How Do you lose Weight after Hysterectomy?

Undergoing a hysterectomy has an impact on your body. People do a hysterectomy for multiple reasons, including heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, fibroids, cancers in the ovary, uterus, or cervix, and prolapse of the uterus.

While some women choose to do a hysterectomy after considering their medical condition and proper awareness, the rest are forced to involve in such a procedure without much knowledge due to the severity of their health concerns.

There are various doubts about the effects of this procedure, including weight loss. We shall delve into the details to gain clarity.

What is a Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove the uterus. The procedure may also include removing fallopian tubes and the ovaries. Hysterectomy is commonly used to treat chronic diseases in women between the ages of 40 and 50. Three major types of hysterectomy are:

• Total hysterectomy: It is the removal of the entire uterus.
• Supracervical hysterectomy: It is the removal of a part of the uterus.
• Radical hysterectomy: It is the removal of the entire uterus and parametrium.

There is a need for a hysterectomy in people under the following conditions:

• Fibroids, which can cause heavy bleeding, prolonged bleeding, and pelvic pain. They are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus.
• Uterine prolapse, which is a condition where the muscles and tissues surrounding your uterus can weaken. This may lead to bowel and bladder-related problems.
• Cancers of reproductive parts.
• Endometriosis.

When you have a hysterectomy, you can no longer become pregnant, and your menopause will end soon after the procedure.

Weight Loss After Hysterectomy

Though some women experience a drop in their weight after a hysterectomy, the procedure alone does not cause weight loss. It is said to support weight loss indirectly. A common side effect women face is nausea, which lowers their appetite and prevents excess food intake. This supports your weight loss for a while.

Again, a hysterectomy is used to treat a variety of cancers in reproductive organs. This surgery is performed in addition to chemotherapy, which has side effects like nausea and weight loss.

Apart from that, a hysterectomy also aids in reducing chronic pain caused by severe conditions, including but not limited to endometriosis and fibroids. As you relieve those symptoms, you may have more energy to involve in any physical activity actively, thereby leading to weight loss.

While losing a little weight after a hysterectomy is not much of a concern, you have to consult your doctor if there is a massive drop in your weight.

Is There a Weight Gain After Hysterectomy?

Though weight gain is not directly linked to a hysterectomy, some women experience weight gain, as per research. According to a particular study in 2009, premenopausal women, who have undergone a hysterectomy without the removal of ovaries, are said to be at a higher risk of gaining weight comparatively.

Besides that, if your ovaries are removed during the procedure, you’ll go through menopause, which causes average weight gain. This happens because when there is a removal of ovaries, there will be a hormonal imbalance in your body. This process makes you enter into menopause, which causes abdominal weight gain.

After the procedure of hysterectomy, you will be restricted from involving in any strenuous activity until you recover completely. This may cause weight gain in women who are used to regular exercise.

To have a speedy recovery, you have to follow a balanced, nutritious diet. Consuming fresh vegetables, whole grains, and fruits can help you with your recovery and support your overall health.

Potential Side Effects of Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy has several side effects that you need to be aware of before performing the same. The major drawback of a hysterectomy is you can’t get pregnant after the procedure. Some of the short-term side effects of the procedure are briefed below:

• You may have itching near the incision.
• There may be swelling or redness at the place of the incision.
• You may have pain in the area of the incision.
• There can be numb feeling down your leg.

These side effects should reduce slowly and disappear through your recovery. If not, you need to consult your doctor for further assistance. People who enter into menopause after the procedure may have side effects, including mood swings and insomnia.

How to Maintain Your Weight After a Hysterectomy?

Even though a hysterectomy has an effect on your weight, you can manage your weight by adopting certain methods. You can lose weight safely with the help of these practices.

Adopt a balanced diet

You can follow a nutritious diet after a hysterectomy to gain control over your weight. Starting with liquids and soft foods during the initial days after the procedure supports the health of your digestive tract.

After crossing the first few days, you can begin to take solid foods that are rich in fiber and protein. Again, it is better to seek your doctor’s advice before following the diet.

Follow a regular exercise plan

You can follow light exercises like stretching or walking during the initial days of recovery. After the approval of your doctor for restarting your exercises, you can start with a cardio exercise. Exercising regularly helps you lose weight after a hysterectomy.

Your doctor may also suggest hormone replacement therapy based on your health condition.

Final Thoughts

Hysterectomy is becoming common among women nowadays. Hence, you do not have to worry much about the later effects of the procedure. There may be some noticeable changes in your weight after a hysterectomy.

But, if you follow your doctor’s instructions, you can recover within days of the procedure. When you act as per the recommendations of your doctor, there can be a speedy recovery with a reduction of the side effects associated with the removal of the uterus.

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