PreOp Patient Education
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Audio Presentation

Hysterectomy

Removal of the Uterus


Recovery
  Your Body
  Alternatives
  Medical Record
  Anesthesia
  Before Surgery
  Your Procedure
  Recovery
This information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. MedSelfEd, Inc. disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
Following the procedure, you'll be moved then to a recovery area where you can relax until the sedation and anesthetic has worn off - At some point you will be moved to your room. While you're in the hospital, doctors and nurses will regularly check you - monitoring your progress following surgery.

It's important that you realize your time in the hospital is an extension of the surgical procedure.

While you're in the hospital, your medical team will continue to monitor your body's immediate reaction to the procedure just performed.

That means that your time in the hospital is not really for rest and recovery. And you should expect to have your movements restricted and even your sleep interrupted by nurses or other medical staff.

The amount of time that you spend in the hospital will depend on your age, your health and whether or not any complications arise. Be assured that once your doctor feels that your condition is properly stabilized, you'll be allowed to leave.

Be sure to follow your doctor's advice and allow the full-recommended period of time before you return to your normal routine.

Most patients experience at least some pain following surgery, but if properly handled, it shouldn't present any serious problems.
Most patients experience at least some pain following surgery, but if properly handled, it shouldn't present any serious problems.
Pain used to be regarded as an unavoidable side effect of surgery, but today pain can be managed with great effectiveness.
Pain used to be regarded as an unavoidable side effect of surgery, but today pain can be managed with great effectiveness.
And as the patient, you have an important role to play.
And as the patient, you have an important role to play.
Before surgery, be sure to ask the medical staff about the type and duration of pain normally associated with your surgery.
Before surgery, be sure to ask the medical staff about the type and duration of pain normally associated with your surgery.
Find out, in advance, about your pain management options. Work with the staff to develop a pain management plan. Discuss your options. There are alternatives to drugs that can lessen your need for pain medication.
Find out, in advance, about your pain management options. Work with the staff to develop a pain management plan. Discuss your options. There are alternatives to drugs that can lessen your need for pain medication.
Ask your doctor for help finding a pain management class. Many of these workshops teach helpful relaxation techniques, positive thinking and nerve stimulation exercises.
Ask your doctor for help finding a pain management class. Many of these workshops teach helpful relaxation techniques, positive thinking and nerve stimulation exercises.
Following surgery, make sure to let your nurse know right away how you're feeling and whether or not you are in any pain. Be specific, and help them to measure your discomfort.
Following surgery, make sure to let your nurse know right away how you're feeling and whether or not you are in any pain. Be specific, and help them to measure your discomfort.
If you're having trouble expressing yourself, try to rank what you're feeling on a scale from 1 to 10.
If you're having trouble expressing yourself, try to rank what you're feeling on a scale from 1 to 10.
Never be shy about asking for help. If you experience pain that just won't go away, report it to the nurse.
Never be shy about asking for help. If you experience pain that just won't go away, report it to the nurse.
Pain is an important indicator that helps you and your medical staff understand your body's healing process...
Pain is an important indicator that helps you and your medical staff understand your body's healing process...
As a normal effect of hysterectomy, you will no longer menstruate and will not be able to have children. If your ovaries were removed you may be prescribed hormone replacement drugs.
As a normal effect of hysterectomy, you will no longer menstruate and will not be able to have children. If your ovaries were removed you may be prescribed hormone replacement drugs.
Fortunately, Hysterectomy surgery only rarely leads to complications. One potential complication is a persistent residual neuralgia - or pain - around the scar.
Fortunately, Hysterectomy surgery only rarely leads to complications. One potential complication is a persistent residual neuralgia - or pain - around the scar.
It can be either localized or general. It may develop soon after surgery - or even weeks or months later. Usually it will decrease in intensity with time. But in very rare situations, it can become permanent.
It can be either localized or general. It may develop soon after surgery - or even weeks or months later. Usually it will decrease in intensity with time. But in very rare situations, it can become permanent.
A more serious complication comes from accidental damage to the bladder or urinary tract during surgery.
A more serious complication comes from accidental damage to the bladder or urinary tract during surgery.

Once you return home, you will be responsible to keeping the dressing intact and clean.

As with all surgery, you should be alert for signs of infection near the incision - increased swelling, redness, bleeding or other discharge. Your doctor may advise you to be on the alert for other symptoms as well. If you experience any unusual symptoms, report them to your doctor right away.

You may also notice some bruising in the general area of the incision. The discoloration may be extensive - but as with any bruise, it should heal on it's own.

Before you leave, you'll be given discharge guidelines which may include diet, medication, work and other activity restrictions.

You'll also make at least one follow-up appointment so that the doctor will be able to check the healing of the incision and/or to remove sutures.
You'll also make at least one follow-up appointment so that the doctor will be able to check the healing of the incision and/or to remove sutures.

This program has been designed to help you to understand a surgical procedure and to empower you to be an active participant in your own care. We hope that you take the time to discuss alternative treatments with your doctor and that you learn as much as you can about your own particular medical situation.

We also want to make sure that you understand all the risks of surgery and potential complications which can follow - no matter how unlikely they may be.

It's important that you understand exactly what the procedure entails - including the risks, benefits and alternative treatments - before you decide to proceed.

Always remember that the final decision to go ahead or not is up to you.


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