The speed of recovery after hysterectomy can differ among patients. The hysterectomy recovery period will basically depend on the type of hysterectomy performed, as well as the technique used for performing the surgery.

If for example the reason of hysterectomy surgery s due to cancer, the patient can expect a longer recovery period. Usually during this case, abdominal hysterectomy is needed because other part of the reproductive organ such as the ovaries are removed as well. Laparoscopy assisted hysterectomy surgery on the other hand, usually only takes about a week or shorter. Aside from physical healing, recovery also refers to emotional and psychological healing.

It takes about two months for a patient who have undergone abdominal hysterectomy to fully recover and resume to her daily routine while it only takes about 2 weeks for a patient to go back to her usual activities if the hysterectomy is only done through laparoscopy. The difference lies in the size of the incision. Laparoscopy requires smaller incision than abdominal hysterectomy.

If you’ve just undergone hysterectomy, here are some dos during the hysterectomy recovery period:

Ask you doctor for a medicine that you can take to ease pain.

Do not move too much.

Do move slowly.

Do seek medical care when you experience excessive bleeding, or if there is excessive pus from your either your abdominal and/or vaginal incisions.

Use heating pads when sleeping but don’t let it come to direct contact with your skin.

Do not bend frequently.

Avoid taking in aspirins.

Avoid eating dairy based foods.

Do eat healthy and regularly.

Take multiple vitamins.

Do drink plenty of water.

Here are the don’ts during recovery period.

After hysterectomy, do not carry on with sexual activity unless advised by the surgeon.

Do not lift things that weigh ten pounds or more for at least six weeks after the surgery.

Do not swim or bathe in tubs for at least six weeks after hysterectomy.

Do not resume house chore activities right away.

Until the doctor advised so, do not drive yet.

Do not climb the stairs.

Prohibit intake of alcohol-based drinks.

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