Postoperative care after hysterectomy is an important part of ensuring smooth recovery from surgery, preventing complications and improving the quality of life. The focus of care should include wound management, pain control, daily activity adjustment, psychological support and complication monitoring.
1. Wound care: The abdominal incision should be kept dry and clean after surgery to avoid infection. Check the incision daily for redness, swelling, exudate or odor. Bathing in a tub is prohibited within two weeks after surgery. After showering, the wound should be gently patted dry with a dry towel. Choosing loose and breathable cotton clothing can reduce friction and avoid wound rupture. Lifting heavy objects or performing strenuous exercise, such as carrying objects, running and jumping, is prohibited within one month after surgery.
2. Pain management: Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen on time as prescribed by the doctor to relieve postoperative pain. Ice compresses can be applied within 48 hours after surgery to reduce swelling, and hot compresses can be used to relieve muscle stiffness or soreness. Resting in a semi-recumbent position can help reduce abdominal pressure. If necessary, press the incision with your hands when coughing, sneezing, etc. to buffer pain.
3. Activity guidance: You can start turning over slightly within 6 hours after surgery, and try to sit up by the bed after 24 hours to promote gastrointestinal motility and blood circulation. Gradually perform ankle pump exercises to prevent lower limb thrombosis, and walk 3 times a day, each time for about 10 minutes. Avoid riding a bicycle, sit-ups or other exercises involving abdominal strength within six weeks after surgery, and gradually resume daily physical activities after the doctor confirms that you have recovered well.
4. Psychological adjustment: Hysterectomy may affect women's self-identity and emotional state. You can join a postoperative rehabilitation group, exchange experiences with other people who have experienced it, and communicate frankly with your partner about physical changes and adjustments to your sex life. Meditation and deep breathing exercises can help relieve anxiety and loss. If you continue to feel depressed and have difficulty adjusting yourself, you should seek psychological counseling support in time.
5. Abnormal monitoring: Record daily changes in body temperature after surgery and be alert to infection and fever. Observe whether vaginal bleeding is abnormal, such as large amount, dark color or accompanied by odor. If you experience symptoms such as burning pain when urinating, difficulty urinating, and redness and swelling of the lower limbs, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Sexual intercourse should be avoided within three months after surgery, and regular check-ups should be conducted as recommended by the doctor, including pelvic ultrasound and blood routine tests.
In addition, high-protein intake, such as fish, eggs, and lean meat, should be increased in the diet to promote tissue repair. Anemia is prone to occur after surgery, and iron supplements can be taken under the guidance of a doctor. Eating more fiber-rich vegetables such as spinach and celery can help prevent postoperative constipation. Kegel exercises can be performed from the second week to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, and gentle exercises such as swimming and yoga can be gradually resumed after six weeks. It is recommended to use a pregnancy pillow to improve sleeping posture and reduce abdominal discomfort after surgery. Long-term attention should be paid to changes in bone density and hormone levels, and annual examinations and evaluations will help overall health management.
