Hysterectomy recovery time, and what to plan for?

[luvavacation]

I am going to be needing a part removed. While I am actually quite thrilled, since problems will finally end, the timing is not that great. Though, I suppose there never is a good time for surgery?

The doctor has told me I will need about 6 weeks of recovery, but other places I have read say 4 - 6 weeks. I can't imagine I will be in recovery for this long?

I have had 2 C-sections, and was out of bed same day, home in 2 days, in quite a bit of pain for about 5 days, but by 2 weeks felt relatively fine (other than pulling where the stitches were). I was also sleep-deprived with a newborn, so I may just not have realized I was not normal yet!

Is the removal of a uterus as bad as a c-section? I am told that, for various reasons, the doctor will have to go abdominally. I figure the incision will still be smaller than my c-sections, right?

Will I really be confined to home for 4 weeks? No driving for 6? How long will the bad pains last? Can I get by with just Aleve or Motrin when I get home? Will I need help at home? I have a German Shepherd, 3 cats, and a mom with Alzheimer's that lives with me that I care for. I also have a husband and one daughter still at home, but they are either at work or school during the day, so no help then. My husband will only be able to take off a day or two, since others have vacation time booked out already.

I realize that every woman recovers differently, but I have a lot going on the next 6 months, not to mention caring for my mom, so I am trying to approach my recovery in a realistic manner as to what to expect as the days and weeks go by after the surgery. Hoping life isn't impacted too much, and I will be able to enjoy pain-free days with no uterus as soon as possible!

 

[jl]

go to the hystersisters website. it's great with all kinds of extremely helpful info.

 

[disykat]

I had a pretty rough recovery, but I've known several people with really easy recoveries. It really varies, and is really something you have very little control over. In my experience, my two c-sections were much easier.

I'll warn you, stay off the post surgical support part of hystersisters unless you need support afterwards. The people who recover well are NOT the ones on there talking. They're off living life again, not focused on their surgery. That part of the site is really for people who have difficult recoveries.

Hard recovery aside, it was totally worth it. I wish I'd done it earlier.

 

[scooby9932]

I second the vote for hystersisters! I'm scheduled for a hysto day after tomorrow. And that site has helped me tremendously in getting a feel for recovery time & limitations. Everyone there is very supportive. Of course, each person is different. Different types of hysto, different reasons for having one, different health histories, etc. Don't get discouraged by the stories you read on there, as they're not all bad experiences - but the Post Op forums are a bit scary, so I'd suggest concentrating most on the Pre Op information available.

As for comparing to a C-Section, I keep this in mind: A hysto is healing from the abdominal cut AND the removal of organ(s), so while you're outside cut may heal faster, the inside also requires time to heal properly. It's just a different kind of surgery altogether.

Good luck to you on your surgery! I wish you a speedy recovery.

 

[Minnesota!]

My SIL had a complete hysto on January 13 of this year and was back to work on January 23. She felt good. Her doctor told her it's usually 2 - 3 weeks recovery...but she only had enough time for 1 week.

Good luck to you!

 

[msjprincess]

I had 3 c-sections and a hysterectomy. The incision was the same for each surgery. I found the recovery from the hysterectomy easier since I wasn't taking care of a newborn at the same time.

 

[Feralpeg]

I had a C-section at age 36 and bounced right back. I was painting a room by myself the next week while caring for a baby by myself.

I had a compete hysterectomy at age 50. I only had three tiny incisions. I had to return to work after six weeks. I can honestly say that I wasn't ready. I could have used more recovery time. It hit me like a ton of bricks.

I've had more surgeries than I can count and this is the only one that really knocked me off my feet. I was weak as a kitten and just couldn't get it back together. I am very glad I did it, but I really did not expect such a difficult recovery.

 

[minkydog]

I think most women need about 4-6 weeks recovery. A hysterectomy isn't a simple procedure. When those organs are removed there are homonal after-effects, organs are shifting to new positions and it's not uncommon to experience minor but bothersome complications, like hot flashes, tearfulness, infection and depression. A hysterectomy is a MAJOR life event and the healing process takes a LOT of energy to complete.I have not had a hyst, but I lost one ovary and half of the other to cysts a few years back. I had all of the above symptoms--you can't go touching those lady bits and think they're gonna like it. It took me every bit of 5 weeks to recover.

My Dsis had a hyst 2 weeks ago, done robotically. Her doctor assured her that she'd be "totally back to normal in 2 weeks, tops!" I tried to tell her gently that her doctor was an idiot who didn't know what he was talkiing about. I've been a nurse for 35 years, taken care of 100s of women who had hysts. Well, you might have guessed, things haven't gone smoothly. There have been some complications and it's looking like it's going to be every ounce of 6 weeks before she gets back to work. Just talked with her today and she reports that although she has not needed any narcotics for pain, she is just exhausted. And that's with my mom there taking care of DSIs, her DH, 14yo daughter, the house, and the dogs! I think my sister is getting a much more realistic idea of how her recovery is going to go now.

Your body will set the pace for recovery. You can't do anything to hurry it up. It's not the pain that's so bad, that passes pretty quickly. But the energy it takes to heal all those tissues is tremendous. Do everything you can to build up your strength and immunity prior to surgery. But plan to take 4-6 weeks to recover.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

At 38 I had a complete hysterectomy including ovaries.
My scar is about the size of a c-section but recovery was not near 6 weeks.
I was only in the hospital 3 nights and after day 3 no pain killers just motrin.
The trick is to start moving as soon as you can! You will hate them the first time they try to get you up but they are doing you a giant favor.

Lifting and driving are the 2 things that take the longest to come back.

Good Luck!

 

[clutter]

I've had full abdominal surgery and a c-section and a hysterectomy. My hysterectomy ended up being done laprascopally, which was a surprise to my doctor since I was her second-most complicated case (she had a gyn oncologist assist because he is way more experienced with detailed laprascopic surgeries and he was a surgical champion!). We were both prepared for the full incision.

I was not allowed to drive for at least a week, whichever incision I'd ended up getting. She figured that after a week, I'd be able to decide better than she could. I ended up taking off from work for a week, then worked part time from home the second week. I kept saying that I'd worked thru feeling worse, but it is still major surgery and you have to respect that no matter how you feel.

 

[ElizK]

I had a hysterectomy a year and a half ago. I had a great recovery. I never took anything other than Advil after leaving the hospital. I was pretty sore the first week, but not too bad. I did get tired quickly. I could have gone back to work after 4weeks, but waited until the 6 weeks that I had planned on. I was allowed to drive after 7 days.

You will definitely need help for at least the first week. And don't plan to lift ANYTHING heavier than 5-10lbs (don't remeber the limit) for the full 6 weeks.

 

[luvavacation]

Thanks for the replies and giving me your experiences!

I will check out the hystersisters website, but stay away from the post-op parts. Hearing the bad outcomes can be helpful, but I also want to know that it isn't a 95% awful, near death experience.

I had Novasure 4 years back, and was on a site that had nothing good to say about the recovery. Would prefer to avoid hearing only bad, as I was very surprised when I did pretty good afterwards! I thought for sure something wasn't done correctly, but nope, it was all good.

When it comes to recovery, some of you have said it wasn't so much the pain as the recovery. What do you mean? Do you feel you were able to cook meals within a few days? How long do you think it may take to get off the sofa to let the dog in and out? Should I be prepared to mostly just be tired and weak, but still able to slowly do what I need to? Or will I just not be moving at all for awhile?

How long before I will be able to walk distances again? Is the grocery store doable in a couple of weeks? Shall I save my money and prepare to order lots of pizza and Chinese?

I am not sure how I am going to be able to just lay around. I am the one that takes care of everyone else, being cared for is going to be so strange. And my mom is probably going to just stare at me for hours!

Note to self - tell husband he will be not be allowed to lay down on sofa after dinner until bedtime for a few weeks. Oh, this is going to be fun!

And scooby9932, good luck to you for your surgery in a couple of days!

 

[nancygirl1]

Well, my story is quite different. I had a hysterectomy 2 1/2 weeks ago. However, it was a ******l hysterectomy. I have no incision which has made my recovery very fast and easy. I had the surgery on Fri, 2/10. I spent one night in the hospital and was home on Saturday. In reality I should have stayed another night. I really did have a lot of pain. They sent me home with percocet which was good enough for the pain. I was told to stay off of my feet for a week and no driving for a week and no lifting anything over 10 lbs. My doc wanted me to stay out of work for 2 weeks, but I negotiated it down to one. I ended up going into work on Wed. 2/14 for a few hours (I take care of 2 elderly women and one couldn't go very long without me). And again on Fri. for a few hours. I started back to my full schedule on Monday. I've been tired and sore sometimes, but nothing that has kept me layed up. Thank God the Dr. was able to do it ******lly. I feel very fortunate.

 

[msjprincess]

Thanks for the replies and giving me your experiences!

I will check out the hystersisters website, but stay away from the post-op parts. Hearing the bad outcomes can be helpful, but I also want to know that it isn't a 95% awful, near death experience.

I had Novasure 4 years back, and was on a site that had nothing good to say about the recovery. Would prefer to avoid hearing only bad, as I was very surprised when I did pretty good afterwards! I thought for sure something wasn't done correctly, but nope, it was all good.

When it comes to recovery, some of you have said it wasn't so much the pain as the recovery. What do you mean? Do you feel you were able to cook meals within a few days? How long do you think it may take to get off the sofa to let the dog in and out? Should I be prepared to mostly just be tired and weak, but still able to slowly do what I need to? Or will I just not be moving at all for awhile?

How long before I will be able to walk distances again? Is the grocery store doable in a couple of weeks? Shall I save my money and prepare to order lots of pizza and Chinese?

I am not sure how I am going to be able to just lay around. I am the one that takes care of everyone else, being cared for is going to be so strange. And my mom is probably going to just stare at me for hours!

Note to self - tell husband he will be not be allowed to lay down on sofa after dinner until bedtime for a few weeks. Oh, this is going to be fun!

And scooby9932, good luck to you for your surgery in a couple of days!

I was fine in a couple of weeks. IIRC 7 or8 days after having the surgery I was walking my son to school which was 1/2 mile away.

 

[DVCJones]

I had a laparoscopic Hysterectomy at age 37 and had ZERO issues. Honestly, I have had worse dental visits!!!

My c- section was a miserable experience however...

 

[HunnyPots]

First of all, the only similarity between a c-section and a hysterectomy is the location of the incision. The baby is meant to come out - the uterus, not so much. You will most likely not bounce back as quickly as from the c-section. There will be soreness and swelling for a few weeks, no question. But what I found to be overwhelming was not pain, but fatigue. I was more tired than ever before in my life. That's normal. Don't fight it.

As far as "laying around" - DON'T! Keep moving as much as possible. You will start taking walks while still in the hospital and need to keep it up at home. Increase the distance a little at a time and you'll get your energy back much quicker than if you lay in bed or on the couch all day. Plus, good circulation is vital for healing.

You should be able to drive short distances in a couple of weeks. Grocery shopping can be tough. Do not be tempted to exceed your lifting limit!

The time will go by much faster than you think. Good luck!

 

[stsomewhere]

I had one 12/5. It took about 2 1/2 weeks to feel better. No driving for 2weeks.

After that, I had no restrictions. I could do whatever I felt like I could. But, stop when it hurt.

It was very frustrating because I felt like I could do things, but my body was not up to it.

It has been 11 weeks and I am finally getting more strength n my abdomen. The incision under the skin was quite large. My doctor told me that it will take about 6 months to be completely healed. My abdominal swelling is finally starting to go down.

Good Luck.

 

[beachlover9395]

It really is an individual thing -- some bounce back within a few days, some (like me) need a few months.

I had a LAVH. I'm also a SAHM and my mom came and stayed with me and my family for about 5 weeks (she was retired). I was just so incredibly exhausted all the time!!! I slept a LOT. She was such a tremendous help and I'm so glad she was able to be there for us during this time.

My sis, who had much more work done with ovaries removed, repair work done and a S/P tube she went home with (common after bladder tacking) bounced back WAY before I did.

Good luck and hope everything goes your way!!!

 

[2Eskiedogs]

They will get you up and walking in the hospital quite soon after surgery. So I would say definitely pack a robe and slippers.

I had abd. surgery, so i have a scar about 5". Yes, I needed 6 weeks to recover. I could not get into my bed, it's sits quite high, so I ended up sleeping on the couch in semi sitting up. I also had a chair by the couch to help myself up, if I needed to get up.

Walking at home was so different then in the hospital. My DH went with me the first week or so. In fact my first walk around the block(we don't have sidewalks), I made it halfway, before DH had to run home and get the vehicle to come and get me. I thought I was losing my insides

I was told not to walk up or down a flight a steps, only a couple going into the house was okay. So that was my excuse for not doing laundry, my washer and dryer are in the basement. But I showed the boys how to sort and use the washer, they were already familiar with using the dryer. I helped fold laundry when it was brought upstairs.

It was helpful having a few meals ready to go in the freezer. And I did lay in a supply of grocery items before my surgery.

I did not take the vicodin(sp?) that they gave me for pain medicine at home, it gave me a headache. I just took some extra-strength tylenol if I needed it.

The only thing that I wasn't prepared for was the hot flashes that I had for about a week after my surgery

Sending out good thought/prayers on your surgery

 

[taitai]

I had a laporoscopic hysterectomy at 44 on a Friday morning. Was home Saturday morning and was going out to dinner with my family by Sunday night. Took a couple of tylenol/advil but nothing else once home.

The only issue I had was severe (and I mean severe) shoulder pain the first night. Other than that, it was all good. Think I was driving again by Monday or Tuesday.

So happy I had it done and wished I had done it sooner. Good luck to you.