What are the precautions taken after a Hysterectomy?
- After Hysterectomy following activities must be avoided,
- •Bending down
- •Lifting heavy items
- •Pushing or pulling
- Sexual intercourse
- •Avoid tight-fitting clothes, it’s better to wear loose-fitting clothes
- •Drink plenty of water to avoid constipation
- •Taking a good amount of bed rest
- •Brisk walking after 2-3 days of surgery is recommended
- Diet after Hysterectomy
- •Avoid eating heavy, oily, or spicy foods
- •Eat well-balanced food
- •In case constipation is experienced, then include more fiber in the diet
- •Drink at least 7-10 glasses of water
- •Avoid saturated and trans fats (like butter, cheese, fried foods, etc)
- •Avoid sour foods like lemon, pickles, etc
- •Get enough calcium by including green leafy vegetables, milk, etc
- •Include more grains and legumes in the diet
What are the side effects/ Long term effects of Hysterectomy?
- After Hysterectomy, the following side effects are seen commonly in women,
- 1.Excessive hair fall
- 2.Weight gain
- 3.Infertility
- 4.Early-onset of Menopause
- 5.Reduced sexual drive
- 6.Bowel disturbance
- 7.Depression
- 8.Vaginal discharge and dryness
- 9.Greater risk of cardiovascular disease
- 10.Increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures
Are risks and complications involved in Hysterectomy?
- Hysterectomy is a comparatively safe procedure, but there are some risks involved,
- •Chronic pain
- •Bleeding
- •Wound infections
- •Urinary incontinence
- •Vaginal prolapse
- •Vaginal fistula formation
- •Internal scar tissue
- •Blood clots
- •Injury to surrounding organs - intestine, blood vessels, and bladder
Can we have a normal sex life after a Hysterectomy?
- It is advised to not have sex for 4 weeks to up to 6 weeks after undergoing a Hysterectomy as the scars need to heal. Post the 6- weeks, you can get back to your normal sex life, and in case there is too much pain because of vaginal dryness you can always talk to your doctor about it. Also, a Hysterectomy does not affect the sensations in the vagina, so the sex will still feel the same, but the orgasms may not.
What are the benefits of getting a hysterectomy done?
- For women who have been dealing with tremendous pain or excessive bleeding, a Hysterectomy is a blessing in disguise. The other benefits of getting a Hysterectomy done are,
- 1.No more abnormal uterine bleeding
- 2.Relief from cramps and urinary problems
- 3.No for fear of uterine cancer in the case of women with a family history
How much time does it take for recovery after a Hysterectomy?
- It normally takes 6-8 weeks for full recovery after Hysterectomy, but care should be taken to up to 3-6 months, depending on pain at the incision site and abdominal pain.
When should I call the doctor after a Hysterectomy?
- Complications after surgery are common, but one should call their doctor after hysterectomy if they experience one or more of the below symptoms,
- 1.Stomach sickness
- 2.Vaginal bleeding (heavy and huge clots)
- 3.Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- 4.Unbearable pain even after painkillers