Gynecology Surgery

Discharge Instructions Call your surgeon immediately or go to Abdominal Hysterectomy: Your surgeon cuts through the skin and your nearest tissue of the lower abdomen to remove your uterus. Emergency Department if you Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Your surgeon uses small incisions have any of the through the skin and tissue of the abdomen to remove your uterus. following: Vaginal Hysterectomy: Your surgeon reaches your uterus through  you are bleeding and the vagina by making an incision near the cervix (the entrance into soaking more than 1 the uterus found in the vagina) to remove your uterus. pad an hour  you have signs of Vaginal Prolapse Repair: Your surgeon repairs the structures that infection, including support your vagina.

fever greater than 38°C (100°F) and chills Types of Hysterectomies

 foul smelling vaginal ___ Subtotal or Partial: Only the uterus is removed. The cervix is left discharge in place therefore you still need to have regular Papanicolaou  increased redness, test (PAP test). A PAP test is an internal vaginal exam that pain, bleeding and/or screens for cervical cancer. yellowish, green fluid draining from your ___ Total: The removal of both the uterus and cervix. You do not incision need regular PAP tests.

 if your incisions open ___ Radical: The removal of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, up upper part of the vagina and the pelvic lymph nodes.  you feel nauseous or have more/ different ___ Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Removal of the ovaries and pain than previous fallopian tubes (the tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to days and you cannot the uterus). This may be combined with any of the above control it with surgeries. Removing the ovaries initiates menopause if you are medicines you have not already menopausal. been given Recovery is different for every woman and depends on many factors.  you have new pain in Full recovery takes between 4 to 6 weeks. You may feel more tired than your calf or swelling in you think you should. You need to take it easy and give your body time your legs. to heal.

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 You may have more discomfort once you are at home.  This is due to swelling inside the abdomen as you heal.  Take your usual pain medication as directed on the package or as prescribed by your health care provider.

Activity

 Limit your activities until your surgeon sees you at your follow up appointment in 6 weeks.  Do not lift or pull anything over 10 lbs (5 kg).  Avoid over stretching or reaching.  You may do light work like washing dishes and cooking. Vacuuming is not light work.  Being active is important to your recovery. Start with short walks and increase as you are able.  You may climb stairs.  You may drive a car.

Bathing / Personal Care

 You will have vaginal bleeding. See your health care provider immediately if you are soaking more than 1 pad an hour.  Clean your incision with soap and water and pat dry.  If you have an incision on your abdomen, do not soak in the tub until your stitches are removed or dissolved.  Do not use douches until you are completely healed.

Avoid Constipation

 Eat high fibre foods such as whole grains, raw fruits and vegetables, and prunes.  Drink 6 to 8 glasses (1 glass = 8 oz or 250 mL) of fluid, preferably water a day.  Take a stool softner or a mild laxative, if diet is not working for you.  See your health care provider if constipation remains a problem.

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 Avoid sexual intercourse until you have been assessed by your health care provider at your 6 week follow up appointment.  When you do resume intercourse, you should not experience any soreness or discomfort and intercourse should not feel any different for you or your partner.  Do not worry about damaging your incision or doing harm to yourself. Reassure your partner of this.

Going Back to Work

 You will probably be able to return to work in 6 weeks.  Your health care provider assesses your readiness to return to work and determines if additional time is required.

What to Expect from Follow Up Appointments

Your health care provider, surgeon or both will:  examine your incision  assess your pain and ensure that it is managed  assess your current medications  discuss hormone therapy if it applies to you  answer any questions you may have  assess readiness for strenuous physical activity, sexual intercourse, and return to work.

Hint: Write the questions you have for your heath care provider/ surgeon down as you think of them and take them to your appointments.

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