How do you shower after a hysterectomy?

You may take a shower immediately, but allow the water to run over your incision; avoid having water hit it directly. You may gently wash away dried material from around the incision. Make sure to dry completely by gently patting, instead of rubbing.

How soon can I shower after hysterectomy?

You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry. Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay. Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.

How do you clean yourself after a hysterectomy?

How long do you have to be on bed rest after a hysterectomy?

It can take about 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover after having an abdominal hysterectomy. Recovery times are often shorter after a vaginal or laparoscopy hysterectomy. During this time, you should rest as much as possible and not lift anything heavy, such as bags of shopping.

What happens first week after hysterectomy?

Common side effects of a hysterectomy in the first few weeks after your procedure include: Bloating and/or constipation — this is because your bowel will be working more slowly as you recover. Mild pain and discomfort in your lower belly. Light vaginal bleeding that comes and goes, and lessens over time.

After a Hysterectomy: Post-Operative Instructions and Recovery Process

What hurts most after hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy improved pain in most women (tables 2 and 3). However, 362 women (31.9%) had pain in the pelvic area 1 yr after surgery. The most common pain location was in the middle of the pelvic region, but 70 women reported pain located in the abdominal scar.

How long can I walk for a week after hysterectomy?

You can continue the in-hospital walking routine in the first 1 to 2 weeks at home. If comfortable, you can walk 10 minutes continuously at the end of the second week. This can be increased by five minutes per week. By the end of 6 weeks, you should be able to walk continuously for 30 minutes.

Is it better to sit or lay down after hysterectomy?

Avoid prolonged high sitting (unless medically advised). Vary your resting position throughout the day from lying flat and sitting out of bed. Sleep lying down flat on the mattress with one pillow supporting your knees and one pillow supporting your head and neck.

Is sitting OK after hysterectomy?

During the first day or two home, rest like you did in the hospital. Be up for meals and bathroom. Going up and down stairs is fine. You may ride in a car, but it is important not to sit in one place for longer than 1-2 hours.

What is the fastest way to recover from a hysterectomy?

How should you lay in bed after a hysterectomy?

Avoid sleeping on your stomach after hysterectomy. It can cause problems with your spine and put too much pressure on your hips. The best sleeping position after hysterectomy is on your side or on your back. And the better you sleep, the more quickly you will recover!

Can I ride in a car after a hysterectomy?

You may ride in a car; as always, wear a seat belt any time you are riding in or driving a car. Some surgeons recommend avoiding long trips by car, train, or airplane during the first two weeks after major gynecologic surgery (such as hysterectomy) to avoid complications, such as blood clots in your legs.

How long should I stay in the house after a hysterectomy?

Most women go home 2-3 days after this surgery, but complete recovery takes from six to eight weeks. During this time, you need to rest at home. You shouldn't do any tasks until you talk with your doctor about restrictions. Don't do any lifting for the first two weeks.

Do you need sanitary towels after a hysterectomy?

Some women have little or no bleeding initially, and then have a sudden gush of old blood or fluid about 10 days later. This usually stops quickly. You should use sanitary towels rather than tampons as using tampons could increase the risk of infection.

How long will I be sore after hysterectomy?

How long is it normal to have pain after a hysterectomy? This can certainly vary based on each person and situation but we give a general timeframe of 3 months. A hysterectomy is an invasive surgery so it naturally requires downtime and will come with some residual pain and discomfort.

What is the most common complication after hysterectomy?

The most common complications of hysterectomy can be categorized as infectious, venous thromboembolic, genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) tract injury, bleeding, nerve injury, and vaginal cuff dehiscence.

What are the donts after a hysterectomy?

Don't lift anything heavy for a full six weeks after the operation. Stay active after your surgery, but avoid strenuous physical activity for the first six weeks. Wait six weeks to resume sexual activity. Follow your doctor's recommendations about returning to your other normal activities.

What not to do after a hysterectomy?

For at least six weeks, avoid any heavy lifting (meaning items over 20 pounds). Do not do any housework, such as vacuuming, until you've discussed it with your doctor. You must also abstain from sexual intercourse for at least six weeks. And do not put anything, including tampons, into your vagina.

Why am I peeing so much after hysterectomy?

This may result from a weakening of the pelvic floor or loss of normal function of the sphincter (the muscle that keeps the urethra closed). Although this would be more common after radical hysterectomy for uterine cancer, it may theoretically occur after vaginal hysterectomy as well.

Can I go back to work 2 weeks after hysterectomy?

The majority of women can expect to feel ready to return to a desk job or light work about 2 – 3 weeks after robotic hysterectomy. However, it is important for patients to understand that their body is still healing from a major procedure.

What happens to bladder after hysterectomy?

A fallen bladder, also known as cystocele or prolapsed bladder, is common after hysterectomies. It involves the bladder falling into the vaginal canal.

How much does a uterus weigh?

How big is your uterus? Your uterus is about 3 inches from top to bottom and 2 inches wide at the widest part. It's about 1 inch thick and weighs around 1 ounce.

Does it hurt to pee after hysterectomy?

If you feel burning at the end of urination, you are probably experiencing bladder spasms. While this may happen after any surgery, it is most common after a hysterectomy. This usually improves gradually during the first several weeks after surgery.

How do I know if I'm overdoing it after hysterectomy?

Both rest and minor activity are important after a hysterectomy. However, it's also possible to overexert yourself. Signs of overexertion include increased pain, vaginal discharge or bleeding, or drainage from your incision. If any of these happen, stop doing an activity and revisit it again in several days.