What Is It Like Having A Hysterectomy? A Practical Guide

TLDR: This is a practical guide on what is it like having a hysterectomy, based on Rachel’s real life experience.

What Is It Like To Have A Hysterectomy? A Practical Guide

First of all everyone’s experience will be different. It is going to depend a lot on whether the reason for surgery is due to something like really painful periods or you didn’t want the hysterectomy as it is due to something like cancer. this is because in some cases you can wait years and be really pleased to have the surgery, and in other cases it can be an emergency and quite rushed, giving you little time to prepare. Either way, this is going to be about a practical guide on the general steps of what is it like to have a hysterectomy.

It Starts With A Trip To Your GP…

Usually the process will start with a trip to your GP who will refer to you to Women’s Health Department at the local hospital. 

At this points you might be wondering what is it like to have a hysterectomy and feel a bit confused, I know I did!

There you will have consultations and a decision will be made by all concerned, including you, that a hysterectomy is the best thing for you.  In the first instance you will be given a date for the operation.

Waiting time which at the moment in the NHS is around 18 weeks.  Obviously if the surgery is needed due to a cancer diagnosis, this would be much sooner, possibly in around 2 weeks.  

Once the appointment is confirmed you will receive letters in the post giving you instructions about where you need to go, eating and drinking, removing all your jewellery. Fake nails and eyelashes would need to be removed as well as nail polish on fingers and toes, this is pretty standard with surgery. 

All this information will be contained in the letter and I cannot stress enough the importance of reading this letter thoroughly, I have been caught out too many times before!

You are usually able to bring someone with you to the appointment on the day of your surgery and this is helpful as there will be quite a bit of waiting around. 

Meeting The Surgeon

You will get to meet the Surgeon who will be carrying out the operation, the Nurse who will take your blood pressure and carry out any other obs such a height and weight.  Again, pretty standard for any surgery.

Sometimes you get to meet the Anaesthetist – this varies, sometimes I have and other times I haven’t met them. 

You will then be taken to a bed or a room where you will  be told everything you have to remove, usually everything apart from your knickers and you will be given one of those rather fetching hospital gowns to put on. 

You will be asked to take earrings off, but if you have some piercings that are difficult to remove, check with the Nurse, as they may just be able to cover them up. 

You will be allocated a small lockable cupboard next to the bed whether you are in a room or on a ward for you to put your valuables in and the key will stay with you.  So you can take some valuables, such as your phone and jewellery with you, if you really need to.

You will usually walk to the Operating Theatre, and this feels very strange walking yourself to surgery but you will obviously be capable of doing this.  On one occasion I was wheeled into Theatre on a trolley, which was equally strange as there was nothing wrong with me at that point! You can bring slippers for the walk to Theatres, which some people prefer, personally I would just wear whatever shoes I had on. 

Once you are in the Theatre you either get on the bed that is there or if you are wheeled in, you will be ready to go. You will then meet the Anaesthetist again and asked for your full name, date of birth and address. They ask for this information many times in hospital as they need to be absolutely certain they are preparing to carry out surgery on the correct person. 

Meeting The Anaesthetist

Generally I find that the Anaesthetists are very kind people, as they need to reassure the patient and put them at ease.  Some people can be very scared of the anaesthesia which puts you to sleep, and I can understand this, but personally I think it’s quite a nice feeling, you just kind of drift off. 

They usually say count back from 10 or imagine you are on a beach sipping a cocktail, or something like that and then the next thing you know you will be in the recovery room.  

Waking Up In Recovery

When you wake up in the recovery room in my experience it’s usually quite cold. 

You will be very groggy and a bit confused and won’t feel great from the anaesthetic and I have been sick a few times at this point before but this is fairly common I believe.  I made this TikTok… watch if you are worried about being sick after surgery for a top tip!

You will have more obs done here and when it is felt you are ready, you will be taken on your trolley to where your cupboard and bed are, as you won’t be capable of walking at this point.

Hopefully you won’t be in too much pain when you come round from the anaesthetic but there will be a pain management system in place.  Y

ou will be asked on a regular basis how your pain is on a scale of 1-10 and provided with painkillers if necessary.

Home Time!

You will then be brought a cup of tea and some biscuits or toast.  They can call next of kin, family or friends, but chances are you’re going to be popping a selfie of you recovering in that What’s App group before the Nurse gets hold of your next of kin! 

You’ll have your phone and be able to connect to the WiFi and it is acceptable to be on your phone or read a book if you prefer.  Usually if the surgery has gone well you will be able to go home the same day, which can seem a bit crazy but I don’t think it is usual to keep you in overnight.  I have asked a few people on this TikTok about their hosptail stays after a hysterectomy and it is really mixed, some stay overnight and some even stay a few nights.

You can recover in your own home propped up by pillows and take your painkillers as needed and relax.

I hope this has helped someone! I have written lots on this blog about my real-life experience of having a hysterectomy and lots of other topics such as supplements after a hysterectomy and weight loss after a hysterectomy.

Any questions you can email me [email protected] : )