Hysterectomy Recovery Time
June 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy Recovery Time
Every woman is concerned over all of the particulars of a hysterectomy especially when it comes to the recovery time of a hysterectomy. However, much to every woman’s dismay, there is a healing time and you will have to go through it so let’s talk about the recovery time for the hysterectomy.
A hysterectomy will require some TLC for the woman who just had surgery. However, ladies, you can play the recovery time to the hilt if you’d like but it really isn’t as bad as what you are told by physicians or the women who had their hysterectomies 10 years ago. Things have improved and women who have hysterectomies are finding little problems with recovery from a hysterectomy.
The recovery time does vary from woman to woman and from procedure to procedure. An abdominal hysterectomy is much like a c-section. After childbirth via c-section, women find they are in a lot of pain and can not move about like they would like to move about. A woman is likely to need pain medication for the first 48 hours after surgery and often for up to two weeks following the procedure. An abdominal hysterectomy is the same only, this time, you don’t leave the hospital with a little bundle of joy. You simply have the surgery; stay a couple of nights in the hospital and return home to recover.
Other hysterectomies, such as the laparoscopic hysterectomy will not be as painful and recovery will not be as difficult. Women who have the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy discover an easy recovery time (compared to other procedures) and some women (dont hold your breath that this will be you) have returned to work within 5 days.The easiest recovery time for a woman who has a hysterectomy is for the woman who has the LSH or the laparoscopic hysterectomy and the most difficult time is for the woman who has the most invasive surgery which is the abdominal hysterectomy.
Still, it is important to remember, it is only as difficult as you choose. Recovery can go relatively fast but you must help yourself. You should drink plenty of fluids, move around as much as possible and plan for a speedy recovery. If you try to get back on your feet as quickly as possible, then your recovery process will not only allow you to heal but will also help you feel better once you resume normal activities without the complications of the medical problems you experienced prior to your hysterectomy procedure. Then, you’ll be glad you had your hysterectomy.
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Did you say one could go back to work in 5 days after a laparoscopic hysterectomy? Who did?
My sister went back to work within 5 days and said she could have done 3 had the Dr let her. They did not even keep her overnight. Took all but 1 ovary. Her only complaint was her lower back seemed to be out of wack from the position she was in during surgery or when they moved her, but other than that nothing but a little gas.
I’m scheduled for one in December.
I see that administration wrote this article. Did it happen to be the administrator for a health care insurance company. It is anatomically impossible for a body to heal within five days after surgery. As a society we are pushed consistantly to never take any down time. The truth is that someone could return to work after a lap within five day; but they would also develop scar tissue inside their body. That damage would last forever. I supposed their boss would be happy, insurance co’s pay less initially, but the person suffers forever. It is not whimpy or wrong to allow your body the time that in needs to heal. What is wrong is that we as a people have become just a number. I am not a whimp, I had a TAH with BSO, it has been one week and I am no where near healed. My incision will be healed soon from the outside; but my tissue inside will not and I will allow my body the time that it needs to heal so that I don’t suffer later. I am still in pain, it’s getting better. By the way, it was far worse than I ever imagined, and it isn’t ten years ago.
Please void this article and have it re-written by someone who knows what they are talking about.
Hi I had laposcopic hysterectomy -had ovaries, uterus, cervic and lympnodies removed as I had cancer. I went in at 6 in the morning as was out of the hospital by 1 pm the same day! I was up and about the next day and by the fourth day was driving-went back to work after two weeks -was a little tired the first week.
it is not possible to work in 5 days after hysterctomy though laproscopic.after two weeks a patient can move slowly in the house for about 5minutes.later she has to take rest for 5 minutes. after 4 weeks a patient can do normal work and move around frequently.after 6 weeks a patient can do normal work slowly. this is my personal experience.
I had the LSH six days ago and I feel worse now than when I did 3 days ago. It’s like being hit by a bus. Your energy and pain levels are completely out of wack. Be prepared its not as easy as the docs say. Best of luck.
I went to work after 5 days because my husband and myself own our own business. I HAD to. But, when I go to work it is almost a given that later that night I feel bad and the next day I’m exhausted. So now at two weeks post op I go to work every other day and then only for a couple of hours to post accounts. My intestines seem to be giving me the hardest time. I’ve always had trouble in this area and now it seems worse. Also the estrogen seems to be giving me migraines. If anybody knows anything about either, please let me know.
Hi,Im having my pr-op in 12 days and Im having the abdominal hysterectomy after christmas. My doctor told me Im going to need 6-12 weeks off work. Im now being told 6 weeks by another doctor. I feel I should go by what my body tells me,I had an eptopic pregnancy 13 yrs ago and Im told the cut will be through the same scar. I remember very well how I felt after that op and I also remember how long I was off work for. But Im worried Im going to feel worse after this op as I have gained weight (5 STONE)and I know my tummy is heaveyer. I dont know who to believe or what to expect.This is what I want,the hysterectomy. Im just starting to worry because everyone is telling me different things.PLEASE HELP.
Just had my surgery on November 25th. Was supposed to have laprascopic but the size of my uterus and tumors changed that and I had to have abdominal. I have a pretty high tollerance for pain so I was changed to motrin for pain the second day. I would just say even if you don’t have a lot of pain still take the medication because it helps take the edge off. I get a shower and have to rest against the wall to gather strength to dry off then I have to lay down to gather strenght from drying. My blood count is only at 7.2 so that has a lot to do with it. Today has been a week and a day and I walked outside to get the mail then came in and sat and read. I get up and walk around the house a few times a day. The hardest part is getting out of bed and getting up out of the chair because it pulls on the incision. Every body tells you don’t lift nything, listen to that advise. You use stomach mussels for the smallest thing you lift. I tend to forget that and then I pay for it later. I am having trouble with my bowels moving normal so I am trying to drink alot and eat fruit and foods high in fiber. I would just suggest that you go with what your body tells you. Allow others to do everything for you for at least the first week or two. I thought I should be doing more and now I am more sore feeling than I was before. So don’t push yourself. Make sure you have a pillow to hold over your stomach for your ride home you feel every little bump in the road. It really is not that bad, but you will want to keep a pillow with you at home in the event you cough, sneeze or laugh. I have grown to love my pillow it really helps. I’ll pray all goes well for you.
I had a laproccopic hysterectomy 12 days ago and had everything removed, including ovaries, fallopian tubes, lymph nodes since I have endometrial cancer. My friend had this same surgery last year and was raring to go after about 3 days. No pain, no pain pills. I was on pain medication for 7 days and now I’m down to Advil. However, as well-healed the outside incisions are, I can still feel that the inside isn’t healed. I think anyone who gets going too soon takes a big risk in complications. Plus everyone heals differently. However,give your body a bit of time to heal. Pamper yourself.
I can also just shake my head in disbelief about the 5 days recovery stories (my surgeon said that I could go back to work today – I guess he must be working for “the other side”…). I am on day 6 post-op, still aching, especially after sitting upright for an hour, having some discharge and am generally totally exhausted. My pain treshold is high as I had a lot of other painful operations in my life, so wouldn’t consider myself a whimp, and whoever goes back to work that fast is either popping painkillers like candy drops or is super human… That’s all I can say!
Maxine,
I may be atypical, but I had an abdominal hysterectomy on November 9th and returned to work 3 weeks later. (And flew to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving 2 weeks after the surgery, with my doctor’s OK.) I have a vertical incision, and all the staples came out before the travel (1/2 removed 1 week after surgery, and the rest the next week). My pain level was never horrendous; in fact, when I got home we found that the doctor at the hospital who was supposed to sign my prescriptions had not, so I couldn’t get the Percocet or the prescription-level Advil (600 mg, vs the 200 mg OTC kind). I just tripled up on the OTC Advil, and that was all I needed for that first couple of weeks. I was able to go up and down stairs in our home with no trouble. The first week was painful if I was trying to move around much; getting in and out of bed was the worst. One hint I was given was to get in bed on your knees–it helped a bit! Also, if you feel the need to sneeze, cough, or laugh hysterically hold a pillow against your tummy. I felt virtually no pain while either standing or sitting–it’s that need to get up and move that caused discomfort. Walking around was fine, though. Today is my 4-week anniversary, and while there’s still some swelling and still some minor discomfort if I move wrong or overdo it, it has been pretty smooth sailing. I’m going in for the 4-week check this afternoon.
Plan to have plenty of comfortable things to wear, stuff that doesn’t hit too close to the incision. I had 3 prs of pajamas with drawstring waists that were great. Get stuff you love to have around when you come home–in my case, chai tea, “Pride & Prejudice” on DVD, books, and hazelnut chocolate cookies.
It’ll go fine. I’ll be sending you good vibes!
I had an LSH on November 24th. Only my uterus was removed, cervix and ovaries in tact. I had an overnight stay in the hospital due to a slight reaction to the anesthesia. Had I been able to wake, eat and pee, I’d have been allowed to go home the same day.
I stayed down for 3 days, only getting up to go to the bathroom, get more water/meds, make a walk around the house and back to my bed. NO STAIRS. I showered with supervision. By the following Sunday (5 days post-op) I’d had enough of being down. I started slow with things like folding laundry, sweeping, loading dishwasher. By Wed, I was able to go to work. I worked for 3 hours/day, the rest of the week. The following Monday, just this week, I’m back to work full time with NO issues of pain.
I had my 2 week post-op yesterday and was cleared for low impact exercise (walking, eliptical, etc) and am able to resume using weights for exercise. Still no excessive heavy lifting or climbing on things like ladders. Pelvic rest in place for the 6 weeks (drat).
I feel great. I get the occassional cramping feeling, WAY less than anythign I experienced with periods. I do have a lot more gas, I actually pee more often, even though my bladder has more room. I have noticed and increase in headaches, nothing Tylenol doens’t handle. There were a few times I had the pain in my bones from the gas during surgery.
My doctor said mind set has A LOT to do with recovery. I went in planning on coming home that night. LOL. I stayed off my feet and took my meds like a good girl.
Oh…I forgot…Stool softeners. I wish someone would have spoken to me about the possible use of them. The first few bowel movements after surgery (my post above with details) were difficult. Be sure to ask your doctor about using them!
Had LSH on Monday and stayed in the hospital overnight–just in case and at my family’s encouragement. Six days later, I could envision returning to work within the next few days. I have experienced some “pressure” but no real pain. I have been walking about easily and doing light chores around the house. I do get a little tired in the afternoon, but other than that, I feel great.
What has been most bothersome, is that I haven’t recovered from the pre-op “bowel prep”. Sheesh. That was less than fun and now that I’m 6 days past the surgery, I’m still not “normal” in that sense.
Other than that, I’m thrilled with the results!
I had a total laperscopic hysterectomy on Dec. 7th. I am still sore, I was in surgery for almost 6 hours. I had an artery bleed during surgery that they were able to fix. I dont know if that is why I have had such a hard time recovering. I get tired easily and like I said am still sore. I have to take it one day at a time. The fourth day post surgery was the WORST day for me, I felt like I had been hit by a truck! My advice to those of you who are having this done is plan to have help available and take it easy. Listen to your body and dont push it.
I have had an abdominal hyserectomy 2 weeks ago and I had a caesarian section 21 years ago. So my memories are not positive for the caesarian as I was 21 and very scared.
Now, this time around im 42 and doing well. There was extreme pain for the first 48 hours and the anaesthesia made me very hot and very itchy for 3 days until they became aware of an allergy I had to it.
After that I begged to go home as I was not sleeping very well in hospital. I was back home and in my own bed after three days, this is all I needed to start felling 100% better than when in hospital.
My first day back home was great I could choose my own pillows and a better position to lay in my king bed instead of the silly singles in hospital. It is well worth getting home as quickly as possible as long as you have someone who can serve your every whim, as you will need it for security and comfort.
Dont try to shower alone for at least 2 weeks and only do what you feel you want to and remember to rest plenty.
Love and speedy healing to all.
I had the laproscopic surgery three weeks ago and still can not get around very well. I am having intestinal problems and pain as well as bladder problems. My Boss wants me back to work in one more week and I am affraid it may be too soon. As Women we must remember to listen to our own bodies, not what every one else has to say! Take the time to let your body heal!
No one but one person said what their job is. My job is very physical and I am on my feet 8 hours a day with 2 ten minute breaks and a 1/2 hour lunch. There is no way I could go back to work in 5 days. I haven’t been back for my 2 week checkup yet and I think I have been doing too much at home. I started to have some blood when I was doing more things. Is this normal?
I am sorry when I was 15 I had a fibroid tumor removed that was the size of a small watermellon. I made it from that and then when I got pregnant they told me I’d have to have a C Section. I was 27. Now I am 50 and the thought of someone cutting me open for the third time… well I know this won’t be good. I am 50 now and I just can’t hop up out of bed like I used to. I haven’t been up and with the 2 surgeries and back surgery and cutting my thumb off surgeries I don’t think I’d want to get up. I say this as my belly swells and swells. What about the procedure that places plastic in the veins for fibroids and cuts off the blood flow which is out patient surgery. Why does some male doctor who never had a period cut me open and say oh she’s 50 let’s get it all! I am so over it. But I have to figure out how to get this 10 pound thing out of me. I don’t want to be cut not again. What do I do and anyone who isn’t female, 50 and hadn’t been cut open twice before and had 4 hand surgeries and a back surgery and a C section need not reply!
All you people that say it’s easy much be young and feel great. At 15 I wondered if I die. My sorry I am so not looking forward to this and please don’t email me or respond telling me how wonderful it was for you cause cause I have already had so many things operated on that even if I didn’t have to go threw this I would still have a hard time making it. Period
Hi, to all my sisters. I had an abdominal hysterectomy, tummy tuck, bladder lift and rectocyle on the 9th of Dec and am feeling tough. My doctor had to do the abdominal again because about 30 years ago I had a large ovarian cyst removed along with the ovary and tube. I just got my drains removed yesterday and feel a little better. My doctor told me to plan on being off work for 6 weeks, but that it takes a year to fully recover from surgery. I also have a home health care nurse checking on me once a week. I have seen my doctor once since the surgery and then he was in and out in a second.
The one concern that I have at this time is that along my incision I have some huge knots that hurt to the touch and I am not sure if that is normal so will ask my home health care nurse about this issue. Maxine, I don’t know how old you are but I am sure age has some impact on how fast you heal – I am 55 and decided that I did not want to hold off until I was older and I still believe I made the right decision. Good luck on your surgery.
I am 10 days out of a Laproscopic hysterectomy. I took pain meds the fist week and quit taking them. The only discomfort I am feeling is some tenderness at the incision sites and some twinges inside that I assume are the areas where my uterus and cervix were removed. I was able to keep my ovaries but have had a few days of being overly emotional. I have had no bleeding but expect the bleeding to begin sometime next week only because the internals stitches should start to dissolve. I don’t see how anyone could be ready to go back to work in just 5 days. I am 10 days out and wondering if I will feel ready to go back 1/2 days next week. Good luck to those just going through this and will go through this. I have been told we won’t regret it once we fully recover.
Maxine – laparoscopic hysterectomy has a much different recovery path than abdominal hystectomy.
I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy 9 days ago. Following my friends experience(and doctors approval), I stayed on a low, but steady dose of ibuprophen and pain pills (1 pill 2x/day) until today. My doctor told me it would help my recovery to move around, even on the pain pills – as long as I was very careful not to lift. The medications have helped greatly with the pain and tiredness.
Since it was recommended to me that I don’t drive for 2 weeks, I have not gone “in” to work, but today worked several hours on my computer at home. I had to take a nap, so I am not sure how going to work would have been. Today, I am feeling good without any pain pills, and at the rate I am recovering, I should be able to go back to work next week (DESK JOB!!!)
Hi Maxine I had the surgery and had two c section . I had my surgery Dec 9th It not that bad I was up walking the next day . I stayed in the hospital 2 days. I am going back to work on 13th Jan. I go back to Doctor next week. I have good days and bad but over all I feel okay. good luck
Melbridd@netzero.com
Thanks to everyone for sharing their differenct experiences. I know women who have been off anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. No one back to work in 5 days. Maybe it depends on your age? Anyway, I’m scared. Do you feel the same or like something’s missing. I haven’t really talked to my doctor since my hystercopy where I learned my fibroids were attached to my womb. Anyone hve that problem?
had the laproscopy hysterectomy…anesthisia messed with my head more than anything—its been 6 days now- sore around belly ..still a little blood loss-using ibuprophen for pain,i cant complain ,im also overweight(300)and was worried about underbelly incision but it seems to be doing well….i have to watch about lifting is all…so far so good
Hi! I am 44 years old and had my complete Hyst 3 weeks ago. I wish I had more info about HRT I have headaches all the time and I am always dizzy. I was in the hospital about 12 hours total and went home. I delt great till about a week ago. noone could even tell I had surgery. I could have returned to week within the 1st week cuz I felt great. i realize now I did way too much too soon and now I am tired alot and have no energy. i highly reccommend you let your body heal the 4 to 8 weeks. I wish I would have. Can anyone give me any ideas on how to get off the HRT? Does the vitamins and herbs really help with the mood swings?
I recently had laproscope assisted hysterectomy surgery, it was a supracervical hysterectomy, which means that everything went except my ovaries. I was kept overnight with a cathader @ was told that I could return too work after 3 weeks granted I relaxed & took care of myself. I returned to work after 4 weeks thinking I was healed, my head told me that I was healed but my body kept telling me I wasn’t. I even returned to martial arts! I am a mother of 3 and I work full time, I pushed myself & did not allow proper healing time. Its been since Thanksgiving 2009 & my recovery has been extended & I hurt worse now than I did 2 months ago. Your recovery time depends on you! Listen to your body & don’t push yourself. In the long run you will be happy that u relaxed & took it easy!
I had mine on the 16th of Dec.2009, and i feel great,There was a 2 nite stay in the hospital.I think what made me recover faster, was goin home.I did a lot of moving around,and was able to go up and down stairs the same day I got home. as long as I took it easy. I had the c- section type. My scar has healed. The best thing that could’ve happen to me.I have lost weight 7lbs. my appetite has changed.My bottom belly was big, but goin down now, And i have started crunches on a ab lounger.And I feel great. I guess it’s all about the determination that help you lose the weight,and flatten your tummy.
I am recovering from a vaginally assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy and oopherectomy performed one week ago. This is my third laparoscopic surgery since 2007. My stamina and pain tolerance is much better with this surgery. I had started going to the gym regularly about one month before this surgery. I wonder if being in better shape has made this recovery easier.
I convinced my doctor, for insurance and financial reasons, to let me go home the same day as my surgery. I have done fine, but that may have been a mistake. I probably pushed it to much that day.
I have made it a point to get up to get my own drink or meal most of the time just to move around. I think the helps also. Stretch the stomach muscles just a little or you may end up hunched over for a while during the recovery. This happened to me with my first surgery.
Constipation has been a problem for me after surgery due to the drugs and inactivity. I make sure I take a stool softener and drink plenty of water after surgery to help avoid this. Also, gas pains are much more painful after this surgery. I recommend avoiding anything that will increase gas.
I started cutting back the pain meds after about three days. I did take one or two tablets each day after that. Bowel movements can be intensely painful!
Being a week out on this surgery, I’m not ready to go back to work. I have done some work by remote connection, but I am not physically or mentally ready for the stress of the workplace. It is my opinion that going back to early is detrimental to the recovery process. My intention is to return afer two week, at least part-time, but that will be based on my body.
I just had a total lap hysterectomy because of pelvic vein congestion that could not be addressed via vein surgery/coil emplantation from the jugular vein two months ago. I’ll tell you, between the pain of surgery, the 3 day migraine and the gas discomfort with constipation, my bladder/kidneys slow to work, it’s been absolutely no picnic. There’s no way I could go to work even now. Just the trip to get a second catheter removed was horrible. It’s been 9 days and I’m getting around very slowly at home, doing what I can, then sleeping about 14 hours at night. I’m 52—so maybe it’s taking a little longer for me. I consider myself pretty tough, very thin, and more than ready for this surgery after years of pelvic pain. But it’s tough! Don’t bother with the coil embolization surgery! The coils worked their way down to my uterus and had to be removed as well. 17k wasted!
I had my LSH on a Friday and was back to work on Tuesday. I did notice after about 6 hours of work I did become very tired. So for my first 3 days back I only worked 6 hours a day instead of the regular 10 hrs. It has now been 10 days post-op and still doing great. Still not 100% and after working all day I am very tired but I can’t stand to stay home and do nothing. I am very independent and don’t like being waited on. I think the more active you are the faster you heal as long as you don’t over-due it. I have caught myself lifting things I shouldn’t because I feel fine and forget. I have kept myself well hydrated and eat yogurt everyday. The yogurt will help keep your stomach and intestines work properly and along with keeping hydrated helps to combat constipation.
I am currently recovering from this laparoscopic surgery and ANYONE who can go back to work after 5 days is crazy. I couldn’t even roll over in bed comfortably MUCH less do what is required in a normal work day. My doctor said 4-6 weeks is the norm. I think rushing back to work might lead to problems in healing and you should take the time to heal. At 2.5 weeks my doctor says I’m still not to bend to pick anything up due to the internal stitches – WHY would you want to put your health at risk and not give yourself time to heal? Also my doctor didn’t allow driving till after 2 weeks! I think someone is trying to convince us that this surgery isn’t such a big deal- I beg to differ! It is major surgery- give yourself time to heal. I think you’ll regret it if you don’t!
I would just like to say.. that it takes as long as it takes to heal!!Everyone is different…. Age, weight, health are all factors! I ask the person that said that it doesn’t take only 5 days to feel better and to return to normal activity…. how do you know??? I, infact felt almost back to normal after one full week from my TLH.. I am 33, three kids and had cancer!! I think that mentally feeling good is half the battle and that takes 2-3 days and the rest is getting rid of the abdominal gas that causes pressure and discomfort…NOT PAIN!!!! Tylenol, tylenol, tylenol!!!!
Mazine,
I would like to know how your recovery went. I am scheduled to have the same procedure in March. If I will need 6-12 weeks off, I will have to schedule it to June. please let me know how’s your recovery is going. Thanks!
I went back to work today…10 days after my hysterectomy. BIG MISTAKE. I believe that by doing this I have slowed down my recovery. I am exhausted, sore, can not eat or drink. Please ladies, take the time off that you need too.
I had an abdominal swupracervical hysterectomy 3 weeks ago after having 3 c-sections within 4 years. This is definately like a 4th c-sectin and I am having a lot more difficulty with my recovery especially with my bowel movements and gas. I was expecting to be out of work for at least 10 weeks. but my MD says 6 weeks. Pain is subjective and I Am definately not liking how I currently feel. I think up to 12 weeks should be the recovery period.
I am one week, one day post TLH. every day is different. the pain is bad, but i’m doing pretty good. i’m in good health, and a healthy weight, & 33, so recovery I think is easier for me. He took all but my ovaries, I know I’m pushing myself more than I should, but wow, this is hard doing nothing. my hormones seem to be all crazy too. fantastic.
I drove myself to the supermarket yesterday and bought a few things, including a gallon of milk. I don’t recommend. I’m hurting today. thought I could go one day without pain meds, nope. I don’t want to eat anything, nothing seems appetizing, I don’t want to drink fluids, everything is an effort.
It will be worth it though, just recovery sucks.
hope this helps ease your fears.
I, too, am curious about who wrote this horrible article! “You don’t leave the hospital with the little bundle of joy”?! “If you get on your feet as quickly as possible, your recovery process will allow you to heal”…”you’ll be glad you had your hysterectomy”?! I am preparing for a hysterectomy, reluctantly, but without choice. I have, regretfully, never had a child. The sheer insensitivity of the writer is stunning and irresponsible! Plus, I don’t see a single piece of information that is even remotely helpful…unbelievable…I advise women who are searching for real information regarding options, healing, etc., to check out The Mayo Clinic website. Best wishes and safe healing to all.
I had a laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy 5 days ago. First few days I felt sick to my stomach and if I move around too much I started bleeding. Today I did a little bit more around the house and I began to bleed like I had a period. I then had to lay down for the rest of the day to stop the bleeding. I don’t think I would be able to return to work in the next week or so.
I had a TAH on Feb. 17th there is no way that i could go back to work now. I’m off until April 5th, and that is minimal, I may be off longer my appt. is April 2nd to see my dr. and he will tell me then. I know I didn’t have it Laprascopically, but 5 days to go back to work seems a little to early the anathesia hadnt even left my system completely then.
I was able to return to work after 7 days. I do have a desk job though. Except for mild to severe pain to due gas and intestinal issues, (which I continue to experience 2 weeks later) I have had virtually no problems. Of course there is mild discomfort and fatigue, but that is to be expected from surgery. I found that getting up and moving around after about 4 days was extremely helpful, i just had to remind myself not to overdo it.
Overall, I had expected to have severe pain after this surgery but in fact had only minor pain/discomfort (except for the gas pain noted above). What a relief, it wasn’t so bad after all and the scars are tiny.
I have to have a radical hystorectomy how long is the stay and how long before I can go back to work’
I had a laposcopic hysterectomy recently as outpatient. Within an hour of waking up in recovery, I was being discharged at my request. I felt good (a little whoozy but considering the surgery…). I felt great the next day and started doing light housework. I was totally off the pain medication by the 2nd day of recovery. I was off from work for a week. I am amazed at how quickly I recovered. I feel like a new woman!!! I truly believe it is mind over matter. Will yourself to a speed recovery!!!!
I had laproscopic hysterectomy (took ovaries and uterus, kept cervix) one month ago and I feel great. First couple of days I was sore, but I worked from home on day 5 and was back to work in 2 weeks. I took a 3.5 mile hike last weekend and feel great. I think it depends on how good of shape you are in as to how long your recovery will be.
Hello. I am reading this website trying to find the answer as to how long until I can resume power walking for excercise. My doctor said 4 weeks but I feel great and I am ready to start now! It’s only been a week since my surgery. I had my laprascopic Hysterectomy last tuesday (March 9th). I went back to work today and then went out for dinner right after to meet friends to celebrate St. pattys day. I feel fine! I could have went back to work yesterday or even monday, but decided to take it off and relax in the sunshine. I never dreamed it would be this fast to feel normak again. I must say our of recovery and through the next day I felt awful! After 2 nights there, I walked out of the hospital feeling fine. I guess everyone handles things differently, but all in all…this was a lot easier than my painful periods were.
I am going on my 4th week since my abdominal hysterectomy. I still have tenderness where the incision is. My bladder feels full most of the time. To have a BM, I make sure I don’t strain. I have been doing a lot of slow walking. But very careful not to over do it. The first week was hell. It was very hard to get up and down. But I made myself take small walks every time I went to the bathroom. Moving is the key. Don’t watch ANYTHING FUNNY. I watched a movie and laughed so hard I popped 2 staples. That was very painful. In the long run though the procedure is going to be worth it. No more messing around with the monthly visitor. YEAH!! Just take your time. Let others do for you until you can do it by yourself. If you push yourself you might end up with inheasions where your incision is at. You think you are in pain now. It will be a lot worst then. This is your time to be pampered. Don’t feel guilty if your house is a mess and laundry needs to be done. It will still be there for you when your body is ready to take care of it. My husband trys and I let him. It is hard girls but you can do it.
I just had surgery Friday. I started out wanting to take out the one bad player which was the fibroid instead of taking out the whole healthy team. However, once he got in there Laparoscopically, he noticed that the fibroid had taken over my uterus on one side and very hard to repair so he (and we discussed this possibility beforehand)just did a LSH. Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy. I chose a very skilled,experienced, gynocologist/surgeon and he did an outstanding job. I am virtually pain free because I am following his instuctions to the letter. This is a major surgery, give your body time to heal. Take the time to do it right, like your surgeon does for you and you will be just fine. I am so greatful for a great Doctor and a wonderful husband to take care of me afterwards. It’s very important to have good post-op care and follow your Doc’s insructions for exercise and rest. I’m so glad I did it. No more painful periods/bleeding in between periodsand no back pain and leg numbness. Do your reseach and choose what’s best for you and Keep in touch with your Surgeon.
I had hysterectomy on March 2nd, 20 days ago, laprascopically via the Da Vinci robot. It was a five hour surgery due to adhesions and a larger than though of uterus! I had cervix, uterus and one tube/ovary removed. I am left with the right tube and ovary. I cannot imagine going to work at day 5 after the surgery! At day 10 after the surgery, I could move around the house slowly, but still needed to rest after the stairs, could not lift anything, and was short of breath – still needing a nap during the day and in the bed by 7:30 pm or so each night. At 20 days post surgery, I am feeling much stronger, but still have some discomfort in my tummy, feels like pulling, cramping and i still have a vaginal discharge. Day 18 was the first day post surgery that I didnt need a nap; so day 20 is feeling pretty good. I will go back to work next week, on day 27 post surgery and make it through the entire day. This was tough, dont let anyone tell you it is easy. And I am not a wimp either! I delivered my child via c-section and went back to work as a waitress two weeks later and that was 20 years ago when the surgeries werent as advanced as they are now! but this surgery took me down; and it has been a long climb back up the hill to normalcy. good luck to all of you!