TAH: Upcoming hysterectomy (TAH) recovery question about lifting (child mentioned)

Hi there, I am going to be having an abdominal (open) hysterectomy on 9/19/14 to remove my uterus/ cervix/ fallopian tubes but leave the ovaries. Also, any Endo found will be removed while in there. (The hysterectomy is for Adenomyosis.)

My question is this.. I asked my doctor how long it would be until I could lift my daughter (27 lbs currently) and he said it would be 10 days??? That's how long I had to wait when I had a laproscopy to remove Endo so that just doesn't sound right to me. A quick perusal of the web makes it sound like 4 weeks is more normal. (10 sounded more like lap or robotic healing time frame...)

Also how long to drive?

I know, we all heal at different rates. But... i want to prepare as I am going to need help getting my daughter to school and getting her care. If I take less time, so be it. But I'd rather over prepare as I need to have family come in from other places to help me.

Thanks so much! Any advice, personal experience welcomed..

Hi there jesstutt. My TAH was on June 24, I'm 1 month out and I'm still on lifting restrictions! I have a 30# daughter and I can tell you, I miss picking her up and giving her lovins. I thought I've been feeling really good lately and tried to just bend over and give her a little pick up hug... It wasn't a good idea. I've overdone it with grocery shopping, housecleaning, laundry. .. I would rather overplan and cancel the help than to be stuck without it. Thisnis by far the craziest thing I've had to recover from. I've had 2 babies, a sinus surgery, and numerous laproscopys, etc. I'm scared I'll never feel 100% again. I hope and pray for you you're recovery and surgery goes well Jess.

First of all Jess, I will be thinking about you on September 19th (that is my hubby's birthday) and I wish you the very best with your surgery.

I was told not to drive for 6 - 8 weeks and I will follow the same time line when it comes to lifting. Before I had my TAH I did a bit of reading and several articles mentioned that the recovery times given by doctors are under estimated according to women who had the surgery so I plan on taking my time to return to my normal routines.

I have had 3 laparoscopy's prior to this surgery as well as a vaginal delivery when my daughter was born and to be honest this experience is far more than what I had expected it to be. Just thought I would throw in my honest opinion.......

Take care

I had to wait 8 weeks before I could lift 20 lbs. i can't imagine lifting that much at 10 days.

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Originally Posted by Trubylou I had to wait 8 weeks before I could lift 20 lbs. i can't imagine lifting that much at 10 days.

Thank you for sharing, this seems like a much more realistic timeline to me.

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Originally Posted by SuzieQ992 First of all Jess, I will be thinking about you on September 19th (that is my hubby's birthday) and I wish you the very best with your surgery. I was told not to drive for 6 - 8 weeks and I will follow the same time line when it comes to lifting. Before I had my TAH I did a bit of reading and several articles mentioned that the recovery times given by doctors are under estimated according to women who had the surgery so I plan on taking my time to return to my normal routines. I have had 3 laparoscopy's prior to this surgery as well as a vaginal delivery when my daughter was born and to be honest this experience is far more than what I had expected it to be. Just thought I would throw in my honest opinion....... Take care

Aw thank you, I value the honest opinions. I have felt my docs underestimated for my laps too, but 10 days seems almost like a joke more than an underestimation! The driving thing too, seems like it will be a real bummer.

At four weeks my dr said I could start lifting more than a gallon of milk, but based on my reading here and how I felt, I decided to keep to that restriction for another two weeks and then slowly start lifting more.

At 10 days? There's no way I could have lifted over 20 lbs. My abdomen would have screamed at me to STOP!

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Originally Posted by tammie73 Hi there jesstutt. My TAH was on June 24, I'm 1 month out and I'm still on lifting restrictions! I have a 30# daughter and I can tell you, I miss picking her up and giving her lovins. I thought I've been feeling really good lately and tried to just bend over and give her a little pick up hug... It wasn't a good idea. I've overdone it with grocery shopping, housecleaning, laundry. .. I would rather overplan and cancel the help than to be stuck without it. Thisnis by far the craziest thing I've had to recover from. I've had 2 babies, a sinus surgery, and numerous laproscopys, etc. I'm scared I'll never feel 100% again. I hope and pray for you you're recovery and surgery goes well Jess.

Aw, thank you! I am going to be so sad not to be able to lift her but I'd rather it be realistic than assuming. Thanks for the info about your recovery, I hope that things do get better for you over the next few weeks.

I had a TAH and had a 10-lb lift limit for the first four weeks. It was raised to 30 lbs for the next two weeks and then lifted, but I was told to start slowly and cautiously. My body definitely agreed with my doc's advice! No way could I have lifted 27 lbs at 10 days.

I'm having LAVH tomorrow and my doctor told me he was basing his lifting guidelines on what I am currently lifting on a regular basis. I've had two c-sections so I will trust how I feel so I don't push it too soon.