Hysterectomy Health

"WOMENS HEALTH NEEDS TO BE THE FRONT AND CENTRE. IT OFTEN ISN'T - BUT IT NEEDS TO BE"
-CYNTHIA NIXON

Personal & Professional Advice to Help You Prepare for and Recovery From Your Hysterectomy Surgery

Hysterectomies Are Scary, But What Do You Need To Know?

Trust me when I say that there is plenty of life to be lived, and lived well after having a hysterectomy, and I understand the immediate fears, anxieties and challenges that you may face in preparing for, and recovering from this surgery.

In 2019, at 38 years of age, I underwent a Radical Abdominal Hysterectomy for Endometriosis, Inflammatory Disease and Ovarian Cysts. It was a scary decision to make, but ultimately one that needed to be made.

I trawled the internet for credible and reliable information about the procedure, the recovery and life after surgery, and that was when I found the Burrell Education training course for fitness professional and health care workers dedicated to Hysterectomy Health.

As I learnt from some of the worlds most respected Women's Health Experts, I kept thinking "Why isn't this information available to women?", so I made the decision to create a short and easily accessible online course so women had easy access to this information (if I am honest, I actually spent my time in recovery creating the spoken videos, and have continued to add content to the programme ever since).

Are Considering Having A Hysterectomy
If you are facing surgery, or trying to make the decision, but are unsure on why you should or shouldn't go ahead.
Are Feeling Nervous or Apprehensive and Want to Be Prepared
If you want to prepare for surgery but don't know where to start or what to do. Considering how to prepare mind, body and soul for the changes ahead with nutrition, mindset and movement.
Want To Know How This Will Affect Your Life
If you want to understand how this surgery may affect your life moving forwards, and want to know how to have the best recovery to avoid too much impact on your lifestyle.
Have Questions Which Are Not Being Answered
If you feel as though you have not received all of the answers from your healthcare team, or need/want to know more.
Want To Understand the Procedure
If you want to know what is involved, how it works and what to expect during the procedure.

Want to Make An Informed Decision
If you feel as though your decision is being made for you, but want to take back control of what is happening to your body
Want to Know What to Expect
If you are anxious about your hospital stay and your recovery at home, and want to know what to expect during the early stages of recovery.
Are Not Sure What to Take To Hospital
If you are trying to get ready for your short hospital stay, but aren't sure what to take or what you might need.
Want to Know How to Return to Movement
If you want to know how and when you can start returning to normal day to day movement, activities and/or exercise following the procedure.
Want to Understand Foods Role in Recovery
If you want to make sure that your recovery is as optimal as possible by using good food to help with the healing process.

YES! I WANT TO FEEL BETTER AFTER MY HYSTERECTOMY!

Testimonials

Your Teacher

Lesley Morrison
MRSPH / MCIMSPA / RYT500
For 13+ years, I have worked with women in the health and fitness industry, assisting them in attaining more than just weight loss or fitness, but a healthy relationship with mind and body.
As a personal trainer, I have worked with hundreds of women, and I realised that the majority of these women were experiencing similar difficulties in achieving their goals.
When looking at the information, I quickly realised the one common denominator. The Menopause!
I have spent the last few years of my career learning about this life stage, and how we can take take back control of our bodies through simple and sustainable actions to reduce the impact that hormone changes have on day to day activities.
In 2020, I was acknowledge for my work within the Health & Wellness industry, by way of recognition as a member of the the Royal Society for Public Health and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sports and Physical Activity.

Now, I work exclusively with women who are experiencing Peri to Post Menopause or Hysterectomy Surgery/Recovery, by combining my vast knowledge of Fitness and Nutrition, my teaching skills as both a Pilates and Yoga Teacher, plus my personal & professional experience of both Hysterectomy and Menopause, to create unique and specific group, self-paced and individual programmes to guide women to health, wellbeing and ultimately, happiness.

When faced with hysterectomy surgery it is completely natural to feel anxious, nervous, reluctant and scared, and you will probably have an increasing number of questions coming to mind all of the time.
You may feel as though you are not being given adequate information or answers when you attend appointments, or maybe haven't had the opportunity to ask everything you want, or need to before the big day.
Perhaps you just aren't sure what to ask right now, and feel overwhelmed with the whole situation.

HysterStrong has been created to give you a good foundation of information to help you not only prepare for your surgery, mentally, physically and emotionally, but also recover afterwards, both short and longer term.
The information may help you in not only asking those important questions when attending appointments with your consultant, but also obtaining some peace of mind during your hospital stay, and once you get home and start your recovery.

Having this knowledge and understanding of the procedure and recovery can transform how you feel, physically, mentally and emotionally.
Reducing the stress and anxiety, allowing you to relax and feel in control, and giving you insight into the weeks and months surrounding your surgery.

The programme combines easy to understand scientific facts with first hand experience,
and continues to evolve based on the feedback received from others who have been where you are right now.

Whether you are considering having surgery, awaiting a date, booked in or in the early stages of recovery,
HysterStrong offers advice, information and support for all stages of your journey.

CONTENT
The programme comes with a PDF manual, which you can download and read at your own pace, plus a dedicated recipe booklet.
The programme has been broken down into different stages, allowing you to focus on each phase of the process as you need to, be that pre-op, your hospital stay, or post-op.

SUPPORT
You will have full support and personal access to a specialist
Women's Wellbeing Practitioner, for ongoing guidance as and when you need it. Plus, additional recommendations for support forums and groups that you may like to be a part of for extra help when you need it.

VIDEOS
Each of the five modules included within the programme comes with a video presentation.
You will have access to these throughout the programme and beyond. The Manual and the videos is where you will find all of the important information that you will require.

COMMUNITY
You will have access to the dedicated "Sisterhood Hysterectomy Support Group" on Facebook, where you can speak to other women who have experienced the surgery. This community is private, and it is completely safe for you to seek help for all sorts of issues, problems or concerns that you may have.

LIFETIME
You will have access to the content and all future updates or additions for it's lifetime. In other words, as long as the course is published and available you will be able to access it through the Nourished portal.
We will always try and notify you if there are important updates, so you don't miss anything.

YES! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT!

MODULE ONE: INTRODUCTION
During Module one we look at what a Hysterectomy is, what it means and the different methods in which it may be performed, as well as the different types of surgery. You will complete module one understanding much more about the process and how your body may be affected following surgery. It may also help you in establishing questions for your surgeon.
MODULE TWO: PRE-OP PREPARATION
Preparing for your surgery isn't always an option, however during module two we talk about how you can transform your mindset to deal with the anxiety and nerves, how to use nutrition to really help you to prepare and assist in your recovery, getting the home ready for your return after surgery, and what you may want or need to pack in your hospital bag, plus more.
MODULE THREE: YOUR HOSPITAL STAY & RECOVERY
During module three we talk about what happens during your hospital stay and how you may feel immediately post-op, as well as how your "at home" recovery may look. We'll also talk about important issues like sneezing, coughing, bowel movements and getting out of bed, the simple every day things that can affect your recovery. We will also talk recovery nutrition and the process of healing.

MODULE FOUR: RETURNING TO LIGHT MOVEMENT
The amount of information given when you leave hospital varies and can be very inconsistent from one hospital/surgeon to another, however during module four we will discuss the importance of taking things slowly and looking after your body as you get back to light day to day movement and activities. We will talk more about when you should start to do certain activities around the home and how to reintroduce movement with compassion towards your body.
MODULE FIVE: LOVING MOVEMENT FOR LIFE
Module Five introduces you to a series of recovery safe exercises and how to gently implement these post surgery. The main goal of module five is to offer you a method of loving movement for your body and mind, not just as a means to get fit and "lose weight". I have also included videos to help you in performing all exercises properly, to ensure your technique is correct.

YES! I WANT TO BE PREPARED FOR MY SURGERY!

If you want to feel as though you are making the best decision for you and your body.
If you want to understand the process and procedure.
If you feel as though you are not getting the answers to your questions.
If you want to make sure that your operation and recovery go smoothly and you feel as well as you can post surgery.
If you want to ask the right questions to your care team and understand WHY you are having/needing this surgery.
If you want to understand the steps of recovery and what you should/shouldn't be doing and when.

If you want to make sure that you, your mind, health, family & home are all prepared for the surgery.
If you want to use food and good nutrition to help fuel and improve your recovery.
If you are anxious, stressed, nervous and not sure what to expect.
If you want to take the worry out of preparing for, and thinking about the procedure.
If you want to better handle the concerns of your at home recovery and how to make the best of this time.
If you want to have a pre-prepared list of things to pack, what to expect and what to ask prior to surgery.

YES! I WANT TO FEEL MY BEST AFTER MY HYSTERECTOMY!

Other Resources:

Understanding Your Menopause Ebook - Andrea Marsh

"I remember the first time I met a client who'd had a hysterectomy and the state she was in. I felt unprepared to help her, however I put all my menopause knowledge into action and it worked, she felt so much better: "3 months ago I was in a dark terrible place.... Now I feel great!" Julie.
My book 'Understanding Your Menopause' will explain what exactly is going on with your menopause, and depending on your age you may already be perimenopausal and so experiencing some of the symptoms. However with a hysterectomy and/or medical menopause all of these crazy symptoms are thrown at you at once, and this can put you into a tailspin of overwhelm and emotion; preparation is key to helping you transition as smoothly as possible.
My best advice is to prepare your body nutritionally, the loss of oestrogen will hit, as will excess cortisol and you need to be prepared for what you can do about these. To avoid hot flushes for example a lot of natural small steps will help lessen them, but preparing your body takes 4-8 weeks.
A majority of the symptoms you'll experience will be nutritional depletion so my book will explain what is going on and what supplements to take. When you are preparing for a hysterectomy prepare for all symptoms, and get your supplements started in advance. I would suggest a minimum of a month before the operation, but the sooner the better if you can."