What is the recovery time after having a hysterectomy and is it like a c- section?

I am having a hysterectomy in 12 days and I am so nervous. I had a C-Section 3 years ago and I know how painful that was, is it any thing like that? I know it will be abdominal. I am just trying to figure out how I am going to do this, it is bad enough I am going to have to climb 3 flights of stairs after the surgery to get to my apartment and have to take care of my 8 and 3 year old kids. I also had to move to this town with no family to help me (cause of hurricane katrina). I am just hoping I can do this by myself. My main worry is after the surgery I have 2 weeks until my son starts school and I am wondering if I will be ok to drive him to school ? Please let me know any experiences anyone have had .

What is the recovery time after having a hysterectomy and is it like a c- section?
Good luck with your upcoming surgery.





Honestly, it depends on what you have done, how you have it done and why. I know you said abdominal, but why is that your doc's only option/choice for you? For example, an LAVH [laparoscopic assisted vaginal hyst] is less invasive and offers quicker recovery. An abdominal hyst is far more invasive and has longer recovery. Vaginal hyst is less invasive and has faster recovery overall than the others above, but can affect sexual function. Vaginal hysterectomy is preferable to abdominal hysterectomy where possible, however. Where vaginal hysterectomy is not possible, laparoscopic hysterectomy is preferable to abdominal hysterectomy, although it brings a higher chance of bladder or ureter injury [Methods of Hysterectomy: Systematic Review %26amp; Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials; BMJ. 2005 Jun 25;330(7506):1478].





Also, how well you recuperate depends on how well you tolerate the procedure; i.e., any reaction to anesthesia, complications, etc. A hyst. is not that similar to a c-section in all honesty.





You also need to discuss with your doc exactly what will be done, i.e., removal of uterus only, hysterectomy with oophorectomy [removal of one or both ovaries], hysterectomy with salpingoopherectomy [removal of one or both fallopian tubes], radical hysterectomy, which removes the uterus, cervix, the top portion of the vagina and most of the tissue that surrounds the cervix in the pelvic cavity. Pelvic lymph nodes may also be removed; supracervical hysterectomy, also referred to as a subtotal hysterectomy, which removes the uterus while leaving the cervix intact.





It is a major operation, any way you cut it (no pun intended). It will take at least 2 weeks or longer to be completely healed, again, depending on what was done, how complicated your surgery was, etc. Abdominal surgery recovery is expected to be easily longer than 2 weeks till you feel "normal."





As an aside, if heavy bleeding or similar concern is the "only" reason for your hysterectomy, you may want to look into alternatives, such as endometrial ablation or similar procedure. If you have having it because of Endometriosis or fibroids, please know that there are alternatives and that hyst is not a cure for Endo.





I do NOT recommend climbing 3 flights of stairs afterwards. I honestly think you need to have a friend or neighbor help with the 3 yr. old following surgery for a few days. You will only be doing yourself harm and jeopardizing your recovery if you do too much, too soon. You will also be on narcotic pain meds and it's hard to be a great parent when you're feeling dopey from the pills. You really need some help - if you do too much, you can experience complications or adhesion development, etc. This is not a surgery I recommend recuperating alone with 2 children from.





Again, good luck to you, I hope all turns out ok.