Get your FREE hysterectomy recovery hints and tips delivered by email daily.
A doctor or gynaecologist will normally say that it takes around six weeks to recover from an abdominal hysterectomy. However, our anecdotal evidence suggests that the vast majority of women are off work for around 13 weeks if they have an abdominal hysterectomy, when they do return to work they may do so part time for a while. If you have a vaginal hysterectomy, the recovery time is much reduced because you have no abdominal incision – however you will still need to recover internally and again our anecdotal evidence suggests that eight to ten weeks is normal.
Your return to work will also be affected by the type of work that you do, therefore if you do heavy work or are standing for much of the day, or it is particularly stressful, you may need to take longer before considering going back.
I just had a partial hysterectomy 1 week ago. I’m afraid that I might have over done it. What are the signs?
i had a total abdominal hysterectomy 6 weeks ago, i keep getting bad shooting pains on the left side of the wound, really worried about it, what could it be
I think you could do with going to see your GP, it could be a slight infection or you could simply have been overdoing it.
I had a laproscopy subtotal done 4 weeks ago i felt fine when i came home 2 days later started light excercise, then about a week ago started to suffer sevre pain in my lower abdomine and pelvic area. My GP phoned for an ambulance and i was taken back to hospital to have tests and a scan and they found that i had a blood clot 9 cm in diametre the radiologist decided that he was not going to put a drain in and i have now been sent home with antibiotics and pain relief my worry is that the clot will move.
I can understand your concerns Dawn, hopefully your GP will have given you things to look out for and will be monitoring your progress.
Is there any chance that I could go downhill skiing 10 weeks after an total abdominal hysterectomy? I am quite fit. Have you ever known this to be done?
In a word, ‘No’, I’ve never heard of anyone doing it and I’d be surprised if your travel insurance would cover you.
Please could you tell me how soon after the operation can I ride my horse?
I think you are probably looking at several months – it might be worth asking for a referral to a physiotherapist who will be able to give a much clearer idea of timescales.
I had a sub total hysterectomy on 21st of April.(It’s 19th of July today.) And I still have a pain around my scar when I touch gently. Also I feel numb around my cut.(quite wide area)Is it normal? My friend who is a doctor in Japan told me.. that they might cut my healthy nerve when they gave me operation..
I work with children with autism and my school doesn’t accept me to work there with autistic children as in case I might get kicked, punched ..
I don’t know what I should do about it..
Hi Kumi, It’s quite normal to have numbness and this can continue for several months after a hysterectomy and is due to the nerves being cut. They normally sort themselves out in time though. As for the pain though, it might be worth seeing your GP for a follow-up as that isn’t usual at this stage and may indicate a minor infection.
i had a vaginal hysterectomy and repair on 27th july (i am aware i tend to worry and panic) i felt fine from the following day, have had a few twinges and niggles but nothing major!(fingers crossed it stays that way), i am worried about the real time it takes to heal and what i should be feeling like now ? i am concerned that what has been done wont hold! i have had front and back walla repaired? it sounds stupid too but what is it meant to look like? for 3 yrs or more i have had my uterus poking out at me so dont really know a “normal” downstairs looks? x x
Everyone looks different and I don’t think there is such a thing as ‘normal’ for the vaginal area at all. The key to getting through this is accepting that it will take longer than you think to heal, so take it easy whilst remembering you do need to do some exercise to help the healing process take place – walking is great. If the repairs have been done correctly, and there is no reason to assume they haven’t then the repairs should hold, but it is perfectly normal to feel concerned about things being ‘not right’ until you are well recovered and have forgotten about the surgery.
I am 66 years old and had a vaginal hysterectomy on 25th May. I also had a bladder and bowl repair plus they discovered large fibroids so altogether I had 4 hours of surgery. Since then I have had an infection where I suffered with loss of blood clots plus 2 water infections. I am doing fine but find I need to sleep most afternoons as I come over really tired and just cannot stay awake. Is this tiredness normal? I did think I would be a lot further to being fully recovered by now.
Tiredness is common post surgery and the length of recovery will be dependent on many factors including things like your general health before surgery, your age and the type and amount of surgery you had. Some women say it can take a couple of years to feel they are back to normal.
I had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy 3 weeks ago (with ovaries removed). Was recovering well for first 2 weeks, then started bleeding on day 13. Today is day 21 and still bleeding. Went to docs day 16 as pain increasing and had urine & blood tests, plus ultrasound up at hospital. Nothing found – told to rest. Any idea how long I can expect the bleeding to last? Light-medium period type, plus occasional heavy hours.
It’s normal to have post surgical bleeding and is a natural part of the healing process it can start as late as 10 weeks as well and continue for several weeks thereafter. If nothing has been found then rest sounds like the key.
I had a total hysterectomy on 22nd August 2011. I have removed the padding and clear strip that were covering my stitches. I am now left with a thin strip of gauze along the top of my stitches and 4 small strips of gauze going down over the top of these. Should i remove this gauze? i was told the stitches are disolvable, how long do these normally take to disolve?
Wow, that’s a ‘how long is a piece of string question’ Lisa – everyone is different and personally I’d avoid removing the guaze until the wound is healed if it stays that long as it may come off in the shower or the bath.
hi there, i had a total hysterectomy and tubes and ovaries and cervix removed on the 13 th july 2011.So it is 10 weeks today since i had it. I am still in quite a bit of pain. like muscle pain if i walk any distance or try to do more than a tiny bit of housework and it takes ages for it to go..There is a particular spot on the left side that is sore just above my wound. I went to the doctors about 3 weeks about it and she said rest, Well i have been resting and it did go away for a few days but the minute i start to do anything it comes back again. Will it ever go away? You read on websites of women being able to do so many things and be painfree by this stage and it is getting me down a bit. i feel well in myself apart from hot flushes etc
Hi Audrey, actually it’s not helpful to compare yourself to others – everyone recovers at different rates and in different ways as we are all unique. It might be worth seeing the GP again if it’s still sore. Linda
I had a total hysterectomy done laproscopicly w three one I.ch incisions. I went back to work one week later…I wasn’t trying to b superwoman at all…I was just ready…following being discharged I never even got my pain rx filled…I took midol once and only bleed lightly for 2 days…again I’m not out to proove anything…I’m a massage therapist and it good health but nothing spectacular…I havnt had any negative side affects…it’ll b 3 wks soon…also my doc told me after the first week I could exercize as long as I didn’t use my abdominal muscles which I’ve been doing (exercise) conservatively…is this unusual with the lap method? I may b crazy but I feel great…and have had no pain for Atkeast 2 wks.!?!?!?
Hi Luci, wow, your recovery and return to work is highly unusual and I can only put it down to exceptional fitness and good health.
what a smug and unnecessary comment bully for you just makes others who are recovering slowly feel crap…thanks for that
Hi AR, everyone reacts, responds and recovers at their own rate – no one person is any better than any other, we are all just different and the experience of Luci is just her unique experience and will be down to a whole different set of factors that are influencing your recovery. Her experience is unusual though so please don’t feel as if it is something you need to measure yourself against, it isn’t.
i had laporoscopy to remove everything 2 weeks ago iv had lose which was brownish colour but today its like a full period +smells +a pain on right sidelow down do u think i shoud phone dr.
I had a hysterectomy 4 weeks ago which they took a huge 9lb fybriod out i feel very weak and can do things but after 10mins im really tired and have to have a cat nap. I feel when i walk that something is gonna come out from my vagina and when i pee it really hurts from within. how long is the recovery usually take.
Hello,
I love to hear when people are doing great. I have had a slow go, but like everyone is different, also every doc and operation is too.
Yes, I wish my case was easy, but I am recovering, I have the surgery behind me and all I can do is get better and better. My body told me what I could and couldn’t do and I listened, for the most part… was off pain killers day 3 due to a horrible headache & I was emotionally jumping around, but was still in recovering/healing pain, minus the headche, so bye pain killers…well, now I feel better and want to do more without causing any setbacks.
I wish I could find a check list of sorts, information on line is all scattered. While it seemed my doctor would give me information (because when I asked, he said he would give me pelvic exercises and yes, I assumed he would tell me something besides just walk.) I went from feeling I was in his hands, to home and finding my guide to what to worry about were my own searches online to frantically see to what extent I may or may not die, because the pain can be so sudden, sharp and random. (Fear of making a silly phone call like the headache call to doc, over what just happens to most. Thank you internet.)
Am at 5 weeks with no clear view what i can/cannot or should be aiming at doing.
I would have not chosen another doctor. I would recommend him to anyone.
He worked through 3 hours of scar tissue for a uterus that should have taken an hour.
I have nothing but good things to say, but support, oh just a paper with guidelines would have been nice.
so …does anyone know where guideline may be found?
when can you bend and not worry, when can you start lifting more than 5 lbs, when bubble bath, when can you lift over your head…all i was told was sex in 6…great to know…but there are so many blanks. Any help would be great.
Thank you,
~michelle
Hi Michelle, I am also recovering from a full abdominal hysterectomy, due to cyst on my ovaries which fortunately was benign. My operation was carried out on 29th December and I am now in my eigth week. I have felt that not enough is given to aftercare and what to expect afterwards, my specialist was very good, I had op on Thursday evening and came out on Saturday two days later. I just wish there was more information on things that might happen, I still have wind pain depending on what I eat, and I would like to hear from any others that this has happened to. I generally fine for days in myself and haven’t had much pain apart from when I take long walks, I get pulling and stinging sensations in my tummy. I have had odd days though when I felt like crying and feeling really down. My doctor was going to put me on some tablets but I have resisted them so far, something that has selatonin in them, which she says does really help. I just wish I could get more information as to what might happen weeks and months afterwards. All my doctor says it is a major operation and a great shock to the system. I would like to hear from anyone with some advice. Thanks a lot Audrey Stockley
I know how you feel I am at week six and sometimes I feel like I just had it done. Nobody told me what to expect so I get scared every time I feel something new. e
Hi
It has been exactly 1 year since I had a total abdominal hysterectomy. I just wanted to say to all the women out there that have just had it or are thinking about it not to worry.
Yes it was quite a traumatic experience at the time (for all sorts of reasons) but, I am now 99% recovered and have never felt so well for a long time. I now longer have daily pain, flooding periods, a feeling of continuous exhaustion etc.
I only wish I had opted for it before. I was 40 when the symptons were getting worse but stuck with it for 3 years before I took the decision.
So I hope I have given some of you some hope. It really has changed my life for the better.
Good luck to you all
Jenny
Hi Jenny, thanks for those wise words. It is difficult at the time to think it will ever get better, but as you have shown …. it does
Hi
I had a full hysterectomy (+ovaries and cervix) removal of large fibroid 10lbish 8 months ago, many complications and suffered a stroke due to massive blood loss, after all of this released from hospital after 7 days and recovered from stroke, felt really well for first 3 months but now feel totally exhausted all of the time, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, weight gain the full works, sick and tired of it all. Have looked into progesterone cream as an alternative to HRT doctor will not prescribe because of the stroke. Has anyone any comments on the cream.
I realise i need to exercise more but seems a vicious circle to tired lack of motivation etc etc, would appreciate views!!!
Hi,
I am 47 years old and had a Total Laparoscopic assisted Vaginal hysterectomy 11 days ago. I have only just started to try a research my expected recovery as all I want to do is sleep, and when I am awake if I am on my feet too much or even sitting at my desk I feel like my vagina is coming out.
I have been trying to find out what exercise I should be doing as I keep reading that I should have been given some by the hospital on discharge but that’s another story. I was given a leaflet on having a laparoscopy and when I pointed out to the nurses that this was not relevant she stated they had no leaflets on the procedure I had undergone. I even asked if there was a website they could give me and there was not!
Also I was getting conflicting information from different nurses on recovery time.
Anyway does anyone know if I should be doing pelvic floor type exercise, and after two weeks can I do short walks with my dog? And when can I drive? (Not that I feel like it)!
Also I have a long term back condition and wanted to know that when I am able to turn on my tummy could I have my usual back massage from my physio which can be quite intense?
Thanks Mary
Hi Catherine, short walks are good but probably not with a dog, build up a little further each day (just a couple of feet or yards). Wait until you are fully healed before trying any sort of pelvic floor exercises but one you are then do them regularly. You can drive again when you are able to do an emergency stop otherwise you aren’t insured – this is normally at least 6 weeks post op. I’d say you can go on your tummy when you feel comfortable but I would have thought that could be a couple of months as for the massage you will need to ask the therapist and they will advise.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for the information, your right on all counts as I went to see my GP last week who gave me some really good information and advice and explained that I really need to give myself time to heal. I have started to do very short walks and my friend holds the dog which is good. My mind wants to do more such as going out for a meal, but by the time I have got ready Im ready for another sleep!
Reading other people’s comments its not just me thats got no energy.
Thanks again
Catherine
Hoping to go in for vaginal hysterectomy and repair next week – reasonably fit 63 year old doing 3 lots one hour of exercise a week and looking after grandchildren most days after school – any suggestions or help with what to expect and how to recover would be appreciated. Thank you. will I be up to continuing to look after the grandchildren?
I had a vaginal histrectomy & prolapse repair on the 12th of April . I will be 60yrs in Oct i can honestly say i have been fine i wish i would have had it done yrs ago. The only down side is to remember noy to lift anything heavy xx
i will be having a hysterectomy soon but i have had different answers on recovery , cause i work in a day centre and was wondering when i would be able to get back to work , cause i dont like being off work
Hi, so I am at week six and I still have bad pain can’t go out for longer then one hour and my left side is more swollen then the right and I did n’t know that it would hurt high up in my abdomen I thought only my pelvic area was supposed to hurt . I feel like a mess all I want to do is normal every day things and I can’t I thought week six was the magical (back to your old self) week ?
The six week date is a bit of a myth Antoinette …. unfortunately
I am having a hysterectomy including cervix and ovaries on May 20th. Because of previous surgeries they are using an abdominal incision. Will I be able to ride my motorcycle this summer? How long can I expect my recovery to take?
I guess that depends on how long it takes to recover and the most common recovery time is around 10 – 13 weeks so I’d have thought not! Sorry!
I forgot to say that I am 54. I am having the surgery due to ovarian cysts.
i am now on waiting list for hysterectomy due to heavy bleeding and large fibroid xx should i have my healthy ovaries and cervix removed. Asked the consultant for advice , she just kept saying it was up to me xx
Unfortunately that’s true when it comes to elective surgery Catherine .. not very helpful I know.
Hi Catherine,
The advice I was given was that it would be better for me age 47 to leave my ovaries so I go through the menopause naturally. I had my cervix removed and was told no more smear tests are required, it is your choice but everyone I spoke to who had the surgery and advice from my GP (female) was to just leave the ovaries. I hope this helps!
I myself has the surgery 12 weeks ago today and I still want to sleep all the time so I am hoping for major improvement soon as I am due back at work in 2 weeks.
Good luck!
Hi, I’m at week 10 following total abdominal hysterectomy,( ovaries, tubes, cervix removed too) plus endometrial ablation and bowel adhesions separated. Wound infection after first week, started HRT patches after a month when really needed them (age 43) This website and forum has been the best information resource I’ve found and women sharing real updates is an enormous help, support and at times a much needed morale boost! Feeling frustrated at times and putting myself under pressure feeling I should be doing better, it’s such a relief to hear other ladies progress. My measure has been ” can I do more, or do i feel better, than last week?” and it’s usually a yes, sometimes a big yes and often a small yes. I thought progress would speed up by now but I’m discovering for me it’s a v slow but steady plod forwards. Worried that others and work colleagues might think I’m stringing it out so v good to hear from others experiencing similar. Thank you.
9 weeks post total hysterectomy with complication arising from infected vaginal vault haematoma. Pathology investigation found rare form of sarcoma in myometrium but with no vascular invasion. Have been on low dose HRT but still have severe menopausal symptoms – flushing,burning sensation in stomach and chest with severe nausea and also chills. Crying all the time and feel if I have lost my mind and can’t see how I will ever be normal again and be able to get back to work. Help!
The emotional impact does happen and it can be caused by lots of things not just your feelings about the op, but by your hormone levels, the post surgery blues and the recovery process itself. It will get better but it needs time
Hi all I had laproscopic hysterectomy,tubes and cervix had fibroids and benign cysts on my fallopian tubes, Im into my 6th week and am feeling a dragging sensation in the pelvis with brown discharge, surgeon put me on antibiotics had not examined me I aslo had a posterior repair doc keeps telling me that my body is taking longer to heal, Im also having sweats, panic attacks, waking up every 2 hrs and feeling depressed, I was told that if I kept mu ovaries I wouldnt go straight into menopause im 50 yrs old in 2 weeks
help!
When you have a hysterectomy that conserves the ovaries you have a 50% chance of going through the menopause within five years of the surgery anyway – that five years could start immediately after the op or at 4 years and 9 months. Regardless of that you would go through the menopause two years earlier than normal anyway. If you can, it might be worth talking to your Mum about when she went through the menopause as that would give you a good indication of what your natural age would be and then deduct 2 years.