Recovery After a Robotic Surgery: Tips for a Smooth Healing Process

Many patients postpone their treatments as they are too busy to stay in bed for many days at home after spending a week in the hospital. Robotic surgery offers a surgical option with a recuperation period that is usually much shorter than with traditional surgery. Speak with your surgeon as soon as possible so they may assess the progress of your recuperation and address any concerns you may have. Let’s take an example of a hysterectomy in this article to show you what recovery or post-robotic surgery care looks like. 

What Happens After Your Robotic Hysterectomy?

While recovery times vary, most patients spend no more than one night in the hospital.

You’ll be taking painkillers. As soon as you feel like it, your healthcare staff will urge you to exercise.

After your robotic hysterectomy, some vaginal bleeding is normal for a few days to a few weeks.

How You Will Feel Physically

Compared to an abdominal hysterectomy, the recovery period following a robotic hysterectomy is quicker and less painful. It might take three to four weeks for a full recovery.

Even if you feel better, wait six weeks following surgery to engage in vaginal sex or lift anything heavy (more than 20 pounds, or 9.1 kilograms).

Should you have nausea, vomiting, or bleeding that is more intense than usual during your menstrual cycle, get in touch with your doctor.

How You Will Feel Emotionally

You may experience relief following a hysterectomy if you are no longer experiencing severe pelvic pain or bleeding.

After a hysterectomy, most women have no change in their ability to conceive. However, some women report greater sexual satisfaction following a hysterectomy, possibly as a result of the discomfort they no longer experience during sexual activity.

It’s common to have feelings of loss and sadness following a hysterectomy. If you’re young and expecting to get pregnant in the future, you may also be depressed about losing your fertility. See your doctor if being depressed or experiencing other unpleasant emotions prevents you from enjoying daily life.

You will be monitored in the recovery room following surgery while you come out of the anaesthesia. Most hospital stays last several days. Following your hospital stay, the following might occur:

• After this surgery, you should expect some soreness. Via your IV, you could get pain medication.
• When you can consume liquids and your bowel movements are beginning to pass gas, your IV will be taken out.
• As required, you will receive injections or more oral pain medication.
• Following the removal of your IV and gas production, you can resume your regular diet.
• It will take one or two days to remove your bladder catheter.
• It’s possible that you need to use pads because of vaginal bleeding.
• The sooner you can stand and walk, the better. This lessens the chance of blood clots developing in your legs.
• You could receive medication that also aids in the prevention of blood clots.
• Caregivers will assist you with wound care and bathroom needs.

Upon returning home, you must adhere to your surgeon’s recommendations and schedule your follow-up visits. As prescribed, take any medicine. Early recovery is common, with some discomfort. Find out from your surgeon which painkillers are recommended.

You can anticipate the following when recovering at home:

• Resuming your regular diet should be possible in stages.
• Dry off the regions where you made the incisions for a few days. Regarding washing and dressing care, heed the advice from your surgeon. You might have to return so that your sutures can be taken out.
• Continue walking. It should take a few days for you to gradually get back to your regular activities.
• Put some weeks on end to heavy lifting. When can you resume doing particular activities? Ask your surgeon.
• For a few days, you can still have little vaginal bleeding.
• You can receive instructions to avoid using your vagina for a maximum of six weeks.
• It might take many weeks to several months to fully heal.

During the healing process, inform your surgeon of any of the following:

• Growing discomfort or pain for which medicine is ineffective
• Any swelling, bleeding, redness, or discharge from the regions where you had incisions made
• Fever
• A lot of vaginal bleeding
• Your legs hurt or swell.
• Breathlessness or chest discomfort

You could have emotional symptoms following this operation in addition to the physical ones associated with healing. Following a hysterectomy, your menstrual cycle will end and you will no longer be able to become pregnant. A certain amount of women feel depressed because of these losses.

Menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and dry vagina, may be apparent if you have surgery to remove your ovaries. Hormone treatment may be beneficial for certain women following a hysterectomy. Talk about this with your doctor.

After a Robotically Assisted Hysterectomy, When Will I Feel Better?

Compared to conventional, open hysterectomies, most patients will recover from robotic hysterectomy faster and with less discomfort.

You may get relief from bothersome symptoms like pain or irregular bleeding, depending on the reason for your hysterectomy. On the other hand, some individuals have minor menopausal symptoms following a hysterectomy.

Feelings differing from one another on the surgery are common. After having a hysterectomy, some people experience loss or despair since they are unable to conceive and no longer have their menstrual period. 

After a Robotic Hysterectomy, What Should Be Avoided?

Following your robotic hysterectomy, you will get a list of activities to avoid from your surgeon. Here are a few examples:

• For a minimum of four weeks, refrain from lifting anything heavy (greater than 15 pounds).
• For at least six weeks, refrain from having sex or putting anything in your vagina.
• When you bleed vaginally, use pads rather than tampons. You should anticipate a few weeks of mild bleeding.
• Maintain a dry and clean incision. You may get particular instructions from your surgeon on the maintenance of your incisions.
• No swimming or bathing for a maximum of two weeks. 24 to 48 hours following surgery, you can take a shower.
• Strive to walk for a little while each day, then progressively increase the duration of your walks.
• For a minimum of four to six weeks, refrain from hard or vigorous activity.

What is the Recovery Time for a Robotic Hysterectomy?

Following a robotic hysterectomy, a complete recovery typically takes four to six weeks. After surgery, you can resume mild, routine activities in 24 to 28 hours. Having someone help you at home during this period is beneficial since you might not be able to do much and you could be exhausted and hurting. Typically, you can resume driving after 72 hours, however, this can vary according to the type of painkiller you’re using. After around two weeks, most people can resume their jobs, however, this varies according to the nature of the employment.

You Can Also Read: Hysterectomy or uterus removal surgery

Conclusion

Compared to traditional surgery and even laparoscopic surgery, recovery with robotic surgery is far shorter. It is also far more accurate and minimally invasive, requiring less anaesthesia, which facilitates patient recovery. You may need to modify your diet, refrain from doing strenuous exercise, or take longer time off than usual following the procedure, depending on the type of surgery. Additionally, your surgeon will probably schedule a follow-up session to assess your progress and address any concerns you may have.

At the CK Birla Hospital, we guarantee that patients receive complete medical treatment, including compassionate care. In addition to encouraging quicker recovery, this patient-centred approach ensures that patients are aware of the necessary precautions. Our staff of highly skilled surgeons has completed over 6,000 procedures, and they are skilled in carrying out life-saving procedures.

FAQs

What to Expect After Robotic Surgery?

There is no requirement for bed rest at home following robotic surgery. Although patients may experience some discomfort and increased weariness, they should make an effort to remain active by walking often and carefully, as well as for as long as they can. To hasten recovery, patients should consume enough water and maintain a balanced diet.

What is the Recovery Period Following Robotic Surgery?

Traditional open surgery can require several days of hospitalisation and recovery time can last several months. While every case is unique, the return to normal activities (except for lifting heavy objects and strenuous exercise) following robotic-assisted surgery can occur in as little as two to three weeks.