I am very aware that my hysterectomy related posts have been a few and far between since the actual operation and immediate recovery. I feel like I want to contribute more towards the the “need to know” of women contemplating this operation – and especially the return to running – but everything just went so incredibly smoothly for me that once I was (literally) up and running the operation itself was just a side note.
If you have read any of my previous hysterectomy posts (just choose “hysterectomy” from the Category drop-down menu to get to these), you will know that I had a total hysterectomy (removal of uterus and cervix) done laparoscopically using the Da Vinci robot. The operation was just over two years ago and there has not been one moment where I have regretted it.
Looking at the search terms how a lot of you find this site, what often pops up is “x months after hysterectomy” – “x” usually being 5 or 6 months. Obviously there are as many recovery stories and experiences as there are women undergoing this operation. Everybody is different. There are also so many different ways of having this operation from the single port entry to a large abdominal incision. Clearly the latter will take a lot longer to recover from. I only had four small incisions in my abdomen for the different tools (lights, camera, action!) to gain entry and the uterus was removed vaginally. I don’t know why but that actually came as a surprise to me! It makes perfect sense but I just had never really thought about it. In a weird way it was the last thing I would every give birth to.. Or is that too weird a mental image?? In one of my follow-up consultations my surgeon actually showed me a video of the procedure and it was about the most amazing thing I have ever seen. If you are not squeamish and you get the chance to do this I recommend it. It might not be highly rated by Rotten Tomatoes but it will be the most “in depth” movie you will ever see starring yourself.
Uups, I digress; I was talking about recovery after hysterectomy. I recommend you read these posts:
Hopefully they will give you some idea where I was back then. I had a very straight forward recovery and this is my simplified timeline:
- 2 night stay in hospital (though they were ready to release me after 1)
- When I got home I was pretty much pain free though still took Tramadol/Voltarol preventatively (and hey – why not!)
- 4 days after the operation I went to work for a few hours (easy office job)
- 5 days after the operation I was fully off pain meds
- 8 days after the operation I did a 10km walk (that might have been a bit stupid but I felt ok)
- 11 days after the operation I went back to work fully (but only work part-time anyway)
- at the 2 week post-op check-up, whatever remained of my dissolvable stitches were removed
- I was back to running 16 days after the operation starting with a 10km distance
- I was told to wait 12 weeks before having sex again to avoid tearing the internal stitches
My pre-op appointment is detailed here and a pretty detailed description of my time in the hospital and right after can be found here and here.
There is a list of some of my post-op symptoms in this post.
I hope some of this helps. All I can say that over two years after the operation I barely even think about it. I have no issues due to the hysterectomy at all, no lingering pain or niggles. I am deliriously happy not to have to ever have another period again though! As I still have my ovaries, I do still get PMS symptoms like that aching pain in your ovaries, bloating and desire to eat the world. I kind of think it’s funny, a bit like the fact that we still have a tail bone or hairy arms – hangovers from what once was. I am expecting to enter menopause a few years earlier than I would have otherwise so every hot flush makes me think “here we go”, but who knows. It will happen when it will happen.
If you are about to have the operation – good luck! Relax and focus on the positive! If you are recovering – let people take care of you. Enjoy being pampered for a change. And if you are a runner nervous about being able to run again or desperately waiting for the go-ahead: you will be back out there sooner than you can imagine. And you will never again have to run worrying about bloody leaks or whether you have enough spare tampons on you. And the main thing is – you WILL be able to run again. But all of you – do listen to your doctor/surgeon!
Women – you all rock! With or without a uterus.
Hysterical Runner 
Thank you for blogging your experience. The biggest thing I’ve been worried about is how long it will take me to get back to exercising. Glad to see you were up and at ’em so quickly.
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Hi Suzanne!
The recovery was much faster than I had expected so you won’t be out of action for that long. It’s actually a great excuse for long walks rather than running or something more vigorous. Definitely builds up the appetite for getting back into it! 🙂 In the scheme of things you are just talking about a few weeks of standing on the sidelines compared to the huge benefits you get from having had the op. Good luck!!
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Thank you for your blog! I had my LAVH on July 21 and feel amazing. I’m ready to get back running so have started with just a lap or two around the track. Think I will add some distance but at a slower pace to start with. There really isn’t much information around for athletes and hysterectomy. I have a marathon in November that I want to be ready for!
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Hi Amy!
So so so sorry I didn’t see your comment until now.
How is your marathon prep going? It’s amazing how fast the body just bounces back from the op, isn’t it?
And I agree; there needs to be more resources for runners and athletes on how to get back to it after having had a hysterectomy. I think the world is still adjusting to the fact that “women can” and that it’s not just the older ladies having this procedure.
Good luck in your marathon in November!!
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Hello! The recovery and training has been fantastic! I ran 22 miles the other day and am now onto the taper. 12 weeks ago the idea of running a marathon seemed laughable but now I feel stronger than ever. Once again, thanks for your blog. It really helped me feel more confident taking this on.
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That’s amazing – fantastic going Amy! And so glad if I have been of any support in getting you back out there and running again. You will ACE the marathon!
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Hi. Thank you for blogging your amazing journey. I had a vaginal hysterectomy 6/5/18. I was fortunate and didn’t have a ton of pain as well and started walking 10 miles two weeks out, which turned out to be too soon as I was leaking abdominal fluid from my cuff. I waited two months and started running a mile at a time but I’m worried I’m leaking again. Do you feel any moisture? I have zero estrogen due to anti estrogen med I’m on for Breast CA (I’m lucky, I’m in remission) and so I’m usually very dry. I don’t feel any pain. I have only been doing a mile at a time as instructed by my gyn. My other gyn friend, says she’s not sure what to advise as most of her patients after hysterectomies don’t run. Thank you for your time.
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Hi Dagny, I’m so sorry it has taken me this long to see your message and to reply but I’ve not been very active in the blog recently. Sounds like you’ve had a pretty rough ride of it – leaking abdominal fluid does not sound good! I didn’t feel any moisture when I started running after my op. Did you have that checked? Hope you’re ok by now since it’s been months since your message.
I am quite shocked that your gun friend says most of her patients don’t run after hysterectomies! Why is that, I wonder.. maybe they weren’t runners before – can’t imagine the op stopping someone who used to run…
I really hope you’re back up and running and fully recovered
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