3 weeks post Hysterectomy with questions

I am 33 with two children 9 and 11. I am recovering from a laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy due the pelvic and rectum pain and excessive vaginal bleeding. I recently came upon this site and find it very helpful, but would like some reassurance on where I am at in my recovery. Is it normal to have pelvic pain, like aching, soreness, and burning?? While I have done a few no no's like vacuuming last week..... once I found this site I have been taking it easy. I still wake up in the morning with the pains but I take my ibuprofen 800 mg and it pretty much goes away. How long can I expect to be on medication? Back pain is pretty bad too but I've read on the site that that's normal. I am going back to work this Wednesday, I work at a law firm at a desk and have a really understanding boss who suggested working shorter shifts at first. I am questioning if it is too soon to go back, while I have good days I have bad too. I can say that this is the hardest thing I've ever done and I have a tendency of pushing myself too hard. In the past I have had a breast biopsy and tubal ligation, the recovery is nothing like I'm experiencing now. Has anyone gone back to work at three with weeks and how did it go? Any regrets??
Thanks all!!

My surgery was same as yours and I'm not planning to go back to work until 4/29. Still have GI pain and back pain and other weird pains. It's stressful enough without adding work expectations to my recovery.

I went back to work at 5 weeks. I clean houses and have only been trying to do 4 hour days. This is my 4th week back and I'm still getting sore lower back, groin and pelvis pain. Ibuprofen and heating pad helps. It is frustrating but I have to remind myself this was major surgery and my body will take unfortunately longer to get back to normal than I expected. Please listen to your body and take it easy if possible. Try to stay positive and don't let anyone try to tell you you should be better by now. Everyone is different and usually those people have no clue what you went through. This site has been so helpful for me

I have a desk job and went back 20 hours at 4 weeks. I increased to 30 the following week and back to 40 at 6 weeks. I remember week 3 being very painful without medication too and was still taking hydrocodone with ibuprofen 800. Happy healing!

Hi! I waited for 6 weeks to return to work. Even sitting for too long at 4 weeks post op was uncomfortable! I am now 4 months out and still have some pain in my lower abdomen when urinating, especially if I have held it for a long time! Wait as long as you can! It was def a good month post op before I felt like doing anything, and had a major decrease in pain! Good luck!