How much time is recommended off after a partial hyst

I had a partial hysterectomy, done with the laproscope, on 8/7. I am wanting to know if the recoop time is as long with this type of surgery as it is with the abdominal incision, and the total hyst.

I work as a teachers aide in an elementary structured classroom. Most of my work is done at my desk. (I will be doing no lifting etc...) I am going back today 8/27. I have been feeling pretty good, I still have some pain in my side, and I get tired. I am only going in for 3 1/2 hours a day for the first few days.

Am I rushing things? My doctor said if I have any problems I am to call, and she will revoke my work release. She also told my husband to call if I wouldn't.

Please share your opinions and advice with me. We don't have any type of disability leave. So I am losing all of my sick days. I only have 10, and I have used 7 already.

Thanks form a newbie,
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Hmmm....I have to ask you, did your Dr. try to caution you from going back at not quite 3 weeks? Did you pressure him/her to release you this soon because of the "sick days" issue? If your answer to these questions was "yes", then you are indeed rushing things.

You had MAJOR surgery, and it is never worth rushing your recovery, as your long-term health is at stake. How you take care of yourself now will determine how well you are doing months from now.

I see you had a partial lap hyst, which does have a shorter recovery time, but it was my understanding that women with this procedure still normally take at least 4 weeks off of work, and it is not even 3 weeks for you. Even one additional week can make a big difference in how your recovery goes.

You must listen to your body. Pain and fatigue are serious signals that tell you that critical healing is going on, and your body is crying to you for the rest it needs to heal properly. You only have ONE chance to heal properly, and this is it!

You are WORTH a few days of unpaid sick leave. Please let us know how you did.

My very best to you...

Linda

IMHO, I think returning to work so soon is not a good idea. Please listen to Music Lady Linda!

In my case, when I had my TVH on June 18th, I knew I would have to return to work before the end of July, as I would lose my health insurance if I went beyond July 31st. My 5-week point was on July 23rd, and that was the date of my post-op check up. I was expecting to have one more week to recuperate, which still would have gotten me back on the job before July 31st.

As it turned out, my surgery was in a teaching hospital, and the doctor I saw for my post-op was not the same one I saw before the surgery, nor was she the one who did the surgery. When she did the internal part of the exam, it hurt, because I was still not completely healed inside.

She expressed surprise that I was still so sore, but nevertheless sent me back to work full time the very next day, with only 1 week of light duty restrictions. She claimed that she sends women back to work at only 3 weeks post-op after a TVH. Fortunately everyone I work with was very sympathetic, and they didn't expect too much out of me that first week. I tried to get into the same clinic to see another doctor in hopes of having the light duty restrictions extended, but no luck. There were no openings available.

Somehow I made it through those first two weeks, but it was not fun. I was very sore and achy by the end of each day. And exhausted! I was not that tired and sore following the births of my two children!

You are at a delicate point in your recovery, even if the surgery was done by laparascope. When they took out the uterus, they had to reattach ligaments and other supporting structures in new and different places. It takes awhile for your body to adjust to this, and it takes a while for those stitches holding everything in place to heal.

Please don't let yourself be forced into returning to work if you can possibly stay home longer. Even one more week of recovering at home, then returning to work half time will make a huge difference. You are lucky in that it sounds like your MD is willing to work with you on this.

Please listen to your body, and don't try to be "Wonder Woman." When you do go back to work, leave the housework for someone else for the first few days. You still need to pamper yourself. It will be worth it, I promise!

-Kim

Hi Lisa

Originally my surgery was supposed to be done with a laparoscope, but I ended up with a 6" incision. The doc told me that with laparoscopy, I probably could be back at my desk job within 2 weeks, but not the travelling part until 6 weeks. Listen to your body! If your like me and can't sit still and agonize over work when I'm not there, the rest does me little good. Take it very slowly. If you go in for 1/2 a day and feel dragged out later, then it is too soon, but if you feel fine, check with doc and go for it SLOWLY.
I was crazy enough to go back yesterday, only 11 days after surgery. I got a ride, not supposed to drive yet! I was only going to stay a couple of hours, but stayed all day. Now, since I didn't plan on going back until next Tues., I am bored at home, sick of reading, TV, cross-stitch, playing piano, etc!.. My kids and DH will all be home within the hour and he won't let me cook!

Just take care of yourself, I'm running on renewed energy right now because the pain is GONE!!!

Take care