Hysterectomy Info

I would say it depends on her age and general health. I had a hysterectomy at age 34 which was 2 years after my 2nd child was born. I had c-sections with both so they followed that incision to do the surgery. For me I was in the hospital 3 days (was supposed to be 4 but I was doing well and begged to go home) and off work 4 weeks. I bounced back quickly and was ready to do stuff after 2 weeks but the doctor told me that it was because my body was treating it like a c-section which it knew how to recover from. Since they are expecting a short hospital stay I'm assuming they are doing a vaginal hysterectomy. I've heard the recovery is quicker since there is no external incision. She shouldn't need to be on bed rest. In fact they want you up and moving after surgery to prevent blood clots. She will be on pain meds and be tired for the first week. After that, unless there are complications, she should be OK. She won't be able to lift anything heavy for a few weeks. I was driving at about 10 days - when I was off the heavy pain meds and could wear a seatbelt somewhat comfortably.

It depends on how healthy she is and how motivated she is to get better.

www.hystersisters.com has a lot of very detailed and good info for someone about to go through this or thinking about it.

I had my surgery about 10 yrs ago, abdominal complete with everything removed.

It was the BEST thing I ever did. I was sore the first few days but I was up and around fairly quickly. Just follow Dr orders and don't overdo it. If you do overdo it... you will pay ( I learned that one early).

Overall, I am happier and the healthiest I have ever been. I LOVE it.

I believe 2-4 weeks.

I had a hysterectomy a week ago (Jan 18th). I had the robotic hysterectomy. I was in the hospital about 30hrs and was sent home. I had 2 and a half days of real pain after I got home, and I had my daughter the thursday after surgery. I can do pretty much what I normally do, with minimal pain. The only problems I really have is going up and down stairs and going to the bathroom (bowel movements). My 5 incisions are healing good, although they do hurt a little.

Since your mom is obviously older then me, I would think a week to 2 weeks, she should be feeling a lot better. That is unless there are complications and if her hyserectomy is more invasive then mine.

Hope all works out for her!

My mom when I was young had an abdomnal hyster, and in May I had a laproscopicly assisted vaginal hyster (LAVH) oviously my mom took a lot longer to recover than me. If its laproscopic the recovery is oviously quicker and easier. I mean it stillhurts but not near as bad as an abdominal.

I had one approx. 8 yrs ago. I needed it at the time but it does mess up your internal workings (hormones). The surgery is the easy part but have her start reading up on surgical menopause and how it affects her body. That way she can be informed to ask her OB questions. And it depends if they take ovaries or leave them. I left mine to produce small amounts of hormones.
I have been on hormone meds but still it messes up your sleep patterns, sex issues (yes your mom probably still does LOL), and I have gained weight.
So visit her now to help physically and then continue to help her along on education cause it can avoid creating problems if you are educated on what to expect. I was not!
I was released in 2 days and waling around at home w/in a week! It all depends on if she will have someone to help do laundry, etc. Light dishwashing is okay but bending to put something in the oven/take it out is rough! It was also hard for me to lift my leg to step into the tub/shower but I was okay once I got in. YOu might need to install a handhold or if you are comfortable with it, let her lean on you to step up. Also, stepping down into a low vehicle-make sure she goes in butt 1st, sits and then turns on the seat to take her legs in. Some of the newer SUV's are easier if they are not too high. Clean off a table/nightstand for her to pile things on to do-books, laptop, tv remotes, phone, etc. She will probably spend 4-5 days in bed depending on which procedure.
And I could not drive for 2 weeks so she may need assistance with grocery shopping or she could stock up before surgery.

I had a partial with a bladder lift about 3 years ago. It was done vaginally and I was in the hospital for 2 1/2 days. I remember the first day in the hospital I could barely move when I tried to walk to brush my teeth; I wasn't in pain (yay pain pills!) but I felt that all the strength had been sucked out of me. The first 3-4 days at home found me sacked out on the couch, usually asleep. But after that, I quickly regained my strength and was able to march into the doctor's office for my one week check-up.
I will say thank goodness for one of our friends from church who came to stay with me and my 4-year-old during the day that first week. Her being there enabled me to have total rest, which is the best medicine. I was 44, at the time, in good health.
Best wishes to your mom.