Hospitalisation and Postoperative Instructions

(i) Tension-Free Vaginal Tapes:
Check you have a postoperative appointment immediately on discharge from the hospital.

Days 1-7:

• Light duties: Lifting nothing heavier than 2kg (Sydney phonebook); Stairs allowed (within tolerance); Walking allowed (start slowly with shorter distances); Cooking allowed if no more than 2kg lifted); No housework (e.g. vacuuming, sweeping, reaching to cupboards or clotheslines) that might put a strain on the area of the surgery; No jogging; No gardening.
• Driving after 4 days.
• A vaginal discharge may be present due to stitches.
• Slight vaginal blood loss might also be noted.
• Showers and baths are OK but no swimming.
• No intercourse.
• No tampons.

Days 6-10:

• Visit with Professor Haylen during this time. Further instructions will be given.

Days 10-12:

• : Return to light household and work activities.
• If work involves physical activity, a longer period of time off might be required.

From Day 21:

• Final vaginal discharge should have stopped.
• Tampon usage allowed.

From Day 28:

• Sporting activities allowed.
• Intercourse allowed.

Other notes:
You may find you are tired and need to rest more than usual for 1-2 weeks after surgery. This will gradually improve.

If problems occur, make contact.

(ii) All Vaginal Hysterectomies, Vaginal Repairs (with / Wl Thout Tapes)
Check you have a postoperative appointment immediately on discharge from the hospital.

Days 1-42:

• Light duties: Lifting nothing heavier than 2kg (Sydney phonebook); Stairs allowed (within tolerance); Walking allowed (start slowly with shorter distances); Cooking allowed if no more than 2kg lifted); No housework (e.g. vacuuming, sweeping, reaching to cupboards or clotheslines) that might put a strain on the area of the surgery; No jogging; No gardening.
• Driving after 18 days
• Vaginal discharge will be present for all of this time, initially reddish then yellow, due to vaginal stitches.
• If the discharge is malodourous a salt bath is permissible once or twice each day (a handful of cooking salt into the bath). If this doesn’t work, some vaginal antibiotic cream called Dalacin may be needed (a prescription is required).
• Some longer sutures can be readily felt at the back wall of the vaginal entrance. These are normal but they can be annoying. Salt baths generally help to soften them and relieve the discomfort.
• Intermittent vaginal blood loss might also be noted, at times slightly heavier after walking and other activity.
• Showers OK but no swimming. A saltwater dip (without active swimming) is permitted in the 6-7 days before the postoperative visit.
• No intercourse.

For women who have had a sacrospinous hitch, some discomfort in the right buttock is not uncommon for some weeks, decreasing over time. 

Days 42-56:

• Visit with Professor Haylen during this time. Further instructions will be given.

From Day 49:

• Return to light household and work activities.
• If work involves physical activity, a longer period of time off might be required.
• Final vaginal discharge should have stopped.
• Intercourse is generally allowed.

From Day 65:

• Sporting activities allowed.

Recommendation for longer-term weight-lifting: around 10KG (7 bottles champagne)

Other notes:
You may find you are tired and need to rest more than usual for 6 weeks after surgery. This will gradually improve.

If problems occur, make contact.

 (iii) Abdominal Hysterectomies, (with/without Colposuspension):
Check you have a postoperative appointment immediately on discharge from the hospital.

Days 1-42:

• Light duties: Lifting nothing heavier than 2kg (Sydney phonebook); Stairs allowed (within tolerance); Walking allowed (start slowly with shorter distances); Cooking allowed if no more than 2kg lifted); No housework (e.g. vacuuming, sweeping, reaching to cupboards or clotheslines) that might put a strain on the area of the surgery; No jogging; No gardening.
• Driving after 18 days.
• Some vaginal discharge may be present.
• Intermittent vaginal blood loss might also be noted, at times slightly heavier after walking and other activity.
• Showers are OK but no swimming. A saltwater dip (without active swimming) is permitted in the 6-7 days before the postoperative visit.
• No intercourse.

Days 42-56:

• Visit with Professor Haylen during this time. Further instructions will be given.

From Day 65:

• Sporting activities allowed.

Recommendation for longer-term weight-lifting: around 10KG (7 bottles champagne).

Other notes:
You may find you are tired and need to rest more than usual for 6 weeks after surgery. This will gradually improve.

If problems occur, make contact.