Hysterectomy Information for Women About to Have Surgery
During a hysterectomy the uterus is removed by the surgeon. There are several types of treatment that can be tried before the surgery is recommended, as a final approach. There are different types of hysterectomy performed for different conditions so you might just have your uterus removed, but ovaries, tubes and cervix may also be taken.
The most common reason for having a hysterectomy is extreme period symptoms in an older woman. Additional reasons are pregnancy or birthing problems, some cancers, prolapse of the uterus, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. You probably know why a hysterectomy has been advised, but ask your doctor any questions you have.
There are two ways to perform this surgery; they are vaginal and abdominal. Patients who have a vaginal procedure usually recover faster and experience less pain because there has been no incision and therefore no stitches. This method isn’t right for all patients because it may not be feasible considering the individual’s reason for surgery and the general health and age.
You can expect to have some post-operative pain and discomfort, especially after an abdominal hysterectomy. Analgesics are administered in the hospital to give relief; a catheter is usually inserted during the surgery for urine to pass and this will remain in place for 24 to 48 hours.
You will be kept in bed for the first day and then encouraged to walk around a little each day. To reduce the possibility of clots in the legs, is why patients are taken for walks soon after surgery. The length of the hospital stay differs according to the type of procedure; from three or four days for vaginal hysterectomy patients to six or seven days for abdominal hysterectomy patients.
Recovery is continued at home for 6 to 8 weeks to allow the wound to heal, abdominal muscles to strengthen and the emotional aspects of surgery to settle. It is important to rest during this time and don’t do any heavy housework, stretching or lifting.
You will probably experience some symptoms during your recovery. Vaginal bleeding is a normal occurrence after a hysterectomy but this should ease after about two weeks. It is quite common to have some menopause symptoms after your surgery, but these usually go away after several days. You may feel like crying, be anxious or confused, have sweats or hot flashes. In cases where the symptoms don’t go away, doctors may prescribe some hormone replacement therapy to alleviate the discomfort.
A hysterectomy will not affect your sex drive, except in a positive way. A common symptom in patients who have also had ovaries removed is dryness of the vagina, but you can get relief with taking estrogen and vaginal lubricants. You should abstain from sexual intercourse for 6 weeks after your hysterectomy, to allow your body to heal.
Some women feel a sense of loss after a hysterectomy or feel they are less of a woman. The majority of patients feel so much better physically that these symptoms are short-lived. See your doctor if any of these symptoms continue. A physicians can always give you good information on hysterectomy recovery, Complete Hysterectomy and Radical Hysterectomy.
Starting a simple exercise program of short daily walks after about 3 weeks will help you regain your fitness. Don’t overdo it in the beginning, but gradually increase the length of your daily walk. Make sure to keep the exercise manageable and it will help you recover faster and more completely. The recovery period is six to eight weeks for a reason – this time is needed to make a full recovery.
This not not medical advise always consult your physcian for medical advise