After most gynecologic surgeries, we recommend full pelvic rest (meaning NOTHING inside your vagina) until your doctor tells you that this is allowed. This means NO intercourse, swimming, bathing, tampon use, douching, etc. This is mainly to prevent infection. Most surgeries require 1-2 weeks of pelvic rest, however for others it may be longer. After a hysterectomy, we recommend 6-8 weeks of pelvic rest until your doctor clears you for pelvic activity.
If you have incisions on your abdomen, we want you to keep them clean with soap and water. Do not scrub them, just pat dry. Your doctor will look at your incisions during your postoperative check up
If you have incisions on your abdomen, we typically recommend NO heavy lifting more than 15 – 20 lb for about 6 weeks to prevent hernia formation. If you have incisions on your abdomen, there are dissolvable stitches keeping your muscles and abdominal wall intact. Therefore, we do not want you to lift anything heavy to compromise these stitches. Please ask your doctor for any special instructions.
After surgery, we recommend a regular diet as tolerated. For the first 48-72 hours as you are recovering from anesthesia, please avoid foods that might be nauseating (spicy, greasy, oily, etc).
Please ask your doctor if you can safely drive after surgery. If you are taking narcotic pain medication, driving is NOT allowed. You should only begin driving if you feel alert and awake behind the wheel and have not taken narcotic medications for >24 hours.
Please take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor. Please note that some pain medications are over the counter (ibuprofen and / or acetaminophen). It is safe to take Ibuprofen 600mg every 6 hours. This is the typical prescription strength and is more than stated on the bottle. Please be sure to take with food to avoid gastric irritation.
Some women get constipated after receiving anesthesia. A stool softener such as docusate 100mg twice daily and plenty of water is advisable after surgery.
Call 609-924-9300 if you have a fever greater than 100.5, heavy bleeding, pain not controlled by your pain medications, severe nausea/vomiting, redness surrounding the incision or heavy drainage from the incision or any other concerns.