After a hysterectomy, you will have a brief recovery time in the hospital. Your recovery time at home, before you can get back to all your regular activities, will vary depending on the procedure you had.
Abdominal hysterectomy: Most women go home two to three days after this surgery, but complete recovery takes from six to eight weeks. During this time, you need to rest at home. You should not be doing housework until you talk with your doctor about restrictions. There should be no lifting for the first two weeks. Walking is encouraged, but not heavy lifting. After six weeks, you can get back to your regular activities, including having sex.
Vaginal or laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH): A vaginal hysterectomy is less surgically invasive than an abdominal procedure, and recovery can be as short as two weeks. Most women come home the same day or the next day. Walking is encouraged, but not heavy lifting. You will need to abstain from sex for at least six weeks.
Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH): This procedure is the least invasive and can have a recovery period as short as six days to two weeks. Walking is encouraged, but not heavy lifting.
Robotic hysterectomy: The surgeon’s movements are mimicked by robotic arms that make small incisions to remove the uterus. Most women come home the next day. If the cervix is removed, you will have the same restrictions as you would have for an LAVH.
Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms with any of hysterectomy:
- Fever or chills
- Heavy bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge
- Severe pain
- Redness or discharge from incisions
- Problems urinating or having a bowel movement
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
For most women, life without a uterus leads to major relief from symptoms that led to the procedure to begin with, such as bleeding, pelvic pain, and abdominal bloating. Feeling relief from these symptoms can lead to women having better sex, with a greater libido, frequency, and enjoyment.
But of course, such a drastic procedure like this that involves removal of the ovaries in most cases can lead to some difficulty moving forward. If you had not experienced any signs or symptoms of menopause before the procedure, it is likely that you’ll begin to have symptoms of menopause now, such as hot flashes and mood swings. What’s happening is your body is adjusting to changes in your hormone levels. Also, changes may occur that will affect your sexual desires and enjoyment, as well as vaginal dryness. Most women start hormone replacement therapy before they leave the hospital, because bodily changes can be so drastic.
In addition, you may feel a sense of loss. You may have feelings like grief over the loss of your uterus and your ability to have children. If you had surgery because of illness or cancer, you may also feel depressed. However, you should know that you are not alone, and that the feelings you are experiencing are completely normal. Your next step should be to have a conversation with your doctor and even a mental health therapist about what you’re feeling. Generally speaking, however, most women are happy after their hysterectomy.
Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is something to consider to treat some of the symptoms you are experiencing. Your age, medical history, and whether you have had ovaries removed are factors to consider when deciding on HRT. These issues should be discussed with your doctor. If you have had breast cancer, however, HRT is not appropriate for you.
Some women experience pain during intercourse after a hysterectomy. It helps to try different positions and lubricants and moisturizers. A low-dose vaginal estrogen cream, suppository or ring can also help relieve vaginal dryness.
Pelvic weakness sometimes develops after a hysterectomy. If you have had some pelvic weakness before surgery, it may get worse afterward, which leads to bladder or bowel problems. Kegel exercises can help strengthen pelvic muscles to help control urinary incontinence problems.
Having a procedure like this may seem scary, but you are not alone. Many women go through a similar situation. If you have any difficulties, such as urinary incontinence, following your hysterectomy, and are looking for relief, contact Doctors Miklos and Moore today!