So, you’ve had your hysterectomy, everything’s fine now. Sit around the house a couple of weeks and then it’s time to go back to life. It would be nice if it worked that way. For some women who have minimally invasive hysterectomies recovery may follow that scenario somewhat. However, for most women hysterectomy recovery will mean at least a day or so in the hospital followed by several days of limited movement at home. For those who undergo abdominal hysterectomies which may include the removal of other reproductive organs the period of recovery may be several weeks, even two months.

Women who had vaginal hysterectomies or simple laparoscopic hysterectomies will often go home on the first or second day after their operations. Except in the most exceptional circumstances even women who have had extensive hysterectomies will begin limited, supervised movement within the first twenty-hours after surgery. A woman who has had an abdominal hysterectomy that included removal of the ovaries will find herself walking the hospital hallways with someone for support on the second day after her surgery. Make no mistake, this will be painful. Lying in bed without exercise, however, will only make the recovery period last longer and be even more painful.

In the days after her surgery it is very important that a woman not do any lifting or other exercise which would strain her back, upper legs or pelvic area. There should be no sexual activity until the woman has been given a green light by her physician. It is also important to get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet and drink lots of water.

After going home a woman should be on the look out for indications of possible problems. If she notices any of the warning signals, a woman should report them immediately to her doctor. Things to watch for include: Pain in the back, upper legs, pelvic area; pain when urinating; nausea, vomiting, dizziness; heavy bleeding; redness, swelling; an open incision and/or a leaking incision. In the hours, days and weeks following her hysterectomy a woman may suffer from extreme tiredness, lethargy and depression. She should not be unduly concerned about these symptoms as long as they do not last for more than a week to ten days.

A woman should return to her normal schedule gradually. Her body will be her best guide for what she is able to do. However, she should be mindful that lack of exercise can be as tiring as too much exercise. The longer a woman waits to get back into the swing of things the more difficult it may become to have a complete hysterectomy recovery. Post hysterectomy it is also very important for a woman to have annual physicals at the very least.

Many times women view hysterectomy as a totally negative experience. No doubt there are unpleasant and painful aspects to any hysterectomy. Still, although life after surgery may be different that does not mean it will be diminished. Making sure to have a good hysterectomy recovery is the best first step toward meeting the challenges of post operative life.

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1. Your first two weeks at home will likely be the most difficult, depending on what type of hysterectomy procedure you have had. Use this time to sleep, relax, read, and listen to your favorite music until your post hysterectomy is over. At the end of two weeks, you should be more able to begin moving around and slowly getting back to your normal activities.

2. Do not climb stairs or drive a car during this hysterectomy recovery period. This is the time to let family and friends help you.

3. Do not prepare your own meals for the first couple of weeks after a hysterectomy. Ask a friend or family member to do it for you or order your meals from sources that can deliver to you.

4. Have a thermometer at home to monitor your temperature. Call your doctor for advice if your temperature goes up.

5. Laugh as much as you can. Watch funny TV programs, rent some of your favorite funny movies or share fun stories with family and friends. Laughter provides a wonderful boost to the immune system during the hysterectomy recovery healing process.

6. Drink 8 glasses of filtered water each day to flush your system of toxins after a hysterectomy. Drinking pure clear water daily is a healthy habit to continue even once you are fully recovered.

7. Eat as healthy as you can during hysterectomy recovery since your body will need and use nutrients to help with healing. Include cold-water fish, turkey, chicken, organic bread, soups, salads, fruits and broths. If possible, make fresh vegetable juices daily which will provide nutrients that improve health and speed healing.

8. Take the best vitamin/mineral/nutritional supplement you can find. A really good daily supplement contains much more than just vitamins and minerals. Providing your body with important nutritional supplements is a good idea before and after a hysterectomy to help fill in the dietary gaps that everyone will have.

9. Begin to exercise as soon as your doctor authorizes it. Exercise will definitely speed up your post hysterectomy recovery. Take it easy but begin moving. Take walks or use your treadmill when you are home.

10. Begin to learn about your hormones, hysterectomy recovery and hormone imbalance. Having a hysterectomy will interrupt your normal production of progesterone, estrogen and testosterone which can result in symptoms associated with hormone imbalance.

Women considering hysterectomy or having had the procedure should seek the help of physicians trained in the use of natural bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones are hormones that are identical to what the body makes and what normally would exist in the body. Synthetic drugs such as Premarin, Provera and Prempro are not natural nor the same as the body makes, and these kinds of synthetic drugs have numerous side effects.

There is a hormone health test provided by a leading women’s health clinic that you can take online. The test takes just a few minutes and is free. The women’s clinic has helped tens of thousands of women safely deal with hormone imbalance and related health issues. Learn as much as you can about hormone imbalance, hysterectomy recovery and physician-recommended natural alternatives for hormone replacement therapy.

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A hysterectomy can be a royal pain in the neck but recovery doesn’t have to be long and full of problems. If you know how to prepare for a hysterectomy, then you are likely to find you will feel better quickly and you will have a very simple recovery. Hysterectomy information found on the internet can help you sort through what you can expect from your hysterectomy and how recovery can be easy with an optimistic approach.

Many women find a hysterectomy can end their problems and help them face a brighter future without a monthly menstrual cycle to contend with each month. However, young women who haven’t had the opportunity to have children will find a hysterectomy will end their dreams of having their own biological children.

Insurance companies do not pay for a hysterectomy unless it is used to stop severe bleeding or in the case of cancer and most doctors only recommend a hysterectomy as a last resort so knowing why you need one is as important as your hysterectomy recovery.

Patients who have a hysterectomy will likely find the following tips helpful in recovering fully and quickly from a hysterectomy.

• Drink plenty of fluids
• When lying in bed, keep your knees propped up if possible with cushions or pillows
• Try to walk as soon as you can and resume regular exercise as recommended by your doctor
• You probably should not travel outside of your local area for the first 21 days after your surgery
• Keep your follow up appointments
• Report anything unusual to your doctor, especially excessive bleeding
• Do not swim or sit in a hot tub for at least 6 weeks following your surgery
• If you find you are having emotional problems due to the hysterectomy, talk to your doctor and then seek information about support groups in your area
• If you are having a hysterectomy due to cancer then you must follow up with your physicians on a regular basis and keep all of your appointments
• Read the literature you are provided in regards to hysterectomy recovery
• If your insurance company will pay, then stay in the hospital the number of nights your doctor agrees to allow—years ago, before insurance companies became greedy, a hysterectomy warranted several nights in the hospital

After your hysterectomy, recover smart. Do everything you can to avoid problems. Take your medicine. Stay on your hormones and resume your normal activities in a timely fashion. However, keep in mind a hysterectomy is a major surgery and you shouldn’t overdo it after your surgery. In fact, let your spouse spoil you and make you queen for the day—or better yet, for the month!

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