Research does suggest a link between hysterectomy and an increased risk of weight gain, but it affects some women more than others. Several factors can affect how much weight you gain after a hysterectomy, including what you do during and after the initial recovery period.
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.
Abdominal hysterectomy and abdominal incisions can cause the deep abdominal muscles to stop working. When these muscles stop working, this can make your belly look floppy and larger in size.
Maintain a healthy diet during recovery
Plan a healthy diet for after your procedure to help with the recovery and prevent weight gain after a hysterectomy. By choosing a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, protein and whole grains, it's even possible to lose weight after your hysterectomy.
The decrease in estrogen and sleep disturbances can contribute to reduced energy levels. As a result, women may engage in less physical activity and exercise less frequently, leading to weight gain. Slower metabolism.
3-6 Months After Surgery
Research has shown that fatigue is the most common, debilitating, and longest-lasting symptom that women have after a hysterectomy. On average, women experience fatigue for three months after surgery, but some women have reported feeling tired for up to six months after the operation.
Walking is fantastic functional exercise, and hill walking is a great way to challenge your cardiovascular fitness without risking injury to your pelvic floor. It is also great to start to reconnect with your pelvic floor and core by performing some Pelvic Floor exercises (aka. Kegals) and core breathing.
After hysterectomy, low oestrogen levels in the body makes women more prone to cardiac issues. Bones become fragile: After hysterectomy, bones in your body get weaker. Again, the cause is low levels of oestrogen. According to Dr Lulla, this situation can be mitigated by including calcium-rich food in the diet.
You Won't Necessarily Go Into Menopause
The myth about hysterectomy Streicher hears most often in her medical practice is that a woman will go into menopause afterward. You won't have periods, and can't get pregnant after your uterus is removed. But that doesn't necessarily mean menopause.
You will not be able to do much for at least 3 weeks, or even longer if it is an abdominal surgery. Organise help for meals, domestic chores, childcare and pets. Make sure that your partner understands what to expect, so they can support you. TRUST YOUR BODY.
Benefits and risks of a hysterectomy
If you have cancer, a hysterectomy may save your life. It can relieve bleeding or discomfort from fibroids, severe endometriosis or prolapse (sagging) of the uterus. But, you may want to look into options other than surgery for problems like these.
Avoid trans and saturated fats, like fats found in butter, margarine, salad dressing, fried foods, snack foods, sweets. Vegetable oils (like olive oil and peanut oil) are good fats. Get enough calcium. For bone health, get at least 1,200 mg of calcium daily, plus vitamin D.
Don't lift anything heavy for a full six weeks after the operation. Stay active after the surgery, but avoid strenuous physical activity for the first six weeks.
If you had not gone through menopause before your hysterectomy, you probably will begin having symptoms of menopause -- hot flashes and mood swings. Your body is adjusting to changes in hormone levels. You may also have some changes in sexual desire and enjoyment, and vaginal dryness.
Hysterectomy has a rare long-term risk of pelvic prolapse, which is the stretching or dropping of pelvic organs into an abnormal position. Women with many prior abdominal surgeries or a history of pelvic prolapse or pelvic relaxation may be at higher risk for developing pelvic prolapse again.
Feeling very tired for quite a few weeks after a hysterectomy is normal but often takes a woman by surprise because she is otherwise often feeling much better. A combination of adequate rest and gradually increasing activity are important for helping you get back to full strength quickly.
4 months after hysterectomy
Research has shown that fatigue is the most common and longest-lasting symptom that women have after a hysterectomy. On average, women experience fatigue for three months after surgery, but some women have reported feeling tired for up to six months after the operation.
Although some women may experience weight loss after a hysterectomy, it's not the operation itself that causes weight loss. It may be that removing the uterus and any subsequent pain may result in a decrease in appetite, resulting in weight loss.
About half a million hysterectomies are performed each year in the U.S. It is the second most common surgical procedure for women, after cesarean delivery (C-section). Most hysterectomies are performed between the ages of 40 and 50.
Diet. Eat a well-balanced diet, including protein, fruits and vegetables, which will help with healing after surgery. Drink about 8-10 glasses of fluids a day (especially water) to keep your body well hydrated. If you have a cardiac problem, ask your doctor about your fluid intake.
Continuing life changes
You'll no longer be able to become pregnant and will no longer menstruate. You may find that menopause symptoms begin suddenly after your procedure. We can support you through the changes of menopause with treatments like hormone replacement therapy.