. Glad you're leading a much better life now. I am praying that I will be able to say the same in the coming days.

[@sajithajohn2007]

Did you have to do kegels?

[@callieyoutube]

No, I never did kegels. I have not had any issues with my vagina or bladder. Sex and urination are totally fine. Sex is better now because I never have to deal with cysts or menstrual bleeding. And I never have urinary leaks or incontinence of any kind. I was worried about sex and urine leaking from things I had read before my surgery, but neither have been an issue.