Recovery time for Lap Assisted Vaginal?

Hi,

I am considering my options and if I choose a hysterectomy I would prefer it to be a lap assisted vaginal. Does anyone know average recovery time? How long a stay in the hospital? I have adhesions so I know this could complicate things. Anyone have this done who has also had adhesions?

Thanks,
Jo

Hi Jo - I had an LAVH in August last year and was told that my recovery time would be 6 weeks. Of course I didn't believe them and after 2 weeks recovering at home I went back to work and conducted 2 workshops over 2 days - ended up in hospital being restitched and then back home to rest for 4 weeks! So I would say for a total recovery you have to factor 6 weeks so that you don't over exert yourself too soon. I am not sure about adhesions as I hadn't had any other operations before. I had my uterus and cervix removed but kept my ovaries. All is well and by October I flew from Singapore (where I live) to America and was climbing hills with my brother and felt terrific! I really am glad that I had the LAVH as I only have 4 tiny little marks (hardly noticeable now) where the surgeon made her incisions and felt no pain at all during recovery.

Good luck with your decision and all the best for a smooth recovery! The hysterectomy was the best thing I'd ever done - I feel so free now!

Jo,
I only stayed one night in the hospital and was home for two weeks. I went back to work part time for two additional weeks and then back to full time. Wish I could have stayed home for 4 weeks total recovery for me was about 8 weeks before i could comfortably do laundry and the heavy stuff.

So it seems like recovery time is pretty much what it is for an abdominal hysterectomy, right? Or at best a week or two quicker?

pretty much, they still take out the same 'stuff' but it is an easier surgery on you since they dont cut through you and have less complications. I was driving after a week (dr did say 2 weeks) and cooking dinner and such. It was at ALOT slower pace than normal and had a chair in the kitchen to sit on while cooking, etc. I was back to work 30 hours a week after two weeks. Still coulndt lift anything over 5 pounds for a month.

Any hysterectomy is a major surgery, regardless of how it is done. For my LAVH I was given the standard six weeks rule. However, I decided to do things my own way and instead had complications, an extended hosptial stay, and a six month recovery! Not fun at all!

What options besides a hysterectomy are available for you? Have you sought at least a second opinon about what is best for you?

I wish you all the best for whatever you and your medical team decide is best for you! S