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During my hysterectomy recovery, what should I expect - and do - during my recovery time after hysterectomy?Hysterectomy recovery - how should I manage my crucial recovery time after hysterectomy? The answer lies partly in the preparations you make BEFORE your hysterectomy and hysterectomy recovery. Hysterectomy is usually an inpatient procedure. Be prepared to be away from work and home for a short time. Your stay in the hospital and home will be related to what type of hysterectomy you have and how your surgery goes.
Eating fiber the day before the procedure is the recommendation of most doctors. Fiber such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains is indispensable in maintaining a healthy colon.
Preparing for a hysterectomy. Before your hysterectomy procedure prepare your bed at home with the following: Clean sheets (several clean changes) Tissues Nightgown and slippers Clean and luxurious bath towels Thermometer Use loose-fitting clothing for a few weeks, including the day you leave the hospital Wear glasses, not contact lenses, for a few weeks during your hysterectomy recovery Heating pads (perhaps 2 or 3) Make a list of important phone numbers, especially emergency phone contacts (friends, family members, doctors and stores where you shop). Make several copies of this list so that family members will have their copy. Postoperative instructions from your physician relating to your postoperative recovery for hysterectomy. Light reading (lots of trashy novels to read) or portable music player with headphones and your favorite music. Don't forget a television in your bedroom for your favorite soaps during your recovery time after hysterectomy! Avoid as much stress as possible during your recovery time from hysterectomy. Stress produces excess levels of hormones like cortisone which diminishes the activity of your immune system - which is your best defense system against illness.
Before the hysterectomy or uterine fibroid embolization, make sure you get Plenty of sleep, and eat well before the surgery. Make sure you exercise to relieve stress and get fit for the procedure. You'll speed up your recovery time from hysterectomy if you go with a higher level of fitness. To exercise and be in some kind of physical shape before will make your recovering from a hysterectomy easier.
Before the hysterectomy or the uterine fibroid embolization, prepare the refrigerator or pantry to have the following: Prune juice and raisins Buy Metamucil or other laxatives to have at home, because the pain medications will tend to make you constipated. You can read more about eliminating constipation here. Limit constipation during your hysterectomy recovery time by avoiding dairy products - buy organic dairy products if you need to have them Tea bags (green tea is great for your metabolism) Eat healthy cold-water fish, turkey, chicken, organic bread, soups, broths, salads. To eat well before and after your procedure or surgery will help you have improve faster during your recovery from hysterectomy. Crushed ice
Make sure the car taking you home after the procedure to begin your hysterectomy recovery has the following: Several pillows (you may want to lie down in the back of the car, and you may need several pillows to support and make you comfortable) Plastic bag (in case of nausea on the ride home) Coca-cola - it does a fine job of supressing nausea only during your recovery after hysterectomy. Use loose and very comfortable clothes and slip-on shoes after the procedure or surgery, and during the first two weeks of your hysterectomy recovery time. Do not drive yourself - have a relative, friend or neighbor drive you from the hospital to your home.Generally, you may be kept in bed for 6 to 8 hours after the procedure or surgery. This prevents you from moving your legs or attempting to walk around, giving the catheter insertion site time to clot off. As for nutrition and supporting your body with the nutritional supplements during your hysterectomy recovery, consider this clinically proven multi-vitamin/mineral formula (including six patented nutrients), essential fatty acids, and a calcium - magnesium formula. These nutrients are made from pharmaceutical-grade, hypo-allergenic ingredients that provide optimal absorption and bioavailability.
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At the hospital before your hysterectomy recovery time: Ask a family member or friend to obtain your prescription for pain relief when you are dropped after the procedure so that you do not have to stop on the way home. Do not bring valuables and jewelry into the hospital. Leave them at home. Store your list of important phone numbers in a convenient place during the procedure. Be sure you know who to call and for what, specifically, in terms of the procedure and hysterectomy recovery time. If your doctor is unavailable following the procedure and during your hysterectomy recovery, ask for the name and number of an alternative physician to call and add it to your phone list. If you wear dentures, you may be asked to remove them before surgery. Clarify all issues related to the procedure (including key contact information needed for your phone list) the morning prior to your hysterectomy.
At home after the procedure as you begin your hysterectomy recovery: Take all the pain relievers prescribed by your doctor. You will not get addicted to pain killers because of your hysterectomy recovery. It is important to reduce your pain during the hysterectomy recovery time. Use heating pads. Place one over the abdomen and another under it, if necessary. Do not sleep with a heating pad in direct contact with the skin because burns may result. Limit your movement. Take it slow, and save all household activity for another time. Limit your bending for a few weeks. Avoid all lifting - ask others to do it for you during your hysterectomy recovery. Do not climb stairs or drive a car (ask family and friends to help you). Do not prepare your own meals for a few weeks. Ask a friend or family member to do it for you. Find assistance from your family or friends and move very slowly when trying to get up into a seated position. No alcohol please, especially when taking medications during your hysterectomy recovery. Avoid aspirin and dairy foods during this time. Eat healthy, because your body needs nutrients to heal (even if you don't feel like it). During your hysterectomy recovery, take a good quality daily multiple vitamin, iron supplements and vitamin C as well. Take time to heal and take care of yourself. Don't forget to drink several glasses a day of good clean filtered water.
During the week following the procedure, watch for the following symptoms: Temperatures over 100.6 F (check two or three times a day) Dizziness Swelling Bleeding at the catheter insertion site Return of fever or pain after symptoms have subsided
Some questions to ask your doctor before you decide to do your hysterectomy: How many fibroid embolizations or hysterectomies have you performed? What are the results of your fibroid embolizations or hyterectomies so far, and how often have complications occurred? What medications will be used to treat pain, both in the hospital and during the hysterectomy recovery? How long should I expect to be released from work to recover from the uterine fibroid embolization or hysterectomy? How effective will my hysterectomy or uterine fibroid embolization be in shrinking the types of fibroids I have? How long will I be in the hospital? What kind of follow-up care during my hysterectomy recovery is typical, and who should I return to or consult with after the procedure for additional care - my gynecologist or you? Can you provide names and phone numbers of former patients who might be willing to talk to me about the procedure, recovery and surgery? Real life recovered patients are good source of encouragement to people facing surgery.
Related hysterectomy recovery articles:What to do during the hysterectomy recovery time. Can one enjoy sex after a hysterectomy? Learn about types of hysterectomy surgery. What are the reasons to have a hysterectomy? More side effects of a hysterectomy and partial hysterectomy. Books about hysterectomy information. Books to improve your sex life. Best vitamins for women. Healthy and delicious grilled salmon recipes. Here's fruit and vegetable recipes for juicing. Learn about exercise for hysterectomy.
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Most doctors recommend a light meal such as a salad or vegetables the night before the hysterectomy procedure. Remember that the pain medications prescribed with this procedure will probably slow down your bowel activity during the postoperative recovery for hysterectomy.
