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

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