Legacy Obstetrics & Gynecology

POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR VAGINAL HYSTERECTOMY.

Eating

Drink liquids and eat lightly for the first one to two days after surgery. After that you should be able to eat normally. By the time you arrive at home, you should be eating a regular diet.

Activity/Bathing/Driving

Get lots of rest. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. You will be sore the first few weeks after surgery. It is fine to shower. If you have an incision on your abdomen, you should be able to get it wet. Just pat it dry. You may drive a car in 2 weeks. No lifting more than 10 pounds for 4-6 weeks. Walking is fine, as long as it doesn't cause too much pain. Take stairs in moderation and with assistance until you are steady on your feet. If you have a two-story home, you may want to decide to either stay upstairs or downstairs initially and have things brought to you.

Wound Care/Catheter Care

Thankfully, you do not have to come to the office for a stitch removal ! Your stitches are underneath your skin and deep in the vagina and will dissolve. You may see or feel a knot near the opening to your vagina. If it is still there at your post-op appointment, the physician will pull it out for you.

If you have a suprapubic or foley catheter, it will be removed either in our office, or the urologist's office within the week unless we tell you otherwise.

Keep your bottom clean and dry.

Vaginal Bleeding

You may notice a bloody vaginal discharge for the next several days after surgery. Please use pads. Do not use tampons. No douching. You may not have intercourse for 4-6 weeks post-operatively either. Sorry !

Medications

Either before your surgery, or before you are discharged home, you will be given prescriptions for pain medication and possibly a stool softener. Do not exceed the dosages written.

Remember to take your estrogen if it has been prescribed for you. Estrogen is very important in proper vaginal lubrication and healing.

Intercourse

Please refrain from having intercourse for 6 weeks post-operatively. No douching or tampons either.

Follow-Up

You should have a follow-up appointment with the physician who performed your surgery within 2-4 weeks following your surgery. Call the office at 404-284-3200 to make an appointment if you haven't done so already.

Call the Office If:

1) You have a fever greater than 100.4 F.
2) You have pain that is not relieved by pain medications.
3) You have redness around or leakage from your incision.
4) You have heavy vaginal bleeding (i.e., soaking greater than one maxi-pad in one hour).
5) You are unable to keep food or liquids down.
6) You are unable to urinate or have pain while urinating.
7) You are having difficulty having bowel movements.

The office number is 404-284-3200

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