Have you had a hysterectomy? If so, what is a realistic recovery period?

I had the same procedure, leaving my ovaries intact. I recovered very quickly, and didn’t even need the pain medication after a day or two. However, I was easily exhausted for about a week and a half. Good luck to you!

I have heard that it all depends on the shape you are in when you have the surgery.

I know of one woman who was back at work in 3 weeks. That was really short, but she was a driven Marketing type, and trim and fit, and younger. She still looked exhausted.

I had a laparoscopic procedure too. I was out for 12 weeks and was none too ready to return to work then. For the first 6 weeks I didn’t even have enough energy to watch TV. It’s amazing how much energy it takes to be a passive viewer or listener, when you don’t have any. That whole time, I didn’t have the stamina to read a book. It was a good 6 months before I got my strength all the way back.

I would not dare count on recovery in two to three weeks. For one thing, there was a point after about 4 weeks—ask your doctor about this—when in the process of tightening up, the affected tissue suddenly hurt so bad that it felt like I was being cut to ribbons from the inside. There was some bleeding then, too. I thought I was dying and was scared silly. That lasted for several days, and I would have been useless in the workplace until it passed.

That 12-week recuperation period, by the way, was planned in advance with the advice of my doctor. It wasn’t a week-to-week decision. If it had been, I’d have gone back too soon. I took the warning, for once in my life, that if you rush back too quickly you can end up being out of commission much longer.

I think 2–3 weeks might be too optimistic. You may think you are ready, but then you could get halfway through the day and hit the wall so to speak.

I lost my ovaries so it was different. Screwed up my hormones so bad I can’t remember the next 3 years!

I had the same surgery and expected a 3 week recovery also as I was in good shape. However, I had complications, lost a lot of blood, and was still bleeding 3 weeks after my surgery. I had called my Dr. and she said it was normal. After week four of bleeding I stormed her office. I was pissed! I had a hysterectomy and should not be bleeding ever again. She determined the blood loss had formed into a blood clot and it was slowly bleeding out. It took the entire six weeks to recover and I was easily tired for at least 3 months after. I don’t know if it would have been different if that hadn’t happened.

Oh wow..thank you all.. this is very helpful. I think based on this I should definitely plan to not travel so soon after (2–3 weeks after surgery).
When I’m not on the road I work from home. When working from home if I hit that proverbial wall I can always shut off the laptop for a while and rest..

As naive as this will sound..I hadn’t even considered complications and bleeding afterwords. This is helpful to better set expectations with my employer… & also to give hubby a heads up so that he doesn’t expect I’ll be back cooking dinner directly after my hospital discharge.

I was so convinced that I would have the “quickest recovery ever” I got into my car after 4 days and drove to the mall. I didn’t even get out, I laid in my car for an hour before I had the energy to drive myself home.

@geeky_mama, aside from however much energy you may or may not have, travel might present its own obstacles. I hope you’ll discuss not only return to work but travel specifically when you talk with your doctor.

Remember, if you’re wrung out at the mall, you can always call your husband, a friend, or a taxi to come and get you. What are you going to do in some hotel 1200 miles from home when you don’t even have the strength to put one shoe on?

Your husband should be planning to feed you, help you dress, and take care of household maintenance for a little while. For a couple of days I’d say you should have somebody around or nearby on call all the time. And carry your cellphone on you or within constant reach, including (especially) when you get up and go to the bathroom.

I agree with @Jeruba and @beachbum76 . Even if you may be feeling pretty good. You can get very tired very quickly.
Also for a few weeks, going to the bathroom might be the most difficult part of your day. In saying that I don’t mean that the rest is easy, I mean that going to the bathroom might be quite difficult and stressful.

I went back to work after two weeks, too early. Even though my job is a sitting one, I was surprised at how stressed my abs and back were to keep me upright in the chair. Walking was slow even then and I completely agree with @wilma, going to the bathroom feels like being a kid again and knowing what to expect, so weird. I did take my pain meds for a whole month and had lots of help bathing, dressing and doing chores. I was 43 and in great shape but I gained about 10 lbs. after.

Wow. I had no idea how unusual my easy recovery was. Definitely listen to these other women, and don’t rely on me. Clearly, my experience is not the norm.

@Neizvestnaya – good points I’d failed to think.. it is one’s ab/core that keeps us upright in front of the computer. I think I’ll consider taking the time away from work (since it’s available to me) to truly let my body rest and recover.
Do you think it was just due to being inactive that you think led to the weight gain?

@geeky_mama: The weight gain was definitely from being slowed down that whole month where if I wasn’t sleeping then I was at work counting down the hours to go back to sleep. Rest as much as you can if you’ve got the leave and don’t get too excited if you notice you’re out of breath faster than normal, it all comes back- the good stuff too.

Thanks once again to all who shared their experiences. I’m on my first full day home from the hospital. (Surgery was Mon. morning Jan. 31st, I was released late afternoon Thursday).
I have am told I’m having a bit slower recovery due to long time anemia (started out anemic with a hemoglobin that was considered too low, normal value would be 12+, I was at 8..I lost very little blood during the actually surgery..but was released knowing I’m still at an abnormally low hemoglobin..now up to 9.) So..I’m taking things verrry slowly and sleeping 16+ hours each day.

I’m been given 20 calendar days off work—and this seems sufficient to me now..as today I’ve already gone back to WANTING to check email (in between naps). And, I’ve lost about 10lbs in total so far.
Mainly because I am not eating or able to eat much. (I get nausea with disruption to my system..so, I am losing rather than gaining thus far. )
I’ll be lurking back on Fluther again between naps. :)

Thanks again all for your helpful advice.

@geeky_mama I’m glad that it is over and you are recovering well.
Rest, eat right and don’t forget lots of fiber!

That’s great news @geeky_mama :D

Glad you’re back home! Get plenty of rest, and entertain yourself here. :)

@geeky_mama;
I got nausea and lost weight from the anesthesia. It took me a couple of weeks to get back to normal. It also made caffeine seem repulsive to me. Unfortunately, that part has been better for way to long.