HysterSisters Articles for Hysterectomy

SHARING IS CARING

What's Allowed after Hysterectomy?

From the Hysterectomy Recovery Articles List

I need a list. My doctor told me that I was not to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. What is allowed?


It is important to be careful in the days following your hysterectomy so you can give your body the best chance to heal right the first time. Doing too much too soon could increase your risk for complications and adhesions, so there are several household tasks you should avoid in the initial days of recovery.

Here are some examples of tasks you can and cannot do while you are recovering from your hysterectomy.

Allowed:

• Picking up pillows and repositioning them
  
  
• Turning on dishwasher after someone else has loaded it
  
  
• Changing roll of toilet paper
  
  
• Flipping on light switch
  
  
• Folding laundry
  
  
• Taking short, easy walks and gentle stretching
  
  
• Lifting the remote control
  
  
• Asking others for help (allowed and encouraged!)

NOT Allowed:

• Vacuuming
  
  
• Sweeping or mopping
  
  
• Carrying laundry across house to washer
  
  
• Lifting, bending, reaching, driving
  
  
• Lying around the house all day doing nothing (see above)
  
  
• Bending to access oven or empty litterboxes
  
  
• Going to Wal-Mart for some bargain shopping (not recommended)
  
  
• Pushing a shopping cart
  
  
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time i.e. at computer
  
  
• Opening windows, particularly the hard-to-open ones
  
  
• Making other people's problems your own
  
  
• Picking tomatoes, weeding, and other such nonsense

These lists are not comprehensive, but should give you a general idea of what is safe and what is not safe. When in doubt, don't do it without consulting your doctor first.


This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.



SHARING IS CARING

Do you have a question?

If you have a medical support question related to this article, come JOIN US in our HysterSisters Community Forums. You will receive helpful replies to your questions from our members. See you there!

HysterSisters Free Hysterectomy Booklet What 350,000 Women Know About Hysterectomy with pages of information, helpful tips and hints to prepare and recover from hysterectomy. Free download for members.

HysterSisters Articles

Diagnosis
Options to Hysterectomy
Treatment Alternatives
Pre-Op Hysterectomy
Post-Op Hysterectomy
Separate Surgeries
Hormone and Menopause
Intimacy after Hysterectomy
Pelvic Floor
Separate Surgeries
Fitness after Hysterectomy
GYN Cancer
Breast Health
Grief and Loss
Endometriosis
Uterine Fibroids
GYN Genetics
Hysterectomy Stories
Ask A Doctor

Find a Surgeon

Mayra J. Thompson, M.D. 5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dept OBGYN Dallas TX 75290 214-645-3888	Geoffrey Cly, M.D. Suite 101, 11123 Parkview Plaza Drive Fort Wayne IN 46845 260-969-5530	Joseph S. Valenti, M.D. 2805 S. Mayhill Road Denton TX 76208 940 591-6700
Antonio Gargiulo, M.D. Brigham and Women's Hospital 75 Francis Street Boston MA 02115 617-732-4222	Arnold Advincula, M.D. Columbia Ob/Gyn Midtown 51 West 51st St, 3rd FL New York NY 10019 (855) 75-OBGYN	Charles Miller, M.D. 120 Osler Drive Suite 100 Naperville IL 60540 630-428-2229
James Kondrup, M.D. 161 Riverside Drive Suite 109 Binghamton NY 13905 607-770-7074	Shaghayegh DeNoble, M.D. 20 Wilsey Square Suite C Ridgewood NJ 07450 2019577220	Lori Warren, M.D. 3900 Kresge Way Suite 30 Louisville KY 40207 502-891-8700