Hysterectomy is the name given to the surgical removal of a woman’s uterus. There are several types of treatment that can be tried before the surgery is recommended, as a final approach. The type of hysterectomy you will have will be determined by your condition, and you may just have the uterus removed, but some hysterectomies include removal of the cervix, ovaries and tubes.
There are numerous reasons why a hysterectomy needs to be performed, but the most common is painful, heavy periods in a woman passed her child-bearing years. Additional reasons are pregnancy or birthing problems, some cancers, prolapse of the uterus, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Ask for a full explanation from the doctor of the reasons why you need a hysterectomy.
There are two ways to perform this surgery; they are vaginal and abdominal. Patients who have a vaginal procedure usually recover faster and experience less pain because there has been no incision and therefore no stitches. This method isn’t right for all patients because it may not be feasible considering the individual’s reason for surgery and the general health and age.
Some pain and discomfort are to be expected after a hysterectomy; this will be more severe after an abdominal procedure. Hospital staff will offer you medication to relieve any pain and you may have a catheter to help pass urine for a day or two.
You will be kept in bed for the first day and then encouraged to walk around a little each day. The reason for encouraging walking is to lessen the chance of blood clots in the legs. Vaginal hysterectomy patients are usually discharged after 3 or 4 days but abdominal hysterectomy patients have a hospital stay of up to one week.
Your body needs time to heal so make sure you allow at least six weeks, maybe eight, to regain your strength. It is important to rest during this time and don’t do any heavy housework, stretching or lifting.
You will probably experience some symptoms during your recovery. Vaginal bleeding is a normal occurrence after a hysterectomy but this should ease after about two weeks. Some women experience menopause symptoms, which last a few days. Some of the symptoms you may have are confusion, anxiety, sweating, hot flushes and emotional distress. If your menopause symptoms continue for longer, you may be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy or HRT.
Your hysterectomy should have no negative impact on your libido, in fact, many women report that it is enhanced. vaginal lubricants help to remove any discomfort of vaginal dryness which is common after the ovaries are removed. Your body needs time to heal and so abstaining from sexual intercourse for about 6 weeks after your surgery is recommended.
Many younger women feel a sense of loss after their hysterectomy and may have other emotional issues. After a hysterectomy, most women feel so much stronger physically, that the symptoms don’t last for very long. See your doctor if any of these symptoms continue. The internet can provide more information on hysterectomy recovery, Total Abdominal Hysterectomy and Pain After Hysterectomy.
Three weeks after you come home, start having a daily short walk to improve your fitness and enhance your recovery. Make sure you start off slowly and then gradually lengthen your walks in time or distance. This light exercise will speed your recovery and help to prevent boredom. You will need the full recovery time so it is important not to push yourself to recover sooner.
THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVISE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR!
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