How Long Till I Can Clean My House After Hysterectomy

This guide volition assist you get ready for your robotic-assisted or laparoscopic hysterectomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). Information technology will also help yous sympathise what to expect during your recovery.

Use this guide as a source of data in the days leading up to your surgery. Bring it with you on the twenty-four hours of your surgery. You and your healthcare team will refer to it as you learn more than nearly your recovery.

Dorsum to meridian

Well-nigh Your Surgery

A hysterectomy (HIS-teh-REK-toh-mee) is a surgery to remove your uterus. You may be having a hysterectomy because you lot have:

• Uterine cancer, cervical cancer, or ovarian cancer
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Heavy vaginal haemorrhage
• Pelvic pain

Your healthcare provider will talk with y'all about why you're having the surgery.

About your reproductive arrangement

Your reproductive system includes your ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina (encounter Figure ane). Your uterus is in your lower abdomen (belly) between your bladder and rectum. The lower narrow end of your uterus is called your cervix. Your ovaries and fallopian tubes are fastened to your uterus.

After your hysterectomy, you lot won't be able to have children naturally. You lot'll also stop menstruating (getting your monthly period). A hysterectomy doesn't cause menopause unless your ovaries are removed.

If you want to have biological children in the future, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a fertility specialist.

Effigy i. Your reproductive system

Robotic-assisted or laparoscopic hysterectomy

You'll have either a robotic-assisted or a laparoscopic hysterectomy.

With both types of hysterectomies, your surgeon will brand several minor incisions (surgical cuts) on your abdomen. They'll put a laparoscope (long, thin surgical tool with a video photographic camera) through one of the incisions into your abdomen. The laparoscope lets your surgeon see the inside of your abdomen.

Carbon dioxide gas volition exist pumped into your belly to make space. This gives your surgeon more room to practice your surgery. Your surgeon will also put long, skinny surgical tools into the other incisions on your belly.

• With a laparoscopic hysterectomy, your surgeon direct controls the surgical tools with their hands. They tin see the images from the laparoscope on a television monitor.
• With a robotic-assisted hysterectomy, your surgeon sits at a console and controls a robot that moves the surgical tools. The console has a special monitor where they tin come across the images from the laparoscope in 3 dimensions (3-D).

With both types of hysterectomies, your surgeon will remove your uterus and neck through your vagina, if possible. If your uterus or cervix can't be removed through your vagina, your surgeon will brand one of your incisions bigger and remove your uterus and neck from at that place. Then they'll close your incisions with sutures (stitches).

Yous might as well accept i or both of the post-obit procedures during your hysterectomy. Your surgeon will talk with you lot about the plan for your specific surgery.

Salpingo-oophorectomy

A salpingo-oophorectomy (sal-PIN-goh-oh-oh-foh-REK-toh-mee) is a surgery to remove your ovary and fallopian tube on 1 or both sides of your body.

If yous haven't started menopause, y'all'll go into menopause if both of your ovaries are removed. Y'all may have some of the common symptoms, including dark sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. Talk with your healthcare provider virtually means to manage these symptoms. If you've already gone through menopause, you shouldn't notice any changes.

Sentinel lymph node mapping and lymph node dissection

Lymph nodes are modest, bean-shaped glands that brand and store the cells that assist your trunk fight infections. Lymph nodes are found throughout your trunk. Sentinel lymph nodes are the lymph nodes near likely to be affected if yous accept cancer and information technology has spread.

If your surgeon thinks you may have cancer, they may do picket lymph node mapping and remove some of your lymph nodes during your surgery. This is called a lymph node dissection.

For scout lymph node mapping, your surgeon volition inject a pocket-sized corporeality of dye in the surface area where the cancer may be. They'll talk with you about the blazon of dye they'll use. This dye volition travel to the watch lymph node(south) and turn them blueish or green.

Once the sentinel node(due south) are located, your surgeon volition make a small incision. They'll remove the watch node(s) and ship them to the Pathology Department to exist checked for cancer cells.

Back to top

Before Your Surgery

The data in this section will aid you get ready for your surgery. Read this section when your surgery is scheduled and refer to it as your surgery engagement gets closer. It has important information almost what you need to do before your surgery.

As you read through this section, write down whatsoever questions you lot want to ask your healthcare provider.

Getting ready for your surgery

Yous and your care squad will work together to get set for your surgery.

Help u.s.a. keep you safe during your surgery by telling united states if any of the following statements employ to you, even if y'all aren't sure.

• I take a claret thinner, such every bit:
  • Aspirin
  • Heparin
  • Warfarin (Jantoven^® or Coumadin^®)
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix^®)
  • Enoxaparin (Lovenox^®)
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa^®)
  • Apixaban (Eliquis^®)
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto^®)
  There are others, and so be certain your healthcare provider knows all the medications you're taking.
• I take prescription medications (medications my healthcare provider prescribes), including patches and creams.
• I take over-the-counter medications (medications I buy without a prescription), including patches and creams.
• I take dietary supplements, such every bit herbs, vitamins, minerals, or natural or dwelling remedies.
• I take a pacemaker, automated implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD), or other heart device.
• I have sleep apnea.
• I've had a problem with anesthesia (medication to brand me sleep during surgery) in the past.
• I'yard allergic to sure medication(s) or materials, including latex.
• I'thou not willing to receive a claret transfusion.
• I drink booze.
• I smoke or utilise an electronic smoking device (such as a vape pen, e-cigarette, or Juul^®).
• I utilize recreational drugs.

About drinking alcohol

The amount of alcohol you lot drink can affect y'all during and afterward your surgery. It's of import to talk with your healthcare providers about how much alcohol you drink. This will aid us plan your intendance.

• If you stop drinking alcohol all of a sudden, information technology can cause seizures, delirium, and death. If we know you're at risk for these complications, we can prescribe medications to assistance go along them from happening.
• If you drink booze regularly, you may be at risk for other complications during and after your surgery. These include bleeding, infections, heart bug, and a longer hospital stay.

Hither are things you tin do before your surgery to go on from having issues:

• Be honest with your healthcare providers most how much alcohol you lot drink.
• Effort to cease drinking alcohol one time your surgery is planned. If yous develop a headache, nausea (feeling like you're going to throw upwards), increased feet, or can't sleep subsequently you terminate drinking, tell your healthcare provider right away. These are early signs of alcohol withdrawal and can exist treated.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you can't terminate drinking.
• Ask your healthcare provider questions nigh drinking and surgery. Every bit e'er, all of your medical data will be kept confidential.

About smoking

If you smoke, you tin have breathing bug when you have surgery. Stopping even for a few days before surgery can help. Your healthcare provider volition refer you lot to our Tobacco Treatment Programme if you smoke. You tin can also attain the programme past calling 212-610-0507.

About sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a common breathing disorder that causes you to stop breathing for short periods of time while sleeping. The most common type is obstructive slumber apnea (OSA). With OSA, your airway becomes completely blocked during slumber. OSA tin can cause serious problems during and after surgery.

Please tell us if y'all take slumber apnea or if you recall you might have it. If you lot utilise a breathing device (such as a CPAP device) for sleep apnea, bring information technology with you the day of your surgery.

Using MyMSK

MyMSK (my.mskcc.org) is your MSK patient portal account. You can use MyMSK to send and receive messages from your care team, view your test results, come across your appointment dates and times, and more. You lot tin can likewise invite your caregiver to create their ain business relationship then they can come across data about your care.

If you don't have a MyMSK account, you can visit my.mskcc.org, call 646-227-2593, or call your medico's office for an enrollment ID to sign upwards. You can also watch our video How to Enroll in MyMSK: Memorial Sloan Kettering's Patient Portal. For help, contact the MyMSK Help Desk by emailing mymsk@mskcc.org or calling 800-248-0593.

Inside 30 days of your surgery

Presurgical Testing (PST)

Before your surgery, you'll take an appointment for presurgical testing (PST). The engagement, time, and location volition be printed on the appointment reminder from your surgeon's office. Information technology'southward helpful to bring the post-obit things to your PST appointment:

• A list of all the medications you're taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, patches, and creams.
• Results of any tests washed exterior of MSK, such as a cardiac stress exam, echocardiogram, or carotid doppler study.
• The name(s) and telephone number(s) of your healthcare provider(due south).

You tin eat and take your usual medications the day of your appointment.

During your PST appointment, yous'll run across with a nurse practitioner (NP). They work closely with anesthesiology staff (specialized healthcare providers who will give you anesthesia during your surgery). Your NP will review your medical and surgical history with you. You may have tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) to bank check your heart rhythm, a chest x-ray, blood tests, and whatever other tests needed to plan your care. Your NP may also recommend that you see other healthcare providers.

Your NP will talk with you well-nigh which medications you should have the morning of your surgery.

Identify your caregiver

Your caregiver plays an of import role in your care. Before your surgery, you lot and your caregiver will learn about your surgery from your healthcare providers. After your surgery, your caregiver will take you home when you lot're discharged from the infirmary. They'll likewise help y'all intendance for yourself at home.

For caregivers

‌Resources and support are available to help manage the responsibilities that come with caring for a person going through cancer treatment. For support resources and data, visit www.mskcc.org/caregivers or read A Guide for Caregivers.

Arrange for someone to take you lot home

You must accept a responsible care partner take y'all domicile after your surgery. A responsible care partner is someone who can aid yous get home safely. They should exist able to contact your care squad if they accept any concerns. Make sure to plan this before the twenty-four hours of your surgery.

If you lot don't take a responsible care partner to accept you habitation, call one of the agencies below. They'll send someone to go domicile with you. There's ofttimes a charge for this service, and you lot'll need to provide transportation. It's OK to apply a taxi or car service, but you lot still need a responsible intendance partner with you.

Complete a Wellness Intendance Proxy form

If you lot haven't already completed a Wellness Care Proxy form, we recommend you complete one now. If yous've already completed one or have whatever other accelerate directives, bring them to your next engagement.

A health care proxy is a legal document that identifies the person who volition speak for you if you can't communicate for yourself. The person y'all identify is called your health care agent.

Talk with your healthcare provider if you're interested in completing a health intendance proxy. You tin besides read the resources Advance Care Planning and How to Be a Health Care Agent for data about wellness intendance proxies, other accelerate directives, and being a health care agent.

Practise breathing and coughing exercises

Practice taking deep breaths and cough before your surgery. Your healthcare provider will requite yous an incentive spirometer to aid expand your lungs. For more information, read How to Use Your Incentive Spirometer.

Do

Try to do aerobic practice every day. Aerobic practice is whatever exercise that makes your heart beat out faster, such equally walking, swimming, or biking. If it'south cold outside, use stairs in your home or get to a mall or shopping middle. Exercising volition help your body get into its best condition for your surgery and make your recovery faster and easier.

Follow a healthy diet

Follow a well-balanced, healthy diet before your surgery. If you need assist with your diet, talk with your healthcare provider nearly coming together with a clinical dietitian nutritionist.

Buy a 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solution antiseptic skin cleanser (such as Hibiclens®), if needed

Your nurse will tell you if you need to wash with a 4% CHG solution clarified skin cleanser before your surgery. Follow their instructions.

4% CHG solution is a skin cleanser that kills germs for 24 hours after you use it. Showering with it before your surgery will help lower your risk of infection after surgery. You tin buy a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser at your local pharmacy without a prescription.

7 days before your surgery

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for taking aspirin

If y'all take aspirin or a medication that contains aspirin, you may need to change your dose or stop taking it 7 days before your surgery. Aspirin tin cause bleeding.

Follow your healthcare provider'due south instructions. Don't stop taking aspirin unless they tell y'all to. For more than information, read the resource Mutual Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin Due east.

Stop taking vitamin Due east, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements

Stop taking vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements 7 days before your surgery. These things can cause haemorrhage. For more than information, read the resource Herbal Remedies and Cancer Treatment.

2 days before your surgery

Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Stop taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil^® and Motrin^®) and naproxen (Aleve^®), ii days before your surgery. These medications can cause bleeding. For more than information, read the resource Common Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin Eastward.

1 day earlier your surgery

Note the time of your surgery

A staff member from the Admitting Function volition call you after two:00 p.one thousand. the day before your surgery. If your surgery is scheduled for a Mon, they'll call you on the Fri before. If you don't get a call past seven:00 p.1000., call 212-639-5014.

The staff member volition tell you what time to arrive at the hospital for your surgery. They'll likewise remind you where to become.

Shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic peel cleanser (such as Hibiclens), if needed

If your healthcare provider told you to, shower using a iv% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser the night before your surgery.

1. Utilize your normal shampoo to launder your hair. Rinse your caput well.
2. Use your normal lather to launder your face and genital area. Rinse your trunk well with warm water.
3. Open the iv% CHG solution canteen. Pour some into your hand or a clean washcloth.
4. Move abroad from the shower stream. Rub the iv% CHG solution gently over your body from your neck to your anxiety. Don't put information technology on your face or genital expanse.
5. Motility back into the shower stream to rinse off the 4% CHG solution. Use warm water.
6. Dry yourself off with a clean towel after your shower.
7. Don't put on any lotion, foam, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne after your shower.

Instructions for eating earlier your surgery

‌
Exercise non consume anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes difficult processed and gum.

The morning of your surgery

Instructions for drinking before your surgery

‌  You tin drink a total of 12 ounces of h2o between midnight and ii hours before your scheduled inflow time. Do not drink anything else.

Exercise not drink anything starting 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time. This includes h2o.

Take your medications as instructed

If your healthcare provider told you to take sure medications the morning of your surgery, take only those medications with a sip of water. Depending on what medications you take, this may exist all, some, or none of your usual morning time medications.

Shower with a 4% CHG solution clarified peel cleanser (such as Hibiclens), if needed

If your healthcare provider told you to, shower with a four% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser before you leave for the hospital. Utilise it the aforementioned way you did the night before.

Don't put on whatever balm, foam, deodorant, makeup, pulverisation, perfume, or cologne afterward your shower.

Things to recall

• Wearable something comfortable and loose-fitting.
• If you lot wear contact lenses, clothing your spectacles instead. Wearing contact lenses during surgery tin impairment your eyes.
• Don't wear any metal objects. Remove all jewelry, including torso piercings. The tools used during your surgery can crusade burns if they touch on metallic.
• Leave valuable items at home.
• If you're menstruating (have your monthly period), use a sanitary pad, not a tampon. You'll become disposable underwear, as well as a pad if needed.

What to bring

• Your breathing device for sleep apnea (such equally your CPAP device), if you have ane.
• Your incentive spirometer, if you accept 1.
• Your Health Care Proxy form and other accelerate directives, if you completed them.
• Your cell phone and charger.
• Just the coin you lot may desire for small purchases (such as a newspaper).
• A instance for your personal items (such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetic devices, wig, or religious manufactures), if you have any.
• This guide. Your healthcare team will utilize it to teach yous how to treat yourself subsequently surgery.

Once you're in the infirmary

Staff members volition ask you to say and spell your name and nativity date many times. This is for your condom. People with the same or a similar name may exist having surgery on the same day.

When it's fourth dimension to change for surgery, you'll become a hospital gown, robe, and nonskid socks to habiliment.

Come across with a nurse

You'll run across with a nurse earlier surgery. Tell them the dose of any medications you took after midnight (including prescription and over-the-counter medications, patches, and creams) and the time you took them.

Your nurse may place an intravenous (IV) line in one of your veins, usually in your arm or hand. If your nurse doesn't place the Four, your anesthesiologist will do information technology in the operating room.

Meet with an anesthesiologist

You'll as well run into with an anesthesiologist before surgery. They will:

• Review your medical history with you.
• Ask if you've had whatsoever problems with anesthesia in the by, including nausea or pain.
• Talk with you lot about your comfort and condom during your surgery.
• Talk with y'all nigh the kind of anesthesia y'all'll go.
• Answer your questions well-nigh your anesthesia.

Get gear up for your surgery

When it's time for your surgery, yous'll demand to remove your hearing aids, dentures, prosthetic device(s), wig, and religious articles, if y'all have them.

You'll either walk into the operating room or be taken in on a stretcher. A member of the operating room team will aid you lot onto the operating bed and identify compression boots on your lower legs. These gently inflate and deflate to help claret flow in your legs. You may as well have a blood pressure level cuff and EKG pads to monitor you during your surgery.

In one case yous're comfortable, your anesthesiologist will give yous anesthesia through your Iv line and you'll fall asleep. You'll also get fluids through your IV line during and after your surgery.

During your surgery

After you're fully comatose, a breathing tube will be placed through your mouth and into your windpipe to help you exhale. A urinary (Foley) catheter will likewise be placed to drain urine (pee) from your bladder.

Once your surgery is finished, your surgeon will close your incisions with sutures and cover them with Steri-Strips^™ (thin pieces of surgical tape) or Dermabond^® (surgical glue). They may also cover them with a dry out, foursquare, white dressing (cast) called a Primapore^® dressing.

Your animate tube is usually taken out while you're notwithstanding in the operating room.

Dorsum to top

After Your Surgery

The information in this section will tell you what to expect subsequently your surgery, both during your hospital stay and after yous exit the infirmary. You'll learn how to safely recover from your surgery.

As y'all read through this section, write down any questions you want to ask your healthcare provider.

In the Post-Anesthesia Intendance Unit (PACU) or your recovery room

When you wake up after your surgery, y'all'll be in the PACU or your recovery room. A nurse will be keeping track of your body temperature, claret pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels. You may exist getting oxygen through a thin tube that rests beneath your nose. You'll also have compression boots on your lower legs.

You may have a urinary catheter in your bladder to help continue rail of how much urine (pee) yous're making. If you practice, it should exist removed before you get abode.

Managing your pain

Y'all'll get pain medication through your IV line or every bit a tablet that you swallow. Your healthcare providers volition ask y'all about your hurting frequently and requite y'all medication equally needed. If your pain isn't relieved, tell one of your healthcare providers. Information technology's important to control your pain and then you can utilise your incentive spirometer and move around.

You lot'll get a prescription for pain medication before you leave the hospital. Talk with your healthcare provider most possible side effects and when to start switching to over-the-counter pain medications.

Moving around and walking

Moving around and walking volition assistance lower your adventure for blood clots and pneumonia (lung infection). Information technology will also assist you starting time passing gas and having bowel movements (pooping) again. Your nurse or physical therapist will help you move around, if needed.

Read the resource Call! Don't Autumn! to learn what you lot can do to stay safe and continue from falling while you're in the hospital.

Using your incentive spirometer

Utilize your incentive spirometer 10 times every hour you're awake. This will assistance your lungs expand fully, which helps forbid pneumonia. For more information, read the resource How to Use Your Incentive Spirometer.

Leaving the hospital

Before you leave, expect at your incisions with one of your healthcare providers. Knowing what they look similar will assist you lot notice any changes afterwards.

About people don't need any supplies after surgery. If y'all exercise, such every bit if you're leaving the hospital with tubes or drains, your nurse volition order them for you.

Before yous leave, your healthcare provider will write your discharge order and prescriptions. Y'all'll also get written discharge instructions. One of your healthcare providers volition review them with yous before y'all exit.

At home

Filling out your Recovery Tracker

We want to know how you're feeling later on you leave the hospital. To assistance us continue caring for you, we'll ship questions to your MyMSK account every day for 10 days afterward yous exit the hospital. These questions are known as your Recovery Tracker.

Fill out your Recovery Tracker every day before midnight (12:00 am). It only takes 2 to three minutes to consummate. Your answers to these questions will assistance us understand how you're feeling and what yous demand.

Based on your answers, nosotros may accomplish out to you for more than information or ask yous to call your surgeon's office. You lot can always contact your surgeon's function if you have any questions. For more information, read the resource About Your Recovery Tracker .

Eating and drinking

You'll be able to eat after your surgery. Start with foods that are soft and easy to digest, such as applesauce and chicken noodle soup. Consume small-scale meals often. Then start adding your regular foods to your diet.

If you have bloating, gas, or cramps, limit high-fiber foods, such as:

• Whole grain breads and cereal
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Salads
• Fresh fruit
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower

Managing your hurting

You'll have some hurting after your surgery, especially in the first few days. The length of time each person has pain or discomfort varies.

Follow the guidelines below to help manage your pain at home.

• Take your medications as directed and every bit needed.
• Call your healthcare provider if the medication prescribed for you lot doesn't ease your hurting.
• Don't drive or drink alcohol while yous're taking prescription pain medication. Some prescription hurting medications can make you drowsy. Alcohol can make the drowsiness worse.
• Equally your incision heals, you'll have less pain and need less pain medication. An over-the-counter pain reliever such every bit acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (Advil^® or Motrin^®) will ease aches and discomfort.
  • Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for stopping your prescription pain medication.
  • Don't have more than of any medication than the amount directed on the characterization or as instructed by your healthcare provider.
  • Read the labels on all the medications you lot're taking, particularly if you're taking acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is an ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription medications. Taking too much tin can damage your liver. Don't take more than than i medication that contains acetaminophen without talking with a member of your intendance squad.
• Pain medication should aid you resume your normal activities. Take plenty medication to do your activities and exercises comfortably. Information technology's normal for your pain to increase a trivial as you start to exist more active.
• Keep track of when you take your pain medication. It works all-time thirty to 45 minutes after you take it. Taking information technology when you lot first have pain is better than waiting for the pain to get worse.

It's also common to accept some discomfort after surgery from the air that was pumped into your abdomen during surgery. To help with this, walk, drinkable plenty of liquids, and make sure to take the stool softeners your healthcare provider gave you.

Preventing and managing constipation

Some prescription pain medications (such as opioids) may cause constipation (having fewer bowel movements than usual). Talk with your healthcare provider about how to prevent and manage constipation. Yous tin can also follow the guidelines below.

• Get to the bathroom at the same fourth dimension every 24-hour interval. Your torso volition get used to going at that time. If you feel similar you need to go, though, don't put it off.
• Endeavor to use the bathroom 5 to fifteen minutes after meals. After breakfast is a good time to get. That's when the reflexes in your colon are strongest.
• Practise, if you lot can. Walking is an excellent form of exercise.
• Beverage 8 to 10 (8-ounce) glasses (2 liters) of liquids daily, if you tin can.
  • Choose liquids such as h2o, juices (such every bit prune juice), soups, and ice cream shakes.
  • Avoid liquids with caffeine (such as java and soda). Caffeine can pull fluid out of your torso.
• Slowly increase the fiber in your nutrition to 25 to 35 grams per day. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cereals comprise fiber. If you take an ostomy or have had recent bowel surgery, check with your healthcare provider before making any changes in your diet.
• Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to care for constipation. Bank check with your healthcare provider earlier taking any medications for constipation, especially if you take an ostomy or take had bowel surgery. Follow the instructions on the label or from your healthcare provider. Examples of over-the-counter medications for constipation include:
  • Docusate sodium (Colace^®). This is a stool softener (medication that makes your bowel movements softer) that causes few side effects. You can apply information technology to help forestall constipation. Don't have it with mineral oil.
  • Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX^®). This is a laxative (medication that causes bowel movements) that causes few side effects. Take information technology with 8 ounces (1 cup) of a liquid. Only accept it if you're already constipated.
  • Senna (Senokot^®). This is a stimulant laxative, which can cause cramping. It'due south best to take it at bedtime. Only take it if y'all're already constipated.

If whatever of these medications crusade diarrhea (loose, watery bowel movements), stop taking them. Y'all can showtime once more if needed.

If you haven't had a bowel movement in 2 days, call your healthcare provider.

Caring for your incisions

You'll have several small incisions on your abdomen. They'll be closed with Steri-Strips or Dermabond. They may as well exist covered with square white Primapore dressings.

• If you take Primapore dressings, you can take them off in the shower 24 hours afterward your surgery.
• If you have Steri-Strips or Dermabond, they'll loosen and may autumn or peel off on their own. If they haven't fallen off inside ten days, y'all can take them off. Don't take them off before and so.

Don't get your incisions wet for the get-go 24 hours (1 day) after your surgery. After that, clean them with soap and water in the shower every day.

Showering

Don't shower for the first 24 hours after your surgery. After that, take a shower every day to make clean your incisions. Taking a warm shower is also relaxing and can help musculus aches.

During your shower, use soap to gently wash your incisions. Later on your shower, pat the areas dry with a clean towel and exit your incisions uncovered (unless in that location's drainage). Call your healthcare provider if y'all see any redness or drainage from your incision.

Don't take tub baths until you talk with your healthcare provider at your first engagement later on your surgery.

Managing vaginal spotting or bleeding

It'due south common to take some vaginal spotting or light bleeding after surgery. Use a pad or a panty liner so you can see how much you're spotting or bleeding. Don't use a tampon.

If y'all accept heavy bleeding (y'all're bleeding through a pad or liner every 1 to 2 hours), phone call your healthcare provider right away.

Sexual practice

Don't put anything in your vagina or accept vaginal intercourse (sex) for 8 weeks after your surgery. Some people volition need to wait longer than viii weeks, then speak with your healthcare provider before starting to accept vaginal sex once more.

Driving and traveling

You can showtime driving again 2 weeks after surgery as long as you aren't taking pain medication that may make you lot drowsy.

Information technology's OK to travel afterward your surgery. If you're traveling by plane within a few weeks afterwards your surgery, make sure you go up and walk every hour. Be sure to stretch your legs, drink plenty of liquids, and go along your feet elevated when possible.

Going back to work

Almost people can render to work about two to 4 weeks after the surgery. Talk with your healthcare provider about your task and when it may be prophylactic for yous to start working over again. The time information technology takes to return to work depends on the blazon of work y'all do, the type of surgery you had, and how fast your body heals.

Physical activity and do

Don't lift anything heavier than ten pounds (4.5 kilograms) for at least four weeks later surgery. Speak with your healthcare provider near when y'all tin do heavy lifting.

Doing aerobic do, such as walking and stair climbing, volition assistance y'all proceeds forcefulness and feel better. Gradually increase the distance you walk. Climb stairs slowly, resting or stopping every bit needed. Inquire your healthcare provider before starting more than strenuous exercises.

Managing your feelings

After surgery for a serious illness, you may have new and upsetting feelings. Many people say they felt weepy, deplorable, worried, nervous, irritable, and aroused at one fourth dimension or another. You may discover that you can't control some of these feelings. If this happens, it's a practiced idea to seek emotional support. Your healthcare provider can refer yous to MSK's Counseling Centre. You lot can also reach them past calling 646-888-0200.

The kickoff step in coping is to talk almost how yous feel. Family unit and friends tin can assist. Your healthcare providers tin can reassure, support, and guide yous. Information technology'southward e'er a good idea to let u.s. know how you, your family, and your friends are feeling emotionally. Many resources are available to y'all and your family unit. Whether you're in the hospital or at home, nosotros're here to help you and your family and friends handle the emotional aspects of your affliction.

Follow-up appointments after surgery

Your first appointment after surgery will be 2 to iv weeks after surgery. Your nurse volition requite y'all instructions on how to make this date, including the phone number to phone call.

When to call your healthcare provider

Phone call your healthcare provider if:

• Yous take a fever of 101 °F (38.three °C) or higher.
• You have pain that doesn't get better with pain medication.
• At that place'south redness, drainage, or swelling effectually your incisions.
• Your calves or thighs are swollen or tender.
• Yous coughing up claret.
• Y'all take any shortness of jiff or difficulty breathing.
• You lot don't pass gas or have whatsoever bowel movement for 3 days or longer.
• You accept nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• You have whatever questions or concerns.

Contact information

Monday through Friday from ix:00 a.1000. to five:00 p.m., call your healthcare provider'due south part.

Later on 5:00 p.chiliad., during the weekend, and on holidays, call 212-639-2000 and enquire to speak to the person on call for your healthcare provider.

Back to peak

Back up Services

This section has a list of support services that may help you lot get set up for your surgery and recover safely.

As you lot read through this section, write downwards any questions yous want to inquire your healthcare provider.

MSK support services

For more online information, visit the Cancer Types section of www.mskcc.org.

Admitting Role
212-639-7606
Call if yous accept questions most your infirmary admission, including requesting a private room.

Anesthesia
212-639-6840
Call if you have questions about anesthesia.

Blood Donor Room
212-639-7643
Call for information if you're interested in donating blood or platelets.

Bobst International Eye
888-675-7722
MSK welcomes patients from effectually the world. If you lot're an international patient, call for assist arranging your care.

Counseling Center
646-888-0200
Many people find that counseling helps them. We provide counseling for individuals, couples, families, and groups, likewise every bit medications to help if you experience anxious or depressed. To make an engagement, inquire your healthcare provider for a referral or phone call the number higher up.

Female Sexual Medicine and Women'southward Wellness Program
646-888-5076
Cancer and cancer treatments tin can accept an impact on your sexual health. Our Female Sexual Medicine and Women'southward Wellness Programme can help if y'all're dealing with cancer-related sexual health challenges such as premature menopause or fertility issues. Call for more information or to make an engagement. Nosotros can help you lot have activeness and accost sexual health problems before, during, or after your treatment.

Food Pantry Program
646-888-8055
The food pantry programme provides food to people in demand during their cancer handling. For more data, talk with your healthcare provider or call the number higher up.

Integrative Medicine Service
646-888-0800
Integrative Medicine Service offers many services to complement (go on with) traditional medical care, including music therapy, heed/trunk therapies, dance and movement therapy, yoga, and touch therapy.

Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program
646-888-6024
Cancer and cancer treatments can have an impact on your sexual wellness. Our Male person Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Programme can assist if you're dealing with cancer-related sexual health challenges such as erectile dysfunction (ED). Call for data or to make an appointment. We can help you have action and address sexual wellness issues earlier, during, or afterwards your treatment.

MSK Library
library.mskcc.org
212-639-7439
You tin visit our library website or speak with the library reference staff to discover more information most your specific cancer type. You lot can also visit LibGuides on MSK's library website at libguides.mskcc.org

Patient and Caregiver Educational activity
www.mskcc.org/pe
Visit the Patient and Caregiver Didactics website to search our virtual library. There you can detect written educational resources, videos, and online programs.

Patient and Caregiver Peer Back up Program
212-639-5007
You may find information technology comforting to speak with someone who has been through a handling like yours. Yous can talk with a former MSK patient or caregiver through our Patient and Caregiver Peer Support Program. These conversations are confidential. They may have identify in person or over the telephone.

Patient Billing
646-227-3378
Phone call if you have questions about preauthorization with your insurance company. This is as well called preapproval.

Patient Representative Office
212-639-7202
Phone call if you have questions about the Health Care Proxy form or if you take concerns virtually your intendance.

Perioperative Nurse Liaison
212-639-5935
Call if yous accept questions virtually MSK releasing whatsoever information while yous're having surgery.

Private Duty Nursing Part
212-639-6892
You may request private nurses or companions. Telephone call for more data.

Resources for Life Later Cancer (RLAC) Program
646-888-8106
At MSK, care doesn't finish after agile handling. The RLAC Programme is for patients and their families who have finished treatment. This plan has many services, including seminars, workshops, support groups, counseling on life afterwards handling, and help with insurance and employment problems.

Social Work
212-639-7020
Social workers assist patients, family, and friends deal with issues that are mutual for cancer patients. They provide individual counseling and support groups throughout the course of treatment and can assist yous communicate with children and other family unit members. Our social workers can also assistance refer you lot to community agencies and programs, also every bit financial resources if you lot're eligible.

Spiritual Care
212-639-5982
Our chaplains (spiritual counselors) are bachelor to listen, aid support family members, pray, contact customs clergy or faith groups, or simply be a comforting companion and a spiritual presence. Anyone tin asking spiritual support, regardless of formal religious amalgamation. MSK'southward interfaith chapel is located near Memorial Hospital's main lobby. It's open up 24 hours a 24-hour interval. If you accept an emergency, call 212-639-2000. Ask for the chaplain on phone call.

Tobacco Handling Plan
212-610-0507
If you desire to quit smoking, MSK has specialists who tin help. Call for information.

Virtual Programs
world wide web.mskcc.org/vp
MSK's Virtual Programs offering online education and support for patients and caregivers, fifty-fifty when you tin't come to MSK in person. Through live, interactive sessions, you can learn almost your diagnosis, what to expect during treatment, and how to set for the various stages of your cancer intendance. Sessions are confidential, free, and led by good clinical staff. If you're interested in joining a Virtual Programme, visit our website at www.mskcc.org/vp for more information.

External back up services

Access-A-Ride
web.mta.info/nyct/paratran/guide.htm
877-337-2017
In New York Metropolis, the MTA offers a shared ride, door-to-door service for people with disabilities who can't accept the public double-decker or subway.

Air Charity Network
www.aircharitynetwork.org
877-621-7177
Provides travel to handling centers.

American Cancer Society (ACS)
world wide web.cancer.org
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Offers a diverseness of information and services, including Hope Lodge, a gratuitous identify for patients and caregivers to stay during cancer treatment.

Cancer and Careers
www.cancerandcareers.org
A resource for pedagogy, tools, and events for employees with cancer.

CancerCare
world wide web.cancercare.org
800-813-4673
275 Seventh Avenue (Between West 25^th & 26^thursday Streets)
New York, NY 10001
Provides counseling, back up groups, educational workshops, publications, and financial assistance.

Cancer Back up Community
www.cancersupportcommunity.org
Provides support and teaching to people afflicted by cancer.

Caregiver Activeness Network
www.caregiveraction.org
800-896-3650
Provides education and support for people who treat loved ones with a chronic illness or disability.

Corporate Angel Network
www.corpangelnetwork.org
866-328-1313
Offers free travel to treatment across the country using empty seats on corporate jets.

Gilda's Club
www.gildasclubnyc.org
212-647-9700
A place where men, women, and children living with cancer find social and emotional back up through networking, workshops, lectures, and social activities.

Good Days
www.mygooddays.org
877-968-7233
Offers fiscal assistance to pay for copayments during treatment. Patients must have medical insurance, meet the income criteria, and be prescribed medication that's part of the Good Days formulary.

Healthwell Foundation
www.healthwellfoundation.org
800-675-8416
Provides financial assistance to cover copayments, health care premiums, and deductibles for sure medications and therapies.

Joe's Business firm
www.joeshouse.org
877-563-7468
Provides a listing of places to stay near handling centers for people with cancer and their families.

LGBT Cancer Project
http://lgbtcancer.com/
Provides support and advocacy for the LGBT community, including online back up groups and a database of LGBT-friendly clinical trials.

LIVESTRONG Fertility
world wide web.livestrong.org/nosotros-tin can-help/fertility-services
855-744-7777
Provides reproductive data and support to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments accept risks associated with infertility.

Wait Good Feel Better Plan
www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org
800-395-Look (800-395-5665)
This program offers workshops to learn things you tin do to aid you experience improve about your appearance. For more information or to sign up for a workshop, call the number above or visit the program'south website.

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)

National Cancer Legal Services Network
www.nclsn.org
Costless cancer legal advocacy programme.

National LGBT Cancer Network
www.cancer-network.org
Provides education, training, and advancement for LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk.

Needy Meds
www.needymeds.org
Lists Patient Aid Programs for brand and generic proper noun medications.

NYRx
www.nyrxplan.com
Provides prescription benefits to eligible employees and retirees of public sector employers in New York State.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
www.pparx.org
888-477-2669
Helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get free or low-cost medications.

Patient Access Network Foundation
www.panfoundation.org
866-316-7263
Provides aid with copayments for patients with insurance.

Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org
800-532-5274
Provides access to intendance, financial assistance, insurance assistance, job retention assistance, and access to the national underinsured resources directory.

RxHope
www.rxhope.com
877-267-0517
Provides aid to assistance people become medications that they have trouble affording.

Back to peak

Educational Resource

This section has the educational resources mentioned in this guide. These resources will help you go fix for your surgery and recover safely after surgery.

As yous read through these resources, write down whatever questions you want to ask your healthcare provider.

• A Guide for Caregivers
• Nigh Your Recovery Tracker
• Accelerate Care Planning
• Call! Don't Autumn!
• Common Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin East
• Herbal Remedies and Cancer Treatment
• How to Be a Wellness Care Agent
• How to Enroll in MyMSK: Memorial Sloan Kettering's Patient Portal
• How to Use Your Incentive Spirometer

For data nearly lymphedema, you lot can also read the New York State Department of Health's resource Understanding Lymphedema.

Back to top

Source: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/about-your-robotic-assisted-laparoscopic-hysterectomy

Posted by: duppstadtpards1990.blogspot.com

Share this post