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.
Protein and fat
Fish such as salmon and tuna. Soy products such as tofu and edamame. Legumes such as beans and lentils. Dairy products such as milk and yogurt.
It can take about 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover after having an abdominal hysterectomy. Recovery times are often shorter after a vaginal or laparoscopy hysterectomy. During this time, you should rest as much as possible and not lift anything heavy, such as bags of shopping.
Coffee consumption after total abdominal hysterectomy and systematic paraaortic lymphadenectomy expedites the time to bowel motility and the ability to tolerate food. This simple, cheap, and well-tolerated treatment should be added as an adjunct to the postoperative care of gynecologic oncology patients.
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.
Nutrition. To help your body recover from surgery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. Include proteins such as lean meat, fish, eggs, milk, yoghurt, nuts, and legumes/beans.
Walking – Start walking on the day of your return home and increase your activity levels over the first few weeks. Many women should be able to walk for 30-60 minutes after 2-3 weeks. Swimming – Within 2-3 weeks provided any vaginal bleeding/discharge has stopped.
You should not lift heavy objects such as full shopping bags or children, or do any strenuous housework such as vacuuming until three to four weeks after your operation as this may affect how you heal internally. Try getting down to your children rather than lifting them up to you.
In general, patients should sleep on their backs in an elevated position. You can achieve this by propping yourself up with firm pillows or by sleeping in a recliner chair. Sleeping on your stomach or side is generally not recommended, as this places unnecessary pressure on your incisions.
Avoid heavy housework or other strenuous activities for at least six weeks. This includes; vacuuming, washing floors, hanging out laundry etc. After three weeks gently ease back into such activities • If you need to bend, squat at the knees rather than bending over.
Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay. Ask your doctor when you can drive again. You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry.
Avoid introducing new foods or foods that upset your gut causing gut symptoms particularly during your early hysterectomy recovery. Prebiotic foods that promote a healthy gut microbiome include: Asparagus. Bananas.
You may shower, but don't rub the incision. Avoid strenuous activity at home; you may wash dishes and do light cooking only. You may take 1-2 tablets of Tylenol every 4 hours for pain, or 600 mg of Motrin (ibuprofen) every 6 hours, or pain medication as prescribed by your physician.
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.
You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry. Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
During recovery at home, it's important to balance rest and exercise to promote healing and minimise possible side effects after hysterectomy (e.g. physical deterioration or lower back pain).
The most common complications of hysterectomy can be categorized as infectious, venous thromboembolic, genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) tract injury, bleeding, nerve injury, and vaginal cuff dehiscence.
If you regularly sleep on your side, then you should be able to keep doing so while in post-hysterectomy recovery. You may also find this position helps with gas, which can be painful after hysterectomies. However, it's important to speak to your doctor to ensure this position will be right for your body.
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.
Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.
Lean meat and some fruits such as oranges, strawberries, or blueberries should be part of your hysterectomy recovery period as well.
Fiber-rich diet following recovery
There are certain foods that can lead to constipation and you should avoid as much as possible post-surgery. They include: Dairy like milk and cheese. Processed foods like fast food and cold cuts.
Get plenty of rest. 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. Wait six weeks to resume sexual activity.