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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Prof Martin Oehler, Director of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Clinical Professor, University of Adelaide, SA; Dawn Bedwell, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council QLD; Gemma Busuttil, Radiation Therapist, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, VIC; Angela Keating, Senior Psychologist, Royal Hospital for Women, NSW; Anne Mellon, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Gynaecological Oncology, Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, NSW; Dr Inger Olesen, Medical Oncologist, Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC; Dr Serena Sia, Radiation Oncologist, Fiona Stanley Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital, WA; A/Prof Megan Smith, Co-lead, Cervical Cancer and HPV Stream, The Daffodil Centre, Cancer Council NSW and The University of Sydney, NSW; Emily Stevens, Gynaecology Oncology Nurse Coordinator, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Melissa Whalen, Consumer.
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