Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Your Home Recovery

When you leave the hospital, you'll receive directions on caring for yourself at home. Following these directions helps to make sure you have a successful and faster recovery. It often takes about 1 to 4 weeks to recover from laparoscopic hysterectomy. But recovery time can vary for each woman.

Follow these tips to make your recovery as safe and comfortable as possible:

• To prevent constipation, eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Drink plenty of water. Your healthcare provider may advise that you use a laxative or a mild stool softener to ease bowel movements.
• Ask your friends and family to help with chores and errands while you recover.
• Don't lift anything over 10 pounds to prevent straining your incisions.
• Don't get your incisions wet until your healthcare provider says it's OK to do so.
• Don't put anything in your vagina until your provider says it's safe to do so. This includes using tampons and douches and having sex.
• Schedule follow-up visits with your provider.

Call your healthcare provider if any of the following occur:

• Chills or a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised
• Bright red vaginal bleeding or a smelly discharge
• Trouble urinating or a burning feeling during urination
• Severe belly (abdominal) pain or bloating
• An incision site that is red, swollen, or draining smelly fluid
• Trouble breathing or fainting
• Swollen painful leg