Understanding What Your Health Clinic Offers

Posted on: 25 August 2015

No matter what kind of hysterectomy you get, it is important to take care of yourself after. Here are eight things you can do to promote faster healing. 

1. Move around as soon as you can. Be very careful to not overdo it, but it is important for you to start walking around (with assistance when needed) to decrease the chances you will develop blood clots in your legs. After the first week you may be able to start doing some light exercising, and then you can slowly ease back into your old routine after that. Wait at least a month to start working your abdomen, though. 

2. Take care of your incision. This seems obvious, but many women ease off too soon. If you get a da Vinci hysterectomy, you will heal faster, but you still need to take care of the incision until it is completely healed. Keep the area clean and dry, wash it daily with soap, and watch for signs of infection (redness, drainage, fever, etc.) 

3. Use essential oils. They can help your incision heal faster. Helichrysum slows bleeding and promotes healing, frankincense promotes healthy cells and minimizes scars, melaleuca will help fight infection, and lavender can help your tense muscles relax. Talk to your doctor before you use any to make sure they won't cause further problems.  

4. Stay hydrated. This will help you combat the constipation that may come from the surgery and the medications. 

5. Eat pineapple. It is full of enzymes like bromelain, which is anti-inflammatory. It also contains important vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Make sure you eat fresh pineapple because the canning process can damage the enzymes. 

6. Take a probiotic. If you have taken any antibiotics, this will help negate the effects (like yeast infections). It will increase the healthy bacteria in your gut. 

7. Pay attention to your pain levels. Keep a journal and write down how you are feeling at different points during the day. They should lower consistently (unless you have overexerted yourself). If they suddenly flare up, you should talk to your doctor. You may be developing an infection. 

8. Validate your emotions. Even though your hysterectomy was necessary, you will experience a myriad of emotions about it. You may feel sadness over losing your ability to have children, worry about how it will change your health, or depression from the change in hormones. Meditate often, talk to people in your support network, and get a therapist if you feel like you need one. 

If you do these things, you will be able to have a smoother recovery.