While you were in the hospital, you had a hysterectomy, surgery to remove your uterus. Your surgeon made a 5- to 7- inch incision (cut) in the lower part of your belly. The cut was made either up and down or across your belly, just above your pubic hair (a bikini cut). Part or all of your uterus was removed.
You may have also had:
You probably spent 2 to 5 days in the hospital after surgery.
It will take at least 4 to 6 weeks to feel better. You will probably get tired easily during this time. You may not feel like eating much.
After your wound heals, you will have a 4- to 6-inch scar.
If you had good sexual function before the surgery, you should continue to have good sexual function afterward. If you had problems with severe bleeding before your hysterectomy, sexual function often improves after surgery. If you have a decrease in your sexual function after your hysterectomy, talk with your health care provider about possible causes and treatments.
Plan to have someone drive you home from the hospital. Do NOT drive yourself home.
You should be able to do most of your regular activities in 4 to 8 weeks. Before then:
Do not have sexual intercourse until you have had your checkup with your doctor after surgery.
To manage your pain:
Make sure your home is safe as you are recovering.
See also:
Change the dressing over your incision once a day, or sooner if it gets dirty or wet.
You may remove your wound dressings (bandages) and take showers if sutures (stitches), staples, or glue were used to close your skin. Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming, until your doctor tells you it is okay.
If tape strips (Steri-Strips) were used to close your incision, cover them with plastic wrap before showering for the first week. Do not try to wash off the Steri-Strips or glue. They should fall off in about a week. If they are still there after 10 days, you can remove them, unless your doctor tells you not to.
Try eating smaller meals than normal and have healthy snacks in between. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and drink 8 cups of water a day to keep from getting constipated. See also: Constipation - self-care
If your ovaries were removed, talk with your doctor about treatment for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
Call your doctor or nurse if:
Abdominal hysterectomy - discharge; Supracervical hysterectomy - discharge; Radical hysterectomy - discharge; Removal of the uterus - discharge
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Special procedures: Hysterectomy. March 2006. Accessed February 18, 2009.
Entman SS, Graves CR, Jarnagin BK, Rao GG. Gynecologic surgery. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 75.
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (Canada). Supracervical hysterectomy. SOGC CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE No 238, January 2010.
Updated by: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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