What to expect in the first week after a hysterectomy

I am currently recuperating after having a total hysterectomy just over 2 weeks ago. Before my op, I did what a lot of people do and google continuously to see what life would be like after a hysterectomy. I just couldn’t imagine how I would feel in the immediate days after abdominal surgery. Sadly, Google didn’t really let me know what it would be like so I’m here to make it clear what to expect in the first week after a hysterectomy.

What type of hysterectomy did I have done?

I had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy (removal of uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes) plus a partial oophorectomy (sometimes known as ovariectomy) (removal of one ovary – I still have one lonely one hanging around but more about that later). This was done keyhole, which means I don’t have to contend with a huge external scar. I just have 4 very small incisions (about 1cm across – Crazy!).

So what to expect the first week after a hysterectomy operation?

Pain

This was nothing like I expected – in a good way! You have just had major surgery so there is some discomfort to be expected but you should not be in a lot of pain. Many hospitals (including the one I went to) have a no pain policy so keep you well topped up with pain relief when you are in there. You will also be sent home with a wild and wonderful selection of painkillers. I quickly found that I didn’t need most of these (by Day 3 I was on just Ibuprofen and Paracetamol and I’m no hero!) If you are experiencing chronic pelvic pain, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider.

So what is this low level pain/ discomfort like? I expected it to be like bad period cramps but it isn’t. (Makes sense really, there’s nothing left there to cramp up). Its more of a stitch like twinge and wanting to get comfortable just below your belly button. Again, I expected it to be uncomfortable lower down but there is overall much less pain that I expected. 

All hysterectomy patients are encouraged to get moving from the very start (i got out of bed to use the bathroom within a couple of hours of coming round. Now I realise that I was pumped full of anaesthesia which made this fairly easy – the next day is slightly more awkward to move about when this has worn off). You will quickly know when you have done ‘too much’ as the discomfort or mild abdominal pain will start. This was worse in the side that my remaining ovary is left in.

Bloating

I was utterly dreading this and the associated shoulder pain that everyone talks about being the worst thing about abdominal surgery. The bloating comes from patients being pumped full of air during the surgery and well, that wind having to escape somehow.

At my pre-op appointment, I was warned not to be shy about letting go off this wind, but the reality was I didn’t really feel I had any to let go (And I’m not being polite!) Really surprisingly, I didn’t get any shoulder pain either.

I believe this usually appears within the first couple of days after surgery and if you haven’t had it by then, you are unlikely to suffer. I put down the fact that I didn’t get it to moving around regularly in short bursts so any trapped wind moved around my body. 

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Prevention

Socks

Ah the joy of surgical stockings! When I was in hospital I was given thigh length surgical socks but for going home, I was given knee high socks.

They are never going to look glamorous but just bear with it and you will enjoy the relief of being able to take them off even more at the end. I was asked to wear mine for 2 weeks after surgery. Trust me to have to wear them just as the UK experiences a heatwave!

Clexane Injections

Your surgeon will decide how many days (or weeks) of Blood Thinning Injections you will be sent home with. I was asked to do them for one month after surgery. Read my post for all you need to know about Clexane, including tips for reducing bruising and the stinging afterwards.

No lifting heavy lifting

You must not lift heavy objects – To be honest, you won’t feel like doing in the first week but as the weeks go on you will be tempted to lift full kettles, the iron, open a particularly heavy drawer and even the cat. The longer you can resist and get others to lift for you, the quicker and fuller your recovery time will be. It can be tempting to have a go at doing things but you really don’t want to run the risk of prolapse.

A nurse friend told me that weeks 4-5 tend to be the most dangerous time for this, as you are feeling so much better and stronger and start to test everyday activities out, occasionally overdoing it.

Sleep

The first couple of days, I did have a couple of daytime sleeps. Mainly this was from getting over the general anaesthetic but this was also, due to struggling to sleep at night. (Night 3 saw us downstairs watching TV at 3am for a couple of hours).

You may find it uncomfortable if you are used to sleeping on your side like me. I would roll over as usual onto my side and then feel everything shifting as if all my insides were falling to that side. All I can do to describe it is suggest my insides were filling the space that the removal of the uterus had created. Within a couple of weeks this has got significantly better and I can now sleep on my side once again.

ad| We do also put the improvement in sleep down to us receiving one of Simba’s Hybrid Original Mattress to review. Thanks to Simba we have now transformed our sleep patterns and realised how poor our old mattress was!

On getting home from a overnight stay in hospital, there is also nothing quite like snuggling up in our 3-in-1 hybrid duvet to make you feel immediately better – I highly recommend new bedding if you are able for the ultimate treat!

Bladder and Bowels

Move on if this is likely to be TMI.

With any abdominal major operations, you are warned that there may be some damage to bowels or bladder injuries. This can create short or long term bladder issues. I know of someone who had a total abdominal hysterectomy due to extensive endometriosis. They discovered during the operation that the endometriosis had also attached itself to her bowel, making the op longer and more complicated. Again, any complications during the operation will be discussed with your by your surgeon.

For general bowel health after surgery, I cannot recommend enough DRINK WATER! And lots of it. The last thing you want is for bowel movements to become difficult. Any type of surgery involving general anaesthetic can effect your bowels and they can go into some sort of shock, shutting down for a few days. I followed all the tips to prevent constipation after surgery, including eating fresh fruit and vegetables, liquorice and again, plenty of drinks. I was also given a bottle of Lactulose on leaving the hospital in case of difficulties.

When I had my children, I found that my bladder also suffered a sort of trauma and again with this surgery, I was no different. Almost as if my bladder goes into shock. The first hospital I was due to have surgery at was going to put a catheter in as standard but the hospital I eventually chose did not. I did have to pass water 3 times at a certain level before I was allowed to be discharged though.

Some people experience mild incontinence and bladder control problems after surgery which can take between 4-6 weeks for normal bladder function to return. I actively had to remember to empty my bladder which continued for a couple of weeks as the messages were slow to get through to my brain. I describe this as retraining my bladder to work again – Happy to say within 3 weeks this is all good again!

Bleeding

I expected there to be a few weeks of heavy bleeding post op – almost like when you have just had a baby. A quick Google does tell you that there will be light bleeding that can go on for a few weeks. I had none! Absolutely nothing which blew my mind. I was told that once I was up and about more, there may be a tiny bit but again, nothing. Life changing and still the best novelty ever!

Food

You are offered a light meal a few hours after your operation. Choosing what you will feel like eating afterwards, when you are nil by mouth before your major operation is one of the most difficult decisions ever! You can what I chose in the picture above. This was honestly one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten.  Must be the relief at knowing it was all over.

In the days after your operation, you may find it equally difficult to decide what to eat too. I was deciding on light meals but had gone off the idea by the time they arrived. I did eat jacket potatoes with salad as I felt the fibre and nutrients would help me. A few weeks down the line, I’m still not eating loads – this could be down to the current heatwave that the UK is experiencing but also because I’m not moving around as much as I would normally be.

Shower

You are allowed to shower the day after your operation. I waited until Day 2 when I was back home in my own bathroom. I did wait until about Day 5 to wash my hair though as the effort of combing conditioner through this mop was quite overwhelming. That was really the only thing I did that day so be warned, it can tire you out. Another bonus of having a shower is that you get a burst of relief from being able to take those surgical stockings off for a while! 

I was told that my dressings (which were only about 5cm across) were fine to take off the day after surgery or if they naturally came off in the shower. Your stitches will take between 3-7 days to dissolve. I knew straight way that one of mine was not going to dissolve and it is still there. I will be getting it checked out and hopefully removed at my checkup next week.

Clothes

Comfort is key! You want light, flowy clothes that don’t pull on your stomach (remember you will be feeling bloated). I stayed in pyjamas for the first 5 days (the joy of clean pjs after your shower is second to none!) Also, remember that you will be wearing those gorgeous socks!

Getting home from hospital after a hysterectomy

I had a lovely outfit ready for leaving hospital – and then remembered I would be wearing those socks! My nurses topped me up with morphine for our journey home which was a godsend as we live around 50 minutes from the hospital. 

When can I go out after a hysterectomy?

I didn’t leave the house during that first week – by the end of the second week, I was starting to get slight cabin fever so went on a short journey as a passenger in the car. The difference between this journey and the one home from hospital is incredible. So much comfier!

To finish

I realise there are all different kinds of hysterectomies and many reasons why women have to have this operation. Not everyone is going to feel as good as I did in the first week. It is said that if you have had significant problems leading up to the operation, then you can feel so much better afterwards. Probably needless to say but I’m going to anyway, if you don’t feel quite right in the days after your operation, contact your hospital or GP. You will be given follow up outpatient visits but these can be several weeks after your operation. If you are in chronic pain after any surgical procedure, get it checked out. The best way of discovering if everything is ok, is to ask.

Many people said to me before my op, that it would be life-changing. I can already feel it is – I do get a bit tired, am still taking life really gently, cannot drive yet but already I feel my quality of life is improved and cannot wait to start planning my new future. Depending on your medical history, you might be at increased risk of some rare complication but this is really only in rare cases. I would totally suggest to any woman thinking this operation might be necessary to enquire without delay and go for it!

Other posts you may find useful:

Anxiety and Meopause by Motherhood Diaries

Health Anxiety: How to Cope by Who’s the Mummy

5 Tips to get to Sleep after the Menopause by Mum at the Madhouse