Your guide to recovery after keyhole gynaecological surgery
Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery uses small incisions and a camera to perform your procedure. Recovery is generally faster than open surgery, but your body still needs time to heal internally.
| Medication | Dose | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol | 1 g (2 tablets) | Every 6 hours (max 4 g/day) |
| Ibuprofen | 400–600 mg | Every 6–8 hours with food |
| Opioid (if prescribed) | As directed | Breakthrough pain only — max 3–5 days |
Take paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly for the first 3–5 days — alternating every 3 hours gives continuous coverage. Opioids cause constipation; use only if non-opioids are insufficient.
CO₂ gas used during surgery irritates the diaphragm, causing referred pain in the shoulder tip. This affects 35–80% of patients, peaks within 48 hours, and typically resolves in 1–3 days.
| Timeframe | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Day of surgery | Walk as soon as able. Light food & fluids. Bloating and shoulder pain common. |
| Days 1–3 | Most discomfort. Shoulder pain peaks. Gentle walking 10–15 min. Rest between activities. |
| Days 4–7 | Shoulder pain resolving. Increasing walk duration. Pain becoming manageable. |
| Weeks 2–3 | Light housework. Return to desk work. |
| Weeks 4–6 | Moderate exercise. Return to physical work. Pain should be minimal. |
| 6+ weeks | Full recovery. Vigorous exercise with clearance. Post-op appointment. |
| Activity | Simple Procedure | Hysterectomy |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle walking | Day 1 | Day 1 |
| Moderate exercise | 1 week | 3–4 weeks |
| Gym / vigorous | 2 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Desk work | ~1 week | 1–2 weeks |
| Physical work | ~1 week | 2–4 weeks |
| Sexual intercourse | When ready | 6–12 weeks |
Mobilise from day one. Walk on the day of surgery. Aim for at least 8 hours out of bed per day. Avoid sitting or lying for more than 2 hours at a time while awake — this reduces your DVT risk.
Recovery is fastest (1–2 weeks). Return to normal activities within a week for most patients. Port site discomfort settles quickly.
Recovery varies with disease severity. Simple treatment: 1–2 weeks. Severe deep excision (bowel/bladder involvement): 3–6 weeks. Pain may recur — hormonal therapy is often recommended. Discuss your long-term plan at follow-up.
Full recovery takes 4–6 weeks. The vaginal cuff requires complete healing — nothing in the vagina for 6–8 weeks minimum. Grief about fertility loss is valid; most women report improved quality of life at 6 months. If ovaries were removed, discuss HRT.
Your follow-up is scheduled for approximately 4–6 weeks after surgery (as advised at discharge). This visit will assess wound healing, review histology results if applicable, and plan ongoing care.