There is a lot of confusion about how you can best recover after a hysterectomy. Sometimes it’s easier to be shown what you can do rather than have a written list. The following video from Michelle Kenway demonstrates how to do the Kegel exercises correctly.
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good excercises for quick recovery . This cd should be given to all women when leaving hospital. Well done to all that have contributed to this cd. kat from North Wales .
Please could you send me a exercise program cd to help me get into shape again after my hyterectomty.
Hi Denise. We don’t produce exercise programmes ourselves but you might like to have a look at our book 101 Handy Hints for a Happy Hysterectomy which has lots of ideas about how you can improve your fitness post hysterectomy: http://shop.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/products/101-Handy-Hints-for-a-Happy-Hysterectomy.html
please send eating and exercise plan for after hysterectomy.
These are available to purchasers of 101 Handy Hints for a Happy Hysterectomy or our members. If you’d like to join you can do so here: http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/index.php/join-us/, if you’d like to buy the book you can do that here: http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/index.php/101-handy-hints-for-a-happy-hysterectomy/
can anyone help by telling me how long will i have to wait to do exercise after having a heamatoma on my scare i am finding it very hard to walk i am 21 day’s post op thank you
I’m not sure I can answer this one for you Mary, perhaps someone else can help too. It is important to at least walk as this should help but if it’s difficult I’m not sure what to suggest. Have you spoken with the physiotherapist attached to your GP surgery?
I ‘d like to preface this by saying that I have always done lots of execise and was very fit before my op in July this year.
I had the same condition and ensured that i walked throughout – initially just a few yards very slowly . I built up by adding a few more steps once an hour. I joked that I knew how the little mermaid felt when she was walking on knives!
Ten weeks later I’m still sore but walked eight miles along the grand union canal on saturday – took it slow and had a great time
Take it at your own pace and good luck
That’s an excellent suggestion Maria, most of us forget that we have our own internal clocks and we need to do things in accordance with them, rather than comparing ourselves to others all the time.
I recently had a vaginal hysterectomy.Uterus and Cervic were removed.Are devices such as Athena pelvic Toner helpful to maintain/improve muscle tone.I did suffer fro urge incontinence and a mild cycstocyl prior to operation.
Kindest regards
Kath
I can’t comment specifically on the Athena Pelvic Toner as I don’t know it, but anything that helps to tone the core abdominal muscles will help significantly once you are fully recovered. That includes things like Yoga and Piliates as well as the Kegel exercises too Kath.
I had a hysterectomy at the end of October – just a large fibroid out plus my uterous. It wasn’t simple – vertical incision, 4 hour op and quite a lot of blood lost – so i expected recovery to be slow
However just over three weeks later I find myself walking (2 hours cross country fairly easily), having “outerware sex” and starting to feel fantastic. So to tips:
First week, FORCE yourself to get up and move – little and often, I tried every 90 minutes. Then straight back to bed and full rest. This is essential for wind! Dont forget the peppermint tea and drink loads of water
Second week onwards, wear a support belt if your scar can stand it. This gives your tummy support when you move and makes walking short distances really comfy. You can buy one on this website-i used an old wetsuit material one i had already. Try some gentle pelvic exercises and keep these up. Increase the walking (little and often) and try other exercises that are not abdominal. i started squats when cleaning my teeth- 30 plus just to get my heart racing. keep exercising short and hard (every 60 – 90 minutes and then resting. i went back to bed a lot
Second week onwards- go and see a CST expert (or maybe a physio?) to get your pelvic area loosened up. After three weeks my tummy was becoming hard and lumpy and my bowel etc movements hurt because there were several internal lesions. This apparently is very common. After 40 minutes gentle (EXPERT) massage my tummy felt like my own again. Lumps and tightness has disappeared and everything seems to be working much better. I am expecting no problems with numbness/pain etc as I heal-its really worth investing in this!
Finally count your blessings. I was lucky and managed to loose 4 kilos – just looking forward to trying on some tighter and sexier clothes- maybe end of week 4 as I dont want to irritate my scar. I dont miss my bump nor the problems it caused me! and I’m going to start pilates and a bit of yoga to keep in trim!
Good luck!
Wow, that’s fantastic Wendy and some very useful tips there; but just a word of warning to everyone else don’t compare yourself to others, it’s not fair on you or them and the reasons people do so well or so badly are many and varied. BTW, I love the term ‘outerware sex’…..
If anyone is interested in the support belt Wendy mentioned, you can find them in our shop at: http://shop.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/products/Abdominal-Support-Band.html
I have found this site really helpful. I had a very large fibroid removed, and the uterus, seven weeks ago. I now want to increase exercises and keep my weight down. I have been doing the basic tummy pull-ins, pelvic floor exercises and walking twenty minutes a day. Two women on my hospital ward were back after their hysterectomies having lifted heavy boxes after five and a half weeks!
It might be worth asking your GP to refer you to the physiotherapist for exercises specifically to help your recovery.
I recommend wear a ab support belt as soon as you can. It help support your weak tummy muscles allowing you to get up and about for a longer period of time. I agree with Wendy that rest is very important after walking or getting a bit of exercise. It has been almost 4 weeks for me and I can finally (slowly) climb a flight of stairs without discomfort.
I drink lots of water and high fibre foods to keep me regular. Chia seeds are a great source of fibre and I add it to my morning meal. Vitamins and antioxidant are a must.
Happy recovery : )
Those are some great tips Joanie and it sounds like you are doing fine