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Trying to figure out hysterectomy recovery time so I can schedule
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10-01-2014, 11:02 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 39
Hysterectomy: December 29th, 2014
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Trying to figure out hysterectomy recovery time so I can schedule
Hi ,
My doctor and I have decided that it is time for me to go forward with a hysterectomy. I am in a lot of pain and want to get it done asap but I am worried about how long the recovery will be and how long I will be out of work. With the holidays coming I can't afford to miss a lot of work, plus my work is super busy this time of year and will need me.
My question is how long should I expect to be out of work? (I work in a retail store. I am on my feet the majority of the day and I unload heavy orders twice a week.)
Will it be shorter or longer depending on which method my doctor uses?
I read somewhere that I should try to avoid any unnecessary heavy lifting forever after my surgery, is this true?
I've lived with the pain this long, I think I may need to just wait until after the holidays....
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10-01-2014, 11:30 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 38
Hysterectomy: September 2nd, 2014
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Trying to figure out hysterectomy recovery time so I can schedule
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Quote: |
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Originally Posted by Tnackt
Hi ,
My doctor and I have decided that it is time for me to go forward with a hysterectomy. I am in a lot of pain and want to get it done asap but I am worried about how long the recovery will be and how long I will be out of work. With the holidays coming I can't afford to miss a lot of work, plus my work is super busy this time of year and will need me.
My question is how long should I expect to be out of work? (I work in a retail store. I am on my feet the majority of the day and I unload heavy orders twice a week.)
Will it be shorter or longer depending on which method my doctor uses?
I read somewhere that I should try to avoid any unnecessary heavy lifting forever after my surgery, is this true?
I've lived with the pain this long, I think I may need to just wait until after the holidays....
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If you have the choice to choose when you have surgery, you will want to plan to carve out the full recovery time that your doctor advises.
Regardless of what method of surgery you end up having. It is still considered a major surgery. I personally had a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. I've had very minimal incision pain, and was in good physical shape going into the surgery. However there are no short cuts for the internal healing process. I'm four weeks post op and feeling good. But I am not lifting, pushing or pulling anything over 5 lbs, no housecleaning, vacuuming, etc. Please consider planning ahead to avoid additional stress after your surgery.
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10-01-2014, 11:36 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 4,029
Hysterectomy: June 5th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Trying to figure out recovery time so I can schedule
It really depends on your dr, you, the type of surgery and the type of work you do. TAH is supposed to be the longest, although I went back to my part time job at 3 weeks. I was working from home within a week. My dr did not give me as many restrictions as many people here have and she said that I could go back as soon as I felt up to it after my 2 week post op. But I had an extremely easy and speedy recovery. The first thing is to decide what type of surgery you will have and discuss with your dr when would be the soonest you could expect to go back.
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10-01-2014, 11:51 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 314
Hysterectomy: September 4th, 2014
Surgery Type: TLH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Trying to figure out recovery time so I can schedule
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Quote: |
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Originally Posted by Tnackt
Hi ,
My doctor and I have decided that it is time for me to go forward with a hysterectomy. I am in a lot of pain and want to get it done asap but I am worried about how long the recovery will be and how long I will be out of work. With the holidays coming I can't afford to miss a lot of work, plus my work is super busy this time of year and will need me.
My question is how long should I expect to be out of work? (I work in a retail store. I am on my feet the majority of the day and I unload heavy orders twice a week.)
Will it be shorter or longer depending on which method my doctor uses?
I read somewhere that I should try to avoid any unnecessary heavy lifting forever after my surgery, is this true?
I've lived with the pain this long, I think I may need to just wait until after the holidays....
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If you are getting your cervix removed (abdominally or laparascopially), you should warn your work it could be as long as 6 weeks, and possibly longer since you work on your feet. It's also best if you can start back part time and ease yourself into full time. Some people feel good enough to return part time at 4 weeks or so.. I'll warn you that Week 3 seems to be a doozy for many ... it can be the most tiring week. It was for me as well as for many sisters on my post surgery thread.
Here's a great article that shows the different surgeries and timeframes... of course there are articles here on HysterSisters as well, I just like this one because it's concise and seems to give very realistic timeframes, unlike many of the pamphets I got at the doc's office that showed very short time frames.. that I believe are unrealistic for many of us.
<>
I had the TLH. I am fit and 43YO. I'm starting to feel better at 3.75 weeks.... but in week 3 I felt like I had the flu. No fever.. just really, really.. run down. I would not have been able to work a retail job. I could barely keep my eye lids open. Retail requires so much face to face contact... there is no way I could have done that in Week 3 or Week 4. (I'n ot sure about Week 5 yet! )
If you are getting a Supracervical hysterectomy, that could be easier..it is for some. A co worker of mine had the LSH and was back to work after 3-4 days.. that's not going to be true for everyone, but it was for her.
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10-01-2014, 11:53 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 144
Hysterectomy: September 25th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Trying to figure out recovery time so I can schedule
First of all WELCOME!!!!! This site is filled with amazingly wonderful and honest women who will help so much with your upcoming journey. You have officially become our sister by coming here and I hope the road ahead is an easy one for you. BIG HUGS!
With the type of job you do, I would seriously plan to have a lot of time off work. I am on a 10 lb lifting, pushing, or pulling limit for at LEAST 4 weeks. If you lift heavy items after surgery you could risk popping sutures/staples, opening up internal or external incision sites, prolapse, it's just plain out dangerous. I am not saying this to scare you but getting this time of surgery is a MAJOR surgery and not something that you can work around other things well. Don't think that being down and not going back to work for a while means you will be in pain all the time because I can assure you that is not the case. Im "sore". Very rarely anymore do I say I am feeling real pain so please don't let that idea scare you. I am almost at week 1 post op and yesterday I went to the store for the first time and was sore and was down for the rest of the day. (It was still so worth it and fun to go shopping!!!!) Some people can run a mile within their first 2 weeks. Other people don't want to take a step. It all depends on how well you heal. With something like this you will have to put your health and your surgery above everything else. My life has been turned upside down to be honest. Not in a bad way at all. It just has because that is what needed to happen. It's a major adjustment to everyone. As far as what type of surgery hmmm...I do believe it might make a difference. I had a Total Abdominal hysterectomy with cervix removed so I have a brand new vaginal cuff and a nice large incision on my lower tummy. My sister got hers done years ago all threw her vagina and stated she thinks it was a little easier on her than it has been me. But then again everyone is different. Everyone heals differently. I would hate for you to be in pain any longer and have to wait till after the holidays but you also want to make sure you can give yourself time to heal properly too. I can tell you though, once you make the decision and go threw with it, it will change your life for the better. Already a week after I am so much happier. My issues that caused me to get the surgery are gone. I am thrilled. So it is defiantly worth it.
YOU are worth it. Your health is worth it. So make sure you can focus all your energy and time on your healing and getting better because that is what you deserve hun!
Again welcome to the group. Don't be shy and no questions are silly!!!
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10-01-2014, 11:56 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 144
Hysterectomy: September 25th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Trying to figure out recovery time so I can schedule
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Quote: |
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Originally Posted by rockymtn1971
If you are getting your cervix removed (abdominally or laparascopially), you should warn your work it could be as long as 6 weeks, and possibly longer since you work on your feet. It's also best if you can start back part time and ease yourself into full time. Some people feel good enough to return part time at 4 weeks or so.. I'll warn you that Week 3 seems to be a doozy for many ... it can be the most tiring week. It was for me as well as for many sisters on my post surgery thread.
Here's a great article that shows the different surgeries and timeframes... of course there are articles here on HysterSisters as well, I just like this one because it's concise and seems to give very realistic timeframes, unlike many of the pamphets I got at the doc's office that showed very short time frames.. that I believe are unrealistic for many of us.
<>
I had the TLH. I am fit and 43YO. I'm starting to feel better at 3.75 weeks.... but in week 3 I felt like I had the flu. No fever.. just really, really.. run down. I would not have been able to work a retail job. I could barely keep my eye lids open. Retail requires so much face to face contact... there is no way I could have done that in Week 3 or Week 4. (I'n ot sure about Week 5 yet! )
If you are getting a Supracervical hysterectomy, that could be easier..it is for some. A co worker of mine had the LSH and was back to work after 3-4 days.. that's not going to be true for everyone, but it was for her.
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As far as the comment about barely being able to keep your eyes open. I so second that. You catch yourself dozing off in places you never thought possible! I have never been able to fall asleep so easily lol
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10-01-2014, 03:13 PM
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Posts: 19,781
Hysterectomy: May 29th, 2013
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Trying to figure out recovery time so I can schedule
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Quote: |
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Originally Posted by Tnackt
Hi ,
My doctor and I have decided that it is time for me to go forward with a hysterectomy. I am in a lot of pain and want to get it done asap but I am worried about how long the recovery will be and how long I will be out of work. With the holidays coming I can't afford to miss a lot of work, plus my work is super busy this time of year and will need me.
My question is how long should I expect to be out of work? (I work in a retail store. I am on my feet the majority of the day and I unload heavy orders twice a week.)
Will it be shorter or longer depending on which method my doctor uses?
I read somewhere that I should try to avoid any unnecessary heavy lifting forever after my surgery, is this true?
I've lived with the pain this long, I think I may need to just wait until after the holidays....
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Yes, your recovery time depends to some degree on what method your doctor uses. I had a TAH and went back to work at a part-time desk job at four weeks - with a restriction on lifting 30-40 lb boxes in the archives area. My surgeon said don't even try that until six weeks and then start slowly and cautiously.
The "forever restriction" is mostly for women who have repair work done due to prolapse in addition to their hysterectomy. I can't lift more than 50 lbs on account of my knees, but I'm fine up to that.
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10-01-2014, 03:50 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 127
Hysterectomy: October 3rd, 2014
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: Trying to figure out recovery time so I can schedule
My doctor says I can go back to work in 2-3 weeks and I teach preschool. On my feet, sitting on the floor and getting up and down a lot. No lifting, but thinks I will be ok for the rest. Lol. Yeah, I don't know about that, I don't think so. I am a very hyper person and do not sit down for more than about 10 minute increments ever. BUT fortunately my job wants me back when I am ready, however long it takes. I am having my surgery Friday morning and have our "back to school night" on Thursday night. Work has stopped me from thinking about this too much. I work about ten hour days not including my commute. I can't imagine staying home. But I guess I should enjoy the time to take it easy. I am having a LAH-LSO. I have to say I am probably say more prepared for this than I was for when I had children.
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10-01-2014, 04:37 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 1,570
Hysterectomy: July 15th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: Trying to figure out recovery time so I can schedule
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Quote: |
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Originally Posted by Tnackt
Hi ,
My doctor and I have decided that it is time for me to go forward with a hysterectomy. I am in a lot of pain and want to get it done asap but I am worried about how long the recovery will be and how long I will be out of work. With the holidays coming I can't afford to miss a lot of work, plus my work is super busy this time of year and will need me.
My question is how long should I expect to be out of work? (I work in a retail store. I am on my feet the majority of the day and I unload heavy orders twice a week.)
Will it be shorter or longer depending on which method my doctor uses?
I read somewhere that I should try to avoid any unnecessary heavy lifting forever after my surgery, is this true?
I've lived with the pain this long, I think I may need to just wait until after the holidays....
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Hello and welcome to this amazing community!
I personally think your recovery time will depend on first of all, what type of hysterectomy you will have done and what is involved with the surgery itself. I had a TAH with everything removed and stayed in the hospital for 4 days and 4 nights, I am left with a 6" incision. It appears that the da Vinci method is used much more often in the US (I am from Canada) and many women go home the next day so as you can see, there can be huge differences in hospitalization stay times. Your Dr. will discuss at some point your restrictions and you will also be given a discharge sheet with instructions. From what I have read on here, a 6 - 8 week break from work sounds normal. Wishing you all the very best!
Take care
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