Post hysterectomy instructions

The female reproductive system is a very complex system. And as with any system, occasionally, things go wrong. When treatments and therapies can't fix an issue, sometimes surgery is required. Surgery to remove a woman's uterus or womb, a major component of this system, is called hysterectomy

1. Call your surgeon or
health care provider
immediately
or go to your nearest
Emergency Department
if you have any of the
following:

• Your vaginal bleeding
is soaking more than
1 pad an hour
• You have signs of
Infection including
fever greater than
38°c
(100°f) and chills
• You have foul
smelling vaginal
discharge
• Your incisions
have increased
redness,
bleeding and /or
Yellowish-green
fluid draining
• Your incisions open
up
• You feel nauseous or
have more/different
pain than previous
days and cannot
control it with the
medications
You have
• You are unable to
pass urine
• You have new pain
in your calf or
swelling in your
legs
• You have
unexplained
shortness of breath
or chest pain.
• You have a cough
that does not go
away.

Discharge Instructions
Following
Gynecology Surgery

Abdominal Hysterectomy: Your surgeon makes one large cut through
the skin and tissue of the lower abdomen.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Your surgeon makes 3-4 small cuts through
the skin and tissue of the abdomen to remove your uterus.

Vaginal Hysterectomy: Your surgeon makes a cut through the top of
your vagina to remove your uterus.

Vaginal Prolapse Repair: Your surgeon repairs and strengthens the
connective tissue between your vagina and the area of prolapse.

Types of Hysterectomies
Subtotal or Partial Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the uterus. The
cervix is left in place so you will still need regular PAP tests.

Total Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove both the uterus and cervix. Ask
your surgeon if you still require PAP tests.

Radical Hysterectomy: Surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, and upper
part of the vagina. The ovaries, fallopian tubes, and nearby lymph nodes
may also be removed.

Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy: Surgery to remove the ovaries and
fallopian tubes. This may be combined with any of the above surgeries.
Removing the ovaries initiates menopause if you are not already
menopausal.

Recovery
• Recovery is different for every woman and depends on many factors.
• Full recovery takes several weeks.
• You may feel more tired than you think you should, but you will
need to rest. You need to take it easy and give your body time to
heal.
• Mild bleeding for few days following surgery can occur.






OBGYN & SWARAJ MULTISPECIALITY HOSPITAL, BOLANGIR
OBGYN &
SWARAJ MULTISPECIALITY HOSPITAL,
BOLANGIR

2. Follow Up Appointment: What to Expect
Your surgeon will:
• Examine your incision
• Assess your pain and ensure that it is managed
• Review your current medications
• Discuss the need for future tests including PAP smear.
• Assess readiness for strenuous physical activity, sexual intercourse, and return to work.

Going Back to Work
• Ask your surgeon about when you may return to work.
• Ask your surgeon if you need to send forms to his/her office.
• Your surgeon will assess your readiness to return to work and determine if additional recovery time is
required.

Discharge Instructions
Pain
• You might have more discomfort once you are at home.
• Discomfort is due to swelling inside your abdomen as you heal.
• Take pain medication as directed on the package or as prescribed by your health care provider.
• As you continue to recover, your pain should get better day by day, and your need for pain medication
should decrease.

• Optimize your pain medications, gradually reduce the amount you take as your pain gets better.
• A hot water bottle may ease the discomfort. DO NOT use an electric heating blanket or pad.

Activity
• Avoid strenuous activities and sports until you see your surgeon at your follow up appointment.
• DO NOT lift anything over 5kg for 6 weeks after hysterectomy or abdominal surgery.
• Avoid over stretching or reaching.
• Walk every day. Start with short walks and try to increase the distance you walk a little each day.
• DO NOT over tire yourself, take frequent rest periods.
• You may do light work like washing dishes and cooking. Vacuuming is not light work.
• Being active is important to your recovery.
OBGYN & SWARAJ MULTISPECIALITY HOSPITAL, BOLANGIR

3. Incision and Personal Care
• You will have vaginal bleeding. See your health care provider immediately if your vaginal bleeding is
soaking more than 1 sanitary pad an hour.
• You may shower after surgery without soaking dressings over incision.
• You may bathe in a tub with shallow water 48 hours after surgery. DO NOT soak your incision until
after your stiches are removed or dissolved and your incision is well healed.

• ONCE STITCHES ARE REMOVED

• DO NOT use bath salts or oils, or soak in a hot tub or pool until you are fully recovered and
your incision is completely healed.
• GENTLY clean your incision every day with mild soap and clean water. Pat dry with a clean, soft
towel. And apply any creams or ointments as prescribed.
• DO NOT cover your incision unless it is leaking. Check every day for signs of infection.
• DO NOT rub the incision until after the incision is well healed.
• DO NOT use douches.

Sexual Activity
• Avoid sexual intercourse until you see your surgeon at your follow up appointment.
• Once you resume sexual activity, do not worry about damaging your incision or doing harm to yourself.
Reassure your partner of this.

Diet
• Goals are to eat nutritious foods to help you heal, drink plenty fluids to stay hydrated, and eat and
drink properly in order to avoid constipation.
• You may resume your regular diet.
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses (1 glass = 250 ml) of fluid, preferably water, every day.

Avoid Constipation
• Eat high fiber foods such as whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables, and prunes.
• Take a stool softener or a mild laxative if diet alone is not working for you.
• Speak with your health care provider if constipation remains a problem.



OBGYN & SWARAJ MULTISPECIALITY HOSPITAL, BOLANGIR