No Date: Reality of recovery time

I had a TAH on Tuesday, removed uterus, cervix and one tube and ovary. I spent two days in the hospital. I was able to text, talk on the phone and walk around but too much reading hurt my eyes. I am home now and on day 4 of recovery and I feel really good. I haven't done much but sit on the couch and go on my computer, watch tv, and walk around. I have showered and shaved the past two days while at home. I do get tired and need a nap sometime in the afternoon but otherwise I am doing great. I left the hospital taking only Motrin and that is what I am still taking. I try to go a little past the 6 hour mark on them but can't get too far.

I think you need to realistically plan on taking at least two weeks. Maybe you can do a little work here and there if you are feeling good but I don't think you should have it hanging over your head in the event that you have a more difficult recovery.

Good luck with your surgery.

Thanks everyone...

Yes- at least 2 weeks and that small amount is only because you can work from your bed. I am returning to a computer job Monday after 6 weeks off. Truth is, the first two weeks, I was kind of in a mental fog. Not from the painkillers either! I had plans to read, read, read and catch up on my DVR'd shows and I did neither of those the first 2 weeks! My brain just didn't want to concentrate on much of anything. Even if I could have worked in bed, I don't think my brain could have focused! I wasn't "out of it"- I helped the kids get off to school, went over homework, etc- but it was all in small spurts- I didn't have the attention span to read more than a page or two, etc. After a couple of weeks, if you have the flexibility to start and stop your work throughout the day as you need breaks, assuming surgery goes well and you are recovering well, you should be good to go!

Good luck!

Amy

I forgot to mention earlier.. (sorry more bad news)

I don't know if your work requires phone time... The throat tube tends to leave you with a sore throat and little voice. For me, it wasn't painful unless I tried to talk loudly or often, short quiet sentences are best. I was into the third week before I could talk well, but yelling took another week.

This was my first time with the breathing tube. My voice was hoarse for just a couple of days and then was fine- but I know others who have had the hoarseness for longer as well.

Once again, that is an individual reaction. I had no issue whatsoever with the breathing tube; no sore throat, no voice hoarseness, nothing. I asked the anesthesiologist about the possibility of me having a sore throat and his answer was some people do, others don't, and there isn't any way of predicting who will have what. Hope this helps.

I've had three surgeries in about a year. My first two, no problem whatsoever with hoarseness from the breathing tube. This last surgery, I did..

Hi all I am Pam I am having what they call a Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy I guess from when I talked to the DR from the begging we decided he is taking the Uterus going thru the belly says I will be OK after 14 days back to my regular activities and no stay in the hospital well I am super nervous and think he is wrong we r all different and heal different I am going to ask to be kept for at least one day so I know I will get rest if I come home I know I will not rest I have a dog and a husband who keep me busy and I love to clean so that will drive me crazy having a dusty house they hubby is use 2 me taking care of them(him and the Dog) so this is going to be hard please give me your op ions and I need them have a blessed day

I had a TAH(total abdominal hysterectomy) 1 1/2 years ago. In my opinion I would tell your boss you need at least 3 weeks, you can always start back early if you feel up to it. At least that way you won't feel like you have to go back in 2 weeks when you are not ready. I found that I was very tired for the first 2 weeks, and took several cat naps throughout the day. If your job allows for you to work for a little while, rest and then go back and do some more you can probably be back sooner, but if you need to work all in one time block you will not be up to it.