Exercise/Lifting Weights AFTER Hys w/Suspension

I'm starting to get really nervous about having this done! And for very silly reasons, I guess. I'm having a TVH w/Uterosacral Suspension for severe prolapse.

My doctor told me I won't be able to lift ANYTHING for 8 weeks or do any SQUATTING for the same to insure the suspension holds. But now I've been reading some articles that say once a woman has had a hysterectomy, she should avoid squatting or lifting anything heavy for the rest of her life!! Is this true???

I love to work out, and most of my workouts are cardio & weights combined. I never lift more than about 8 pounds in each hand, but I do a lot of squatting and such to work my legs. Am I really not going to be able to do this ever again??? Am I going to have to change my whole style of exercise after this? Or is this just something I have to be careful of for awhile, but not forever? I'm so confused!!

It won't change my mind on the hysterectomy, especially since I can't really exercise right now with all the problems anyway. I just want to know what kind of lifestyle changes I'm going to have to make after this??

Sorry to ramble on!
Thanks!

I've been wondering about the weights too. I work out 2x a week w/weights (the rest is aerobics) and I can lift up to 50 lbs. I've worked really hard to get to that point and I hate to think of not being able to do it anymore. Mine is a laproscopic procedure, so hopefully I should be okay, but I am interested to hear what people have to say about this.

That is a question for your doctor concerning you're own situation. Yes, it is true that some women do have some lifting/squatting restrictions for the rest of their lives following a hysterectomy. Most don't.

I wasn't allowed to lift more than 5 pounds for the first 6 weeks of my recovery. At my 6 week appointment, my doctor released me to start easing back into my usual routine. I don't have any lifetime restrictions from lifting or squatting.

s, Deb

(((lambeau_leap))) If you're having repairs done, which I see you are, you're more likely to have lifetime restrictions after the surgery, although DRs differ on this.

I was not allowed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk (about 8.5 lbs) for six weeks afterwards, and have a 25 pound weight restriction for life. I do exercise, including squats, but not with weights.

I would listen to your DR, who knows what is right for YOU.

s,
-Linda

I can totally handle it if I can't do lower body work with weights anymore. I can always switch to something like Pilates or Yoga for strength in my legs.

However, lifting only 25 lbs. would be a big problem since my son is only 8 months old and already weighs that much!! LOL I will obviously follow my doc's instructions to the letter during my recovery period, but hopefully my doctor will have good news for me after that!!

I think weight lifting weight is different from child weight. The dead weight is considered heavier, I believe. Maybe it is the distribution of the weight that makes a difference. I would certainly ask your dr. before going back to anything.

this is a GREAT question, and I'm writing it down on my already huge list of questions to ask my dr. at my pre-op on the 29th. I guess I just assumed that after I'm fully recovered, that I'd be able to resume back to all my normal workout routines, which includes lifting weights 2 - 3 times a week, doing squats, and other stuff like that.... plus, running.... hmmm....

I HOPE I will not have any life-long restrictions.... that'd be sad for me. BUT, continuing to live with this pain woudl be worse, I guess. Maybe like a previous poster said, that if you are getting repairs done, there might be life-long restrictions, but for me, I'm only having my uterus removed (and appendix, too), and no repairs done, so maybe for me there won't be any life-long restrictions? I guess I'll find out at my pre-op!

Good question!!!

I did weight lifting for several years and wondering if you are use to using say a 25lbs in one hand, could switching to 25lbs on a full length barbell changes it enough to work? I know some exercises can't be adapted to the full length barbell but many could be. For one tricep curls could be adapted to the bar change by laying down on a bench. Ask your dr. then find a very good personal trainer to help you adapt to your new needs. The last trainer I had was on crack now I have neck damage, so make sure they are very good before you get started.