Your recovery time after surgery will depend on the type of operation you had, your age and general health. In most cases, you will feel better within 6 weeks.
 | Rest upTake things easy for the first few weeks after the surgery. Ask family or friends to help you with household chores so you can rest as much as you need to. |
 | Activity and exerciseWalk regularly if your doctors say it is okay to do so. Gentle exercise can help speed up recovery. Speak to your doctor about when you can start more vigorous exercise or go swimming. |
 | WorkDepending on the type of work you do, you will probably need up to 4–6 weeks leave from your job. |
 | LiftingAvoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks, maybe more depending on the type of surgery you’ve had. |
 | SexYou’ll need to avoid sexual intercourse for at least 6 weeks after surgery to give the vaginal wound time to heal properly. |
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Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC; Angelyn Aligarbes, Consumer; A/Prof Emma Allanson, Gynaecological Oncologist and Head of Dept, Gynaecologic Oncology, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, WA; Gemma Busuttil, Radiation Therapist Specialist, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council VIC; Danielle Carpenter, Gynaecology Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Pearly Khaw, Lead Radiation Oncologist – Gynae-Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Georgina Richter, Gynae-Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; A/Prof Megan Smith, Research Fellow, Cancer Elimination Collaboration, University of Sydney, NSW; Sophia Wooldridge, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, John Hunter Hospital, NSW; Melissa Whalen, Consumer.
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