About this topic
The uterus is a female organ where the baby grows during pregnancy. The uterus is also called the womb. The womb is in the lower belly between the bladder and the rectum. Women have two ovaries. The ovaries are almond-shaped organs that make the eggs to make a baby. The ovaries also control your menstrual cycle. Women also have two fallopian tubes. The eggs travel down the tube to reach the uterus or womb. ‚
A hysterectomy is done to remove the uterus. Your cervix, which is the lower part of the womb that connects to the vagina, may also be removed. Sometimes, the ovaries or tubes are also taken out. Talk with your doctor to be sure you know what was removed. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex.
- Your bowel movements may take some time to get back to normal. Eat small meals high in fiber. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day to avoid hard stools.
- Use a small pillow to put pressure on your belly. The pressure can make you more comfortable when you cough, laugh, or do other actions.
- You can expect some bleeding from your vagina for a few weeks. You may use sanitary pads but not tampons.
- You can wash between your legs with soap and water. Most often, it is OK to start this 24 hours after your surgery.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits.
- You may have stitches or staples. If so, your doctor will often want to remove the stitches or staples in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your doctor will tell you if you need other drugs like hormone therapy. You may need lubricants for sex if your hormones have changed. Talk to your doctor about changing hormone levels.
- If your fallopian tubes and ovaries were removed with the hysterectomy, your doctor will tell you if you need other drugs like hormone therapy.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Stop bleeding
- Replace hormones
Will physical activity be limited?
Rest for the first few days after the procedure. Avoid activities like heavy lifting and hard exercise. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infertility if the uterus was removed
- Infection
- Wound opening
- Bleeding
- Blood clots in your legs or lungs
- Injury to nearby organs
- Menopause
- Low mood
- Problem controlling urine
- Problems with sex
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal, or anal itching.
- Signs of wound infection such as swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Lots of blood in your sanitary pads or more than 6 soaked pads per day.
- Upset stomach, throwing up, or very bad belly pain
- No bowel movement after 3 days
- You feel the need to pass urine but it will not come out even after 6 hours
- Smelly green or dark yellow vaginal discharge
- Low mood
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
The Hysterectomy Association ‚
http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚