Hysterectomy: Woman to Woman

Rating:
Summary: I wish I'd bought this book a year ago.
Review: Before reading this book, I thought that I must be just a little crazy. Everyone around me, friends, family, co-workers, were telling me that I should just have the surgery done and get it over with. Afterall I didn't need my uterus or ovaries anymore. No one (except my husband) understood how deeply and emotionally I felt about giving up my reproductive organs. After reading Sue Ellen Barber's book I realized that I wasn't alone in how I felt and that many other women went through the same emotional experiences that I have. Her story also prepared me for what to expect postoperatively. I also made my husband read the book so that he could be prepared for my recovery period. We both thank you for sharing your experiences.

Rating:
Summary: An incredibly helpful guide to hysterectomy
Review: Hysterectomy:Woman to Woman was a book I read over and over, before and after my recent hysterectomy. With so much controversy and negativity surrounding this procedure, it was difficult to find positive, and helpful information. Ms. Barber deals with all aspects of preparation, the surgery itself, the immediate post-operative experience, and the journey to recovery. I found it refreshingly honest and easy-to-read. I would recommend it to any woman approaching surgery who would like clear facts and encouragement about hysterectomy.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, a bit dated.
Review: This book had a lot of good information about the emotional states one goes through when making such a decision, and the recovery process after surgery.

And I especially liked the in-depth discussion about the process of recovering from hysterectomy surgery. One reviewer thought the author was whiney when discussing her recovery from an abdominal hysterectomy. However, based on conversations with several friends who have been through that method (abdominal) of doing a hysterectomy, I know it is an honest and accurate account, not exaggerated. When discussing upcoming surgery with patients, doctors tend to gloss over the slow recovery period, and the fatigue, not mentioning it until afterwards. Some books gloss over it too, listing only the most optimistic timelines for recovery.

This book is a bit dated; it had little or no discussion of the newer all-laproscopic method of hysterectomy. Also, in the discussion of deciding whether or not to have ovaries removed, I don't recall seeing any mention that ovaries continue to produce some hormones even after menopause, although at a low level.

Recommended books to supplement this book, especially during the decision-making process: DO YOU REALLY NEED SURGERY by Moore and De Costa, and SO YOU'RE HAVING A HYSTERECTOMY by Tulandi and Levy, and A GYNECOLOGIST'S SECOND OPINION by Parker. Also see forum discussions on www.about.com

Rating:
Summary: Woman to Woman
Review: This book read well, but after a short time I was weary of listening to this woman whine on and on and on. The useful information she did give in the book could have been condensed to a booklet. It is now four weeks after my surgery and I cannot compare myself to her as I am doing wonderfully well. The spinal was a great way to go and the binder she mentions is worthwhile. Otherwise, this woman just whines - and I experienced years of heavy bleeding just as bad as she.

Rating:
Summary: Woman to Woman
Review: This book read well, but after a short time I was weary of listening to this woman whine on and on and on. The useful information she did give in the book could have been condensed to a booklet. It is now four weeks after my surgery and I cannot compare myself to her as I am doing wonderfully well. The spinal was a great way to go and the binder she mentions is worthwhile. Otherwise, this woman just whines - and I experienced years of heavy bleeding just as bad as she.

Rating:
Summary: I wish I'd bought this book a year ago.
Review: This book was sent to me by a dear friend one week before my surgery. It only confirmed that surgery was the right option for me; however, I would recommend it even if surgery is not your choice. I found it to be comforting at a time when resources and answers to my questions were highly conflicting. Thanks to Ms. Barber for having the vision to write a much needed guide!

Rating:
Summary: This book has been my bible before and after hysterectomy
Review: This is not a medical text, but a honest, frank journal by a woman who chose to have a hysterectomy to enhance her life. This is the only book I found that describes in a layperson's language what to expect in the weeks after surgery. I highly recommend it for any woman considering this operation.