Your Post-Op Appointment and Release

On average your post hysterectomy check up will be at the six week mark - but this may vary by a couple of weeks one way or the other - you don't need to worry if your doctor doesn't want to see you until week 8 - but if you feel you are having problems, don't hesitate to call!

During your post-op checkup at your surgeon's office, you will most likely have a pelvic exam. As uncomfortable as that sounds it is the only way for the surgeon to check on the progress of your internal stitches and make sure you are healing properly.

If your vaginal cuff is not healing properly, your surgeon may apply a silver nitrate treatment to help speed the healing of your stitches and new tissue.

If your surgeon finds you're healing as expected, you will be given the green light to resume your normal activities -- including sexual intercourse. HysterSisters would like to recommend you ease back in to those activities as you feel ready.

During this appointment, make sure you ask all the questions you have written down. You may also want to write down the answers, as it it easy to forget what the doctor says when we are a bit nervous!

If your ovaries were removed, discuss your options for hormone therapy.

Please note, HysterSisters has discovered that in many cases our surgeons are not the physicians who have the time to tweak and change our dosages for hormone therapy. Once released as a surgical patient, many HysterSisters find their family physician is well equipped to help with hormone therapy balancing.

Currently the American Medical Association does not recommend pap smears for women who have had a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix, although many physicians still perform a pap smear during the yearly checkup. Ask!

Questions for Your Six Week Check-up

Use this list to help you gather your thoughts and prepare for your doctor's appointment. Remove the questions do not concern you. Add to the list as you think of your own:

Ready to Head Back to Your Life?

Although you have reached the scheduled six week recovery point, you won't feel 100%. If your belly is still achy at the end of the day, you aren't alone.

As you head back into your normal schedule, find ways to rest and save your strength for the important things.

Many HysterSisters start back to work on a part time basis, increasing their hours as they feel better. It's not unusual to come home from work and fall into bed earlier than normal. Resting is still of great importance!

If you have a desk job try to find ways to change positions in your chair during your day. Be sure and walk when you can, eat sensibly, and as you sit, elevate your feet if you can manage it. We've heard from many working HysterSisters who find unique ways to get comfy at work including using a filing cabinet or waste paper basket as an ottoman.

Lower back pain can be a bother as you increase your activity. A small pillow for the small of your back can be helpful. Adjusting your position as you work throughout the day will help, as will gentle toning exercises (see below).

It's not unusual to feel fatigued for several months following your hysterectomy. Many believe that your 100% recovery is attained between the 6 month milestone and 1 year anniversary.

Jump back into your life but jump carefully!

Planning for a Healthier You?

If ever there was a good time to start a new lifestyle of health and fitness, this is it.

If you have thought about losing weight, working out, or quitting those cigarettes, now is a great time to do so.

Your body has been through major surgery. As you recover take charge of your health and plan for a better tomorrow. Aerobics and weight bearing exercises are recommended for our aging bodies. Eating right and with smaller portions is high on our proirity list.

Make a start and stick with it. Need online support? HysterSisters' support forum for fitness and better health: Hysteritaville is waiting for you!

Still Achy?

It's normal to feel twinges and some aches at the end of a busy day during weeks 5 and 6. It can also be normal to have some swelly belly from too much exertion and exercise.

At this point in your recovery you shouldn't need prescribed pain medications, they should now be replaced with over the counter pain relievers. If you feel your pain requires prescribed medications, call your doctor's office or plan on discussing your pain level with your doctor during your 6 week post-op checkup.

Our Best Kept Secret: Kegel Exercises

Having a hysterectomy can weaken pelvic muscles. There are great benefits in working to strengthen them.

Women with bladder control problems may find reduced leakage with the strengthening of pelvic muscles. HysterSisters also report heightened sexual enjoyment with the toning of these muscles.

Check with your doctor or nurse to teach you the correct technique. You can also check yourself by placing a finger in your vagina and squeezing around it (After your doctor releases you at your surgical post-op appointment. Until then, nothing in the vagina.). When you feel pressure around your finger, you are using the correct muscles.

Try to keep everything relaxed except the muscles right around the vagina. At the same time, do not bear down or squeeze your thigh, back or abdominal muscles. Breathe slowly and deeply. At first you can do the exercises with your knees together (lying or sitting).

We recommend doing the exercises for five minutes twice a day. You should squeeze the muscles for a count of four and relax for a count of four. With practice it will become easier as the muscles get stronger.

The great thing about Kegel exercises is that they are easy to do anywhere. Many women create a routine of doing Kegel exercises for 5 minutes before they get up in the morning and for 5 minutes before going to sleep.

Less of a Woman? Think Again!

After a hysterectomy many women feel a sense of loss– no matter what their age, no matter if they have a child or not, no matter if they thought they didn’t ever want to have children. They feel a loss of possibility, a loss of choice.

Feelings range from a sense of emptiness or confusion to numbness and heartbreak at the thought of never holding their own newborn or sharing a child with their husband.

And many feel less of a woman because of this loss.

These emotions can be very strong and if you feel them, it is important for you to know and accept that they are normal and reasonable - especially right after your surgery. You need to allow yourself to grieve this loss – only by doing so will you allow the healing process to start.

Know that our body parts do not define us as real women. We are female in our brains and hearts much more than in our bellies. We are compassionate, loving, and willing to give of ourselves more than any of God’s creation. All women become infertile eventually - Hystersisters become so because they need surgery in order to be healthier.

You are still a woman if you've had a hysterectomy and don't let anyone make you feel any differently.

If your feelings of grief and sadness do not lighten with time, please seek a counsellor, talk to your doctor or your minister. To read more about coping with the pain of childlessness look in our Resources Directory and to share your feelings, feel welcome in our Aching Hearts Forum.

HysterSisters Exercises

After getting approval from your surgeon gradually ease back into or start an exercise program.

The following exercises will help strengthen your stomach muscles.

Always listen to your body and take it slowly and gently. Only do these if you are comfortable. Stop if you feel any pain or discomfort.

1. Pelvic Tilting

Lie on your back with one pillow under your head, with your knees together and bent. Take a breath in and as you breathe out, pull in your tummy muscles, tilt your bottom upwards slightly and try to press the middle of your back against the mattress. Hold for a few seconds and then let go. This exercise helps backache and reduces abdominal wind.

2. Pelvic Floor Exercises

These can be started after a urethral catheter has been removed, or from the second day after your operation. Lie comfortably with both legs bent and slightly apart. Do not tighten your tummy or hold your breath. Pull up and close the back passage, hold, then pull up and close the front passages (as if you were preventing a bowel and bladder action). Hold this and count for 5 seconds, feeling a definite lift in the pelvic floor. Let go slowly, but never push down.

Start your exercises gradually and increase the number or repetitions each day. Aim for 5 - 10 times at regular intervals throughout the day. This exercise can be done in lying, sitting or standing positions. It is important to ensure that you will regain full control of urine flow, especially important after a hysterectomy, either abdominal or vaginal. You should continue doing it for the rest of your life.

3. Trunk Rotation

Lie flat with one pillow under your head, both knees bent up fully together.

Tighten your tummy muscles and HOLD TIGHT. Now swing both knees to the left slowly then over to the right slowly and then slowly return to the center position. Stop and relax the tummy and pelvis.

Repeat 5 times, twice daily, increase by 1 repetition daily to 10 repetitions, twice daily.

4. Straight Abdominal Exercise

Lie flat with one pillow, tighten your tummy muscles and HOLD TIGHT. Arms out towards your knees or crossed across your chest (whichever is more comfortable), and raise your head, neck and shoulders to look at knees. Hold and lower slowly, relaxing the tummy once your head is on the pillow. Repeat 5 times, 2 times daily; increasing as in Exercise 3

5. Hip Hitching

Lie flat with your head on the pillow, one leg straight and the other one bent. Tighten your tummy and feel your back touching the mattress and HOLD.

Now pull straight leg up at the hip towards the shoulder, hold for 5 seconds and then relax. Change position of legs and repeat. Repeat 5 times , 2 times daily; increasing as in Exercise 3

All exercises should be done comfortably! if you feel any ache or pain, stop.

Continue these five exercises for three months, doing each 10 times, twice daily but the exercise for Pelvic Floor Muscles at regular intervals through the day.

Green Light But Missing Libido?

Many HysterSisters report that during their first 6 weeks of recovery from their hysterectomy they experience heightened libido and are thrilled with the prospects.

Other HysterSisters report an initial surge and then a decline in libido.

Be sure and discuss your concerns with your doctor during your post-op appointment.

Questions to ask your physcian will depend on your personal relationships and physical condition. Ask questions such as: Do you treat patients for lack of libido? Are you familiar with any products that might be of help to me?

It does take some HysterSisters a few months before their hormones level out and their physical condition feels healthy enough to enjoy a normal libido once again. But we suggest keeping a journal and taking note of your concern.

If in a couple of months you are still concerned about your missing libido, talk frankly with your doctor and ask for help. If your doctor doesn't handle prescribed libido products, we suggest searching for a doctor that will work with you regarding this and other hormone issues.

Nuture Your Inner Self

A major life-changing event, like this surgery, brings with it a number of lessons, some small, and some large. Keep track of what you learn so you don't miss the learning!

You've Come Full Circle - Giving Back to HysterSisters.com

Now that your recovery is on track and your own hysterectomy questions have dwindled, you may be wondering where you fit in with the HysterSisters community.

We love to see our members complete the circle from receiving support as a pre-op lady in waiting, to giving back support and hugs as a post-op princess!

If you see a post where you can share your own hysterectomy experience, feel free to pitch in! We are always on the look-out for new hostess team members, and we believe that ultimately ALL HysterSisters members are hostesses here.

Other ways you can give back to HysterSisters:

Upgrade your membership to Crown Jewels.

Give an Angel Badge to members who have helped you.

Purchase other HysterSisters Jewelry.

Tell others about HysterSisters.com with a link (and earn a badge).

Shop at the HysterSisters Store.

Your support helps to keep HysterSisters FREE for all women!