After Abdominal Hysterectomy for Uterine Prolapse

Activity

• Ask your friends and family to help with chores and errands while you recover.

• Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 6 weeks to avoid straining your incisions.

• Don’t do strenuous activities, including exercise, housework, or yardwork, until your healthcare provider says it’s OK.

• Climb stairs slowly. Pause after every few steps.

• Continue the coughing and deep breathing exercises that you learned in the hospital.

• Don’t drive until your healthcare provider says it’s OK.

• Ask your healthcare provider when you can expect to return to work.

• Walk as often as you feel able.

• Don't put anything in your vagina until your healthcare provider says it's OK to do so. This includes tampons, douches, and sexual activity.

Other home care

• Prevent constipation.

  • Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

  • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day, unless directed otherwise.

  • Use a laxative or a mild stool softener if your healthcare provider says it’s OK.

• Wash your incision with mild soap and water. Pat it dry. Don’t use oils, powders, or lotions on your incision.

• Shower as usual.

• Don’t have sex or use tampons or douches until your healthcare provider says it’s safe to do so.

• Report hot flashes, mood swings, and irritability to your healthcare provider. There may be medicines that can help you.

Follow-up care

Make a follow-up appointment, or as directed.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Fever of 100.4°F ( 38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Chills

• Bright red vaginal bleeding or foul-smelling discharge

• Vaginal bleeding that soaks more than 1 sanitary pad per hour

• Trouble urinating or a burning sensation when you urinate

• Severe abdominal pain or bloating

• Redness, swelling, or drainage at your incision site

• Shortness of breath or chest pain

• Nausea and vomiting

• Pain, redness, or swelling in your legs