FAQ

● Avoid heavy lifting (more than 15 lbs) and strenuous physical activity for the first 4 weeks
● Pelvic rest for 8-12 weeks
● Do not drive until off ALL narcotic pain meds
● Stool softeners and/or milk of magnesia for the first week after surgery
● Showers are fine. Avoid pools and baths for 6 weeks.
● You will need 2 post-op appointments. The first one will be 1-2 weeks after surgery to have the incisions inspected and to review your pathology results. The second visit is 8 weeks after surgery to have a pelvic exam to examine the vaginal cuff.
● Call the office for fever above 100.4, heavy vaginal bleeding, pus or foul smelling drainage from the incisions, severe and worsening abdominal or pelvic pain, and/or severe and sudden pain or swelling in the calf or thigh.
● Typically patients return to work in 4-6 weeks.

You can expect to have some pain for the first few days after the surgery. You will be given medication to relieve pain. You will have bleeding and discharge from your vagina for several weeks. Sanitary pads can be used after the surgery. Constipation is common after most hysterectomies. Some women have temporary problems with emptying the bladder after a hysterectomy.

I am having some light vaginal bleeding/spotting. Is that normal? Yes, it is normal to have some vaginal bleeding and spotting after a hysterectomy. This may last up to 8 weeks after surgery, and it may come and go. If you start to saturate more than 1 pad per hour, please let our office know ASAP.

After a hysterectomy, it is not uncommon to notice a pressure sensation when you urinate. This is normal and should improve over the course of a few weeks. If you start to have burning pain when you urinate, have blood in your urine, increased frequency of urination, fever, or other urinary symptoms, please call the office.

If your incision starts to bleed a small amount, there is no need to worry. If your incision opens up or you start to have heavy bleeding that won’t stop, or if you notice a foul smelling discharge from your incision, please inform the office ASAP.

Walking is a great exercise option while you are recovering from surgery. You should avoid any heavy lifting (greater than 15 lbs), abdominal/core exercises, and any other strenuous physical activity for 4 to 6 weeks. Other exercise options would include a recumbent bike and light yoga.

It is very common for patients to get constipated after surgery. It is highly recommended that you increase your water intake, as well as taking a stool softener such as dulcolax, or a laxative such as milk of magnesia every day for 1 week after surgery to help regulate your bowel movements. If you start to have diarrhea, you can stop taking the stool softeners and/or laxatives.

The pain medication that is prescribed after surgery is only intended to be used for the first 2 to 5 days after surgery. If you are still having pain after these first 5 days after surgery, you can try taking ibuprofen 600 mg and tylenol 1000 mg every 6 hours (please see your post operative pain control sheet for more information on this). *Do not take tylenol or ibuprofen if previously instructed not to take these medications.* Another common reason for abdominal pain at this point is constipation. The pain medications that you take after surgery can cause constipation--which can cause abdominal pain. If this is the case, make sure you are taking milk of magnesia or other stool softeners. Aim to have one to two bowel movements every day after surgery to avoid constipation and the abdominal pain associated with constipation.

The abdominal binder is used for patient comfort. If it is bothersome to you or causing pain, you do not need to keep wearing it. If the abdominal binder helps to relieve pain, you can wear it as long as you wish.