Location
Most hysterectomies are performed under general anesthesia in the surgical unit of a hospital. That said, a laparoscopic hysterectomy may be performed as an outpatient procedure—usually in an outpatient hospital surgery department, or occasionally, within a freestanding ambulatory surgery center.
You will probably be asked to arrive at the hospital or surgical center approximately two hours prior to your scheduled surgical time.
Once you arrive, you will be taken to a preoperative room, where you will change into a hospital gown. At this time, a preoperative area nurse may take your vitals and place a peripheral IV. Fluids and medicine, such as an antibiotic to prevent infection, will be administered through this peripheral IV.
While waiting in the preoperative room, you will also:
See your surgeon and any other healthcare providers or nurses who are assisting with the surgerySign surgery and anesthesia consent formsProbably be given a sedative medication to help relax you prior to being wheeled into the operating room
Once in the operating room, you will be attached to various monitoring devices and given more sedating medication to put you to sleep.
What to Wear
It’s important to wear comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothing when you arrive at the hospital. Do not wear makeup and be sure to leave valuables, like jewelry, at home.
At the hospital, your clothes, shoes, and personal belongings will be placed in a plastic bag, which will be given back to you after the surgery.
Food and Drink
While you will want to check-in with your surgeon first, patients are often instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the eve of their surgery.
In addition, you may be restricted to a light breakfast and lunch followed by a clear liquid diet on the day before your surgery. Clear liquids include any of the following:
WaterApple, white grape juice, or lemonade (no pulp)Tea or coffee with no milk or creamerBrothSodaGelatin
Medications
Prior to surgery, you will have an appointment with your surgeon to review the details of the surgery. You will also meet with someone from the anesthesia department.
During your anesthesia visit (or phone call, in some instances), a member of the anesthesia team will review your medications.
You will be advised on which medications you can continue and which medicines you should stop (and if so, when) prior to the surgery.
Prescription drugsOver-the-counter drugsSupplements, like vitamins or herbal productsRecreational drugs
For instance, you may be instructed to stop medicines like aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may increase your risk of bleeding during surgery.
Prior to surgery, your surgeon may also give you instructions for preparing your bowels; although bowel preparation is now falling out of standard practice because it has not been found to protect against surgical site infection.
What to Bring
Depending on the type of hysterectomy performed, you will stay in the hospital for around one to four nights.
To ensure you are prepared, here is a list of items you should bring with you to the hospital on the day of your surgery:
Your insurance cardAll of your medications, including supplements, in their original bottleA change of clothes for leaving the hospital (the rest of the time you will be in a gown)Your personal toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, etc.
Before your surgery, arrange for a loved one or friend to drive you home after the procedure. You will also need someone to help you with basic chores (e.g., cooking, cleaning, and driving you to appointments) for a few weeks until you are recovered. Lining that up ahead of time can make your return home less stressful.
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
In order to maximize your healing and recovery, it’s important to start engaging in healthy lifestyle practices several weeks before your surgery (if possible).
These practices include:
Staying physical active: It’s also a good idea to talk with your surgeon about specific exercises that may help you recover from the hysterectomy. Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet to help prevent infection and prepare your body for the recovery process Stopping smoking to help improve your healing rate and lower your risk for infection
A Word From Verywell
It’s normal to feel a little anxious prior to undergoing any surgery, including a hysterectomy. By being prepared and carefully following your surgeon’s pre-operative instructions, you can hopefully minimize your worries and optimize your healing and recovery.
