Tips to Speed Your Recovery After a Hysterectomy

Natural remedies can help you to heal faster after a hysterectomy.  Lemon balm and ginger teas can help to stimulate a diminished appetite.  Vitamin C and Vitamin A help to strengthen the immune system while bromelain and devil's claw help with pain relief.  During the healing process, be careful not to overdo with strenuous exercise or lifting heavy objects.

Is A Hysterectomy the Right Decision for You?

At some point in their lives, many women find themselves faced with the decision on whether or not to have a hysterectomy.  For a young woman, the decision to remove the uterus and perhaps the ovaries can be traumatic.  An older woman past the childbearing years may find the decision easier, but it is still difficult.  This is a major surgery and requires careful consideration.  Some of the most common reasons for a hysterectomy would include uterine or ovarian cancer, fibroids and endometriosis.  If the condition has not spread, the hysterectomy could result in a complete cure.  

There are several different types of hysterectomies, with varying recovery times.  A total hysterectomy, either done vertically or along the bikini line, will normally require at least 3 days in the hospital and an 8 week recovery period.  If the surgeon performs a laparoscopic hysterectomy or a robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy, the patient may leave the hospital in 24 hours and have a 2-3 week recovery.  Instead of one very large incision, a laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy will only require 5 small incisions (each approximately 1" long).  Before making a final decision, discuss the surgical options with your doctor.

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