Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a partial part of the uterus or complete uterus is removed. It is a very critical process that requires careful hysterectomy after care. Understanding the recovery process and the factors that can affect the recovery process. We will discuss the lifestyle changes you can make to achieve a faster recovery and the best after care. Also, the necessity of different therapies and alternative treatments.
Understanding Different Types of Hysterectomy
There are several types of hysterectomy present. It is very important to understand each of them separately. Because the insurance coverage, diet chart, activity level in the recovery phase, and many other things directly depend on the type of surgery a woman undergoes.
There are multiple types of hysterectomy, but we will discuss the major ones in a brief that are:
- Total Hysterectomy: In this surgery, the whole uterus is removed along with the cervix. This is mostly due to the presence of cancerous cells detected in it.
- Partial Hysterectomy: In this, the cervix is not removed; only the uterus is removed partially from the upper side.
- Radical Hysterectomy: This is a common surgery in which the uterus and upper part og the vagina is removed. Not a complete vagina, but only a small upper part is required. Along with it fallopian tubes and surrounding tissue are being removed in some cases.
What Factors Affect Recovery Time?
There are so many things on which the hysterectomy recovery time depends, like any past medical history, surgery type, patient’s age, severity of infection, & diabetes. However, it is one of the most sensitive surgeries, which requires a lot of medications and aftercare.
There are different types of hysterectomy, which may take different times to recover, as listed below:
- Vaginal hysterectomy takes 5-7 weeks to recover
- A laparoscopic hysterectomy just needs 4-5 weeks to recover
- Abdominal hysterectomy took the longest time to recover, around 7 to 9 weeks
However, the activities are still limited in the initial weeks.
- First two weeks: The First two weeks are strongly dedicated to bed rest and strong medications.
- 6th to 12th Week: Most woman returns to their normal activities or daily work. High impact is still considered to be restricted.
- After 24 Weeks: it is observed in most cases that an individual can do all of the activities after half a year. But some activities are still restricted in case of a total hysterectomy.
Managing After Hysterectomy Menopause and Hormonal Changes
In case both of the ovaries are removed during surgery, a woman can experience an immediate menopause after hysterectomy. Menopause may result in many symptoms like hot flashes, fever and chills, dryness and irritation in the vaginal area, or disturbance in sleep. In some cases, women experience the symptoms even after the presence of both ovaries, which is due to a reduction in the flow of blood to the uterus and vaginal area.
However, you can manage the after-hysterectomy menopause symptoms by doing certain things as listed below:
- Ask about the treatments, like hormone replacement therapy, from your medical provider
- To avoid dryness in the vaginal area, one can use prescribed medications like moisturizers.
- Maintaining a good diet plan can benefit you consistently.
- Regularly doing yoga, meditation, and exercise helps lower stress.
What Foods are Good To Eat After Care?
There are several foods that a woman can have to reduce the symptoms and feel relieved after hysterectomy treatment. Here is the list of hysterectomy recovery foods to include in your diet.
- To heal the incision site and to repair the tissue, one can have lean proteins like fish and chicken.
- Green veggies are rich in vitamins and iron, like beans and broccoli.
- Almost all the consumable berries have a high amount of antioxidants and are rich in Vitamin C.
- To balance the level of energy in the body, one can fibre fiber-rich foods like whole grains and pulses.
- To support the immune system and digestive health, you can have probiotics and yogurt.
- Seeds and Nuts usually have healthy fats and protein in them.
- Sweet potatoes are rich in fibre and beta carotene.
- Vitamin C is best for the immune system, so you can have citrus items like oranges and lemons.
- To consume plant fibre and plant-based protein, you can have carrots and spinach.
- To control inflammation in the body, you can have fish like salmon. It contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
Financial Considerations and Insurance Coverages
Almost every patient with health and medical insurance wonders does insurance covers a hysterectomy. Yes, most insurance covers a certain part of a hysterectomy and aftercare, too.
But insurance only covers it if there is a medical necessity for the hysterectomy. They basically cover the conditions as follows:
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Uterine fibroids can cause severe symptoms
- Vaginal Cancer
- Uterine prolapse
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian Cancer
However, the insurance coverage may depend on the type of surgery you are having. We would suggest that you please consult your insurance advisor for all coverage-related details before choosing any surgery.
Role of Estrogen in Hysterectomy After Care
Many women face hormonal imbalance after hysterectomy surgery, so it is advised to have hormonal balance therapy. But what if you’re not a good fit for this therapy medically? Here are some options for natural estrogen after a hysterectomy, listed below:
- Plant-based Estrogens: Phytoestrogens a natural plant-based estrogens mostly found in flaxseeds and soy products.
- Using Primrose Oil: It helps in reducing anxiety, irritation, changes in mood, and other related symptoms.
- Natural Herb: Black Cohosh is a natural herb that helps a lot to control inflammation and hot flashes.
- Change in Lifestyle: Managing stress, anxiety, doing regular exercise, and healthy intake of food can help you boost estrogen naturally in the body.
Additional Tips for Hysterectomy After Care
Some additional tips and tricks can help you recover smoothly and quickly:
- Don’t skip Medicines: Avoid skipping medicines at any cost, because one gap in dose can increase your recovery period drastically.
- Regular Monitoring of the Incision Area: Monitoring the incision area is a must, identifying if there is any kind of infection spreading or redness.
- Engaging in Physical Activity Slowly: Don’t engage in high-impact activity in the initial recovery phase or the activities with sudden stops, as it can lead to an internal injury.
- Mental and Emotional Support: The Recovery phase can be challenging if you are not mentally prepared for it.
- Regular Follow-ups: Don’t skip any follow-up meetings scheduled with your doctors after surgery.
When To See Your Doctor Immediately?
You may require immediate support or a visit to doctors if you’re experiencing any symptoms from below after hysterectomy surgery:
- Blood clots in the uterus, or it is bleeding heavily
- If there is a symptoms of torn internal stitches after a hysterectomy
- Extreme pain in the abdomen and bladder area.
- Fever, white discharge could be a sign of internal infection
- Applying too much pressure during urination or irritation in the vaginal area.
- Difficulty in breathing or pinching pain in the chest
Conclusion
Hysterectomy is the second most common surgery for women. Some studies found that at least 92% of women had suffered from gynecological conditions. So, one of them is a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to easily remove or take out the uterus from its place. It means you no longer have periods and are unable to conceive a child. It’s necessary to take care of yourself after hysterectomy surgery, as we discussed above all the points related to the hysterectomy after care.