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" Question I had a full hysterectomy six months ago.  The lower part of my tummy (under the scar) is still very sore and sensitive to pressure. The scar is still very red and slightly raised.  I live in fear of someone bumping into me on the bus!  I&amp;#039;ve had an ultrasound scan and everything seems fine internally, but how long does it take to start feeling &amp;#039;normal&amp;#039; again?  Is there anything I can do to assist full recovery? Also &amp;amp;#8211; how much of the resulting weight gain can be due to the HRT? I feel very depressed and &amp;#039;out of control&amp;#039; of my body.   Answer Certainly, six months after a hysterectomy (and by &amp;#039;full&amp;#039;, I assume that you mean removal of the whole of the womb, or uterus, as opposed to a partial hysterectomy, where the cervix, or neck of the womb is left), you should be feeling more back to normal than you seem to be.  Nowadays, it is quite normal to return to work within two months of a hysterectomy, but you do not yet seemed to have gained your sense of well-being. I also presume from the fact that you are on HRT that you have had both ovaries removed at the same time as your hysterectomy, so your body will have had to cope with a fairly major change in its hormone levels.  It is probably this that is causing some of the current imbalance in the way that you feel. You mention that you are taking both HRT and St John&amp;#039;s wort (hypericum). It is now known that, because St John&amp;#039;s wort stimulates the liver, hormones break down more quickly than usual and so medicines like the Pill and HRT are less effective.  It would be worth stopping the St John&amp;#039;s wort and seeing if this any effect on the way you feel. You are also taking the Chinese herbal remedy Dong Quai, which is often recommended for menopausal problems.  You do not say which specific homeopathic remedies you are taking but it may be that you have mistaken the two herbal medicines that you are taking for homeopathic remedies &amp;amp;#8211; this is a common misconception! With regards to your sore scar: it can take up to a year for these to fully settle down, and because surgery damages nerve fibres in the skin, there are often areas of changed sensation around the scar.  This should lessen with time but if it persists in six months&amp;#039; time, it would probably be useful to talk to your GP about it. You mention that you have gained weight since you have been on HRT. There is a great deal of myth about HRT and weight gain.  Research has shown that equal numbers of ladies will gain weight at the time of the menopause, whether they take HRT or not, so it seems to be related to hormonal and metabolic changes, rather than to HRT.  Usually, no more than 3-4lb of weight gain can be linked to HRT. The other thing to remember about HRT is that it contains only the hormones that your body would still be producing naturally had you not had a hysterectomy but in a lower concentration.  Your weight gain is much more likely to be as a result of the inactivity you have no doubt had in the last few months because of your surgery.  I suggest trying to get back in to a pattern of regular exercise and the easiest thing to start with is walking, or swimming.  That way, you will help to get your weight off as well as toning your tummy muscles, which should help your scar. I think you will also find the exercise helps you to feel better about yourself. If your feelings of depression continue, go and have a chat with your GP or practice nurse; I&amp;#039;m sure they will be able to help you. Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team   Other Qs &amp;amp; As Advice after surgery After sterilisation Can I expect discomfort from a hysteroscopy? Endometriosis and hysterectomy Following up a sex change op Having sex after removal of an ovarian cyst How successful is sterilisation reversal? I want to reverse my sterilisation I&amp;amp;#8217;m going to have a colposcopy performed Is it possible that my tube clips have fallen off? Is there an alternative to a hysterectomy to treat fibroids? I&amp;#039;ve put on weight since my hysterectomy ME, hysterectomy and hypothyroidism Must my ovaries be removed during a forthcoming hysterectomy? My wife is having a cyst drained Operation for hypopituitarism Operation to remove fibroids Painful fibroids: Is hysterectomy the only option? Should I have a hysterectomy? Should I have a sub-total hysterectomy? Surgery for prolapse What can I do to help my recovery after my fibroadenoma is removed? What happens after a hysterectomy? What is a cervical polyp? When is too late to have an abortion? Will a hysterectomy cure my sarcoidosis? Will cervical laser treatment increase the risk of miscarriage? Will HRT help after an hysterectomy? Worry over cauterization Would my parents have to know if I have an abortion?   Last updated 06.11.2013 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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