Hysterectomy & Gaining Weight

Many women find that following a hysterectomy they may gain weight. This is unlikely to be a hormonal effect but rather the results of reduced activity during the recovery phase. It is very common after most surgery for patients to gain weight as they are forced to take it easy until they have regained their strength.

Recovery Following a Hysterectomy

Following a hysterectomy, recovery generally takes six weeks but it may be up to six months before you are fully back on your feet. If you continue to consume the same amount of calories that you did before surgery but your reduced activity means that you are burning less of them up, it follows that you will gain weight following a hysterectomy.

Eating Habits

Some people find that they lose their appetite in the immediate aftermath of the operation. For most though it quickly returns. Many women find that being forced to stay at home for three months can be boring and the temptation to snack or comfort eat is quite strong. Try to ensure you follow a healthy diet that makes up for the fact you're not able to exercise.

It's also important to make sure you're getting the right vitamins and minerals to help with the healing process. Fruits that are high in Vitamin C are to be particularly recommended. Although your carer may think they're helping you by giving you lots of filling foods, try to impress on them that what you need is quality not quantity. They might not kill you with kindness but they may considerably add to your weight concerns!

There's nothing irreversible about the weight you gain during your recovery however. Rather than getting anxious, concentrate on getting yourself back to your full health when youll be able to exercise again and burn off any unwelcome calories.