When can you return to work and exercise after a hysterectomy?
- Returning to non-lifting work occupations is best done for half days the first week if your employer will allow.
- Returning to strenuous lifting jobs should include the first two weeks at restricted lifting if possible.
- Abdominal exercises may be resumed at 6 weeks but returning to a preoperative exercise or recreation level needs to go more gradually as tolerated.
Women who have vaginal hysterectomies or laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomies recover about 2 weeks faster than women with larger abdominal incisions
- Women with vaginal hysterectomies may return to work in 4 weeks
- Driving may resume in 7-10 days for women after vaginal hysterectomy
- Even with no abdominal incision women should wait at least 4 weeks to resume vaginal intercourse.
- Lifting rules apply equally to women with vaginal hysterectomy as to women with abdominal incisions because they are slightly more prone to vaginal vault prolapse complications.
Please keep in mind, all of the postoperative instructions are guidelines that need to be modified according to the person, the procedure and the post operative problems that may or may not occur. Be sure to check with your physician if these are reasonable instructions for you.
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