Hysterectomy recovery time, and what to plan for?

[boysmom5150]

Had a davinci robotic hyster on fri 2/24. Stayed overnight and was home on sat morn. Sat I had alot of discomfort ( not pain) from the gas. By Sunday it was still there but much better. Monday that feeling was gone. I never needed any pain meds. I had no pain. Just VERY sore. Abdomen is swollen. Needed help getting up from sitting on sat and Sunday. Monday I could manage myself. I am taking it day by day and trying to take it easy. It's isnt easy to do as I am not used to sitting around but I don't want to take a step backward over doing laundry!! Oh I Also needed help getting pants on!! Couldn't bend enough to grab them at my ankles!! It hurt Lol. As most everyone said I do feel I tire easily. I am a SAHM so my kids are in school all day but just doing homework with them after school wears me out. I go for my 1st post-op checkup tom so we shall see ....But I was told approx 4 weeks full recovery.(no driving 1 week no lifting/excercising 4 weeks) We are going to Disney for Easter so I hope so!!
We all recover differently.

 

[Goofyluver]

Over and above any pain I had, the most difficult part of recovery was the fatigue, which lasted MONTHS for me.

Take it easy. You will be on lift restrictions, so take that into account. And sleep.

 

[Best Aunt]

I think you need to keep in mind that abdominal is very different from laproscopic. Also, having the ovaries removed is very different from not having the ovaries removed; if the doctor leaves the ovaries, you should not have hot flashes or other symptoms of menopause.

I found that getting up from a lying position was the worst -- very sharp pain, but just for a few seconds. Once I was up, walking around didn't hurt.

Sitting in a chair was a problem because I tended to lean forward and slouch in a way that put pressure on the incision. I learned to lean back when sitting and when driving.

I had a problem the first time I sat down at the computer, because I had a chair with wheels there. My stomach muscles were not strong enough to control the chair. I suggest switching to a chair without wheels.

Another problem was trying to comb my hair after the first shower. It was very tangled, and trying to pull out the tangles was painful. I suggest having someone else comb out your hair the first time.

(I know those may seem stupid, but they're little things that will make your life easier.)

I had no energy for weeks afterward. Could have been an unrelated Vitamin D defficiency.

I did not take a prescription pain reliever when I got home. My doctor had me alternate between tylenol and advil according to a schedule if I was not going to take the prescription drug. I think the advil was for inflamation, so I took it even when I wasn't in pain.

 

[leight]

I had a robotic partial hyster because of large fibroids. The pain from my monthly cycles were so much worse. I stayed 23 hrs so was home first thing the next day. I had prepared several meals in advance and neighbors dropped of a few meals for the family too- which was super sweet. My STD approved me for 6wks and I took it all(it was full pay). I was tired and felt drained -taking a nap in the mid morning for quite a while but I was cooking and doing lite cleaning within a few days. My dd#2 developed pneumonia and was home for the first two weeks of my recovery with me and I think that nursing her was why I needed my nap time. I drove on the 3rd day because dh was at work and her temp was well over 103 even after being on antibiotics prescribed from urgent care.

I took long walks daily and it is so important to do that as soon as they let you in the hospital and continue at home. I had a few complications but dealt with them as they came along. I have no real regrets and don't have to worry about excrutiating pain every month. Good luck!

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I had a total abdominal hyster, uterus, ovaries, and appendix (as long as they were in there!)
My doctor insisted I take 8 weeks off of work. After about 5 weeks I felt fine, but at 6 weeks I had a flat tire. No problem, I thought. I feel fine!!!
After lifting the spare out of the trunk I apparently pulled an internal stitch or something. Within days I couldn't straighten up without agonizing pain. Went to the emergency room--I had internal bleeding, but minor and it resolved on it's own. However, I ended up taking 10 weeks of sick time!
Moral: No matter how you feel....NO LIFTING!!

 

[jujube]

I was tired for a few weeks with a bit of pain. The biggest deal for me was waking up in recovery having an hot flash! Since then when it's warm and humid-in south Louisiana, it's mostly both all year- I have hot flashes and at night I sleep with a fan for night sweats.
I could not tolerate estrogen replacement therapy.

 

[cepmom]

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy 4 weeks ago because of fibroids. I also highly recommend hystersisters website....lots of good info there. Everyone heals so differently and different types of hysterectomy make it hard to predict how you will feel afterwards.
I am doing well, but still not back to work or doing anything other than walking and very light housework the past 2 weeks. The first 2 weeks I did nothing but rest. I still get quite tired by late afternoon/dinner time and have to lay down and put my feet up each afternoon.
I needed Vicodin for the first 5 days or so then switched to motrin for another couple weeks. No taking anything now, although I do still have some discomfort here and there. One thing I will highly recommend is to start stool softeners before surgery and don't stop taking them for a few weeks after surgery....also Miralax works wonders. Narcotics cause constipation and that's no fun after abdominal surgery
You will need help the first week at least. Doctors order may vary but usually. I lifting for 6 weeks. I premade meals and froze them and also did a big grocery trip right before surgery which made life postop easier.

Check out hystersisters....I know someone posted to avoid the postop area but the forum "our hysterectomy stories" I found helpful aPs I wanted to be fully prepared on what to expect each step of the way. Good luck and I'd you have any questions please feel free to ask or pm me.

 

[wilderness01]

Hospitalized almost a week and a long, long recovery from the hyst. The hyst was worse for me than the c-sections.

It really depends on how much blood you lose, any complications and if it is done abdominally or through a scope.

Good luck and feel better soon.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Just wanted to add a few after surgery tips.....Please bring with you some very lose clothing to come home in. Anything with zippers or form fitting will really bother you. The swelling makes you need the extra room.

Also on the way home have a pillow in the car. Hold it on your belly as your driven the bumps, sudden stops or coughing and sneezing can be very uncomfortable.

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

Definitely check out Hystersisters. Told me everything I needed to know. BTW, best thing I ever did (even though I did it for pre-cancer) but still the improvement in quality of life has been huge.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I have had 3 c-sections and the removal of a tubal cyst. I also thought the cyst removal would be easier. It was the same as a hysterectomy as it was a large cyst, I just still get stuck with monthly periods. I found the cyst removal to be harder than expected. I was able to convince my doctor to give me just 2 weeks off after surgery because my job was new and I had no sick leave. I also worked half time and only sit at my job. I ended up taking 3 weeks. The 4th week when I was scheduled to return my cousin died. The funeral was the day that I was scheduled to return to work. My supervisor wouldn't allow me to take the full day off. The funeral was out of town. By the time I returned I was exhausted and in a lot of pain. By the 5th week I felt fairly normal. Since it was my 4th surgery in my abdomen I am no longer able to do sit-ups, not that I liked them much anyway.

 

[Mandy_in_NC]

Be prepared that you may have hot flashes and uncontrollable crying. My Dr told me that my ovaries might be a little slow to start working again after surgery and at the age of 30 I got to experience menopause for about a week. My hubby would come home and I would be crying for no reason. I had mine done in the summer and my family was having to wear swestshirts because I was freezing them. And I am usually the cold natured one in the family. I was also really tired for weeks. I took the full 6 weeks off from work. i am glad that I had it done and wished I had done it sooner.

 

[Disney Doll]

See my responses below, which are based on you being a relatively healthy middle aged (40-60) female.

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. In general it's not. The majority of the people do fine. However a website such as hystersisters is going to attract those that may have had a more difficult time so bear that in mind. 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. There will be some pain as it is abdominal surgery and your abdomen and its musculature supports your body. The muscles that are being cut through are what people call the "core" muscles, as in "you have to strengthen your core". What do you mean? Do you feel you were able to cook meals within a few days? Most people I know who have had a hyst. were able to do easy cooking in a few days. ie-spaghetti with jar sauce. Don't plan a dinner party for 25 for when you are a week post-op. How long do you think it may take to get off the sofa to let the dog in and out? They will get you out of bed the same day you have surgery and have you start walking, so you'll have an idea of how long it should take you to get off the couch. If you mean will you be able to move at all, well you will be walking before you leave the hospital so yes, you will be able to get off the couch...it just might take you a bit longer because of your sore belly. Should I be prepared to mostly just be tired and weak, but still able to slowly do what I need to? Yes...more tired than truly weak. You'll probably feel a bit washed out for a while. Or will I just not be moving at all for awhile? Barring some unforeseen crcumstance they will get you out of bed the same day you have your surgery. Let me be really clear....YOU MUST MOVE post-op. If you do not move you run the risk of pneumonia, constipation and a host of other issues related to laying in bed as opposed to getting up and getting all your body's systems functioning again. The quicker you get out of bed and moving the quicker everything will get back to normal. How long before I will be able to walk distances again? What kind of distance?? From the house ot the car and to the grocry store or a marathon? Is the grocery store doable in a couple of weeks? Should be as long as the bags aren't too heavy. Lifting is going to be limited. Within a couple of weeks you should be able to go to the store to pick up lunchmeat and bread for sandwiches, but if you have to do a "big shop" with multiples bags and lifitng them in and out of the car and schlepping them up the stairs and into the house....well, let's just say you can introduce DH to the JOYS of grocery shoppingShall I save my money and prepare to order lots of pizza and Chinese? I think everybody should eat lots of pizza and Chinese, hysterectomy or not!

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! LOL! It's actually good that that's your personality because it means you'll be up and moving more quickly and get back to normal more quickly.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! Yes indeed!

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

Good luck with the surgery.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

So I'm resurrecting this older thread. I had my annual Dr. visit last week. I've had 3 fibroid tumors for a couple of years now. As of last week I now have 8 or 9 and they are getting larger. My Dr. does many Di Vinci robotic surgeries so I'm thinking I'm going to call tomorrow and get myself scheduled. I just turned 46 and I discussed with the doctor that my quality of life is good - which he says is the most important. He's not pushing my to do the surgery but I think it's going to be a matter of do it now or do it later. I don't believe it is something I can totally avoid. Added to this is that my Mom had a large fibroid removed last year that ended up being cancerous. I'm just not wanting to spend years worrying about mine ending up that way.

Just wondering how the OP's surgery went?

 

[luvavacation]

Oh gosh, I was so wrapped up in worrying about my surgery I forgot to return and thank everyone!

Anyways, my surgery was fine! I did get shaky and scared, even started crying, once my DH was told to leave and I was wheeled out to the prep area. I guess I just started to worry about dying under anesthesia at that point, and nerves got to me. I was given something, Valium perhaps, and all was better.

Recovery was fine. I did stay overnight in the hospital, as my doctor suggested, since I care for my elderly mom in my home and she would not understand why I was unable to cook or do stuff for her. This was great, as I did get some reading done!

The one thing I did not like was the insistence to have a bowel movement. You spend the day before surgery cleaning everything out, and you eat nothing, then a few hours afterwards, they want a bowel movement! Irritating. I believe I lied about my success on that one.

There was some internal gas from the doctor puffing air into the body to get to the organs better, but I remember being told years ago after my C-sections to sit in a rocking chair to help move the gas, so I just started rocking in the bed and the air was not much of a problem.

All the suggestions to not do too much right away were spot on, and I should have listened! The night after my surgery, I decided to walk, and walked two circles on the floor I was on, until at one point I was at the furthest end from my room and suddenly doubled over with a bad pulling pain. Yes, that was stupid of me!

Then, a week and a half after the surgery, I took my daughter on a college road trip, and at Indiana University Bloomington, I about killed myself walking from the bottom of campus all the way up the hills to the top of campus, trying to keep up with those little college girls leading the tour that walk like speed demons. I was not feeling well after that, and probably should not have pushed myself, but it was the end of the tour and we went back to the hotel to let me lay down for an hour, after which I was fine again.

After the first time I walked the hospital hallways and overdid things, I did not take any pain killers of any sort, as I felt too good on them. I decided it was better to feel the discomfort and not push myself. For me, this was best. However, I did wish for a pain killer after the college tour!

I think it took just over two weeks before I no longer felt that the surgery was interfering with my movements. I did, however, postpone any bending and lifting for a couple of more weeks, just to be safe. I had images in my mind of my ovaries detaching from whereever they were attached, and I didn't want that to happen (what can I say, I have an active imagination!).

After the surgery, I was told that my uterus was about 5x normal size, and I had fibroids and adenomyosis (I believe that is how it is spelled?). Much of the pain I was having has gone away, though I do still have pain in the ovaries occasionally, due to PCOS. Occasional pain is fine, but I did not realize how much pain my uterus was causing me until it was out and I was recovered! I am so glad I had this surgery!

My only regret is that I wish I had this surgery earlier. I do not know why I suffered for so long, but it might have something to do with coming to terms with never having children again. Of course, I am in my mid-40's, children weren't on my list of things to do again, but still, coming to terms with the finality was a struggle. But the surgery is done, the decision was made, and I feel great!

If you do decide to have the surgery, plan for a time when you will be waited on at home, and it is ok to draw out the "waited on" part a bit longer! Do not overdo! And if you go to the Hystersister website, as someone else mentioned, do not let it scare you. Yes, bad things happen with the surgery, but if you take care of yourself and have a good doctor, more good things happen!

Good luck!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear everything went well. I'm going to call the doctor today and have a chat with my boss. I have a ton of sick leave accrued but I could also do quite a bit of work for home...