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Gynecologic surgery discharge instructions

Get helpful information on postoperative care related to various types of gynecological surgical procedures.

Ablation Discharge Instructions

Hysteroscopic Surgery

  1. You may immediately resume a normal diet.
  2. Most patients have only mild cramping after this surgery.
  3. Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol, 2 tablets every four hours or over-the-counter Ibuprofen, 200 milligrams (3-4 tablets every six hours) will be adequate for the discomfort you are having.
  4. You should schedule a post-operative appointment four weeks after surgery.
  5. Expect some light bleeding for up to two weeks.
  6. Call if you have severe pain or heavy bleeding, where you are soaking a pad every hour.
  7. It is normal to have a yellowish discharge during the healing process for the first few weeks after surgery.

Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH) Discharge Instructions

  1. INCISION - You may remove the Steri-Strips 1 week after you go home from the hospital. They are waterproof. A small amount of discharge from the incision requires only gentle cleansing with hydrogen peroxide. If there is a large amount of drainage, please call our office.
  2. ACTIVITY - Climbing stairs, walking, and housework can be resumed at your own pace. You may resume driving 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Vaginal intercourse should be delayed until 6 weeks after surgery in order to allow the vaginal incision to heal properly. You may bathe or shower.
  3. VAGINAL DISCHARGE - Spotting or mild, dark, bloody discharge may continue off and on for several weeks, as the vaginal incision is healing.. You should call the office if you have heavy bleeding.
  4. HORMONES - If one or both of your ovaries remain and you are not menopausal, there is no need for supplemental estrogen. If your ovaries were removed at the time of your surgery, we recommend starting on hormone replacement therapy with estrogen soon after your surgery. If you are having severe symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes) prior to your post-operative visit, please call the office for an estrogen prescription.
  5. BLADDER - You may experience a feeling of urgency in voiding or the need to urinate more often than usual for a few weeks after your surgery. This will gradually improve. It is important to drink lots of fluids (8 to 10 glasses a day). This will decrease the risk of urinary tract infection. Please call if you have persistent burning or other discomfort with urination.
  6. BOWEL MOVEMENTS - Sometimes it takes several days after surgery before you will start having normal bowel movements. You are welcome to take over-the-counter laxatives such as Milk of Magnesia or Peri-Colace if you become constipated.
  7. FEVER - Please call if you have a fever greater than 100.5 degrees on two separate readings.
  8. POST-OPERATIVE VISITS - Please call the office to schedule a post-operative visits for two weeks and six weeks after surgery.
  9. PAIN MEDICATION - You may take Extra Strength Tylenol (2 tablets every 4 hours) or Advil, Nuprin, or Motrin-IB (3 to 4 tablets of 200 milligrams ibuprofen every 6 hours with food) as needed for post-operative pain. A narcotic pain reliever, such as Percocet, may be prescribed for the first few days after surgery.

Abdominal Hysterectomy with Removal of Ovaries and Tubes (TAH/BSO) Discharge Instructions

  1. INCISION - You may remove the Steri-Strips 1 week after you go home from the hospital. They are waterproof. A small amount of discharge from the incision requires only gentle cleansing with hydrogen peroxide. If there is a large amount of drainage, please call our office.
  2. ACTIVITY - Climbing stairs, walking, and housework can be resumed at your own pace. You may resume driving 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Vaginal intercourse should be delayed until 6 weeks after surgery in order to allow the vaginal incision to heal properly. You may bathe or shower.
  3. VAGINAL DISCHARGE - Spotting or mild, dark, bloody discharge may continue off and on for several weeks, as the vaginal incision is healing.. You should call the office if you have heavy bleeding.
  4. HORMONES - If one or both of your ovaries remain and you are not menopausal, there is no need for supplemental estrogen. If your ovaries were removed at the time of your surgery, we recommend starting on hormone replacement therapy with estrogen soon after your surgery. If you are having severe symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes) prior to your post-operative visit, please call the office for an estrogen prescription.
  5. BLADDER - You may experience a feeling of urgency in voiding or the need to urinate more often than usual for a few weeks after your surgery. This will gradually improve. It is important to drink lots of fluids (8 to 10 glasses a day). This will decrease the risk of urinary tract infection. Please call if you have persistent burning or other discomfort with urination.
  6. BOWEL MOVEMENTS - Sometimes it takes several days after surgery before you will start having normal bowel movements. You are welcome to take over-the-counter laxatives such as Milk of Magnesia or Peri-Colace if you become constipated.
  7. FEVER - Please call if you have a fever greater than 100.5 degrees on two separate readings.
  8. POST-OPERATIVE VISITS - Please call the office to schedule a post-operative visits for two weeks and six weeks after surgery.
  9. PAIN MEDICATION - You may take Extra Strength Tylenol (2 tablets every 4 hours) or Advil, Nuprin, or Motrin-IB (3 to 4 tablets of 200 milligrams ibuprofen every 6 hours with food) as needed for post-operative pain. A narcotic pain reliever, such as Percocet, may be prescribed for the first few days after surgery.

Anterior & Posterior Repair (for Cystocele and Rectocele) Discharge Instructions

  1. No driving for one to two weeks.
  2. No strenuous activity for two weeks.
  3. No heavy lifting, douching, or intercourse for six weeks.
  4. For pain you may take Extra Strength Tylenol (2 tablets every four hours), or ibuprofen (600 ­ 800 mg every six hours), or a prescription pain pill may also be prescribed such as Percocet (1 ­ 2 tablets every four hours as needed).
  5. You may shower or bathe.
  6. There are no diet restrictions.
  7. Avoid straining when having a bowel movement or urinating. If you experience constipation, you may take Milk of Magnesia or Metamucil (one teaspoon in a glass of juice), or you may use an over-the-counter laxative.
  8. Call your doctor if you have excessive vaginal bleeding or a fever greater than 101 degrees. Expect some spotting or light bleeding for up to six weeks.
  9. Schedule a post-operative appointment four weeks after your surgery.

D&C (Dilatation & Curettage) Discharge Instructions

  1. You may immediately resume a normal diet.
  2. Most patients have only mild cramping after this surgery.
  3. Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol, 2 tablets every four hours or over-the-counter Ibuprofen, 200 milligrams (3-4 tablets every six hours) will be adequate for the discomfort you are having.
  4. You should schedule a post-operative appointment four weeks after surgery.
  5. Expect some light bleeding for up to two weeks.
  6. Call if you have severe pain or heavy bleeding, where you are soaking a pad every hour.
  7. It is normal to have a yellowish discharge during the healing process for the first few weeks after surgery.

D&C for Miscarriage (Suction Dilatation & Curettage) Discharge Instructions

  1. It is normal to have mild to moderate bleeding for several weeks after a D & C. Call if your bleeding is excessive or persistent beyond three weeks. You should not drive for 24 hours because of the anesthetic. Otherwise, there are no restrictions on your activity. If you work outside the home, you may resume work whenever you feel ready.
  2. It is normal to have mild to moderate bleeding for several weeks after a D & C. Call if your bleeding is excessive or persistent beyond three weeks. You should not drive for 24 hours because of the anesthetic. Otherwise, there are no restrictions on your activity. If you work outside the home, you may resume work whenever you feel ready.
  3. You may resume exercise and intercourse whenever you feel ready.
  4. You may shower or bathe at any point after surgery.
  5. Call if you have a fever greater than 101 degrees.
  6. Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) as needed for pain. Call if you are having severe cramps requiring a stronger pain medication.
  7. Unless specific arrangements have been made, we do not do analysis on the pregnancy tissue after a miscarriage. As miscarriages are quite common, there is no reason for any further evaluation. Usually a miscarriage is caused by something intrinsic to the pregnancy itself. It certainly is not related to anything you did or did not do. If a patient has two miscarriages in a row or three miscarriages in any order, it may be appropriate to consider further testing to test for health factors leading to miscarriage.
  8. You may start ovulating again anywhere between two and six weeks after a miscarriage. Therefore, if you are interested in contraception, you should plan accordingly. You may start birth control pills the Sunday following your D & C.
  9. You may start ovulating again anywhere between two and six weeks after a miscarriage. Therefore, if you are interested in contraception, you should plan accordingly. You may start birth control pills the Sunday following your D & C.
  10. Please schedule a post-operative appointment in our office about two weeks after your D & C.
  11. Please schedule a post-operative appointment in our office about two weeks after your D & C.

Laparoscopy Discharge Instructions

  1. Your throat may feel sore if you had general anesthesia; this is caused by the tube which is placed in the trachea during the procedure. You may use throat lozenges if you desire.
  2. You will have two or more small incision on your abdomen. The stitches are usually located under the skin and will be absorbed in time. They do not need to be removed. If a visible stitch is placed through the skin edges, it will be removed at the time of your two week postoperative check.
  3. Your incision may be tender. If bandages have been placed, remove them two days after surgery. If Steri-Strips have been placed, remove them one week after surgery. It is not a problem if they fall off before this time. They are waterproof. You may clean your incisions with water or peroxide as needed.
  4. You may shower or bathe as desired.
  5. You may eat or drink as usual. You may want to eat easy to digest foods in the first 24 hours after surgery.
  6. You may have shoulder or neck pain after the procedure. This is caused by the gas used to inflate your abdomen in surgery and is normal. It will resolve spontaneously.
  7. You may resume intercourse when you are ready.
  8. You may feel quite tired from the anesthesia for several days after your surgery.
  9. You should notify the doctor if you have constant, severe abdominal pain, persistent fevers over 101 degrees, persistent nausea or vomiting, or heavy bleeding.
  10. You may take Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol, or Advil (ibuprofen) as needed for postoperative pain. A mild narcotic pain reliever may be prescribed for the first few days after surgery.

Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation Discharge Instructions

  1. Your throat may feel sore if you had general anesthesia; this is caused by the tube which is placed in the trachea during the procedure. You may use throat lozenges if you desire.
  2. You will have two or more small incision on your abdomen. The stitches are usually located under the skin and will be absorbed in time. They do not need to be removed. If a visible stitch is placed through the skin edges, it will be removed at the time of your two week postoperative check.
  3. Your incision may be tender. If bandages have been placed, remove them two days after surgery. If Steri-Strips have been placed, remove them one week after surgery. It is not a problem if they fall off before this time. They are waterproof. You may clean your incisions with water or peroxide as needed.
  4. You may shower or bathe as desired.
  5. You may eat or drink as usual. You may want to eat easy to digest foods in the first 24 hours after surgery.
  6. You may have shoulder or neck pain after the procedure. This is caused by the gas used to inflate your abdomen in surgery and is normal. It will resolve spontaneously.
  7. You may resume intercourse when you are ready.
  8. You may feel quite tired from the anesthesia for several days after your surgery.
  9. You should notify the doctor if you have constant, severe abdominal pain, persistent fevers over 101 degrees, persistent nausea or vomiting, or heavy bleeding.
  10. You may take Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol, or Advil (ibuprofen) as needed for postoperative pain. A mild narcotic pain reliever may be prescribed for the first few days after surgery.

Laparoscopy for Infertility Discharge Instructions

  1. Your throat may feel sore if you had general anesthesia; this is caused by the tube which is placed in the trachea during the procedure. You may use throat lozenges if you desire.
  2. You will have two or more small incision on your abdomen. The stitches are usually located under the skin and will be absorbed in time. They do not need to be removed. If a visible stitch is placed through the skin edges, it will be removed at the time of your two week postoperative check.
  3. Your incision may be tender. If bandages have been placed, remove them two days after surgery. If Steri-Strips have been placed, remove them one week after surgery. It is not a problem if they fall off before this time. They are waterproof. You may clean your incisions with water or peroxide as needed.
  4. You may shower or bathe as desired.
  5. You may eat or drink as usual. You may want to eat easy to digest foods in the first 24 hours after surgery.
  6. You may have shoulder or neck pain after the procedure. This is caused by the gas used to inflate your abdomen in surgery and is normal. It will resolve spontaneously.
  7. You may resume intercourse when you are ready.
  8. You may feel quite tired from the anesthesia for several days after your surgery.
  9. You should notify the doctor if you have constant, severe abdominal pain, persistent fevers over 101 degrees, persistent nausea or vomiting, or heavy bleeding.
  10. You may take Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol, or Advil (ibuprofen) as needed for postoperative pain. A mild narcotic pain reliever may be prescribed for the first few days after surgery.

Laparoscopic-assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) Discharge Instructions

  1. If you had a general anesthesia, your throat may feel sore from the tube that was placed in your trachea during the procedure. You may use throat lozenges if you desire.
  2. You will have three or more small incisions in your abdomen. The stitches are under the skin and will be absorbed in time. They do not need to be removed. Your incisions may be tender. You may clean them as needed daily with warm water or hydrogen peroxide. If your incisions are covered with Band-Aids, remove them 2 - 3 days after surgery. If you have Steri-Strips on the incisions, they should be removed 7 days after surgery. They are waterproof. Don't worry if they fall off before 7 days.
  3. It is suggested that you take mostly liquids on the first day after your surgery as well as Jello, soft drinks, and soups. On the second day after surgery, if you do not have any abdominal swelling or gas pains, you may eat and drink as usual.
  4. You may have some shoulder or neck pain after your surgery. This is caused by the gas used to inflate your abdomen in surgery and will resolve spontaneously.
  5. You may have some slight vaginal spotting in the first weeks after surgery as the vaginal incision heals. You should not resume intercourse until 6 weeks after surgery.
  6. You may feel quite tired from the anesthesia for the first few days after your surgery.
  7. Estrogen will be prescribed for you if your ovaries were removed at the time of your procedure or if you are menopausal. This medication should be taken daily. It is recommended that you maintain a calcium intake of 1500 mg per day. You can get this through diet, supplements, or a combination. You should also take a supplement of vitamin D of 400 - 800 units daily.
  8. After you go home from the hospital, please call the office to schedule your two week and six week post-operative appointments.
  9. You may take Motrin 600 mg. every six hours for the first 3 - 5 days after surgery. You may take Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol for mild pain. You may take Percocet 1 - 2 tablets every 3 - 6 hours as needed for more severe pain. Iron may also be prescribed.
  10. You will need to limit your activities for 7 - 10 days. After this , you may do anything you desire. Beginning the day after surgery you may climb stairs, shower, or bathe.
  11. You should take your temperature three times a day for the first week after surgery. You should call if it stays over 100.5 degrees.
  12. If you work outside the home and your work is mostly desk work, you may return after 7 - 10 days if you feel up to it. You can expect to fatigue easily at first. If your job is very physical, you may need to wait until after your checkup two weeks after surgery.

Laparoscopic-assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy with Removal of Ovaries and Tubes (LAVH/BSO) Discharge Instructions

  1. If you had a general anesthesia, your throat may feel sore from the tube that was placed in your trachea during the procedure. You may use throat lozenges if you desire.
  2. You will have three or more small incisions in your abdomen. The stitches are under the skin and will be absorbed in time. They do not need to be removed. Your incisions may be tender. You may clean them as needed daily with warm water or hydrogen peroxide. If your incisions are covered with Band-Aids, remove them 2 - 3 days after surgery. If you have Steri-Strips on the incisions, they should be removed 7 days after surgery. They are waterproof. Don't worry if they fall off before 7 days.
  3. It is suggested that you take mostly liquids on the first day after your surgery as well as Jello, soft drinks, and soups. On the second day after surgery, if you do not have any abdominal swelling or gas pains, you may eat and drink as usual.
  4. You may have some shoulder or neck pain after your surgery. This is caused by the gas used to inflate your abdomen in surgery and will resolve spontaneously.
  5. You may have some slight vaginal spotting in the first weeks after surgery as the vaginal incision heals. You should not resume intercourse until 6 weeks after surgery.
  6. You may feel quite tired from the anesthesia for the first few days after your surgery.
  7. Estrogen will be prescribed for you if your ovaries were removed at the time of your procedure or if you are menopausal. This medication should be taken daily. It is recommended that you maintain a calcium intake of 1500 mg per day. You can get this through diet, supplements, or a combination. You should also take a supplement of vitamin D of 400 - 800 units daily.
  8. After you go home from the hospital, please call the office to schedule your two week and six week post-operative appointments.
  9. You may take Motrin 600 mg. every six hours for the first 3 - 5 days after surgery. You may take Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol for mild pain. You may take Percocet 1 - 2 tablets every 3 - 6 hours as needed for more severe pain. Iron may also be prescribed.
  10. You will need to limit your activities for 7 - 10 days. After this , you may do anything you desire. Beginning the day after surgery you may climb stairs, shower, or bathe.
  11. You should take your temperature three times a day for the first week after surgery. You should call if it stays over 100.5 degrees.
  12. If you work outside the home and your work is mostly desk work, you may return after 7 - 10 days if you feel up to it. You can expect to fatigue easily at first. If your job is very physical, you may need to wait until after your checkup two weeks after surgery.

Total Vaginal Hysterectomy (TVH) Discharge Instructions

  1. No driving for one to two weeks.
  2. No strenuous activity for two weeks.
  3. No heavy lifting, douching, or intercourse for six weeks.
  4. For pain you may take Extra Strength Tylenol (2 tablets every four hours), or ibuprofen (600 ­ 800 mg every six hours), or a prescription pain pill may also be prescribed such as Percocet (1 ­ 2 tablets every four hours as needed).
  5. You may shower or bathe.
  6. There are no diet restrictions.
  7. Avoid straining when having a bowel movement or urinating. If you experience constipation, you may take Milk of Magnesia or Metamucil (one teaspoon in a glass of juice), or you may use an over-the-counter laxative.
  8. Call your doctor if you have excessive vaginal bleeding or a fever greater than 101 degrees. Expect some spotting or light bleeding for up to six weeks.
  9. Schedule a post-operative appointment four weeks after your surgery.

Total Vaginal Hysterectomy (TVH/BSO) Discharge Instructions

  1. No driving for one to two weeks.
  2. No strenuous activity for two weeks.
  3. No heavy lifting, douching, or intercourse for six weeks.
  4. For pain you may take Extra Strength Tylenol (2 tablets every four hours), or ibuprofen (600 ­ 800 mg every six hours), or a prescription pain pill may also be prescribed such as Percocet (1 ­ 2 tablets every four hours as needed).
  5. You may shower or bathe.
  6. There are no diet restrictions.
  7. Avoid straining when having a bowel movement or urinating. If you experience constipation, you may take Milk of Magnesia or Metamucil (one teaspoon in a glass of juice), or you may use an over-the-counter laxative.
  8. Call your doctor if you have excessive vaginal bleeding or a fever greater than 101 degrees. Expect some spotting or light bleeding for up to six weeks.
  9. Schedule a post-operative appointment four weeks after your surgery.