How to Help Someone Recover From a Hysterectomy

One-third of women age 60 and over have had a hysterectomy. At some point in your life, someone close to you may need help dealing with the after effects of hysterectomy. There are many ways to help someone after surgery. A person may not want to ask for your help, though, so sometimes you will have to discover for yourself the best ways to assist your friend or loved one.

Instructions

Help Someone Recover From A Hysterectomy

• 1

  Ask how you can help a person to recover from surgery. People often do things that aren't really helpful or even needed simply because they fail to inquire what would really help.

• 2

  Think about little things others may overlook. A person may need you to walk her pets or clean up after them. She may need library books returned or household articles put back on high shelves.

• 3

  Accept moodiness, unexplained crying or periods of quiet. If a woman was sent into menopause as a result of hysterectomy, she will suffer classic menopause symptoms. Even in the absence of menopause, hysterectomy is a significant emotional watershed.

• 4

  Call before visiting. People often assume that just dropping in shows support. Not knowing when to expect visitors can make it more stressful for a woman who may feel she needs to keep herself and her home constantly presentable.

• 5

  Educate yourself about hysterectomy. You can't know how to help if you don't know what a woman has been through or what she is facing.

• 6

  Listen to your loved one. Hysterectomy is a landmark event in a woman's life, it changes her forever. Being willing to listen can be one of the most helpful ways to aid in her recovery.

• 7

  Offer to drive her places. Driving is forbidden for 4 to 6 weeks in order to recover properly after a hysterectomy.

• 8

  Keep in touch long term. Emotional recovery from hysterectomy, particularly one in which the ovaries were removed, can continue long after the physical healing is complete.