Consumer Information

Vaginal Hysterectomy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A hysterectomy (hiss-ter-ek-tuh-mee) is surgery to take out your uterus (womb). This surgery is also called a "TVH" (total vaginal hysterectomy). This is because caregivers remove your uterus through an incision (cut) in your vagina. The uterus is a hollow, round organ in your lower abdomen (belly). It is where your baby grows when you are pregnant. You cannot have children after your uterus has been removed. You will also not have monthly periods.
A fallopian (fuh-low-p-un) tube is attached to each side of your uterus. The ovaries are below and behind the fallopian tubes. If your tubes and ovaries are also removed it is called "BSO." If your tubes and ovaries are not removed, you will have menopause (change of life) at the normal time. This is usually between 40 to 50 years of age. If your tubes and ovaries are removed, you may need to take hormone medicine. This medicine helps your body wait to go through menopause at the regular time. You can start normal activities 4 to 8 weeks after your hysterectomy.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

Keep a written list of what medicines you take and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers. Your caregivers can find out if these medicines interact with other medicines that you are taking.
Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking it until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-ah-tiks), take them until they are all gone even if you feel better.
If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Appointment:

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

BMs: It may be hard for you to have a BM after surgery. Don't try to push the BM out if it's too hard. Walking is the best way to get your bowels moving. Eat foods high in fiber to make it easier to have a BM. Good examples are high fiber cereals, beans, vegetables, and whole grain breads. Prune juice may help make the BM softer. Caregivers may tell you to take fiber medicine to help make your BMs softer and more regular. This fiber medicine can be bought at drug and grocery stores.

Numbness: It is normal to for the area around your incision to be numb after surgery. This should go away in less than a year.

Rest and Activity:

You may feel like resting more after surgery. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
Avoid lifting heavy objects. Ask your caregiver when you can start doing your usual activities again.

Support: Accepting that you have had a hysterectomy may be hard. You and those close to you may feel angry or sad. Some women feel bad about themselves and may even feel that they are less of a woman because they cannot have children any longer. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Let them help you. Encourage those close to you to talk to your caregiver also.

Wellness Hints:

Eat healthy foods from all of the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you feel better and have more energy. It may also help you heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet after surgery.
Drink 6 to 8 (soda pop can size) glasses of liquid each day. Or, follow your caregiver's advice if you must limit the amount of liquid you drink. Good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. Limit the amount of caffeine you drink, such as coffee, tea, and soda.
Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercising makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy.
It is never too late to quit smoking if you smoke. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information on how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
Stress may slow healing and cause illness later. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax (deep breathing, relaxing muscles, meditation, or biofeedback). Talk to your caregiver about things that upset you.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

You are soaking a vaginal pad hourly with blood for four hours.
You have not urinated for six hours.
You have burning when you urinate or feel a need to urinate often.
You do not feel like your bladder is empty after urinating.
You have smelly discharge coming from your vagina.
You have a fever (increased body temperature).
Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms. This may mean you are allergic (uh-ler-jik) to your medicine.
You have questions or concerns about your surgery or medicine.
You have not had a bowel movement for two days.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

You have trouble breathing all of a sudden or have chest pain. This could be a sign that you have a blood clot in your lungs. It could also mean that you are allergic to a medicine you are taking.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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