So you’re having/had hysterectomy, now what?!
The picture above is meant to be cute, but having a hysterectomy is a very serious decision. I’m not here to debate the decision, but to help women know they’re not alone in their decision or their recovery.
My hysterectomy story
Being a Functional Nutrition Coach that specializes in women’s hormones, I thought I’d be the last person to need a hysterectomy. Sometimes though, these things can’t be helped. But, many times they can, just so we’re clear. I had to come to a place of acceptance that my case was pretty severe and I would have the best outcome by doing the total hysterectomy.
Without going into a long medical history, I recently was diagnosed with a large 6cm tumor on my left ovary. Just 18 months ago I had a 9cm cyst removed on my right ovary. Before that I had 4 stomach surgeries, some having to do with the adhesions that had formed in my stomach from an initial surgery of a diverticulitis rupture. After a consult with a highly regarded gynecologic oncologist, we decided it was best because of my previous history that we do a total hysterectomy. My oncologist thought that stomach surgeries on me were becoming complicated and more dangerous, and I had to agree, it was a scary thing.
One of my main concerns was of course, being forced into menopause instead of going through it naturally. The plus side about being in the Functional Medicine career was that I was prepared for what was going to happen. I already had in place my Functional Medicine Dr. who was waiting to prescribe bioidental hormones as soon as my procedure was over. I already had the hormone saliva kit waiting for me at home to send in. These two things alone made me feel great relief that I wasn’t alone and that help was on the way should I need it, via hormone replacement therapy.
Grieving the loss
Even though I had come to a place of acceptance for what needed to happen with me, I was still grieving. My career has taught me that the ovaries, uterus, Fallopian tubes, aren’t the problem. It’s always a hormonal problem. The female reproductive system is just basically like an innocent bystander. I had to grieve the loss of what I wasn’t going to get to experience. I had hoped to go through natural menopause and be able to teach my four daughters how to do that with grace and ease via nutrition and bioidenticals, but that choice was being taken from me. I had to take a few weeks to process what was happening and then set my mind to recovering and having optimal health through the second phase of my life, whether that was naturally or forced. Once I had a few good crying sessions, a few good talks with my girls and a lot of research, I felt comfortable with the decision and knew I had made the best choice.
Recovery Process
I hope that if you are considering a hysterectomy or have already had one, or if you’ve just gone through natural menopause, you understand that there is a recovery process. The steps you need to take to recover and have optimal health are all within your grasp, but they’re not always easy. Nutrition is number one. Getting your gut health on target as well as making sure you’re detoxifying correctly will help you in ways I can’t even describe. The next step is always testing. We don’t want to be guessing if we need hormones, we already know we definitely do, but you need to have a good Dr. that’s willing to do bioidentical hormones and give you the testing that you need to figure out your individual dosage.
What do you need
You need a good Functional Nutrition Coach to help you with your nutritional needs. You also need a good Dr. who believes in supporting you and in using bioidentical hormones to do that. If you have not found a Dr. like this, don’t get discouraged, they’re out there. By working with me, you will get both. I am a Certified Functional Nutrition Coach through Mind Body Green, and I have a relationship with a great Doctor who will get you the testing you need as well as the bioidentical hormones you need. To schedule a free 15 minute consult with me go to: https://calendly.com/grounded-inthe-present/15min
Whether you’re in perimenopause, already gone through menopause or a doctor has recommended you have a hysterectomy, I would be honored to meet with you to discuss the best options for you. It is my goal and life purpose to inform women of their rights as well as teach you about our glorious beautiful bodies and how they function hormonally. Don’t ever think you’re alone, you’ve got a friend in your corner right here 🙂
Cause I’m not there yet, but perhaps together, we’ll get there “Soon Enuff”.
Amy Lopez
