How Long After a Hysterectomy Can You Drive

This guide volition help you go ready for your robotic-assisted or laparoscopic hysterectomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). It volition also help you empathise what to await during your recovery.

Utilise this guide as a source of information in the days leading upward to your surgery. Bring information technology with you on the mean solar day of your surgery. You and your healthcare team will refer to it as you lot acquire more than most your recovery.

Back to superlative

About Your Surgery

A hysterectomy (HIS-teh-REK-toh-mee) is a surgery to remove your uterus. Yous may be having a hysterectomy because you have:

• Uterine cancer, cervical cancer, or ovarian cancer
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Pelvic pain

Your healthcare provider will talk with you about why you're having the surgery.

Well-nigh your reproductive organization

Your reproductive system includes your ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina (encounter Figure one). Your uterus is in your lower abdomen (belly) between your float and rectum. The lower narrow cease of your uterus is chosen your cervix. Your ovaries and fallopian tubes are fastened to your uterus.

After your hysterectomy, you won't be able to have children naturally. You lot'll too stop menstruating (getting your monthly menses). A hysterectomy doesn't cause menopause unless your ovaries are removed.

If you want to have biological children in the future, enquire your healthcare provider for a referral to a fertility specialist.

Figure 1. Your reproductive system

Robotic-assisted or laparoscopic hysterectomy

You'll have either a robotic-assisted or a laparoscopic hysterectomy.

With both types of hysterectomies, your surgeon will make several small incisions (surgical cuts) on your abdomen. They'll put a laparoscope (long, thin surgical tool with a video photographic camera) through one of the incisions into your abdomen. The laparoscope lets your surgeon meet the inside of your belly.

Carbon dioxide gas will be pumped into your abdomen to make infinite. This gives your surgeon more room to do your surgery. Your surgeon will likewise put long, skinny surgical tools into the other incisions on your belly.

• With a laparoscopic hysterectomy, your surgeon directly controls the surgical tools with their easily. They can see the images from the laparoscope on a television monitor.
• With a robotic-assisted hysterectomy, your surgeon sits at a console and controls a robot that moves the surgical tools. The console has a special monitor where they can see the images from the laparoscope in three dimensions (iii-D).

With both types of hysterectomies, your surgeon will remove your uterus and cervix through your vagina, if possible. If your uterus or neck can't be removed through your vagina, your surgeon will make one of your incisions bigger and remove your uterus and cervix from there. Then they'll close your incisions with sutures (stitches).

Y'all might also have ane or both of the following procedures during your hysterectomy. Your surgeon will talk with you about the programme for your specific surgery.

Salpingo-oophorectomy

A salpingo-oophorectomy (sal-Pin-goh-oh-oh-foh-REK-toh-mee) is a surgery to remove your ovary and fallopian tube on 1 or both sides of your body.

If you haven't started menopause, you'll go into menopause if both of your ovaries are removed. You may have some of the mutual symptoms, including dark sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to manage these symptoms. If you've already gone through menopause, you shouldn't find whatever changes.

Sentinel lymph node mapping and lymph node dissection

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that make and store the cells that help your torso fight infections. Lymph nodes are constitute throughout your torso. Picket lymph nodes are the lymph nodes most probable to be afflicted if you accept cancer and it has spread.

If your surgeon thinks you may accept cancer, they may practice sentinel lymph node mapping and remove some of your lymph nodes during your surgery. This is called a lymph node dissection.

For sentinel lymph node mapping, your surgeon will inject a small corporeality of dye in the area where the cancer may exist. They'll talk with yous about the blazon of dye they'll use. This dye will travel to the sentinel lymph node(s) and plow them blue or light-green.

In one case the lookout man node(s) are located, your surgeon volition make a small incision. They'll remove the sentinel node(southward) and ship them to the Pathology Department to exist checked for cancer cells.

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Before Your Surgery

The information in this section will help you get prepare for your surgery. Read this section when your surgery is scheduled and refer to information technology every bit your surgery date gets closer. It has important information about what you need to do before your surgery.

Every bit you read through this department, write down whatever questions you want to ask your healthcare provider.

Getting ready for your surgery

You and your care team will piece of work together to get set for your surgery.

Help us keep you lot safety during your surgery by telling u.s.a. if whatever of the post-obit statements apply to you, even if y'all aren't certain.

• I accept a blood thinner, such as:
  • Aspirin
  • Heparin
  • Warfarin (Jantoven^® or Coumadin^®)
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix^®)
  • Enoxaparin (Lovenox^®)
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa^®)
  • Apixaban (Eliquis^®)
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto^®)
  There are others, so be sure your healthcare provider knows all the medications y'all're taking.
• I take prescription medications (medications my healthcare provider prescribes), including patches and creams.
• I have over-the-counter medications (medications I buy without a prescription), including patches and creams.
• I take dietary supplements, such every bit herbs, vitamins, minerals, or natural or home remedies.
• I accept a pacemaker, automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD), or other center device.
• I have slumber apnea.
• I've had a problem with anesthesia (medication to make me slumber during surgery) in the by.
• I'm allergic to certain medication(s) or materials, including latex.
• I'g not willing to receive a claret transfusion.
• I beverage alcohol.
• I smoke or use an electronic smoking device (such as a vape pen, east-cigarette, or Juul^®).
• I use recreational drugs.

Near drinking alcohol

The amount of alcohol you drink can affect yous during and after your surgery. It'due south important to talk with your healthcare providers about how much alcohol you beverage. This will help u.s. plan your care.

• If you cease drinking alcohol suddenly, it tin cause seizures, delirium, and expiry. If we know y'all're at gamble for these complications, nosotros tin can prescribe medications to help keep them from happening.
• If you drink alcohol regularly, you may be at hazard for other complications during and afterwards your surgery. These include bleeding, infections, heart problems, and a longer infirmary stay.

Here are things you can do earlier your surgery to go along from having problems:

• Be honest with your healthcare providers near how much booze you drink.
• Try to stop drinking alcohol once your surgery is planned. If you develop a headache, nausea (feeling like you're going to throw upwards), increased anxiety, or can't sleep afterwards you stop drinking, tell your healthcare provider right away. These are early signs of booze withdrawal and can be treated.
• Tell your healthcare provider if yous can't end drinking.
• Enquire your healthcare provider questions near drinking and surgery. Every bit ever, all of your medical information will be kept confidential.

About smoking

If you smoke, you lot can have animate problems when you have surgery. Stopping even for a few days before surgery can aid. Your healthcare provider volition refer yous to our Tobacco Treatment Program if you smoke. You can too reach the plan by calling 212-610-0507.

About sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a mutual animate disorder that causes you to terminate animate for short periods of time while sleeping. The about mutual type is obstructive slumber apnea (OSA). With OSA, your airway becomes completely blocked during sleep. OSA tin cause serious problems during and afterward surgery.

Please tell us if you accept sleep apnea or if you think you might accept it. If you lot utilise a animate device (such as a CPAP device) for sleep apnea, bring it with y'all the day of your surgery.

Using MyMSK

MyMSK (my.mskcc.org) is your MSK patient portal account. You can use MyMSK to send and receive letters from your care team, view your exam results, run across your date dates and times, and more. You can also invite your caregiver to create their ain account so they can see information about your intendance.

If you don't have a MyMSK account, you tin can visit my.mskcc.org, call 646-227-2593, or call your dr.'s function for an enrollment ID to sign upward. Yous can besides watch our video How to Enroll in MyMSK: Memorial Sloan Kettering's Patient Portal. For assistance, contact the MyMSK Aid Desk-bound by emailing mymsk@mskcc.org or calling 800-248-0593.

Within xxx days of your surgery

Presurgical Testing (PST)

Before your surgery, you lot'll have an engagement for presurgical testing (PST). The date, fourth dimension, and location will be printed on the engagement reminder from your surgeon's office. It's helpful to bring the following things to your PST appointment:

• A list of all the medications you're taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, patches, and creams.
• Results of any tests done exterior of MSK, such equally a cardiac stress test, echocardiogram, or carotid doppler written report.
• The proper noun(due south) and phone number(s) of your healthcare provider(due south).

You tin eat and take your usual medications the day of your date.

During your PST appointment, y'all'll meet with a nurse practitioner (NP). They work closely with anesthesiology staff (specialized healthcare providers who will give you lot anesthesia during your surgery). Your NP will review your medical and surgical history with y'all. You may accept tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart rhythm, a chest x-ray, claret tests, and any other tests needed to plan your care. Your NP may too recommend that you come across other healthcare providers.

Your NP volition talk with you about which medications you should take the forenoon of your surgery.

Identify your caregiver

Your caregiver plays an important role in your intendance. Earlier your surgery, y'all and your caregiver will acquire well-nigh your surgery from your healthcare providers. Subsequently your surgery, your caregiver will take you dwelling when you're discharged from the hospital. They'll too help you treat yourself at home.

For caregivers

‌Resources and support are available to help manage the responsibilities that come with caring for a person going through cancer treatment. For back up resource and information, visit www.mskcc.org/caregivers or read A Guide for Caregivers.

Adjust for someone to take you home

Yous must accept a responsible intendance partner take you dwelling house after your surgery. A responsible care partner is someone who can assistance you get home safely. They should be able to contact your care team if they have any concerns. Make sure to programme this earlier the day of your surgery.

If y'all don't have a responsible care partner to take you dwelling house, phone call one of the agencies below. They'll send someone to get home with you. There'due south often a accuse for this service, and y'all'll demand to provide transportation. It's OK to use a taxi or car service, simply you still demand a responsible care partner with you.

Complete a Health Care Proxy class

If y'all haven't already completed a Health Care Proxy course, nosotros recommend you consummate i now. If you've already completed 1 or have any other advance directives, bring them to your side by side appointment.

A health intendance proxy is a legal document that identifies the person who will speak for you if you lot can't communicate for yourself. The person yous identify is called your wellness care amanuensis.

Talk with your healthcare provider if you lot're interested in completing a health care proxy. Yous can also read the resources Advance Care Planning and How to Exist a Wellness Care Agent for information about health care proxies, other advance directives, and being a health care agent.

Do breathing and coughing exercises

Practice taking deep breaths and coughing before your surgery. Your healthcare provider volition give you an incentive spirometer to help expand your lungs. For more data, read How to Use Your Incentive Spirometer.

Practise

Try to do aerobic practise every day. Aerobic exercise is any exercise that makes your eye beat faster, such as walking, swimming, or biking. If it's cold outside, utilise stairs in your abode or go to a mall or shopping eye. Exercising volition help your body become into its all-time condition for your surgery and make your recovery faster and easier.

Follow a healthy diet

Follow a well-counterbalanced, healthy nutrition earlier your surgery. If you demand assist with your nutrition, talk with your healthcare provider about meeting with a clinical dietitian nutritionist.

Purchase a iv% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solution antiseptic skin cleanser (such every bit Hibiclens®), if needed

Your nurse volition tell you if you need to wash with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser before your surgery. Follow their instructions.

four% CHG solution is a skin cleanser that kills germs for 24 hours after you use information technology. Showering with it before your surgery will help lower your risk of infection after surgery. Yous tin can buy a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser at your local pharmacy without a prescription.

7 days before your surgery

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for taking aspirin

If you accept aspirin or a medication that contains aspirin, you may need to change your dose or stop taking information technology seven days earlier your surgery. Aspirin can cause bleeding.

Follow your healthcare provider'southward instructions. Don't stop taking aspirin unless they tell you to. For more information, read the resource Mutual Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin E.

End taking vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements

Stop taking vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements 7 days before your surgery. These things can cause bleeding. For more information, read the resources Herbal Remedies and Cancer Handling.

two days before your surgery

Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Stop taking NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil^® and Motrin^®) and naproxen (Aleve^®), 2 days earlier your surgery. These medications can crusade bleeding. For more data, read the resources Common Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin E.

1 24-hour interval before your surgery

Note the time of your surgery

A staff fellow member from the Albeit Office will call you after ii:00 pm the day earlier your surgery. If your surgery is scheduled for a Monday, they'll telephone call you on the Fri before. If you don't go a call by vii:00 pm, call 212-639-5014.

The staff member will tell yous what time to arrive at the hospital for your surgery. They'll also remind you where to go.

Shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser (such as Hibiclens), if needed

If your healthcare provider told you to, shower using a four% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser the night before your surgery.

1. Apply your normal shampoo to launder your hair. Rinse your head well.
2. Use your normal soap to wash your confront and genital area. Rinse your body well with warm water.
3. Open the 4% CHG solution canteen. Cascade some into your hand or a clean washcloth.
4. Movement away from the shower stream. Rub the 4% CHG solution gently over your body from your neck to your feet. Don't put it on your face up or genital surface area.
5. Move back into the shower stream to rinse off the iv% CHG solution. Use warm water.
6. Dry yourself off with a clean towel afterwards your shower.
7. Don't put on any balm, foam, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne after your shower.

Instructions for eating earlier your surgery

‌
Do not consume anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes hard candy and gum.

The morning of your surgery

Instructions for drinking before your surgery

‌  You can drinkable a total of 12 ounces of water betwixt midnight and 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time. Practice not potable anything else.

Do not potable anything starting 2 hours before your scheduled arrival fourth dimension. This includes water.

Take your medications as instructed

If your healthcare provider told you to accept certain medications the morning of your surgery, take but those medications with a sip of water. Depending on what medications yous accept, this may be all, some, or none of your usual morning medications.

Shower with a four% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser (such as Hibiclens), if needed

If your healthcare provider told yous to, shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic pare cleanser before yous leave for the hospital. Use it the same way y'all did the night before.

Don't put on any balm, foam, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne after your shower.

Things to remember

• Wear something comfortable and loose-fitting.
• If you wearable contact lenses, wear your glasses instead. Wearing contact lenses during surgery can harm your eyes.
• Don't vesture any metal objects. Remove all jewelry, including body piercings. The tools used during your surgery can cause burns if they touch on metallic.
• Go out valuable items at home.
• If you're menstruating (have your monthly menses), use a sanitary pad, not a tampon. Y'all'll get disposable underwear, too equally a pad if needed.

What to bring

• Your breathing device for sleep apnea (such equally your CPAP device), if you have one.
• Your incentive spirometer, if you have 1.
• Your Health Care Proxy course and other advance directives, if you lot completed them.
• Your cell phone and charger.
• Only the money you may want for small purchases (such equally a newspaper).
• A case for your personal items (such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetic devices, wig, or religious articles), if you lot have whatsoever.
• This guide. Your healthcare team will use it to teach you how to care for yourself after surgery.

Once yous're in the hospital

Staff members will ask yous to say and spell your name and birth date many times. This is for your safety. People with the same or a like name may be having surgery on the same day.

When it's time to change for surgery, y'all'll get a infirmary gown, robe, and nonskid socks to wear.

Come across with a nurse

You'll meet with a nurse before surgery. Tell them the dose of whatever medications you took afterward midnight (including prescription and over-the-counter medications, patches, and creams) and the time you lot took them.

Your nurse may place an intravenous (Iv) line in one of your veins, usually in your arm or hand. If your nurse doesn't place the Four, your anesthesiologist will do it in the operating room.

See with an anesthesiologist

You'll also come across with an anesthesiologist earlier surgery. They will:

• Review your medical history with you.
• Ask if you've had whatsoever problems with anesthesia in the past, including nausea or hurting.
• Talk with y'all about your condolement and safety during your surgery.
• Talk with yous almost the kind of anesthesia y'all'll get.
• Answer your questions about your anesthesia.

Get ready for your surgery

When it's time for your surgery, you'll need to remove your hearing aids, dentures, prosthetic device(s), wig, and religious articles, if you have them.

Y'all'll either walk into the operating room or be taken in on a stretcher. A member of the operating room team will help yous onto the operating bed and place compression boots on your lower legs. These gently inflate and deflate to help blood flow in your legs. You lot may also accept a claret pressure cuff and EKG pads to monitor you during your surgery.

Once yous're comfy, your anesthesiologist will give you anesthesia through your IV line and you'll fall asleep. You'll also get fluids through your 4 line during and subsequently your surgery.

During your surgery

After you're fully asleep, a animate tube will be placed through your mouth and into your windpipe to assist yous breathe. A urinary (Foley) catheter will also be placed to drain urine (pee) from your float.

Once your surgery is finished, your surgeon will close your incisions with sutures and comprehend them with Steri-Strips^™ (thin pieces of surgical tape) or Dermabond^® (surgical glue). They may too encompass them with a dry, square, white dressing (cast) chosen a Primapore^® dressing.

Your breathing tube is ordinarily taken out while y'all're still in the operating room.

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After Your Surgery

The information in this section volition tell y'all what to look later on your surgery, both during your hospital stay and afterward you leave the infirmary. Y'all'll larn how to safely recover from your surgery.

Every bit yous read through this section, write down any questions y'all desire to ask your healthcare provider.

In the Mail-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) or your recovery room

When you wake upwardly after your surgery, you'll exist in the PACU or your recovery room. A nurse will be keeping track of your trunk temperature, claret pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels. Yous may be getting oxygen through a thin tube that rests below your nose. Yous'll likewise take compression boots on your lower legs.

You may have a urinary catheter in your float to help go on track of how much urine (pee) you're making. If you practice, it should be removed before yous go domicile.

Managing your pain

Y'all'll go pain medication through your 4 line or as a tablet that you swallow. Your healthcare providers will ask you near your pain ofttimes and give you medication as needed. If your pain isn't relieved, tell one of your healthcare providers. It's important to command your pain so you can use your incentive spirometer and move around.

Y'all'll go a prescription for pain medication before y'all leave the hospital. Talk with your healthcare provider about possible side effects and when to start switching to over-the-counter pain medications.

Moving around and walking

Moving effectually and walking will assistance lower your risk for claret clots and pneumonia (lung infection). Information technology volition likewise help yous beginning passing gas and having bowel movements (pooping) once again. Your nurse or physical therapist will help you move around, if needed.

Read the resource Call! Don't Autumn! to acquire what you can do to stay safe and go on from falling while you're in the infirmary.

Using your incentive spirometer

Use your incentive spirometer 10 times every hr you're awake. This will aid your lungs expand fully, which helps prevent pneumonia. For more data, read the resource How to Use Your Incentive Spirometer.

Leaving the hospital

Before you leave, wait at your incisions with one of your healthcare providers. Knowing what they expect similar will assistance yous detect any changes later.

About people don't need any supplies after surgery. If y'all do, such as if yous're leaving the hospital with tubes or drains, your nurse will club them for you lot.

Before you get out, your healthcare provider will write your discharge order and prescriptions. You'll also get written belch instructions. One of your healthcare providers will review them with you before you leave.

At home

Filling out your Recovery Tracker

We want to know how you're feeling afterwards you leave the infirmary. To help u.s. proceed caring for you, we'll send questions to your MyMSK business relationship every solar day for x days after you lot leave the infirmary. These questions are known as your Recovery Tracker.

Fill out your Recovery Tracker every day before midnight (12:00 am). It only takes 2 to iii minutes to complete. Your answers to these questions will help u.s. sympathize how you're feeling and what you need.

Based on your answers, we may reach out to you for more information or ask you to phone call your surgeon's function. You tin can ever contact your surgeon's office if you accept any questions. For more information, read the resource About Your Recovery Tracker .

Eating and drinking

You'll be able to consume after your surgery. Commencement with foods that are soft and easy to assimilate, such as applesauce and chicken noodle soup. Consume small meals oft. Then get-go calculation your regular foods to your nutrition.

If you accept bloating, gas, or cramps, limit loftier-fiber foods, such as:

• Whole grain breads and cereal
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Salads
• Fresh fruit
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower

Managing your pain

You'll have some pain after your surgery, especially in the first few days. The length of time each person has hurting or discomfort varies.

Follow the guidelines below to help manage your hurting at abode.

• Take your medications as directed and equally needed.
• Telephone call your healthcare provider if the medication prescribed for you doesn't ease your pain.
• Don't bulldoze or drink alcohol while y'all're taking prescription pain medication. Some prescription hurting medications can brand you lot drowsy. Booze can brand the drowsiness worse.
• As your incision heals, you lot'll accept less pain and need less hurting medication. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) or ibuprofen (Advil^® or Motrin^®) volition ease aches and discomfort.
  • Follow your healthcare provider'southward instructions for stopping your prescription pain medication.
  • Don't have more of any medication than the amount directed on the label or as instructed by your healthcare provider.
  • Read the labels on all the medications you're taking, especially if yous're taking acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is an ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription medications. Taking as well much can damage your liver. Don't take more than than one medication that contains acetaminophen without talking with a member of your intendance team.
• Pain medication should aid yous resume your normal activities. Have plenty medication to do your activities and exercises comfortably. It's normal for your hurting to increase a little as y'all outset to be more active.
• Proceed rail of when y'all take your pain medication. Information technology works all-time 30 to 45 minutes later on you take it. Taking it when you first take pain is meliorate than waiting for the hurting to get worse.

It'south also common to have some discomfort afterwards surgery from the air that was pumped into your abdomen during surgery. To assistance with this, walk, drink plenty of liquids, and make sure to take the stool softeners your healthcare provider gave you.

Preventing and managing constipation

Some prescription pain medications (such as opioids) may crusade constipation (having fewer bowel movements than usual). Talk with your healthcare provider virtually how to preclude and manage constipation. You tin also follow the guidelines beneath.

• Go to the bathroom at the same time every 24-hour interval. Your trunk will get used to going at that time. If you feel like you need to go, though, don't put information technology off.
• Attempt to use the bath five to 15 minutes after meals. After breakfast is a good fourth dimension to become. That's when the reflexes in your colon are strongest.
• Exercise, if y'all can. Walking is an excellent grade of exercise.
• Drink 8 to 10 (eight-ounce) spectacles (2 liters) of liquids daily, if you tin.
  • Choose liquids such as water, juices (such as prune juice), soups, and ice foam shakes.
  • Avert liquids with caffeine (such equally coffee and soda). Caffeine tin can pull fluid out of your body.
• Slowly increase the fiber in your diet to 25 to 35 grams per solar day. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cereals contain fiber. If y'all have an ostomy or accept had recent bowel surgery, check with your healthcare provider before making whatsoever changes in your diet.
• Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to treat constipation. Check with your healthcare provider before taking any medications for constipation, especially if yous have an ostomy or have had bowel surgery. Follow the instructions on the label or from your healthcare provider. Examples of over-the-counter medications for constipation include:
  • Docusate sodium (Colace^®). This is a stool softener (medication that makes your bowel movements softer) that causes few side effects. You tin can use information technology to help prevent constipation. Don't take it with mineral oil.
  • Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX^®). This is a laxative (medication that causes bowel movements) that causes few side furnishings. Take it with 8 ounces (1 loving cup) of a liquid. Only accept it if yous're already constipated.
  • Senna (Senokot^®). This is a stimulant laxative, which can crusade cramping. Information technology's all-time to accept information technology at bedtime. Only take it if you're already constipated.

If any of these medications cause diarrhea (loose, watery bowel movements), cease taking them. You can start again if needed.

If you haven't had a bowel motility in ii days, telephone call your healthcare provider.

Caring for your incisions

Y'all'll have several pocket-sized incisions on your belly. They'll be closed with Steri-Strips or Dermabond. They may as well exist covered with foursquare white Primapore dressings.

• If y'all have Primapore dressings, yous tin can take them off in the shower 24 hours subsequently your surgery.
• If you have Steri-Strips or Dermabond, they'll loosen and may fall or peel off on their ain. If they haven't fallen off within x days, you tin take them off. Don't take them off before and then.

Don't get your incisions wet for the first 24 hours (1 day) after your surgery. After that, make clean them with soap and water in the shower every twenty-four hour period.

Showering

Don't shower for the first 24 hours later your surgery. After that, have a shower every mean solar day to make clean your incisions. Taking a warm shower is also relaxing and can help musculus aches.

During your shower, use lather to gently wash your incisions. Later your shower, pat the areas dry with a make clean towel and leave your incisions uncovered (unless there'due south drainage). Phone call your healthcare provider if you see any redness or drainage from your incision.

Don't take tub baths until you talk with your healthcare provider at your first appointment after your surgery.

Managing vaginal spotting or bleeding

It'southward common to have some vaginal spotting or light bleeding after surgery. Utilise a pad or a panty liner so you can come across how much yous're spotting or haemorrhage. Don't use a tampon.

If y'all have heavy bleeding (y'all're bleeding through a pad or liner every one to 2 hours), call your healthcare provider right away.

Sexual activity

Don't put anything in your vagina or accept vaginal intercourse (sexual activity) for 8 weeks after your surgery. Some people volition need to wait longer than viii weeks, and then speak with your healthcare provider earlier starting to have vaginal sex again.

Driving and traveling

You tin start driving again 2 weeks afterward surgery equally long equally you lot aren't taking pain medication that may make you drowsy.

Information technology'due south OK to travel later on your surgery. If you're traveling past airplane inside a few weeks afterwards your surgery, brand certain you go up and walk every hour. Be sure to stretch your legs, drink plenty of liquids, and go on your feet elevated when possible.

Going back to piece of work

About people tin can render to work virtually 2 to iv weeks afterward the surgery. Talk with your healthcare provider well-nigh your job and when it may be safe for yous to start working again. The time it takes to return to work depends on the type of work you do, the type of surgery you had, and how fast your body heals.

Concrete activity and exercise

Don't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds (4.v kilograms) for at to the lowest degree 4 weeks afterwards surgery. Speak with your healthcare provider about when y'all can practise heavy lifting.

Doing aerobic exercise, such as walking and stair climbing, volition help you gain strength and feel better. Gradually increase the altitude you walk. Climb stairs slowly, resting or stopping as needed. Ask your healthcare provider before starting more strenuous exercises.

Managing your feelings

After surgery for a serious disease, you may have new and upsetting feelings. Many people say they felt weepy, sad, worried, nervous, irritable, and angry at one time or another. You may notice that yous can't control some of these feelings. If this happens, it'southward a good idea to seek emotional support. Your healthcare provider can refer you to MSK's Counseling Center. You lot tin also reach them by calling 646-888-0200.

The kickoff stride in coping is to talk about how you feel. Family and friends can help. Your healthcare providers can reassure, support, and guide y'all. It's e'er a good thought to let usa know how you, your family, and your friends are feeling emotionally. Many resources are available to you and your family. Whether you're in the hospital or at home, we're hither to assist you and your family unit and friends handle the emotional aspects of your affliction.

Follow-up appointments after surgery

Your first appointment subsequently surgery will exist 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. Your nurse volition give you lot instructions on how to brand this appointment, including the phone number to call.

When to telephone call your healthcare provider

Telephone call your healthcare provider if:

• You lot have a fever of 101 °F (38.3 °C) or college.
• You have pain that doesn't get meliorate with pain medication.
• There's redness, drainage, or swelling effectually your incisions.
• Your calves or thighs are swollen or tender.
• You coughing up blood.
• You have whatsoever shortness of jiff or difficulty breathing.
• You don't pass gas or take any bowel movement for 3 days or longer.
• You have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• You have any questions or concerns.

Contact data

Monday through Fri from nine:00 am to 5:00 pm, call your healthcare provider's office.

After five:00 pm, during the weekend, and on holidays, call 212-639-2000 and ask to speak to the person on call for your healthcare provider.

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Support Services

This section has a list of support services that may help you lot get ready for your surgery and recover safely.

As you read through this section, write down whatsoever questions yous want to inquire your healthcare provider.

MSK support services

For more online information, visit the Cancer Types section of www.mskcc.org.

Admitting Function
212-639-7606
Call if you take questions about your infirmary admission, including requesting a individual room.

Anesthesia
212-639-6840
Call if you have questions about anesthesia.

Blood Donor Room
212-639-7643
Call for information if you lot're interested in donating blood or platelets.

Bobst International Centre
888-675-7722
MSK welcomes patients from around the world. If yous're an international patient, phone call for assist arranging your care.

Counseling Middle
646-888-0200
Many people find that counseling helps them. Nosotros provide counseling for individuals, couples, families, and groups, as well every bit medications to help if y'all experience anxious or depressed. To make an appointment, ask your healthcare provider for a referral or call the number above.

Female Sexual Medicine and Women's Health Plan
646-888-5076
Cancer and cancer treatments can accept an impact on your sexual health. Our Female person Sexual Medicine and Women's Health Program tin help if you're dealing with cancer-related sexual health challenges such as premature menopause or fertility issues. Phone call for more information or to make an appointment. Nosotros can help y'all take activeness and address sexual wellness issues before, during, or after your treatment.

Food Pantry Program
646-888-8055
The food pantry programme provides food to people in demand during their cancer treatment. For more information, talk with your healthcare provider or telephone call the number above.

Integrative Medicine Service
646-888-0800
Integrative Medicine Service offers many services to complement (go along with) traditional medical care, including music therapy, mind/body therapies, trip the light fantastic and movement therapy, yoga, and touch therapy.

Male person Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program
646-888-6024
Cancer and cancer treatments tin can have an impact on your sexual wellness. Our Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Plan can help if you're dealing with cancer-related sexual wellness challenges such equally erectile dysfunction (ED). Call for information or to make an appointment. We tin can assistance you accept action and address sexual health problems before, during, or after your handling.

MSK Library
library.mskcc.org
212-639-7439
You tin can visit our library website or speak with the library reference staff to notice more information about your specific cancer type. You can as well visit LibGuides on MSK's library website at libguides.mskcc.org

Patient and Caregiver Education
world wide web.mskcc.org/pe
Visit the Patient and Caregiver Education website to search our virtual library. There you can detect written educational resources, videos, and online programs.

Patient and Caregiver Peer Support Plan
212-639-5007
You lot may discover it comforting to speak with someone who has been through a treatment like yours. You can talk with a one-time MSK patient or caregiver through our Patient and Caregiver Peer Support Plan. These conversations are confidential. They may take place in person or over the phone.

Patient Billing
646-227-3378
Telephone call if you have questions about preauthorization with your insurance company. This is too chosen preapproval.

Patient Representative Part
212-639-7202
Call if you take questions about the Health Intendance Proxy form or if yous have concerns about your care.

Perioperative Nurse Liaison
212-639-5935
Phone call if y'all have questions about MSK releasing whatsoever information while yous're having surgery.

Private Duty Nursing Office
212-639-6892
You lot may request private nurses or companions. Call for more data.

Resources for Life Subsequently Cancer (RLAC) Programme
646-888-8106
At MSK, intendance doesn't terminate after active treatment. The RLAC Program is for patients and their families who have finished handling. This program has many services, including seminars, workshops, support groups, counseling on life later handling, and aid with insurance and employment problems.

Social Work
212-639-7020
Social workers help patients, family, and friends deal with issues that are mutual for cancer patients. They provide individual counseling and support groups throughout the course of treatment and can help yous communicate with children and other family unit members. Our social workers can also aid refer you to community agencies and programs, as well as financial resource if you're eligible.

Spiritual Care
212-639-5982
Our chaplains (spiritual counselors) are available to mind, help support family members, pray, contact community clergy or organized religion groups, or just be a comforting companion and a spiritual presence. Anyone can request spiritual back up, regardless of formal religious amalgamation. MSK's interfaith chapel is located most Memorial Infirmary'southward main entrance hall. It'south open 24 hours a day. If you lot have an emergency, call 212-639-2000. Ask for the chaplain on call.

Tobacco Treatment Program
212-610-0507
If you lot want to quit smoking, MSK has specialists who can help. Telephone call for data.

Virtual Programs
www.mskcc.org/vp
MSK's Virtual Programs offering online educational activity and support for patients and caregivers, even when you can't come to MSK in person. Through live, interactive sessions, you can learn about your diagnosis, what to expect during treatment, and how to prepare for the various stages of your cancer intendance. Sessions are confidential, gratis, and led past skillful clinical staff. If you're interested in joining a Virtual Program, visit our website at www.mskcc.org/vp for more data.

External support services

Access-A-Ride
web.mta.info/nyct/paratran/guide.htm
877-337-2017
In New York City, the MTA offers a shared ride, door-to-door service for people with disabilities who can't take the public bus or subway.

Air Charity Network
world wide web.aircharitynetwork.org
877-621-7177
Provides travel to treatment centers.

American Cancer Society (ACS)
world wide web.cancer.org
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Offers a variety of information and services, including Hope Guild, a free place for patients and caregivers to stay during cancer treatment.

Cancer and Careers
www.cancerandcareers.org
A resources for education, tools, and events for employees with cancer.

CancerCare
www.cancercare.org
800-813-4673
275 Seventh Avenue (Between West 25^thursday & 26^th Streets)
New York, NY 10001
Provides counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications, and financial assistance.

Cancer Back up Community
www.cancersupportcommunity.org
Provides back up and education to people affected by cancer.

Caregiver Action Network
www.caregiveraction.org
800-896-3650
Provides education and back up for people who intendance for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability.

Corporate Affections Network
www.corpangelnetwork.org
866-328-1313
Offers complimentary travel to treatment beyond the country using empty seats on corporate jets.

Gilda's Club
www.gildasclubnyc.org
212-647-9700
A identify where men, women, and children living with cancer notice social and emotional back up through networking, workshops, lectures, and social activities.

Good Days
www.mygooddays.org
877-968-7233
Offers financial assistance to pay for copayments during treatment. Patients must take medical insurance, run into the income criteria, and be prescribed medication that'south office of the Good Days formulary.

Healthwell Foundation
www.healthwellfoundation.org
800-675-8416
Provides fiscal aid to cover copayments, health care premiums, and deductibles for certain medications and therapies.

Joe'southward Firm
world wide web.joeshouse.org
877-563-7468
Provides a list of places to stay near handling centers for people with cancer and their families.

LGBT Cancer Projection
http://lgbtcancer.com/
Provides support and advocacy for the LGBT customs, including online support groups and a database of LGBT-friendly clinical trials.

LIVESTRONG Fertility
www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/fertility-services
855-744-7777
Provides reproductive information and support to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments have risks associated with infertility.

Wait Expert Feel Better Programme
www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org
800-395-LOOK (800-395-5665)
This programme offers workshops to acquire things yous can do to assist you experience better about your appearance. For more information or to sign up for a workshop, telephone call the number to a higher place or visit the plan's website.

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)

National Cancer Legal Services Network
www.nclsn.org
Free cancer legal advocacy program.

National LGBT Cancer Network
world wide web.cancer-network.org
Provides education, training, and advocacy for LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk.

Needy Meds
www.needymeds.org
Lists Patient Assistance Programs for brand and generic name medications.

NYRx
www.nyrxplan.com
Provides prescription benefits to eligible employees and retirees of public sector employers in New York State.

Partnership for Prescription Help
www.pparx.org
888-477-2669
Helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage go free or depression-cost medications.

Patient Access Network Foundation
www.panfoundation.org
866-316-7263
Provides assistance with copayments for patients with insurance.

Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org
800-532-5274
Provides admission to intendance, financial assist, insurance assistance, task retentivity assistance, and access to the national underinsured resource directory.

RxHope
www.rxhope.com
877-267-0517
Provides assistance to help people get medications that they have trouble affording.

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Educational Resources

This section has the educational resource mentioned in this guide. These resources volition assistance yous get set up for your surgery and recover safely after surgery.

Equally you read through these resources, write down any questions you desire to ask your healthcare provider.

• A Guide for Caregivers
• Virtually Your Recovery Tracker
• Advance Care Planning
• Phone call! Don't Autumn!
• Common Medications Containing Aspirin, Other Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin E
• Herbal Remedies and Cancer Treatment
• How to Be a Health Intendance Agent
• How to Enroll in MyMSK: Memorial Sloan Kettering'due south Patient Portal
• How to Use Your Incentive Spirometer

For information about lymphedema, you can besides read the New York State Department of Wellness's resource Understanding Lymphedema.

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Source: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/about-your-robotic-assisted-laparoscopic-hysterectomy