How long does it take to recover from a hysterectomy?
Most people recover from a hysterectomy in about four to six weeks. Your recovery depends on the type of hysterectomy you had and how the surgery was performed. Recovering from a vagin*l and laparoscopic hysterectomy takes less time than recovering from an abdominal hysterectomy.
You should increase your activity gradually and pay attention to how you feel. If anything causes you pain, you should stop. Talk to your healthcare provider about specific instructions for recovering at home, including what medications to take.
What should I know about recovering at home?
vagin*l and laparoscopic recovery take about two to four weeks. It may take up to six weeks to recover from abdominal hysterectomy. Talk to your healthcare provider before going home to make sure you know how to best care for yourself.
Common instructions after a hysterectomy
- You can experience light vagin*l bleeding for one to six weeks. Use only a light panty liner or sanitary pad to catch the discharge.
- Don’t lift heavy objects (over 10 pounds) for at least four to six weeks.
- Don’t put anything into your vagin* for four to six weeks, or as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Don’t have sex for six weeks after surgery.
- You may take a shower. Wash the incision with soap and water (the stitches don’t have to be removed, as they’ll dissolve in about six weeks). A bandage over the incision isn’t necessary. If surgical strips were used, they should fall off on their own within a week. If staples were used, they’ll need to be removed by your healthcare provider.
- You can drive about two weeks after abdominal surgery or when you’re no longer taking narcotics for pain. If you had a vagin*l or laparoscopic hysterectomy, you might begin driving within a few days.
- Resume your exercise routine in four to six weeks, depending on how you feel.
- You can usually go back to work in three to six weeks, depending on what kind of work you do.
How will I feel after a hysterectomy?
Physically
After a hysterectomy, your periods will stop. Occasionally, you may feel bloated and have symptoms similar to when you were menstruating. It’s normal to have light vagin*l bleeding or a dark brown discharge for about four to six weeks after surgery.
You may feel discomfort at the incision site for about four weeks, and any redness, bruising or swelling will disappear in four to six weeks. Feeling burning or itching around the incision is normal. You may also experience a numb feeling around the incision and down your leg. This is normal and, if present, usually lasts about two months. It’s normal to have scarring, both internally and externally. Laparoscopic surgeries will cause smaller, less visible scars as opposed to abdominal hysterectomies.
If your ovaries remain, you shouldn’t experience hormone-related effects. If your ovaries were removed with your uterus before menopause, you may experience the symptoms that often occur with menopause, such as hot flashes. Your healthcare provider may prescribe hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms.
People who undergo a subtotal hysterectomy may continue to have a light period for a year after the procedure. This happens because small amounts of the endometrial lining can remain in your cervix, causing light periods.
Emotionally
Emotional reactions to a hysterectomy vary and can depend on how well you were prepared for the surgery, the reason for having it and whether the problem has been treated.
Some may feel a sense of loss, but these emotional reactions are usually temporary. Others may find that a hysterectomy improves their health and well-being and may even be a life-saving operation. Please discuss your emotional concerns with your healthcare provider.
Will my stomach go down after a hysterectomy?
It’s very normal to experience bloating or feeling gassy after a hysterectomy. It can take several weeks for the puffiness and swelling in your belly to go down. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to reduce your discomfort. Performing certain exercises, applying a warm compress or changing up your diet may help you.
Will I enter menopause after a hysterectomy?
This depends on whether your ovaries were removed. If your ovaries remain after a hysterectomy, you won’t enter menopause right away. If both of your ovaries were removed during the hysterectomy, you might enter menopause immediately.
Do I still need a Pap test if I have had a hysterectomy?
Generally, no, and especially if you’re deemed to be at low risk for developing cervical cancer. You should continue to have a Pap test if you had a hysterectomy because of cancer.
