hysterectomy and riding

[SpecialEffects]

[QUOTE=BVhorses;4446088]
I am so happy to have found this thread. I had a 13 lb ovarian tumor removed, along with everything else except one ovary, back in February. I literally looked full term preggers! I had an incision from breastbone to pelvis to get that sucker out, so lots of healing. I was on restricted activity for 8 weeks, then my Dr. kept me from riding for another 2-3 weeks. She was afraid of hernia. All healed very well and I got back to riding as soon as I could, now an feeling preety good. I still get twinges of pain/itching at the incision site. Some parts of it are still purplish and raised. Although I still have one ovary for hormone production, I am not the same as I was before. I get sore breasts at times and even feel a little crampy. Wierd, but true. Anyway, I did have some apprehension starting riding again, since my abdomen felt so weak. I feared I was not as strong as I was before. I am still working on my core strength, but don’t think about it all the time anymore.[/QUOTE]

This post could have been written by me except my tumor was 9 lbs and it had two little 1 lb friends. So yeah I was cut from just under my boobs to where the sun don’t shine. And it’s not a neat one. I had a 3 month recovery time and it was a while before I started riding. Because of the abdominal muscles that they cut through, I couldn’t lift much for a while.

My surgery was 2 1/2 years ago and I don’t get sore breasts or crampy but I am numb right along the incision. I can scratch my belly and feel my fingers doing it, but not feel the contact. It’s strange. :lol:

I agree that it’s the best thing that could have happened. I was so sick and tired of feeling crappy, miserably so, every month. I’ve had 4 other surgeries since - one of which they suspect was a result of this one, and the only thing I’d like to get back is my strength. I used to be so very strong. Not so much any more and it bugs me. I’m sure it isn’t because I’m getting older.

Interesting thread. The first time I’ve ventured into the trail riding section and I like it!

[kyredhed]

[QUOTE=SpecialEffects;4897083]
This post could have been written by me except my tumor was 9 lbs and it had two little 1 lb friends. So yeah I was cut from just under my boobs to where the sun don’t shine. And it’s not a neat one. I had a 3 month recovery time and it was a while before I started riding. Because of the abdominal muscles that they cut through, I couldn’t lift much for a while.

My surgery was 2 1/2 years ago and I don’t get sore breasts or crampy but I am numb right along the incision. I can scratch my belly and feel my fingers doing it, but not feel the contact. It’s strange. :lol:

I agree that it’s the best thing that could have happened. I was so sick and tired of feeling crappy, miserably so, every month. I’ve had 4 other surgeries since - one of which they suspect was a result of this one, and the only thing I’d like to get back is my strength. I used to be so very strong. Not so much any more and it bugs me. I’m sure it isn’t because I’m getting older.

Interesting thread. The first time I’ve ventured into the trail riding section and I like it! :D[/QUOTE]

I am glad you found us. So many women have gone through so much in their lives. I am glad you ventured here! Getting strength back after major operation is tough to say the least. I have been walking and riding trying very hard to resume my life. I am a worry wart and always have my operation in the back of my mind, mainly because of tough recovery and reading way to many horror stories! I hope we as women can help each other. hugs.

[Cartfall]

13 years ago had a full job done. Best thing that ever happened to me. I was riding distance back in those days and was pretty fit. I was up walking laps around the nurse stations and hallway within 30 hours of my operation. Riding down in the elevator to sit outside because I could not stand being inside all that time.

I was back in the saddle albiet in 7 weeks. Granted, it was at a slower pace, but I built up slowly. But because mine was a vertical cut (had to remove large fibroid), my gut muscles are not pretty now. But you know, at my age, I don;t care. I don;t have a big gut or anything, just no muscle tone.

So if you are not up to your pre-surgery level or at least approaching it, I would be back to that doctor.

[kyredhed]

i know i know… i think it is hormone related… drives me nuts… i keep feeling a pinching sensation (you know where) sometimes. Sometimes it does not bother me at all and then sometimes it drives me nuts! It could be just a nerve out of whack… does not occur all the time. Mainly just in the morning, then goes away. go figure… been to three different doctors and they all say I have healed up fine.
My recovery was slower than normal I think.
Thanks for all the replies… one thing though I would like to add, if anyone is considering this operation, leave at least one ovary if posssible.

[MsM]

I think one thing to remember is that everyone is different and everyone heals at her own rate. So you will hear from people who took to their beds for six months and people who ran a marathon in six days (well, almost). Some have different types of surgeries, different problems, others have different pain tolerances.
I had an abdominal hyst, leaving ovaries. I did well but hit a plateau at 5 weeks and was frustrated for a couple of weeks that I wasnt back to normal yet. I had some odd sensations and still have some tingling down my right leg that is attributed to the nerves being “insulted”. My doctor said hormones can be out of sorts for a while as the ovaries may be similarly insulted and may or may not resume business. Mine did.
BTW I had back issues after my laproscopic gall bladder surgery. I had lots of vomiting and poor pain management and it totally screwed up my back. I didnt understand what was going on and why I was taking so long to recover from a simple little operation. A doctor later explained to me how the pain affected my muscles and how this is one of the reasons to get good pain control - I had essentially sprained my back due to the pain and vomiting! Yuck!

This summer is the fifth anniversary of the hyst. This is notable for me because they found a rare cancer (Know hw fibroids are almost always benign? I’m “almost” - cancer called leiomyosarcoma). So hoping for one last scan and then no more oncologist visits!!!

[kyredhed]

so glad you are better. and you are right, some take longer to get back to feeling normal again… i think my main problem was quilt. I just wanted a quick fix, beat myself up because i didn’t ask enough questions! My ovaries were to damaged to keep, so i should not feel quilty… I don’t know… never would have thought loosing my uterus and ovaries would have such an effect on me… anyway you all have helped build my confidence. and knowing I am not the only horse woman to under go a hysterectomy makes me feel so much better. None of my horse friends have had the operation, so really I felt in the dark. Glad you all are here for me!
My horse is my prozac! without riding would be depressing. You look on all these hyster sites and women are saying no horse riding and no bike riding and no doing anything! I look at my mom who had one 30 years ago, she farms and pretty much got on with her life.
I think sometimes people think that if you have an operation it will disable you for life. I kinda look at my cousin who has lived her life with only one kidney(dare i say due to a horse accident) does it make her any less a woman, HELL NO…
I say thanks again and for those battling cancer, a prayer just went up for you and for those who have taken the time to give me advise… a big thank you!!! God bless you all!

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Well it’s been a while since I’ve had a surgery or been laid up so I just needed the attention again :rolleyes: and dislocated my shoulder on Monday in freaky horse accident.

I want to stop reading about riding and get back to doing it. :yes: Can someone please bubble wrap me!!! :lol:

[kyredhed]

sorry to hear that special effects. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

[kyredhed]

Hotter than hell in kentucky! looking for a shade tree to sit under!