If you are booked in or on the waiting list for a hysterectomy, then by now the nerves would have really hit!

I know with mine I got home after my hospital appointment and thought oh my god! Is this right...should I have this done...it just seemed so final!

On the site links there is a section called ‘going into hospital’ which will give you some extra ideas of what to take into hospital, but what is it really going to be like? The doctors quite often fly through an explanation and a lot of web sites explain it, but I found it all seemed so clinical. Open up, womb out, stitch up, few days in hospital, you will be fine in 6 weeks Mrs Bloggs..erm HELLO!!!

So I thought I would add a few more bits here which, although not meant to scare you, will give you an honest and frank idea of what may happen during your time in hospital.

The first hurdle is getting a bed, although you are booked in it is not a guarantee that the hospital will have a bed for you, this is usually because of emergency admissions etc. You will be asked to call on the day of your op. If you do not get a bed and you have picked yourself up and got through the man-size box of tissues, call the consultant’s secretary. They may be able to give you another date to come in if you did not get one over the phone.

Hubby or partners are not usually allowed to stay on the ward when you go in, this is subject to different hospitals, they can usually bring you up to the ward with your bag. Get them to speak to a nurse about the ward visiting times and to get the phone number so they can check how you are doing and when you are back on the ward.

A nurse will come round and do your observations; blood pressure, pulse etc, and you will be given the height of fashion accessories...a lovely pair of surgical stockings along with a gown..good job hubby/partner went home eh?

The anaesthesiologist will come round and speak to you and ask you to sign the consent form if you have not already, and the doctor/gynaecologist may also come to see you.

You may have a little wait, it depends on what time you are due down in theatre.

When you wake up you will almost certainly feel groggy after the anaesthetic. A theatre nurse will wake you to tell you it is all over and that you are going up to the ward.

If you have had an abdominal hysterectomy, where they make a small incision on the pubic line (you may need to shave slightly down there) you will have a drain. It sounds a little scary but it's not, it is a small tube that runs from the edge of the incision and it drains into a bag, this may be on for a day or two. You may also have a drip which goes into your arm; some women need a little extra blood so this may be up too. A hand-held morphine pump may be present so that you can control your own pain relief. If you have difficulty in emptying your bladder a catheter may be used to help.

It all sounds a lot, but at the time you will be very sleepy and not aware of it all.

As there are different ways of performing a hysterectomy you may not have all of this as other procedures mean less need for drains and morphine pumps.

The nurses will get you out of bed as soon as possible, don't worry it will more than likely be the following day, but this will help circulation and avoids the risk of blood clots forming (you will still have those lovely surgical stockings on too)! If you have had a vaginal hyst you will find moving around much easier.

The effects of the anaesthetic can take a lot longer than you think to wear off, sometimes up to 6 weeks.
Wind can be a problem, you may get pain in your tummy or shoulder blades, peppermint can help, and being sat up and mobile will also help this. Don't worry you will be in a ward with other women and there will be an assortment of noises going on!

You will be able to eat as soon as you feel up to it, which is usually the day following surgery, small amounts at first as the morphine and effects of the anaesthetic can make you feel queasy. Once you are able to get up, or 24 hours later, the drips and drains are usually removed and you will be helped to wash yourself. You probably won’t feel up to visitors much so keep them to a minimum.

You will be in hospital for around 4-6 days if there are no complications, earlier for a vaginal hyst. By this point you will be off the morphine pump and able to shuffle around to the toilet etc, and of course have made the dreaded...first bowel movement!! You will see your doctor before you are discharged.

You will need to rest as much as possible. I know it’s not easy...men and housework do not always mix...but make the most of having your feet up and reading plenty of magazines...and giving orders. Remember, one day at a time. The more you rest the quicker you will recover!

Although it is often said 6-12 weeks for recovery, this is a guideline, it can take much longer. Although you will be feeling much better and more able to lift things now, (still nothing too heavy) backache and stomach pains can still be around for a while. If you have had your ovaries removed the menopause is instant so your hormones will be all over the place. Order a few boxes of man size tissues girls.

Some hospitals have a 6-12 week check up, but this depends on what hospital you are under. If you do have any problems afterwards do call your GP