Those of you who had total hysterectomy - recovery question

Hysterectomy recovery question
I had my total hysterectomy with ovary and tube removal (BSO) 6 weeks ago, labroscopically. It sounds like your mom is about on track, especially if your mom had an abdominal hysterectomy. It does take a full six weeks or longer to recover; some say 6 months to a year to fully heal inside. Her lack of energy is very normal at this point, and if she needs to rest, she should just rest and try not to worry about it. There are several reasons for lack of energy; the surgery, anesthesia, hormones, etc. I am on a great web site for women who have had a hysterectomy; it is called hystersisters. Give it a try; I am sure you and your mom will find a wealth of information there!

Julie

norma2 said:

Giving myself permission to take it easy.
I think it takes a long time to heal from a total hysterectomy. I am just starting to have a lot more energy and my surgery was Oct/09. Giving myself time to heal and permission to take it easy was not my style. Guilty of having to do it all myself, I have had to accept the fact that some things just don't have to be done by me. My family will not die if they have to fold clothes, cook, clean house, etc. I think part of it stems from the fact that I have a great need to be in control. Yep, a control freak. So doing things all the time makes me feel like I have power over my destiny. Taking a nap, resting when tired, not lifting those heavy things, ect. all are changes I have had to make in my lifestyle. I have been know to drag the garbage cans to the end of the drive (about 75')at 6 AM the morning after chemo. I am a bad girl. So far I haven't ripped anything up inside, I hope. I hate depending on other to do things. Hardest part of recovery for me is to not do things I normally do everyday. Drives me crazy.

I went back to work 2 weeks after surgery. That might have been a little soon. Tell Mom if she can to take it easy. Let herself heal. Adding a little activity each day, gradually increasing it might be the best way...hugs to you and your MOM....
hoping the very best for her.

I had total hysterectomy last February '09 and I do remember a good 2 weeks of the pain in tummie and incision area held up great. My energy level for approx 3 weeks was challenged and I just learned to rest. Our bodies are telling us to slow down when we have no energy. You'll find our bodies require lots and lots of energy to recover, so try and rest and don't forget to eat little bits of food during the day. Our healing process requires using lots of energy and we need to replace it with rest and food.

I'm in my 50's and was always very active (runner and big work-out gal) so I had to not work out for approx 2 weeks too. Just learned to take my daily naps after lunch...which helped!

Do remember my first appt with the oncologist 2 weeks after my surgery. I was walking fine but still not quite my normal self. Two weeks later I was sitting in the chemo chair with my first infusion. Doc suggested we get going on the treatments and not wait. So there I was going with more toxins in my body while healing from surgery.

You'd be amazed how our bodies can heal themselves if we just rest and listen to what they are telling us. Don't force it with doing more, as she'll be down again and starting the process of healing over again.

If she has other health issues, that might add to her recovery time, too.

Take care and best of luck to you and your mom..... ((((( hugs )))))
Jan