Short-Term Recovery
Most people have questions and concerns about how they will feel when they wake up from surgery and also about recovery in the first few weeks. On this page we will cover some of the basics - check out the FAQ which is packed full of answers to your questions about surgery and surgical menopause!
How will I feel waking up from surgery?
How long will I need to stay in hospital?
How soon after surgery should I be able to urinate/poop?
Is vaginal bleeding normal after the op?
When will I be able to shower/bathe after surgery?
When will I be able to start driving?
Where can I find a list of recovery times to print?
How long do I need off work after surgery?
How soon after the operation will menopause symptoms, like hot flushes, begin?
How will I feel waking up from surgery?
This will vary from person to person. Waking up from anaesthetic can be a daunting experience, especially if you have not had surgery before.
Common experiences include:
Disorientation/being overwhelmed -Waking up from surgery can be disorienting and overwhelming. Gaining consciousness in unfamiliar surroundings can be confusing. It is common to feel emotional and teary upon waking up so know that it is very normal and you are not alone in experiencing this.
Nausea - The anaesthetic can make you nauseous, and it is not unusual to vomit when you awake. The nursing team will be used to this and will have sick bags/bowls available.
Trapped gas pain - During laparoscopic abdominal surgery, gas (commonly carbon dioxide) is used to ‘inflate’ the abdomen - giving the surgeon more room and a better view of your internal organs. Many report waking up with stomach and shoulder pain where the gas has moved post-op. Pain medication can help - as well as gentle movement where possible. This pain can last a few days.
Pain - Patients report varying levels of pain when waking up from surgery. For some it is very minimal, and others have greater pain. Your care team will be able to provide appropriate pain relief, so be sure to tell them about the pain you’re having and ask for additional help in managing the pain as needed. Do not let the pain build up before requesting help.
Feeling cold - It is common to feel very cold and have rigors (shaking due to being cold). This is usually due to the anesthetic inhibiting the body's capability to regulate temperature, although cutaneous vasodilation (triggered by post-operative pain) may also be a factor. Recovery nurses are trained to notice this and will provide blankets to keep you warm if needed.
“I remember coming to in the recovery room and being really confused and panicky about where I was. I threw up pretty much straight away and was frustrated at not being able to get the right words out of my mouth! I have a low tolerance to lots of medications and I was in and out of sleep for the next 12 hours - waking to eat snacks, drink lots of peppermint tea and to get monitored by the nurses that were in and out of my room”. - Patient
“When I woke up I felt crazy bloated (with shoulder tip pain - a new one on me!). I hated the feel of the catheter, but I was so relieved it was over and excited about sleeping all day with no interruptions!”. - Patient
Some find that heat pads on their abdomen help so do request them where possible.
How long will I need to stay in hospital?
This will vary depending on which type of surgery you had (e.g. laparoscopic or abdominal) plus (1) If there were any complications and (2) Which hospital you are having your surgery, as policy and procedure will vary across different facilities/health care systems.
Some people will go home the same day whilst others will stay in hospital up to 3/4/5 nights. You can ask your surgeon/care team in advance how long you will be expected to remain in hospital post-surgery if there are no complications.
For an abdominal surgery (the most invasive option), the average hospital stay in the US is around 3 days. For laparoscopic hysterectomy/oophorectomy in the US, most patients are discharged on the same day. Other countries will vary so it is best to ask your surgeon in advance.
“Take comfortable clothes (no tight waistbands or anything around the stomach) and shoes with a soft sole for your journey home. Also, take a pillow/cushion to put between yourself and the seat belt - it really helps make the journey home more comfortable!”
How soon after surgery should I be able to urinate/poop?
Urinating
It is likely you will be catheterized for surgery once you under the anaesthetic. Catheterization is when a small flexible tube is inserted into the urethra for draining urine from the bladder whilst you are unconscious.
The catheter is usually removed 12-24 hours after the surgery and urination often gets back to ‘normal’ pretty quickly.
Defectating
Painkillers and anesthesia can make you constipated and so some people find they will need medication to help them poop after surgery. It can take a couple of days for bowel movement to occur.
Avoid straining if you are constipated as you will have multiple internal stitches which need to heal. Ensure you drink plenty of fluids when you wake up from surgery to help your bowels! If you have any concerns about not being able to pass urine/poop do seek help from a healthcare professional.
Patients commonly recommend getting a ‘poop stool’ (a small stool or step) for when you are home to put your feet up on when trying to poop - this keeps your knees up and puts your body in a better position to not be straining. Glycerine suppositories can also help if you are constipated.
Is vaginal bleeding normal straight after the op?
A small amount of vaginal bleeding (similar to a normal period) is not unusual for up to 6 weeks following surgery. In this case, you should use a sanitary towel and not tampons/menstrual cups. You should not use any products that you have to insert into the vagina as this increases your risk of infection.
If you are experiencing more bleeding than a normal period, or noticing any clots or abnormal-smelling discharge, then you should visit a healthcare professional for a check up to make sure there is no infection.
When will I be able to shower/bathe after surgery?
You will be able to shower quite soon after having surgery - within 12 to 24 hours.
Surgeons generally encourage against taking a bath for the first several weeks.
It can be helpful to make sure you have a non-slip bath mat at home and have some help getting in and out of the shower initially. Try to avoid heavily scented products, which may aggravate any sensitive wounds.
“When drying yourself, be mindful to not rub any areas where you have external stitches as this can ‘pull’ on them which can lead to discomfort. Instead, gently dab the area or leave it to air dry”. - Patient
When will I be able to start driving?
Again, this will vary on which type of surgery you had (laparoscopic/abdominal) and how your personal recovery is going.
You should not drive a car until you can move easily and no longer require narcotic pain medications. Be mindful that you may have lots of internal stitches so you need to be careful in case you are involved in an accident and cause internal damage.
Speak to your health care provider if you have questions. Some Car Insurance companies request that you call them for approval before you start driving.
Recovery time chart
This download showing approximate recovery times for those who have had a Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy with Bilateral Oophorectomy (the most common surgery for PMDD) is a must to print off. If you live with - others then it can be wise to display it in a communal area (like on the kitchen fridge) so that they are all aware of your expected capabilities during your recovery.
Note - these timings are an estimate and to be used as a general guide. Those who have had abdominal surgery or just an oophorectomy will have to adjust these times to their needs.
How long do I need off work after surgery?
The timeframe will depend on a few factors: Mainly which type of surgery you had and which method of surgery was used (i.e., the invasiveness of the surgery) you may need longer to rest and heal. Recovery from laparoscopic (keyhole) surgeries will take less time to heal compared to an abdominal surgery. If you did not have a hysterectomy in addition to your ovary removal, you may find you need less time to recover.
It can also depend on your job role - it may take less time to return to work if you are desk based, and may take more time to return to work if your job is manual and requires more physical effort. As well as speaking to your doctor, it may be helpful to speak to your HR department if you feel a phased return to work would be useful to you. As well as the physical healing, fatigue is common and so it is important not to rush back to work before you feel capable to do so.
Your rights for leave can also vary from country to country. For example, in the UK, 6 weeks is the average time granted for time off work to recover from a hysterectomy/THBO, and in the U.S., FMLA leave can be used (up to 12 weeks per year) as needed before you are able to return to work.
Rest as much as possible during this time and do not lift anything heavy, such as bags of shopping. You need time for your abdominal muscles/internal stitches/tissues to heal.
“When you think you have to do something or be productive already…don't. Be prepared to let things go. Be prepared to be bored. Be prepared to say no…alot! Be prepared to feel guilty. You will be disabled temporarily and that is okay” - Patient
How soon after the operation will menopause symptoms, like hot flushes, begin?
This will vary from person to person and will depend on a number of factors. Those who are already on HRT pre-op may find that they don’t even have menopausal symptoms as their levels are kept at a good level.
The dosage and timing of HRT should be discussed with your surgeon prior to the operation. Some doctors we surveyed reported that they prefer to begin HRT as soon as the patient leaves the hospital (provided medical safety for the individual patient); however, there is no clear scientific guidance about when or at what level to start. Studies suggest that HRT is underused in surgical menopause, so it is important to have discussions with your doctor prior to surgery about how you will work together to optimize HRT in surgical menopause.
Remember that you may also experience short-term emotional symptoms during this transition. Several studies show that people with PMDD experience abnormal negative emotional reactions during hormone changes. However, recent studies ALSO show that these negative emotional reactions usually go away about one month after starting HRT. Therefore, if you can tolerate the symptoms in the first month following the start of HRT (or any changes in HRT), symptoms usually subside. So while it can be a difficult start, many can with PMDD can take HRT during surgical menopause.
If you’re concerned about your ability to cope with initial symptoms in the first month of HRT, we encourage you to start with a low dose and build up slowly. It is wise to be aware that this can be a difficult time of increased symptoms, and plan ahead to increase support from family, friends, and healthcare providers during this time. For example, some people are able to start HRT during a “quiet month” where there is less stress in their life. Some may also choose to see a supportive health care provider more frequently during the first month of HRT, or ask those around them to provide additional support during this time.
How soon after surgery can I begin aerobic exercise?
Healing times will vary depending on the type of procedure you had (i.e. abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic), what was removed (uterus, cervix, ovaries), and your physical fitness entering the surgery. However, everyone needs time to heal both internally and externally. It is important to talk to your surgeon about how soon you can do various exercises following surgery.
Following abdominal surgery, the following general recommendations can be made:
In the first few weeks, start with light movement, such as walking. Build up any movement gently, and listen to your body - if you feel any pain or discomfort, it is likely you need to rest a bit longer.
For the first 6 weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than 13 pounds. A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot lift something comfortably with one hand, do not lift it-- ask for help.
By 9 weeks, most people can safely return to aerobic exercise.
The general “rules of thumb” above should be adjusted after speaking with your surgeon to determine what is right for you.
“It is important to remember that everyone heals at a different pace, so you need to listen to your body to help you make sensible choices. You only get one chance to recover, so take your time and give yourself plenty of time to rest.” - Patient
Visit our surgery downloads section for lots of free handy downloads.
This project was financially assisted by The Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of The Patty Brisben Foundation for Women's Sexual Health.