A hysterectomy is a major operation. You can be in hospital for up to 5 days after surgery, and it can take about 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover. Recovery times can also vary depending on the type of hysterectomy. Rest as much as possible during this time and do not lift anything heavy, such as bags of shopping.
The operation takes about an hour to perform and a general anaesthetic is used. An abdominal hysterectomy may be recommended if your womb is enlarged by fibroids or pelvic tumours and it's not possible to remove it through your vagina.
A hysterectomy is an invasive surgery so it naturally requires downtime and will come with some residual pain and discomfort. This will almost always extend a few weeks after the surgery but if you are still in extreme pain and discomfort at the 3-month mark we generally recommend to go see a specialist.
Recovering from hysterectomy surgery
After having a hysterectomy, you'll be in hospital for 3 to 5 days. You may have light vaginal bleeding for up to 2 weeks after surgery. Pain should settle down within a week after a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Because your uterus is removed, you no longer have periods and cannot get pregnant. But your ovaries might still make hormones, so you might not have other signs of menopause. You may have hot flashes, a symptom of menopause, because the surgery may have blocked blood flow to the ovaries.
After your hysterectomy
The average recovery time for a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy is 3 to 4 weeks. For an abdominal hysterectomy, recovery may take 5 to 6 weeks. It's important to look after yourself after your hysterectomy: Rest as much as possible for at least 2 weeks.
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.
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.
Pain intensity, wish for more analgesics and most interference outcomes were significantly worse after CS compared with hysterectomies.
You may return to work in 2-4 weeks if your job requires a lot of movement. Please contact your doctor if you need any return to work letters or medical leave paperwork to be completed. If you had a laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy, you will have small incisions on your abdomen.
Hysterectomy Techniques. The surgeon removes your uterus through a six- to eight-inch-long incision in the abdomen. Your doctor might recommend this technique for: Removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes.
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.
Going home
If you have a vaginal hysterectomy or a laparoscopic hysterectomy, you may go home on the same day as your procedure or the day after. If there are any medical concerns or complications, you may stay in hospital for another one to two days.
Hysterectomy Q&A
The surgeon makes tiny incisions – one in the navel and three in the lower abdomen. A tiny camera is inserted through the navel and guided to the uterus. This gives clear visualization of the surgical field and allows access through the other ports to remove the uterus.
Indeed, you might find that you feel happier due to the alleviation of your symptoms experienced prior to surgery, such as pain and discomfort with intercourse. If you do find yourself feeling low or depressed you are certainly not alone.
Slower metabolism.
These three symptoms can make weight loss challenging, and many women first begin to notice some extra pounds around the waistline or belly fat after a hysterectomy.
For any woman undergoing a hysterectomy, these are all common, understandable questions. The intrusiveness of the procedure, along with changes in your hormones, does mean that some women will experience changes in their weight and physical fitness. Many of these changes need not be permanent.
Even to date, the risk of severe complications from hysterectomy remains at 3.5 to 11.0 %1. Studies from Melbourne reported hysterectomy mortality rate of 1.5 /1,000 in Australia2. Hysterectomy Long-term Side-effects: Early menopause, prolapse, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, constipation, coronary heart disease.
However, any type of hysterectomy can potentially cause these problems. According to a 2018 study, having a hysterectomy before 35 years of age also increases a person's risk factor for several medical conditions, including: 14% increased risk of lipid abnormalities. 13% increased risk of high blood pressure.
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman's uterus (womb). Hysterectomy is one of the most common types of elective surgeries for Australian women. Some reasons for having a hysterectomy include cervical cancer, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.