TAH 6 weeks post hysterectomy - it's like I had a setback

I actually thought I was doing ok but then went and did too much and now feel I have gone back to week 4!!
Health wise I'm not as tired, my scar looks blue/red and is sore but healed. I still am getting heavy bladder mostly after having a poo. I'm doing my pelvic exercises. Sneezing still hurts . My tummy is still swollen and feels numb. I also have low blood pressure. The discharge is also less than it was.
I'm moving a lot better and my walking is better. I'm trying to increase activity everyday such as housework, dog walking, going out. I just started driving yesterday but haven't been out on my own.
I am feeling a lot less confident and very aware of crowds.
I'm also slightly scared of being intimate with my fiancé. I'm getting some urges back but am waiting till I go back to the hospital this week to try.

From reading your post it sounds like your procedure was abdominal. From what I've read those procedures can take a little longer to heal so you should probably continue to take your activities slow and try not to over do it. My procedure was done laproscopic and at 6 weeks I still had bouts of fatigue. I had seen my PCP (which was different from my surgeon) and she put me off work for another week and when I did return on 5/22 she had me only working half days through 5 / 31. I just went back to full time on 6 / 1 and the exhaustion and swelly belly came on with a vengeance.

All I'm saying is my procedure wasn't as invasive as the one I think you had but it's still major surgery. Give yourself time to heal as you only get one chance to heal properly.

Sahana

and

It seems like many of us think we're back to normal and jump in to our pre-surgery daily routines ... and end up paying for it! It's major surgery, with lots of internal incisions which all need healing, which is why we're our doctors' patients for 4-8 weeks. Ease in to activities gradually, be mindful of anything that engages your abs (vacuuming, certain exercises, heaving heavy objects), and listen to your body. If you sense you've overdone it one day, take it easy for the next day or two.

Check out your Hysterectomy Checkpoints for a week-to-week guide, and your Recovery Thread at Recovery Progress Reports for Apr 24-30. Recovery Threads are dedicated threads for women who had surgery the same week as you. They are wonderful for getting support, comparing notes, and encouraging others. Many of your Sisters are bringing each other up to date with their 6 week appointments.