While you were in the hospital, you had a vaginal hysterectomy. Your surgeon made a cut in your vagina. Your uterus was removed through this cut.

Your surgeon may have also used a laparoscope (a thin tube with a small camera on it) and other instruments that were inserted into your belly through several small incisions.

Part or all of your uterus was removed. Your fallopian tubes or ovaries may have also been removed. You probably spent 2 nights in the hospital.

What to Expect at Home

It will take at least 3 to 6 weeks to feel better. You will probably get tired easily during this time. You may not feel like eating much.

You will not have any scars on your skin unless your doctor used a laparoscope and other instruments that were inserted through your belly. In that case, you will have 2 to 4 scars less than 1-inch long.

You will likely have light spotting for 2 and 4 weeks. It may be pink, red, or brownish. It should not have a bad odor.

If you had good sexual function before the surgery, you should continue to have good sexual function afterward. If you had problems with severe bleeding before your hysterectomy, sexual function often improves after surgery. If you have a decrease in your sexual function after your hysterectomy, talk with your health care provider about possible causes and treatments.

Self-care

Slowly increase how much activity you do every day. Take short walks and increase how far you go gradually. Do not jog, do sit-ups, or other sports until you have checked with your doctor.

Do not lift anything heavier than a gallon jug of milk for a few weeks after surgery. Do not drive for the first 2 weeks.

Do not put anything into your vagina for the first 6 weeks. This includes douching or using tampons. Do not start having sexual intercourse for at least 6 weeks, and only after your doctor says it is okay.

If your surgeon also used a laparoscope:

• If sutures (stitches), staples, or glue were used to close your skin, you may remove the wound dressings and take a shower the day after surgery.
• If tape strips (Steri-Strips) were used to close your skin, cover your wounds with plastic wrap before showering for the first week. Do not try to wash the Steri-Strips off. They should fall off in about a week. If they are still in place after 10 days, remove them unless your doctor tells you not to.
• Do not soak in a bathtub or hot tub, or go swimming, until your doctor tells you it is okay.

Try eating smaller meals than normal and have healthy snacks in between. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and drink 8 cups of water a day to keep from getting constipated

To manage your pain:

• Your doctor will prescribe pain medicines to use at home.
• If you are taking pain pills 3 or 4 times a day, try taking them at the same times each day for 3 to 4 days. They may be more effective this way.
• Try getting up and moving around if you are having some pain in your belly. This may ease your pain.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor or nurse if:

• You have a fever above 100.5 °F
• Your surgical wound is bleeding, is red and warm to touch, or has thick, yellow, or green drainage.
• Your pain medicine is not helping your pain.
• It is hard to breathe.
• You have a cough that does not go away.
• You cannot drink or eat.
• You have pain or burning when you urinate, or you are unable to urinate.
• You have a discharge from your vagina that has a bad odor.
• You have bleeding from the vagina that is heavier than light spotting.
• You have swelling or redness in one of your legs.

Alternate Names

Vaginal hysterectomy - discharge; Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy - discharge; LAVH - discharge