A vaginal laparoscopic hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing the uterus and cervix through the vagina with the help of cutting by laparoscopic tools. The laparoscopic tools and a camera for guidance in laparoscopic surgery require three separate small incisions: one in the belly button, and one on each side of the belly button. While the recovery from a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) is shorter than that of a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), it is still a major surgery and takes a large toll on the body.
Instructions
1. Take it easy. In order to recover from a surgery, the body needs rest. Stay in bed and sleep as much as possible. Don't try to do too much. Overdoing it can significantly increase the recovery time and cause major setbacks.
2. Ask for help. While a LAVH does have an easier recovery than an open abdominal hysterectomy, any hysterectomy surgery is tough on the body. Ask neighbors or members at church about meal help. Many times people are happy to bring meals to a family when they're dealing with surgery recovery. Since post-surgery restrictions include no lifting, get a friend or family member to help with cleaning as well.
3. Plan ahead. Make some food that's freezable beforehand, or stock up on quick preparation meals such as frozen meals or canned soups. Soups and stews are the best foods to freeze, as they tolerate the re-heating process better than other foods. Also, make sure to prepare the bed for homecoming post-op with easy access to a table for drinks and foods.
4. Stay on top of medication. For the first few days, take pain medication every 4 to 6 hours as prescribed. Do not let the time lapse thinking the pain is diminishing, because it will come back quickly. Once the pain comes back uncontrolled, it is much harder to get comfortable again. After a few days, space the dosing out a little more each time to slowly get off the pain medication.
5. Go slow. Avoid sudden movements, especially movements involving the abdominal muscles and groin. Turning, sitting up and bending over are motions that will cause pain.
6. Call with problems. Not every recovery goes as well as it should. If there's severe pain, pus, discharge, drainage or bleeding beyond spotting, it's a sign something is wrong. Call the doctor immediately, or head to the emergency room. Sometimes pain lingers longer than usual, and the prescription for pain medication runs out too soon. Don't be afraid to ask the doctor for a refill if this happens. It is not uncommon to need medication a little longer than originally planned.
Tags: pain medication, abdominal hysterectomy, belly button, laparoscopic tools, longer than