Conflicting hysterectomy recovery reports

hi! Final consult today and looks like I'll be joining you all. Multiple fibroids, largest 17cm. He's talking hopeful vaginal with scope keep ovaries and cervix. Largest fibroid is low in the uterus so the arteries may be obstructed. He won't know until he's in. I have so many conflicting reports of recovery from one week no driving and you're back to work to flat out six week recovery. Any thoughts?

Several different factors affect recovery times. Laparoscopically-assisted vaginal (LAVH) *tends to* have shorter recoveries than abdominal, longer than robotic laparoscopic ("daVinci").

Other factors include:
- Are you already weakened by months of pain and/or heavy bleeding by the time she has her hysterectomy?
- Are you in good physical shape? This tends to help.
- Does your surgery run into complications?
- Does your surgery involve extra repair work for prolapse?
- Does your recovery run into complications - e.g. infections?

Some of these factors can be predicted beforehand. Others can't.

Returning to work is heavily influenced by the nature of the job and the nature of the workplace. Women with jobs that require lots of physical activity understandably return later than others. This is also true for women who's jobs don't allow them to start back on "light duties" or part-time. Many choose to take extra time off just to be safe.

What it all boils down to is, you're not going to know until you get there, so try to build some flexibility into your plans.

Sunny. I'm a former fibroid bearer (10cm for the big one, plus multiple rowdy roommates). Surprised's explanation of why recovery can't be predicted is spot on. One thing to keep in mind regarding any "recovery" time is that our doctors will release us to resume normal activities after those 4-8 weeks you read about (depending on the procedure). They have no further follow up from our surgeries. However, full healing takes 3-6 months, for some longer - we have to keep that in mind and increase our activities gradually after we're released.

My surgery was laparoscopic, and I kept my cervix and ovaries. With no additional procedures, no complications, no setbacks, and no vaginal cuff, my surgery was textbook as was my recovery. I was able to drive after 10 days several days after getting off the narcotic pain meds. I returned to my part time desk job at reduced hours after 2 weeks off, but it was too soon - fatigue, minor pain from surgery, major muscle aches from simply sitting up for 4 hours, and swelling were still issues and contributed to stress. If I had to hit the rewind button, I'd stay out another week and still keep reduced hours. I started feeling human again in the middle of my 4th week; by 8 weeks I was no longer experiencing daily swelling or fatigue though both would hit at random times. Now at 4 months out I feel 100%.

The suggestion I'd have is to put in for 6 weeks total time off to allow for those unknowns as Surprised explained. If you feel up to it, you can always return a week or two earlier.

Lots of factors come into play when recovering from any surgery. Health before surgery, age, how you take care of yourself during recovery and of course the type of procedure you will be having. There are many other things as well. That's why there are so many different recovery stories.

Personally I'm 3 weeks out of surgery. I was severely anemic before surgery and I'm terribly over weight... But I'm young (28) and I had a vaginal hysterectomy which is less invasive than an abdominal. I feel great! I've pretty much gone back to life. Perhaps still a little slower and more careful not to pick up heavy objects and such.

Make sure you can take your time to get back to normal. Doing too much too soon can cause issues with healing.

Similar to what you've heard every experience is different. You'll also find a ton of variation in surgical treatment and recovery guidelines for similar named procedures.

I had a laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy and was told I could possibly go back after a week but more likely two to my desk job. I had a seamless recovery and went back at two. Each night I crashed hard, sometimes even before dinner. I had to get up and walk several times throughout the day or my lower abdomen got aches. I still had restrictions for six weeks which for me were no lifting, pushing, sex or soaking in a bath.

Best wishes.