Getting healthy after hysterectomy

[TurbochargeLife]

Well after years of fighting Endometriosis, and the past 2 years struggling with the complication of uterine fibroids, I finally had to have a hysterectomy. Talk about weight gain!! I am bigger now than after my last baby. Pretty bad...not my heaviest weight though, so I guess that's a blessing. Always try to see the positive right?

The hardest thing is I am not able to exercise the way I'd like to exercise. I know if I lift or do too much it will cause health problems in the long term. 

I had pneumonia in both lungs after the surgery and am pretty weak from losing so much muscle. I am starting a challenge on Monday and will be walking for exercise until I get the OK from my doc to resume regular activities. 

I purchased a fitbit one today. I am already wanting to earn badges. LOL Anyone else here struggling to get healthy after a hysterectomy?

[Determinednana]

I had my hysterectomy about 4 years ago.  I gradually gained about 40 pounds.  At my heaviest I was about 8 pounds heavier than I am now.  I have found it is a lot harder to lose weight.  I used to be able to drop 10 pounds in a few weeks if I stuck to it but now even when I really try I am lucky to lose 2 pounds.  I am sure this also comes with age.  I will be 50 this year.  I jsut can't find my motiviation.  My first grandchild was born this week, she is going to be my new inspiration because I want to be fit enough to enjoy her and have fun.  I got my Fitbit a few days ago and I'm looking forward to challenges with friends.

Good luck!

[TurbochargeLife]

@DeterminednanaYour first grandchild! Congratulations! It does help with motivation for sure. I have 2 grandchildren. My first grandchild is 5 weeks older than my last baby. Having another baby after 40 was not a piece of cake. It took a lot of effort to get the weight off. I needed to lose 75 pounds. I did it. Now I'm heavier than I was after my baby. When did you start exercising after your surgery? Ugh!! I know it will be more difficult than before, but I am determined. We should be accountability partners! 

[dancefoxtrot]

Turbochargelife,

Glad to read that you are on the mend. I think that your plan to walk is great. Remember to stretch your leg muscles after walking. Eat lots of veggies cooked and raw and lean protein. Greens and seeds have nutrients to help your immune system. I would definitely take probiotics to help get the good bacteria back after antibiotics for pneumonia. 

You have been through a lot so go easy and add steps as you rebuild your muscle and stamina. 

Soon you will be pain free if not already. How cool is that!

Enjoy the journey,

Barbara G

[WendyB · Accepted solution]

Glad to hear you are on th mend. I had one years ago. You can do it.

Its more about what you eat than exercise. So watch the food closely. Add exercise when you can

[TurbochargeLife]

Thanks for the encouragement! Today I did stairs. I earned the Happy Hill badge - felt like I was going to die after I did it LOL and the fitbit said 0 activity. I must say the fitbit is helping me get up and move. I didn't realize I was doing so little. No wonder I am packing on weightI was really surprised with how restless my sleep was last might too. Over 160 minutes of restless sleep. 

[TurbochargeLife]

I am starting to log my food again tomorrw. I'm doing a 3 day bodt refresh too. I expect if I can get my steps up to 10,000, and stick to my 3-day refresh plan I will see a difference in inches and weight by Thursday. After that I will use an eating plan I created. I will only do walking for exercise until I get the clearance from my doctor. Thanks for the support. 🙂

[MRose · Accepted solution]

So sorry you had to battle endo for so long! After fighting it and adenomyosis for 10+ years I had a hysterectomy this past October. It sounds like yours is much more recent if you haven't received the full go-ahead from your doctor yet. After my hysterectomy, I gained about 15 pounds within the first 1-2 months, but a TON of it was water weight and swelling (I can't tell you how many people thought I was pregnant during the first couple of months), so don't get too let down about the fact that you WILL be bigger for a while because of the swelling. I was noticeably swollen for several months, and after that I got "swelly belly" on and off for another couple months (particularly after I exercised or did something like changing the sheets or even doing more dishes than normal). Yoga pants and elastic are the best things in the world for a little while, and that's okay.

Getting up and moving at all is great! Especially because some days you just don't feel like getting out of bed. But please, be overly cautious about not over-exerting yourself. I was feeling wonderful one day (for the first day in about a month) and got over-ambitious with doing all the laundry and vacuuming (since when was that difficult?!) and tore an incision, further setting back the healing and thus the weight/swelling loss. I got my Fitbit about a month after my hysterectomy and I've lost about 35 lb, but it could have been more if I had been more careful at the beginning. Also, even after your doctor gives you the go-ahead, be really careful when doing something like swimming or biking. They use a lot more of your ab muscles than you might remember! Doing certain yoga exercises that I was able to do without hurting helped a LOT with keeping the muscular atrophy at bay. You might feel silly only doing a few inches of movement, but it keeps your body remembering that you'll need those muscles when you're healed!

@WendyB is totally right! Right after your hyst, what you eat matters more because getting out of bed can be a feat. What helped me the most was eating "clean" during healing. Not to say that you should be following a grapefruit juice and celery diet, but eat tons of veggies/fruit, lean fish, complex carbs, etc. Nothing makes you feel worse than being post-surgery and being in a food coma from the pizza you ordered to avoid the long standing time (and it keeps your hormones a lot more normal). Fish is quick to cook and requires less than 5 minutes of standing, you can find grilled chicken that you can microwave, and salad needs no cooking! 🙂 My doctor put me on the Zone diet to help with the hormone fluctuations, and it has made a world of difference and I have my energy back. My husband got a bit tired of all the fish but ya know, he didn't just evict an organ! Also, caffeine is a beast. If there is any way you can eliminate (or cut down) the caffeine, that's awesome! Feel better, @TurbochargeLife!!! You'll feel SO much better now that you aren't battling the ailments so heavily!

[TurbochargeLife]

@MRose thanks for the info! It's great to get feedback from people who have gone through it, and are sharing their experiences to help others. I am trying to be very careful. I do know too much activity can set me back and I don't want that. Walking and pelvic floor exercises will be enough for me for awhile. It will be 6 weeks tomorrow since surgery day. Even though I am sore, I am thankful to not be bleeding every day! My colour is getting back to normal, I have enough blood in my body to transport oxygen - it's all good!! 🙂 I've never heard of he zone diet. I'll look that up!

[MRose]

So glad you are starting to feel better! Hopefully you will get a "start walking" go-ahead from your doctor when you hit your 6 week follow up! One thing I forgot to ask was asking about walking again, and I started my walking routine after she said I was good at my 6 week follow up, and I quickly overdid it. If you get the chance to do so, ask what kind of distance you should be aiming for at your 6, 8, and 12-week intervals so you can push yourself a little, but not risk damaging anything. It feels so strange to start actively walking and jogging, but you're to the end of the misery! It's about to get great!

[short-n-sassy]

I had a hysterectomy in June. Its been alittle over two months now.  I started by doing light chores around the house.  Believe me if you lift or do something too strenuous your body will let you know it.  My problem is hot flashes.  I guess up until this point I felt very healthy.  I too suffered from fibroids.  My doctor suggested surgery.  Actually am glad it is over with. I  am doing well, taking  time to rest, making better food choices, and  cutting  out the caffeine.  My  weight has always been a struggle.  I do well for a few days but boy when I fall off the wagon its tough getting back on track.  I got a Zip when  I was off on medical  leave.  I love it.  The badges are a great motivator.  Take care.

[TurbochargeLife]

Yes your body sure tells you when it is not ready. After coming back from my Dad's afer he passed away, my son wanted to do T25. I used to be able to do it no problem. Well, not even 10 minutes into it I could feel my abdomen starting to burn on the inside. I stopped immediately and did a different workout. I knew I would be backsliding if I continued with that one. My hormones are way off track still. I'm hoping dropping weight and eating good are going to turn that around. I haven't had hot flashes or anything like that. Good luck on your journey.