Cruising after hysterectomy

[CruznLexi]

Just found out I need a hysterectomy. Just great so we are also on a cruise too how many weeks were you when you went? How was it?

 

[Lainey321]

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy several years ago. I didn't cruise afterward but I did go to Universal Studios for a few days about 5 1/2 weeks post op and it was fine. I'd be a little sore at the end of the day but it didn't slow me down much

 

[Mom323]

Just found out I need a hysterectomy. Just great so we are also on a cruise too how many weeks were you when you went? How was it?

If you are medically squeamish look away now.

Do you know if you are having it done ******l or abdominal? ******l will usually have a quicker post op recovery. Abdominal and the GYN's on our floor were I work will request no driving for 6 weeks and depending on blood loss could specify no travel for 6 weeks.

 

[Mom323]

You may also want to talk to your MD about swimming, especially the ocean.

 

[justmestace]

If you are medically squeamish look away now.

Do you know if you are having it done ******l or abdominal? ******l will usually have a quicker post op recovery. Abdominal and the GYN's on our floor were I work will request no driving for 6 weeks and depending on blood loss could specify no travel for 6 weeks.

Agreed....even with the DIS filters.
If you're not having any incisions, 6 weeks will clear you for swimming and everything.

If it's abdominal, and you have incisions, it will be longer to get into the water, but cruising at 6 weeks with low activity should be fine. It also depends on if you are a "good healer".


I knew a really healthy, active woman who cleaned houses for a living. She was back cleaning (Vacuum!) in less than 4 weeks and she did fine. Probably not what her doc recommended......


Forgot to add.....if you're all done having kids......CONGRATULATIONS!!! Getting rid of all that is so awesome.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

My DD missed a trip to DLR because she was in the hospital have her surgery. That was over Veterans Day weekend. {we took the 2 year old GD. yes we had a wonderful time in spite of missing Mommy.} She went to DLR for her birthday in January and had no repercusions.
If your cruise is within a month, I would think about having the surgery done after. I know when I had mine I was able to choose when I wanted to do it.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

I just personally had an abdominal hysterectomy in May of 2011.... Boy did it wipe me out! I was back to work after 6 weeks, but not up to much more after working 8 hours a day.
You will be tired, but as long as you have those 6 weeks to recover... your on vacation - of course you will have fun!
Good luck!

 

[luv2sleep]

I just had an abdominal hyst in December. I was surprisingly incredibly tired until 7 weeks post op. I went back to work and my usual activities at 8 weeks. I've been fine since. I read up on this and my doctor told me that the fatigue is pretty common.

 

[Meghatron]

I was at Disneyland 2 weeks postpartum after a c-section and did fine. But I'm also a SoCal local so it didn't involve travel. I would talk to your surgeon about that aspect of it.

 

[kcashner]

Consider the indications for the hyst and then decide whether you are going to have it done before or after the vacation. Simple enough.

I went back to work full time 2 1/2 weeks after a TAH/BSO because the male person who was supposed to cover for me decided it was too much work and he couldn't handle it. I don't recommend that, but it was do-able. Granted, the staff made my schedule as light as possible.

Post op, do NOTHING for 2 weeks. Yes, walk around the house, go out to dinner if someone else drives. Do not cook, let the dust bunnies stay where they are, and enjoy a nap when you are tired. If you do absolutely nothing, at the end of 2 weeks you will be about 80% recovered. If you overdo during those first couple of weeks, you are looking at 6-8 weeks till you start to feel functional.

Frankly, other than water activities there is nothing about the cruise itself that is a problem. SOmeone else is cooking and cleaning; you can opt to sleep late, chill out on deck, etc. Control your walking--it's a big ship--and you should be fine as long as you are at least a few weeks out. But you might enjoy the vacation more if you do it before surgery or farther out from the surgery than the few weeks.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I went to a family wedding 3 wks after major abdominable surgery. The hardest part was walking through the airport. Probably should've opted for a wheel chair or a golf cart -- it was a long walk. It was nice to see the family, even tho I had to nap every twice in awhile. We took a horse-drawn carriage ride one evening, and I felt every bounce.

We also cruised about 8 wks after a different abominable (spelling intentional) surgery and I was fine, tho I didn't push it with any strenuous shore excursions. I was glad to have the "incentive" of getting well enough to go on the cruise. I did take a long walk while in port one day and actually felt my strength returning.

On both trips I didn't lift any luggage. Or small children.

 

[kimb96]

I had a hysterectomy in nov. Even on chemo with a full vertical incision, I was fully healed in 6 weeks. I don't think it will be a problem. That said, if it can wait until after your cruise, do that. I still need one more abdominal surgery and I am planning on cruising 8 weeks after

 

[mellers]

Just found out I need a hysterectomy. Just great so we are also on a cruise too how many weeks were you when you went? How was it?

I haven't had a hysterectomy, but I have had to travel after surgery (cancer--wasn't going to miss Thanksgiving with my family!)

One VERY SERIOUS issue you may face is insurance. Make sure your health insurer will cover you out of the country. If you've already made your last payment, the good news is, if you bought travel insurance already, you are probably already covered. The bad news is, if you haven't, I don't think you can buy it now.

If you will be done with your hysterectomy, and well enough to travel, before your final payment date, and if your health insurer does not cover you outside the country, try buying CSA insurance on the first day after your surgery that you're well enough to travel. That way, if something goes wrong on the trip, you can get affordable treatment even if you're on the ship or not in the USA.

Don't try to buy travel insurance now. You have now had a "turn for the worse", and cannot buy insurance that will cover pre-existing condtions until it is over.

This is also an issue if you have purchased DCL travel insurance, and you have not yet made your final payment. They won't cover any hysterectomy-related medical expenses on the ship. They don't technically purchase the insurance until your final payment date, so this is considered an uncovered pre-existing condition.

At any rate, I'm sorry you need the surgery, and I hope you heal up fast and have a wonderful cruise.

 

[DisneyDee27]

Had hysterectomy in June went to WDW/ Cruised DCL in Sept and swam at CC. Doctor's cleared me for all activities. I was a little worried about riding rides and swimming however once I was there I forgot all about my incision and enjoyed myself.
If the doctor's clear you for travel...I say go have fun.
Dee

 

[sarahandgreg]

When I had a full Hysterectomy with incision I was back at work in a week - light duties mind you, but I think it had more to do with my fantastic surgeon and the great hospital i was in in Fl rather than the UK hospitals - ha ha. I think about a month and you should be able to move around easily without getting too tired. And DCL has this amazing ability to make you relax - cant imagine how....................... lol enjoy your cruise x

 

[luv2sleep]

Now that I think about it it probably depends on the type of procedure you have and what your issues are. I had a pretty complex procedure because severe adhesions and a very enlarged uterus. My doctor wanted to use my previous low transverse inscision so she said she had to stretch my abdominal muscles upwards to take all the adhesions out and get my uterus out. It was 20 week sized. Post op I had no inscisional pain at all but my entire abdomen above was very swollen and painful. So if you have a small uterus, minimal complications and can also get it done laparoscopically or robotically you will be back to your normal physical activities quickly. Good luck!

 

[hygienist999]

I had a robotic hysterectomy in August of last year, at 9 weeks post-op discovered my dissolvable stitches did not all dissolve. At 10 weeks post-op went back in with severe pain, had a small tear and CT showed infection. Was in hospital for one week. Took me a total of 4 months to get over this. Mainly because of the infection. I am in great shape, was doing P90X before surgery, don't smoke and only meds are nexium. I guess I was just lucky. lol

But, my situation probably isn't the norm, just know anything can happen and I wouldn't want to be on a cruise ship if it did.

I would wait at least 3 months after surgery to go.

I wish you good luck with your surgery and I hope you heal quickly.