Exercises for after total hysterectomy with cervix removal

Hi, does anybody know of any exercises that can be done after total hysterectomy with cervix removal please? Thank you.

[JillianoB]

Hi

I've recently had a subtotal hysterectomy and a few other bits and pieces and the advice the nurse gave me was to walk as much as possible but not to do anything which involved lifting or putting any extra strain on your stomach muscles. She told me to gradually build this up and listen to my body and not to push myself too hard.

Hope this helps! I'm 4 weeks post op now and I'm managing to get about ok and I've even managed to push a Hoover round and do some cleaning and tidying up! But my body does let me know when I've pushed it too far. Good luck with your recovery

Jill

[Hidden in reply to JillianoB]

Thank you very much Jill. I do hope you recover quickly xx I'm trying to prepare myself as much as possible in advance as my operation is only scheduled for 7th January (as I didn't want to ruin Christmas for my family). Thank you very much for the advice I will keep you posted xx

[Miwa]

Hi Fordie,

I am a women's health physiotherapist who has endometriosis. It depends if you had a laparotomy (large incision) or laparoscopy (or key hole). Let me know which and I will advise you

Miwa xx

[Hidden in reply to Miwa]

Hi Miwa, thank you for your offer to help. I have been told that I will be having a laparotomy for Total Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy, Cervix removal and part Bowel removal (the bit that is attached to the womb) on the 7th January 2014. I know I am a bit previous in asking about what exercises I will be able to do afterwards, but I thought if I know in advance I can be practicing them now and then it won't be so much information to take in after surgery. Thank you again for your offer to help, I greatly appreciate you. xx

[9698 in reply to Miwa]

I'm going to have a large incision

[Miwa in reply to 9698]

Hi, As you are also having a laparotomy like the previous lady, the same advice I gave her applies to you. xx

[Miwa]

Hi Fordie,

That is great that you want to start your exercises now. If you get build up your muscle strength now it will mean that your recovery will probably be quicker as you will be stronger. Essentially they cut through your abdominal muscles to do the work needed so these need strengthening and also any major gynae surgery affects the pelvic floor muscle so these need strengthening both pre and post op.

To exercise your large abdominal muscle you can do this in sitting, lying or standing it does not matter. Put your fingers on your knicker line so you can feel if you are doing it right. If you are you should feel your tummy either pull away from your fingers, or tighten under your fingers. You need to pull in your lower tummy muscles below your belly button towards your spine. So imagine you are in a clothes shop and you are trying on a low slung pair of trousers but you can't do the zip up, so you need to suck your lower tummy in to do the zip up. Hold this for as long as you can, then do as many as you can, until you can't pull your tummy in anymore. Aim for 10 second hold, 10 times.

To do your pelvic floor again do in any position, although lying is easiest, followed by sitting. Squeeze and close around your back passage as if you are stopping yourself from breaking wind, then squeeze and close around your front passage as if you are stopping yourself from going for a wee. Lift gently (to about 30% of your best effort) and hold as long as you can. Repeat up to 10 times. A gold standard pelvic floor is 10 second hold 10 times, but it takes time to build this up. Then also do the quick ones which is just squeeze then relax up to 10 times.

The key thing is remembering to do them. You can get smart phone apps for your pelvic floor, the NHS have done one called Squeezy for the Apple which has been written by Womens health physiotherapist.

I have attached the link from the Royal College of Obs and Gynaecologists for exercises and advice after a hysterectomy. rcog.org.uk/information-you....

I hope this helps, and best of luck with your operation. If you need any other advice please do not hesitate to ask.

Miwa xx

[Hidden in reply to Miwa]

Miwa you are amazing!!! Thank you so much. This is a great help, thank you xx

[Deedee3863 in reply to Miwa]

Thank you for this, I have started them tonight and hope both exercises help 😃

[NanL]

I am less than a week post op total vaginal hysterectomy . I'm up walking and driving short distance . Thanks for the exercises, I will try them next . Sincerely , Nan