Self-Care After Hysterectomy: Tips for Physical and Emotional Healing

Healing After a Hysterectomy:

After a hysterectomy, you will have a brief period of healing in the hospital. You will have painkillers provided to you to reduce any pain and discomfort. If you feel ill after the anaesthetic, your nurse can give you medicine to relieve you.

The recovery time at your home — before you can return to all your regular activities — will vary depending on the procedure you had:

• Abdominal hysterectomy:

Most women go home a few days after this surgery, but the complete recovery continues for six to eight weeks. During this time, you must rest at home. Avoid any tasks that your doctor has restricted you from.

• Vaginal or laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH):

A vaginal hysterectomy is less surgically invasive than an abdominal procedure, and healing can take as little as two weeks. Most women leave the hospital on the same day or the next.

• Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH):

This is the least invasive procedure with a recovery period as short as one to two weeks. Walking is encouraged over heavy lifting.

• Robotic hysterectomy:

Robotic arms mimic the surgeon’s movements and they make small incisions to take out the uterus. Most patients come home the next day. 

Self-care after a Hysterectomy:

The day after your operation, your doctor will encourage you to take a short walk.

This normalises your blood flow which will reduce the risk of complications developing, such as blood clots in your legs. A physiotherapist may show you some exercises that can aid in your mobility.

Some of the exercises may be pelvic floor muscle exercises to help with your recovery. After the removal of the catheter you will be able to pass urine normally. Any stitches that remain will be removed 5 to 7 days after your operation.

If you had not gone through menopause before your hysterectomy, you probably will experience some symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and mood swings. This is because your body is adjusting to the changes in your hormone levels. There may also be some changes in your levels of sexual desire and enjoyment, and vaginal dryness. Most doctors recommend that women begin hormone replacement therapy before they leave the hospital because the bodily changes can be very drastic.

You may also experience negative emotions such as loss and sadness after having a hysterectomy. Some women who have not yet gone through menopause may feel a sense of loss because they can no longer have children. Others may feel like they are less of a woman than they were before.

In some cases, a hysterectomy can lead the patient into depression. See your physio-therapist if you have depression that does not go away. They can inform you about the available treatment options.

Treatment during the Recovery Time of a Hysterectomy:

Your doctor will provide you both medical and lifestyle treatments during your recovery time. This will help prevent any complications from developing and will speed up the healing process. 

If you need to do a hysterectomy and are looking for a hospital which will provide one with an effective healing process then come to the Chennai Gynaecology Clinic. We will make sure that your recovery time is as short as possible, and that your recovery will be complete without any future complications.