Hysterectomy

What to expect post-surgery?

After the hysterectomy, doctors advise staying in the hospital for up to seven days. Even after discharge from the hospital, it will take six to eight weeks for you to recover completely. The time required for you to return to your routine will also depend on the type of hysterectomy done.

Any patient who has a hysterectomy undergoes surgical menopause right after it. Your doctor might prescribe hormones that your body will not be able to produce post-surgery. It is common to experience menopausal symptoms like mood swings, vaginal dryness, or hot flashes post-surgery. In some cases where the ovaries were not removed, you may experience mild bleeding, and menopause will occur within five years.

You can still have a normal sex life after a hysterectomy as the heavy bleeding is stopped. However, it is also common to experience vaginal dryness or lose interest in sexual life, especially if the ovaries are removed.

You may experience some amount of pain, constipation, or trouble passing urine which is a temporary effect and subsides within a few days. After you are discharged, ensure that you follow these precautions:

Rest for a longer time so that your body can recover

Avoid lifting any heavy objects till the surgeon gives you a green signal