Girl Talk Edition 3: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Having A Hysterectomy

It’s Sunday night and time for TRL Musings. For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you know I usually do my TRL Musings on there. I want to change things up a bit. By doing it here on my blog, I feel like I can open up a little more. I want to be able to talk to you all about things that I have gone through, am currently going through or want to do. Fears. Hopes. Dreams. I want to be more transparent and share a bit more about me. So here we are…the first TRL Musings blog post. I wanted to share my hysterectomy experience with you all.

I had one a few years ago in 2013. I suffered from really bad fibroids that kept growing and growing. I would have my periods and literally be dripping blood while getting out of bed some mornings. In time, I had to make the decision to take out my uterus and have a hysterectomy. It was the hardest decision I had to make at that point in my life. I never imagined not being able to have the choice to have another child. Eventually, after years of considering this, I decided it was time and I arranged to have my surgery. That morning was hard. Very hard. I cried and I cried and I cried. There was no turning back. My ability to bring life into the world would forever be gone.

I had an amazing Dr. It was done laparoscopically so the surgery itself was’nt painful. However, I must say there are some things, in hindsight, I wish I would have known about and had been prepared for. I didn’t know much of this until I was in pain and recovering. Googling to find answers to questions about changes and things that were happening to my body. So today, I’m sharing some of things I wish I would have known before having my hysterectomy in hopes that it will help some of you that might be considering having one or have had one and are wondering WHAT’S GOING ON??!!

#1 You can break out in acne. Boy oh boy did this one come as a surprise. I generally am blessed enough not to have issues with breakouts. After my hysterectomy I totally brooke out all over the lower half of my face. Since I am a Medical Esthetician, I know for a fact that hormonal acne is generally concentrated around the lower jaw line. I was devastated. I felt self conscious and like people were looking at me. Thankfully it cleared up after I treated my skin like one of my acne clients. It was a few months until it was cleared but it was definitely a surprise.

#2 You get constipated. Like really bad. Yup. All the pain medication had me so constipated. I felt like I was trying to pass a big ol rock when I tried to go to the bathroom. I remember the day I was crying so hard because I just couldn’t do anything. I got on Google and sure enough found out that strong pain meds could cause this. My doctor called in some stool softeners which took time to work but they did eventually work. PLEASE make sure to take some stool softness before your surgery and while you are taking your pain meds.

#3 Although I was certainly asleep during the surgery, I did find out later that they have to tilt you somewhat upside down to perform the surgery. I was a little surprised when I found out. It kind of explained why my head felt so weird after.

#4 Nausea. Oh you have nausea. Like really bad for few days after. I didn’t expect that and lived on ginger ale for the first few days.

#5 If you take out both of your ovaries you can go into early menopause. I’m so glad my doctor advised me so well. I have since heard so many sad stories of women who were misguided and have gone into early menopause unnecessarily. There really is no need for both of them to come out. Keeping in one ovary allows your body to still go through a menstrual cycle without actually bleeding. Around the 18th of the month, when I used to get my period I still crave sweets, get cranky and feel a little “off” but I don’t miss my period.

Last thoughts…it was the right decision for me. Sometimes, now that time has passed, I get sad at times.. I wish I could still have a baby, but I try not to think about. I feel so blessed to have experienced childbirth and to have my overall health. Life is good. It’s really good.