2010 Abdominal Hysterectomy
Abdominal Hysterectomy You are about to have an abdominal hysterectomy and you must have a lot of questions. We will try to answer some of your questions in this pamphlet. Please feel free to speak with your doctor and nurses about any questions or concerns you may have. What is an abdominal hysterectomy? An abdominal hysterectomy is an operation used to treat many different problems of the uterus (womb). ovaries uterus cervix vagina 1
During an abdominal hysterectomy, the uterus (womb), cervix (neck of the womb), and other tissues that support the womb, are taken out through an incision in your abdomen. Your doctor may also decide to remove both ovaries and the pelvic lymph nodes. The surgery will take 60-90 minutes. What happens before surgery? Blood samples will be taken. This is to make sure your hemoglobin, among other things, is OK. Your blood will be matched with donated blood in case you need blood during or after the operation. The evening before surgery, you may be given an enema to clean out your lower bowel. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight. What happens after surgery? You will be taken to the recovery area. You will stay here for a few hours until you are fully awake from the anesthetic. Once you are awake, you will be brought to the nursing unit. You will have an intravenous (I.V.) in your arm to give you fluids and any medications you may need. A catheter (tube) may be in your bladder to drain urine. Your nurse usually takes it out the morning after your operation. 2
You will have blood taken to make sure your hemoglobin and electrolytes are OK. You will be asked to take deep breaths and to cough deeply every 1 to 2 hours. This is to help prevent lung problems such as pneumonia. You will also be asked to turn in bed and to move your legs and feet. The nurse will help you to get out of bed the morning after your operation. As soon as possible, you will be helped to start walking. You should be up at least 3 times a day. These activities help prevent blood clots from forming. You will also receive injections of a blood thinning medication until you leave the hospital. You can help in your own recovery by getting up and walking about the unit. There will be a dressing on your abdomen, which is removed on the 1 st or 2 nd day after your operation. Your incision is usually closed with staples and will be cleaned as needed by your nurse. Your staples will be removed 7-10 days after surgery. Will I have pain after surgery? You may feel sore when you do your daily activities. There will be medication to help relieve your soreness. Please let your nurse know when you are starting to feel sore rather than waiting until the pain is severe. Pain medication can usually be given, when needed, every 3-4 hours. Nausea may also be a problem. Medication is also available for this. 3
When will I be able to eat? After surgery, the bowels stop working for a while. This occurs because the bowels are handled during the operation and also from the anesthetic. The night of your operation, you will receive fluids through your IV. As your bowels start to work, you will be able to have fluids gradually moving up to solid food. This may take a few days. Once you are eating and drinking, the IV will be removed. At Home Please read At Home After Gynecological Surgery. You may have a reddish to brownish discharge from the vagina for several days or it may last from 2-4 weeks. Sexual intercourse should be delayed for about 6 weeks after surgery. You may engage in other sexual activities such as cuddling, caressing and embracing, as you desire. When you do start having sexual intercourse, your abdomen may feel tender. It may take several months before you feel entirely comfortable. You may want to try positions for intercourse that take pressure off your abdomen such as side-lying or female-on-top. A hysterectomy does not lessen the ability to have orgasms. Some women find that their orgasms do not feel as intense (strong) as before the hysterectomy. 4
Each woman reacts to having an abdominal hysterectomy in her own way. There may be a period of time when you feel anxious about its effect on you, your partner, or the way you live. This is normal and to be expected. Talking with someone close can often help to relieve tension. Allow yourself time to adjust both physically and emotionally. Call your doctor if you have: fever and chills. increased redness, swelling or warmth around the incision. increased pain or tenderness around the incision. separation of the edges of the incision. drainage from the incision. vaginal dischage that is heavier than a normal period or if it has a foul odour. A follow-up appointment with your doctor will be arranged for you before you leave the hospital. 5
Looking for more health information? Contact your local public library for books, videos, magazine articles and online health information. For a list of public libraries in Nova Scotia go to HTTP://publiclibraries.ns.ca Capital Health promotes a smoke-free and scent-free environment. Please do not use perfumed products. Thank you! Capital Health, Nova Scotia www.cdha.nshealth.ca Revised: Terry Sveinson BN, RN, CON(C) and Ellen Crawley RN, Staff Nurses, 5A, VG, QEII, Halifax Reviewed: Angela Whynot, Nurse Educator Illustration by: LifeART Super Anatomy 1 Images, Copyright 1994, TechPool Studios Corp. USA Designed and Printed by: QEII Audio Visual and Printing Departments WP85-0415 Revised Jan.2010 The information in this pamphlet is to be updated every 3 years.