My Robotic Laparoscopic Hysterectomy w/ Bilateral Salpingo Oophorectomy Part 3: First 24 Hours

[@thepuglady3931]

I’m surprised to see that you only have one incision. Every video I’ve seen and the research I’ve done shows 3-5 small incisions across the abdomen for each tool separately. My surgery is on 11/10 and don’t know how many incisions I’ll have but I would love for it to me like yours! I’m glad you’re doing well!!

[@callieyoutube]

Yes, just one incision through the belly button. No scars at all. I think it’s called a “key hole” incision. I’m not trying to boast, but my doctor was the top OBGYN surgeon in that part of the country. People would travel from states all over to have him do their surgeries. I just so happened to live in that city. But he is seriously amazing and I am so grateful to have had that type of incision and such a wonderful surgery and recovery. But regardless of your type of surgery or the surgeon, I am very confident that your quality of life will improve. The only bad experiences I have ever heard of are the occasional “horror stories” on the internet. Every woman I have known or talked to personally (literally dozens) that have had a partial or total hysterectomy have been very pleased with their lives and health after the surgery. I wish you all the best, and I am here if you have any questions or need any reassurance. You’ve got this!

[@Lifewithlisalove]

I just had the same surgery 4 weeks ago however mine was with multiple incisions. The gas pain wasn’t too bad for me but has been in previous surgeries. It’s not gas bubbles in your shoulder you are feeling but it’s the CO2 which can settle under the diaphragm, the muscle that helps you breathe. You might experience this as irritation in the lower chest and even all the way up to the shoulder and neck areas. The best method to reduce it is walking and gas pills.

[@callieyoutube]

Yes! It can be so painful! How are you doing now?

[@Lifewithlisalove]

@@callieyoutube I’m doing a lot better. Still get tired easy. I’ve gained some weight as well but not too much. It’s definitely taking me longer to heal than I thought it would. I get menstrual like cramps at times especially after I go for a long walk. My doc told me it takes each person sometimes months to heal. I am trying to be patient. I also have swelly belly but I’m used to that because I had that prior to the surgery but it was due to fibroids. One good thing is that I don’t have lower back pain anymore. I’m 9 weeks post op now. I just stated estrogen patch for the second time. My eyes were swollen and itchy so I stopped taking it and attibuted it to the patch. My doc said to try again because its extremely rare to be allergic to it. Well I stated yesterday and my eyes are doing it yet again. So I don’t know if I can continue on them which is unfortunate because overall it’s made me feel a bit more calm. I just want the hot flashes to go away that I get at night.

[@nicolemcbride5614]

I had 3 incisions on my tummy and one in my belly button during mine. I wish I knew there could have been only one but I guess there are 2 different types. You learn something new every day 😊 For your tiredness, you could always try B-12 gummies. They were my go to however they can make it hard to rest and easy to over due yourself. Your doing great!!! So happy to see your recovery going smoothly 💓

[@callieyoutube]

Yes, there are different types of surgery. And some doctors are only specialized in one or two types. I just lucked out that the doctor I normally went to happened to be specialized in the 1-incision robotic surgery that many doctors aren’t specialized in yet. It is so funny you mentioned the B12 because I was taking it at the time, but I have since increased the dosage and it really does help. I’m glad it works for you too! I wish I had started taking it many years ago! 💕💕

[@MuMu-fu7qe]

Sitting up and 16hr heat patches work great for the shoulder pain. It only lasts about 2 days if you don't lie down 😃

[@callieyoutube]

Great advice! 🤗

[@SylvaPálová]

Women who’ve had hysterectomies may enter menopause almost 4 years earlier. The blood supply to the ovaries may be compromised during surgery by ligation, spasm, or thrombosis. Early menopause is known to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as osteoporosis. Premature menopause can also increase the risk of dementia.Hysterectomy weakens the supports for the upper and mid-vagina, and can cause stress urinary incontinence. Removal or cutting of the ligaments supporting the cervix and vagina may predispose women to the development of vaginal vault prolapse. Furthermore, the effectiveness of prolapse repair can be compromised by the removal of the cervix and ligaments, which are used to anchor an effective repair.Studies regarding the effect of hysterectomy on a woman’s sex life can be confusing. Essentially, it depends on whether her symptoms that led her to consider hysterectomy were affecting her sex life in the first place. Women whose sex life was ruined by menstrual symptoms might find hysterectomy “liberating”, improving the sex life that they didn’t previously have. On the other hand, women whose sex life was not affected by their menstrual symptoms need to be aware that studies have demonstrated decreased libido and altered orgasm sensation, especially after total hysterectomy. Nerve damage during surgery may be a cause.For some women, uterine contraction is essential for orgasm. This could be lost after hysterectomy, leading to failure to orgasm or changes in the nature of them. Surgery may also change the anatomy of the top of the vagina, resulting in an altered sensation for women and their partners. Constipation following hysterectomy has been reported, and this may be a result of nerve injury.A recent Mayo Clinic study has shown that hysterectomy, even without removal of the ovaries, is associated with a 33% increased risk of coronary heart disease. The risk is increased by 250% if the hysterectomy is performed on women younger than 35 years of age.

[@callieyoutube]

@@SylvaPálová Thank you for your concern. I didn’t have to worry about the blood supply to my ovaries because my ovaries were removed. I have not had any urinary issues. I have not experienced any symptoms or issues with prolapse of any organs. Even women who have had no reproductive surgeries can experience prolapse and urinary issues, especially with age. My sex life is 1000x better. I don’t have anymore heavy bleeding. I don’t experience anymore issues with the hemorrhagic ovarian cysts anymore. No more pain. My orgasms are amazing now, even better than before. I have had no nerve damage or issues. ALL the sensation is still there. If my anatomy has changed, it has definitely been for the better. I have experienced zero issues with constipation. I am very regular and healthy in that department. As far as dementia, heart issues, and osteoporosis are concerned… Women are more likely to have those problems from drinking alcohol, smoking, or excessive sugar intake. I live a very healthy, active lifestyle. And I take just enough hormone replacement to help with bone health, without compromising my heart health or risk of blood clots. What I will say is that before my total hysterectomy, my overall health and well-being was far worse off than it is now or will be in the future, based on the issues I was experiencing and the long term effects of those issues. My mental health was struggling from the toll my hemorrhagic ovarian cysts were taking on me. I also struggled with chronic anemia that expensive, high quality iron supplements couldn’t even fix. I couldn’t be active because my abdomen was swollen with blood and fluid half the time. And the simplest things could trigger a hemorrhage, such as exercise or sex. Imagine how unhealthy a person is without any exercise or with chronically low ferritin levels. Imagine how healthy a marriage is with no sex. My quality of life and health prognoses were far worse without my total hysterectomy. Furthermore, I tried everything else before resorting to surgery. I didn’t jump into it impulsively. I spent a year trying everything else I could. I tried hormones. I tried supplements. I tried radical diet changes. I worked with a homeopathic specialist. It was a year of hell that finally brought me to my final option of a total hysterectomy. And I’m so glad I did it, and only wish I had done it sooner. I am so sorry to women who have had bad experiences with hysterectomies. I would never want to lead women astray. But fortunately, I have not had a bad experience. And all I can do is share my personal experience, which has been nothing but positive all around. Having said that, it’s only been 2.5 years since my total hysterectomy. I will always be open and honest about my experience. And if I do indeed have negative experiences with my heart, hormone, brain health, sexual intimacy, or anything, I promise to be honest about those experiences so that other women can make informed decisions based on research and accurate experiences of other women in the same or similar situations.

[@SylvaPálová]

@@callieyoutube It is great and I am happy with you, but I have these problems unfortunately, sometime it can happen....

[@sparemethedramatics1629]

How is the thyroid related to the uterus? Hope your feeling better nowadays

[@callieyoutube]

I’m not totally sure. Some people say that the ovaries and estrogen are tied in with the thyroid. I have heard of women who have had their ovaries removed (or just went into menopause naturally) and then had troubles with their thyroid.

[@sarahsiddiqui6045]

Did they remove both of your ovaries? Why did you need this surgery? How is HRT? Are you on the patch hrt?

[@callieyoutube]

Yes, both ovaries. I take oral estradiol. I have to take it every day. The patch or implant are easier in that way (to not have to remember every day), but I feel so good on the pill. I take .25 mg in the morning and .25 mg at night and it keeps me feeling good and free from surgical menopause symptoms 😀

[@sarahsiddiqui6045]

@@callieyoutube thats great! Any side effects from the pills? When I took birth control I felt nauseous and terrible I know this is estrogen only but any nausea, upset stomach, or anything? Thanks for the reply!

[@jerikkamartinez7168]

Did you have a full hysterectomy?

[@callieyoutube]

Yes, it was a full hysterectomy. I accidentally used the term “radical hysterectomy, but I meant total hysterectomy (uterus, ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and cervix removed) 😀

[@SaraFahad-yz3fc]

​@@callieyoutubeany side effects after hysterectomy and harmons therapy use after hysterectomy

[@dialup2342]

Hi @callieyoutube my mother will be going for a complete hysterectocomy iam confused whether she should go for laproscopic or robotic ? She is in post menopause and 50 +