Your recovery time will depend on the type of surgery you had, your general health, and your support at home. If you don’t have support from family, friends or neighbours, ask your nurse or the hospital social worker if it’s possible to get help at home.
In most cases, you will feel better within 1–2 weeks and should be able to fully return to your usual activities after 4–8 weeks. Ask your treatment team for more information about your particular circumstances.
 | Rest upWhen you get home from hospital, take things easy and do only what is comfortable. You may like to try meditation or some relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety or tension. |
| LiftingAvoid heavy lifting (more than 3–4 kg) or heavy work (e.g. gardening) for at least 6–8 weeks. This will depend on the method and kind of surgery you’ve had. |
| WorkDepending on the type of work you do, you will probably need time off work. Ask your treatment team how long this might be. |
| DrivingYou will need to avoid driving after the surgery until pain in no way limits your ability to move freely. Discuss this issue with your doctor. Check with your car insurer for any exclusions regarding major surgery and driving. |
 | Eat wellTo help your body recover from surgery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. Include proteins such as lean meat, fish, eggs, milk, yoghurt, nuts and legumes/beans. |
| Bowel problemsYou may experience constipation after having a hysterectomy and taking strong pain medicines. You will probably be offered stool softeners while you’re taking pain medicines and until your bowel movements return to normal. |
| ExerciseYour treatment team will probably encourage you to walk on the day of the surgery. Research suggests that exercise helps manage some treatment side effects and speed up a return to usual activities. Speak to your doctor about suitable exercise and ask for a referral to a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist. To avoid infection, it’s best to avoid swimming for 5–6 weeks after surgery. |
| SexSexual intercourse should be avoided for up to 8 weeks after a hysterectomy. Ask your doctor or nurse when you can have sex again, and explore ways you and your partner can be intimate. |
For more on this, see our general section on Surgery.
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Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, VIC; Dr George Au-Yeung, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Centre, VIC; Dr David Chang, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Prof Anna DeFazio AM, Sydney West Chair of Translational Cancer Research, The University of Sydney, Director, Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research and Director, Sydney Cancer Partners, NSW; Ian Dennis. Consumer (Carer); A/Prof Simon Hyde, Head of Gynaecological Oncology, Mercy Hospital for Women, VIC; Carmel McCarthy, Consumer; Quintina Reyes, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Deb Roffe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA.
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