What not to do 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.

How long should you rest in bed 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.

Can I do laundry after a hysterectomy?

No heavy lifting/pushing/pulling for 6 weeks. Do not lift anything more than 10 lbs (such as laundry, groceries, children, pets), vacuum, push heavy doors or grocery carts, etc, for 6 weeks. You may climb stairs as tolerated.

Can I do housework after hysterectomy?

You should not lift heavy objects such as full shopping bags or children, or do any strenuous housework such as vacuuming until three to four weeks after your operation as this may affect how you heal internally.

Can you bend after a hysterectomy?

Avoid heavy housework or other strenuous activities for at least six weeks. This includes; vacuuming, washing floors, hanging out laundry etc. After three weeks gently ease back into such activities • If you need to bend, squat at the knees rather than bending over.

Life after Hysterectomy

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.

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.

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.

Can I wash dishes after a hysterectomy?

You may shower, but don't rub the incision. Avoid strenuous activity at home; you may wash dishes and do light cooking only. You may take 1-2 tablets of Tylenol every 4 hours for pain, or 600 mg of Motrin (ibuprofen) every 6 hours, or pain medication as prescribed by your physician.

Can you walk too much after hysterectomy?

How much activity is too much after a hysterectomy? Any activity that makes you uncomfortable, causes increased pain, vaginal bleeding or discharge, and drainage from the incision site is considered to be too much for you.

Is it OK to push to poop after hysterectomy?

Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

What is considered light housework after surgery?

Light housekeeping includes tasks such as dusting open surfaces; sweeping and mopping floors (damp mops – small areas and hard surface floors); vacuuming around furniture; wiping down counters; washing and putting dishes away; cleaning bathrooms and kitchens; taking out the trash; changing sheets and making the bed; ...

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.

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.

Is it OK to sleep on your side after a hysterectomy?

You may need to take a nap or two for the first few days at the hospital. 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.

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.

How long can I sit in a chair after hysterectomy?

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. Try to be up at least four hours each day and try to do more activity each day.

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.

Why can't you bend over after hysterectomy?

Bending forwards increases pressure downwards from within your abdomen onto your prolapse repair and pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor muscles and tissues need to be strong enough to withstand downward forces. If your pelvic floor can't withstand the increased pressure, it can stretch downwards (shown right).

Can I sit to 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.

Can you climb stairs right after a hysterectomy?

You may go up and down stairs. You will probably need to climb stairs slowly at first, one leg at a time. As your body heals, this will get easier and easier. No heavy lifting - objects greater than 20 pounds - for six weeks after surgery.

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 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.

What should you watch out after a hysterectomy?

How much weight do you gain after a hysterectomy?

This is because removing their uterus, ovaries, and cervix triggers surgical menopause. Women who naturally go into menopause typically gain around five pounds. So it's to be expected that if a hysterectomy triggers surgical menopause, you'll gain about five pounds.