Preparing for a Hysterectomy Surgery

Being well-prepared for a hysterectomy can help speed recovery afterward. Here are some steps to take from a month to an hour before the procedure.

• Gather information. Learn as much as you can about having a hysterectomy. Make sure you understand how the procedure will go, as well as what is involved in the recovery process. “You need to be comfortable with what to expect,” says Sarah L. Cohen, MD, MPH, director of research at the division of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
• Lose weight, if you’re overweight. Being overweight can increase the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, and severe obesity can increase surgery time and blood loss. If you’re overweight, talk to your doctor about the best way to go about losing weight before your surgery.
• Stop smoking. “Stopping or cutting down on smoking as much as possible can help with general anesthesia and recovery from surgery,” Dr. Cohen says. Smokers may have problems breathing during surgery, and they tend to heal more slowly afterward.
• Discuss your medication with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about whether you need to change your usual medication routine before having a hysterectomy. You should also let your doctor know about any over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, or dietary supplements you’re taking. Some supplements can help prepare you for a hysterectomy. For example, taking a daily multivitamin can help improve general health, and vitamin C can help promote healing. Talk to your doctor about recommended supplements you might take before your hysterectomy surgery.
• Make sure other medical conditions are well-controlled. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, or other medical conditions, check with your doctor to make sure they’re under control before you have a hysterectomy. When other pre-existing conditions are managed, Cohen says, surgery is likely to be safer and recovery faster.
• Plan to take time off work to fully recover. Fill out any necessary paperwork for medical leave before your hysterectomy. Depending on the type of surgical procedure performed, recovery time may take two to six weeks. During that time, you may not be able to drive or lift heavy objects, so also arrange for someone to help you on a day-to-day basis.

A Week Before a Hysterectomy Surgery

• Drink lots of liquids. Being well-hydrated can help prevent constipation, a common side effect of surgery that can cause particular discomfort after a hysterectomy.
• Get your post-op prescriptions filled. “Ask if your doctor can write your post-op prescriptions ahead of time, and have them filled,” Cohen says. It will save you from having to make an uncomfortable stop on the way home from the hospital.
• Don’t worry about your menstrual cycle. Being on your period will not delay or affect your surgery.
• Plan ahead for an easier recovery at home. Shop for and prepare easy-to-make meals for the weeks following surgery. “Also think about your home’s layout,” Cohen says. “Limit the need to climb stairs during recovery, and move things around for easier access.”
• Make arrangements for someone to drive you home after the procedure. You will not be allowed to drive after undergoing anesthesia and will be required to have someone drive you home after the procedure. Your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t drive for up to two weeks after the surgery.

A Day Before a Hysterectomy Surgery

• Eat light. Limiting heavy foods and avoiding big meals can help you feel better before and after the procedure. “Eating healthy is always important, but even more so when you plan to have surgery,” Dr. Hur says.
• Gather your medical information. This may include your medical records, a list of any drugs or supplements you’re taking, any imaging results, such as X-rays, and allergy information. You’ll be required to provide this medical information at your pre-op appointment.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions for eating, drinking, and bowel preparation. In most cases, you won’t be able to have any solid foods or liquids after midnight the night before surgery. Prior to any abdominal surgery, your doctor may also prescribe a bowel cleansing oral solution. However, if you have certain conditions, such as a perforated bowel, a bowel obstruction, or severe constipation, this step may not apply for you. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions when it comes to this and other kinds of preparation before surgery.
• Relax the night before your procedure. The anticipation of surgery is stressful for some women. When you’re stressed, your body releases stress hormones, which can weaken the immune system and disrupt the body’s ability to manage pain and infection. For this reason, it’s important to relax the night before surgery — and even earlier. Make sure you get plenty of rest, and if you’re very anxious, try deep breathing and positive visualization (picture the surgery going well, and think about how much better you’ll feel afterward).

The Day of a Hysterectomy Surgery

• Skip breakfast. Don’t eat or drink anything unless you have been specifically told by the anesthesiologist that it’s OK to do so. Even if you brush your teeth, do not swallow the water.
• Don’t wear jewelry to the hospital. “You should remove all jewelry in preparation for surgery,” Hur says. “If you can't, it doesn't mean you have to cut it off, such as with a wedding ring that hasn’t been taken off for many years.” Talk to your doctor about what’s appropriate.
• Reschedule the procedure if you’re sick. Any illness that affects your respiratory system, like pneumonia or the flu, may be a reason to delay the procedure. Minor problems like having the sniffles shouldn't be a problem, but tell your doctor if you’re not feeling well on the day of surgery.