hysterectomy

[Toddyboy12]

hi

I’m due to have a laparoscopic hysterectomy next month.

just wanted other ladies opinions on how long I will be off work. I know it does depend on what work you do so I work as a lifeguard in a leisure centre so am worried about going back too soon as I will always have to be ready to act on any situations. I’ve read anywhere between 6-12 weeks but what is the average time for theses that have had this procedure done.

[Emm10]

Hi Toddyboy12,

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy and oophorectomy 6 weeks ago and I’m still off work. I work from home so certainly not as active as your job - I definitely underestimated how long I would be off for though, in my mind I thought I would be back after 4 weeks but I’m just not ready.

Pain wise, that subsided after about 2 weeks but you can still feel a ‘pulling’ sensation internally when you are walking. I’m still very careful not to lift anything too heavy and I listen to my body to know when I’m overdoing something!! I’m now back to walking everyday and doing about 3k without any pulling, but I’m certainly not back to where I was before the op just yet.

Will you be having an oophorectomy as well (ovaries removed)? If so, be prepared for the menopausal symptoms as well as it’s taken me a few weeks to adjust medication to reduce these symptoms and I’m still having insomnia every night (which is the main reason I’m still off work!).

[Toddyboy12 in reply to Emm10]

hi many thanks for your reply.

Yes having ovaries removed as well. I’ve been told I will go straight onto hrt and I’m also 52 so been having menopause symptoms for a while now mainly aching joints and not so good sleep although not insomnia as I do sleep just not as well as I used to.

I did take medication a couple years back to put me into a medical menopause and I took hrt and had no symptoms at all.

Not overly concerned about how long I will be off work as luckily I’m on full pay for 6 months but just wanted to give my employer a better guess.

I enjoy waking and will definitely be glad when I can get back to doing that.

[Emm10 in reply to Toddyboy12]

I did the same with medical menopause with zero symptoms, but as I’m only 38, the real menopause literally hit me like a freight train 😕

I would just prepare for worst case as you never know what will happen - I had a reaction to the original dressings which led to blistering around my wounds, then I had a small infection in one of my wounds so all these things kind of put you back a week. Just be kind to yourself, get plenty of rest and let your body heal without thinking about work - it’s great that you will be paid while off so that’s one less thing to worry about!

Best of luck, hope all goes well with the surgery

[Toddyboy12 in reply to Emm10]

Thank you 😊 I keep telling myself it will be better long term but know I will want to run before I can walk but just need to tell myself to slow down and put my feet up.

[Vailea]

I had a Total Abdominal hysterectomy back in 2004 . I had 5 weeks off work . I was a Midwife and like you had to be prepared for all sorts of events . I felt fine but was obviously careful . I found stretching and bending was worse than actually lifting . Take as much time off as you can also I know some car insurance policies don’t let you drive for at least 6 weeks not sure if that includes laparoscopic surgery . I know friends in Uk were automatically given 12 weeks off . I think I was so I’ll before the surgery it made me feel absolutely great afterwards . Best thing I ever did really . Good Luck

[Toddyboy12 in reply to Vailea]

many thanks. Yes I have read that some are automatically given 12 weeks. I will see how I feel and take as much time as I feel I need.

[cherrytree16]

Returning to work:

Depending on the surgery you will need 2-6 weeks off work. Most women are able to return to work after 2-3 weeks, please discuss this with the doctor or nurse. The hospital doctor will provide a sick certificate for this period.

If you drive it’s best to air on the 3 weeks because of the pressure out of the operation when braking especially if it is a sudden braking situation.

I took 3 weeks of and was fine.

[Toddyboy12 in reply to cherrytree16]

Thank you. That seems like a very short time but I will definitely be guided by the doctor and my own recovery.

[Lara1244]

Hi - just having 3 weeks off is ridiculous and dangerous as recovery can bring problems - I bled from carrying a shopping bag after 3 weeks and had an infected wound!! I was advised to plan for at least 8 weeks off and see how it goes. In the end I had 10 weeks off and felt I needed it. Don’t try to be superwoman!!! If it was a man they would have 6 months off work!!! I had a full total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophrectomy. Basically I had all of my reproductive organs removed including cervix and ovaries- I was post menopausal at the time and the operation dealt with womb cancer.

Don’t take shortcuts with your health.

Best wishes for a good recovery.

[Toddyboy12]

hi

Thank you for your reply.

Yeah 3 weeks seems too quick.

Going by what I’ve read and the replies I’ve had I agree with you that 10-12 weeks and to take it easy take as much time as I need.