Robotic Hysterectomy - how to prepare and what toExpect

[popsickle555]

If you’ve had this surgery (or are doing soon) please can you advise what to
plan ahead for and what to
expect in terms of recovery?

it’s going to be within 4 weeks and I want to be prepared (and i am not!)

Dr said 2-3 weeks minimum off work as I work from home, part time, desk based BUT I have two kids and he didn’t seem to factor that in as also ‘my job’. And I need to drive and wondering how long I can’t for.

I am actually really scared but have to have the surgery. I am 44 and In ok shape but not particularly fit. Have some heart issues but hoping the hospital will be across all of that. I am keeping the ovaries so won’t be thrust into menopause.

I had open but I think that they give similar advice for both….I was also really scared but it has been brilliant for me in terms of quality of life.

Do you have a partner ? You definitely need someone to help you out for the first week.

Make sure you have these at home for after your surgery:

ibuprofen and paracetamol
hot and cold packs
stool softener like sodium docusate

Take into hospital chewing gum for gas pain after surgery and big knickers

You can’t lift anything after surgery which is why you will need some help.

Good luck ☺️

Definitely time to get support to help with daily living and the kids - the more you rest you have the quicker you are likely to recover.

One thing to flag is that you're likely to go into menopause a bit earlier than if you'd not had the hysterectomy - keeping ovaries means it won't be immediate but I understand there's a clear correlation so do look out for symptoms.

Thanks @UnaOfStormhold - yes I’ve read that too. I’m not happy about it but don’t really have a choice now due to circumstances so will have to cross that when it comes.

Yes I have a partner, thankfully he’s WFH mostly so can help me. He can’t take any time off but he will he ‘present’. He will most likely be off work the day of and the day after the surgery but then back on WFH calls.

I've had this. I think your dp might have to be prepared to be on school run duty for the first couple of weeks. Most do recover within 2-3 weeks but it can take longer, especially if there are complications (there were with me but I had repair work done too and it took me 3 months 😳 but that is pretty unusual).

No lifting anything heavier than the kettle for 2 weeks and you'll still need to take it very carefully after that. I'm not sure I drove for 6 weeks but again due to complications with the repair.

Prep for the worst and be pleasantly surprised I think, is my best advice!

I’ve recently had a hysterectomy but had post-op complications so my recovery is taking longer than most. But something that I didn’t realise, and I’ve since read so many ladies have said the same, is that you can expect to feel completely exhausted for a good few weeks. I think returning to work at 2-3 weeks will be challenging, even for a sedentary wfh job.

Yy. The tiredness was surreal and lingered.

Just updating to say I’ve had my op and doing well.

2 weeks on now and mobile, managing light jobs at home. Short walks 10 mins 2-3 x a day. Back to about 5000 steps.

Feeling ok and not too tired tbh but I’ve been careful and really rested for first 12 days. Then increased my activity a little.

The first week was quite rough but not unbearable, 2nd week as expected. Now I’m feeling relatively normal just can’t ‘do’ much physically. Heading out of the house this weekend for a couple of short trips (lunch and coffee).

Have decided to return to work at 4weeks (from home, 2 hours a day for week one). I’ll update how that goes for people finding this thread in future…