I am sorry to hear that you'll be going through a hysterectomy at such a young age-- we, here at EmpowHer, will keep you in our thoughts.
After the hysterectomy
After surgery, you'll remain in the recovery room for a few hours. You'll be monitored for signs of pain. You'll be given medicine for pain and to prevent infection. You'll probably be up and walking around by the following day. Abdominal hysterectomy usually requires a hospital stay of one to two days, but it could be up to four days.
You'll need to use sanitary pads for vaginal bleeding and discharge. It's normal to have bloody vaginal drainage for several days after a hysterectomy. However, let your surgeon know if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding — such bleeding that's as heavy as a menstrual period.
The abdominal incision will gradually heal, but a visible scar on your abdomen will remain.
Recovering from a hysterectomy
It takes time to get back to your usual self after an abdominal hysterectomy — about six to eight weeks for most women.
During that time:
Get plenty of rest.
Don't lift anything heavy for a full six weeks after the operation.
Wait about six weeks to resume sexual activity.
Follow your doctor's recommendations about returning to your other normal activities.
Life after a hysterectomy
A hysterectomy permanently changes some aspects of your life.
For instance:
You'll no longer have menstrual periods.
Most of the time, you'll get relief from the symptoms that made your surgery necessary.
You won't be able to become pregnant.
If you're premenopausal, having your ovaries removed along with hysterectomy initiates menopause.
If you have a hysterectomy before menopause and you keep your ovaries, you may experience menopause at a younger than average age.
If you have a partial hysterectomy, your cervix remains in place so you're still at risk of cervical cancer. You need regular Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer.
Other parts of your life will return to normal or perhaps improve once you've recovered from your hysterectomy. For example:
If you had a good sex life before hysterectomy, you'll maintain it afterward. Some women even experience an increase in sexual pleasure. This may be due to relief from the chronic pain or heavy bleeding that was caused by a uterine problem.
The relief of symptoms may greatly enhance your quality of life. You may have an improved sense of well-being and a chance to get on with your life.
On the other hand, because the uterus is strongly associated with femininity, you may feel a sense of loss after hysterectomy. Premenopausal women who must undergo hysterectomy to treat gynecological cancer may experience grief and possibly depression over the loss of fertility.
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Hi Melissa,
I am sorry to hear that you'll be going through a hysterectomy at such a young age-- we, here at EmpowHer, will keep you in our thoughts.
After the hysterectomy
After surgery, you'll remain in the recovery room for a few hours. You'll be monitored for signs of pain. You'll be given medicine for pain and to prevent infection. You'll probably be up and walking around by the following day. Abdominal hysterectomy usually requires a hospital stay of one to two days, but it could be up to four days.
You'll need to use sanitary pads for vaginal bleeding and discharge. It's normal to have bloody vaginal drainage for several days after a hysterectomy. However, let your surgeon know if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding — such bleeding that's as heavy as a menstrual period.
The abdominal incision will gradually heal, but a visible scar on your abdomen will remain.
Recovering from a hysterectomy
It takes time to get back to your usual self after an abdominal hysterectomy — about six to eight weeks for most women.
During that time:
Get plenty of rest.
Don't lift anything heavy for a full six weeks after the operation.
Wait about six weeks to resume sexual activity.
Follow your doctor's recommendations about returning to your other normal activities.
Life after a hysterectomy
A hysterectomy permanently changes some aspects of your life.
For instance:
You'll no longer have menstrual periods.
Most of the time, you'll get relief from the symptoms that made your surgery necessary.
You won't be able to become pregnant.
If you're premenopausal, having your ovaries removed along with hysterectomy initiates menopause.
If you have a hysterectomy before menopause and you keep your ovaries, you may experience menopause at a younger than average age.
If you have a partial hysterectomy, your cervix remains in place so you're still at risk of cervical cancer. You need regular Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer.
Other parts of your life will return to normal or perhaps improve once you've recovered from your hysterectomy. For example:
If you had a good sex life before hysterectomy, you'll maintain it afterward. Some women even experience an increase in sexual pleasure. This may be due to relief from the chronic pain or heavy bleeding that was caused by a uterine problem.
The relief of symptoms may greatly enhance your quality of life. You may have an improved sense of well-being and a chance to get on with your life.
On the other hand, because the uterus is strongly associated with femininity, you may feel a sense of loss after hysterectomy. Premenopausal women who must undergo hysterectomy to treat gynecological cancer may experience grief and possibly depression over the loss of fertility.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hysterectomy/MY00163/DSECTION=what-you-can-expect
All the best,
Rosa
June 10, 2011 - 7:28amThis Comment
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