hysterectomy options and advice

[ashie]

Bumping this thread as I'm considering going forward with the hysterectomy this year or sometime next year (few other plans to sort out first and then wait times etc)
After 6 years of this problem I am fed up (3 weeks out of a month are af and its worse and heavier thanks to getting my tubes tied!)
So I am looking for info from others of what to expect (thinking best option would be for uterus and cervix to be taken unsure if they could do it via "down stairs" as I have a vertical septum making it two canals so to speak. So could be more tricky)
What options, recovery times (dh said he'll take time off if needed specially with four kids, kids going to school etc)
What complications could occur, and anything else I should look into and know before going forward and see my doctor and taking those steps forward.
It's a huge step which I hope may be the right one, other doctors I've seen have told me not much more they can do and to expect this to keep happening for years to come (horrible their isn't an answer but at least they are honest with me instead of lying or sugar coating things)
Cycle has gone crazy not regular since ds's birth (I got af back at 8 weeks)
I am keen to be somewhat normal again , wear anything from my wardrobe (specially summer I've been stuck wear only a select few pieces of clothing) been able to go out without worry, and go swimming!!!

[Trillian]

You should watch this video Female Anatomy Video, sex, orgasm, post-menopausal hysterectomy, uterus, video, hersfoundation.org . It's brutally honest about what a hysterectomy entails. It is on the side of being anti-hysterectomy (and for good reason!) but it's important you watch it so you know how this will affect you because gyno's will not tell you this stuff. They sell you the *good* points - no more periods, no more babies and hey, if we take your cervix you won't even have to worry about cervical cancer anymore either. I'm not posting to convince you not to go ahead with it, but just so you know what will happen and what you *might* experience afterwards. The HERS Foundation that made this video does a lot of work with women post-hysterectomy and helping them deal with the health issues they have had post surgery. So they are advocates for not having the surgery but their information is unbiased and something you won't get from a Dr. Good luck with your decision.