Hysterectomy Surgery Recovery Tips - Timeline, Diet, Lifestyle Changes

Recovery After Hysterectomy Surgery

Generally, the recovery period of hysterectomy surgery is around six to eight weeks. The recovery time is often shorter after a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy. However, the recovery post-surgery also depends on the severity of the condition, the age of the woman, and any underlying health condition. During the recovery time, you should rest as much as possible and not lift anything heavy. Listed below are some recovery tips to follow after hysterectomy surgery to promote healing: 

• Diet changes: 

Eat a well-balanced diet, including protein, fruits, and vegetables, to help heal after surgery. Drink about 8-10 glasses of fluids a day (especially water) to keep your body well hydrated. If you have a cardiac problem, ask your doctor about your fluid intake. If you have a tendency towards constipation, increase your fiber intake as well. Please speak with a dietician if you need help with your diet.

• Physical activities:

After hysterectomy surgery, you can walk and stretch. Walking is one of the best ways to recover and heal more quickly. If you feel tired or weak after walk lie down to rest or take a nap. You can go up and down the stairs. You need to climb stairs slowly at first. As your body heals, it gets easier and easier. It is usually suggested to avoid heavy lifting objects greater than 20 pounds for at least six weeks after surgery. You can resume driving after two weeks if you feel well enough and can also stop medication.

• Sexual activity:

It is usually recommended to avoid putting anything in the vagina, including tampons, douch products, and any sexual activity, for eight weeks. 

• Incision care/hygiene:

Keep the incision clean and pat dry. Wash it every day with warm water and mild shop. Always make sure to rinse and pat dry thoroughly. Check the incision area every day for redness, swelling, drainage, or wound opening. If you have drains, you may wash them by taking a sponge bath or a shower, ensuring that the drain and incision area is dried carefully.

• Medications:

If you experience a lot of discomforts as your activity increases, try taking your pain medication one-half hour before that activity. Take all the prescribed medications before the pain becomes severe. If your pain is not relieved by medication, then consult with gynecologist right away. Some pain medications may cause constipation. To prevent constipation, when you are taking pain medication, drink more fluids, eat more high-fiber foods, and take a stool softener such as Colace (docusate) and a laxative such as Senokot (sennosides) or milk of magnesia daily.

• Bowel functions:

The first bowel movement occurs 4-5 days after surgery. You can experience “gas” pain post-surgery. You can relieve the pain and discomfort by drinking hot liquids and walking. You can take a stool softener such as Colace (docusate) and a mild laxative such as Senokot (sennosides) or Milk of Magnesia. You should continue the Colace and laxative until you have stopped taking the pain medication or your stools become unusually loose.

• Body changes: 

You can expect vaginal discharge for up to eight weeks post-surgery. In some cases, women experience an increase in vaginal bleeding for 24 hours. Bleeding after surgery is normal. However, if it persists or becomes very heavy, you should immediately call your gynecologist and seek treatment help.