Frequently Asked Questions

Many gynaecological procedures are followed by some pain or discomfort. This should improve over time and can be managed with pain medications such as simple analgesia (eg: Panadol / Nurofen) for the initial 5-7 days. The location and severity of pain depends on the type of procedure. If you have had a laparoscopic or open procedure that involve a skin incision, you can expect pain around the incision site. If you have had a pelvic floor repair, you can expect increased pain in the perineal area and during bowel actions. Women who have had laparoscopic surgery may have shoulder pain as a result of the gas used to expand the abdomen during surgery. The shoulder pain can last a few days. Mobilisation helps to reduce this pain and heat packs over the shoulders may help. Hysteroscopy procedures including endometrial ablation, may be followed by a crampy sensation, similar to menstrual cramps. Continue with the pain medications prescribed from the hospital for 5-7 days or until the pain improves Do not take more than the recommended amount of pain medication. Opioids can be dangerous if they are not used correctly. Do not drink alcohol, drive, or do other activities that require concentration while taking opioid pain medications.
You may have light vaginal spotting or bleeding or a blood-stained vaginal discharge which is similar to a light period. This will gradually reduce to nil over the next two to four weeks as your internal wound heals. A pad may be used, but tampons should be avoided. Call the rooms or the hospital if bleeding is heavy (more than a normal menstrual period or completely soaks a large pad in one hour).
You may eat and drink normally. You may have a decreased appetite for the first few days after surgery; you may prefer to eat small, frequent meals. A high fibre diet may help to prevent constipation. However, if you are not able to eat or drink anything or if vomiting develops, call the hospital or the rooms.
Constipation is common after surgery and usually resolves with time and/or treatment. Constipation means that you do not have a bowel movement regularly or that bowel movements are hard or difficult to pass. If you need to take opioid pain medications, this can make constipation worse. It is best to avoid constipation and straining by regular use of stool softeners or laxatives (eg: Metamucil, Movicol etc) during the initial 1-2 weeks. If you do develop diarrhoea with the regular use of the laxatives, cease using them.
If you have had vaginal surgery, you may feel a pulling sensation during urination or you may feel stinging if the urine comes in contact with the vaginal stitches. It can be normal to urinate frequently after surgery. However, if you are bothered by any urinary symptoms or do have a temperature, please call the rooms or the hospital.
No. Generally dissolving stitches or skin glue is used which do not need removal. Glue or the dressing used will be waterproof and you are allowed to have a shower.
Showers are permitted. If you have had major gynaecologic surgery such as hysterectomy or prolapse repair, avoid using a public pool for a month in order to reduce the risk of infections. You may use your own bathtub or pool after 2 weeks.
Lifting heavy objects can increase stress on the healing tissues. For the first four to six weeks after major gynaecologic surgery, lift nothing greater than two kilograms. Increase gently as tolerated over six to eight weeks. It is best to avoid lifting heavy objects from the floor; if the object cannot be lifted with one hand, you should ask for help. You should also avoid squatting. Restrictions on lifting are generally recommended for six to eight weeks after a major abdominal or vaginal surgery (eg, hysterectomy) and for one or two weeks after procedures with smaller incisions (eg, minor laparoscopy). If you do not have an incision (eg, for procedures like hysteroscopy or dilation and curettage [D&C]), you do not need to limit lifting.
It is normal to feel tired for a day or two after surgery, especially if you have general anaesthesia. You may feel tired for a few weeks if you have a major surgery. Taking a few short naps during the day or resting when you are tired may help. While rest is important, it is also important to walk around several times a day, starting on the day of surgery and build up gradually as able. When resting, make sure to do feet/calf exercises and it is important to continue to wear the TED stockings for 1-2 weeks post operatively after major surgery. These activities will help prevent complications, such as blood clots, pneumonia, and gas pains. It is okay to do simple housework and climb stairs. You should avoid playing sports and doing heavy exercises in a gym environment for 6-8 weeks following major abdominal or vaginal surgery (Eg: Hysterectomy). Speak to the Nurse if you are unsure.
You should not drive a car until you can move easily and no longer require opioid pain medications. You may ride in a car; as always, wear a seat belt any time you are riding in or driving a car. You should not drive a car for three weeks post operatively after major surgery. We do recommend avoiding long trips by car, train, or airplane during the first two weeks after major gynaecological surgery.
After most types of gynaecological surgery, you should not put anything in your vagina until the tissues are completely healed. Otherwise, you may develop an infection or interfere with healing. This includes tampons, douches, fingers, and all types of sexual activity that involve the vagina. These activities should be avoided for 8 weeks after hysterectomy or prolapse repair. After minor vaginal procedures, such as LLETZ, it is recommended that sexual intercourse and tampon use be avoided for 4 weeks. After Hysteroscopy procedures, avoid using tampons or douching until the discharge stops and refrain from sexual intercourse until any bleeding or discharge has stopped and you are feeling comfortable.

After minor procedures, you may be able to work within a day or two, while for major procedures (eg, hysterectomy), you may require four to six weeks to recover.

Time off work also depends upon your daily activities at work; a person who sits at work may be able to return to work sooner than someone whose job requires them to stand, walk, or lift. You should have returned to normal activity within 6-8 weeks after major gynaecologic surgery, although full recovery may take longer sometimes.

For most of the women hysterectomy surgery does not have a negative effect on sexual function.
You will no longer have periods after a hysterectomy; however, this doesn’t mean that you have gone into menopause. If your ovaries are conserved at surgery a hysterectomy will not cause menopause and hence you will not automatically require menopausal hormone therapy. If you were prescribed Vagifem pessaries to use pre-operatively you should recommence them approximately 2 weeks after surgery. Speak to the Nurse if you are unsure.

When should I seek help after surgery?

  • Your wound becomes red or inflamed, painful.
  • You have heavy vaginal bleeding – heavier than a normal period.
  • You have offensive or abnormal vaginal discharge.
  • You develop a fever i.e., temperature >380 C, or you are feeling unwell.
  • You have pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia.
  • Nausea and vomiting that is difficult to manage.
  • You are having difficulty passing urine or opening your bowels.
  • Swelling in an extremity (leg or arm) that is much greater on one side than the other.
  • Shortness of breath or chest pain.
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