RECOVERING WELL - RCOG

1 RECOVERING well . Information for you after an endometrial Ablation How to navigate when viewing this information online Contents Occasionally information on a topic From the contents page you can quickly will cover more than one page. The and easily access all the topics listed. more button will show you further information on the topic. To view a topic, simply tap/click the title of the information you want to see. Where other online information is available which might be useful to you a web link is given. Provided you have Within individual pages internet access, simply tap/click the link Simply tap/click on contents, found on to be taken to this information. These the bottom right of all pages, to return additional resources are highlighted to the contents page. You can then throughout. choose information on another topic. Swiping/click left or right will take you Next to the contents button is a to the previous or next page within the previous view option which will take publication.

2 You back to the previous page you looked at. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015 Contents Previous view Contents Who is this What can slow down my information for? recovery? About this information When should I seek What can I expect after an medical advice after an endometrial ablation? endometrial ablation? Usual length of stay Getting back to normal in hospital Around the house After-effects of general Driving anaesthesia Having sex Vaginal bleeding and discharge Returning to work Pain and discomfort Starting to eat and drink Tiredness What can help me recover? Eat a healthy balanced diet Stop smoking A positive outlook Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015 Contents Previous view Who is this information for? This information is for you if you are about to have, or you are RECOVERING from, an endometrial ablation. This is a type of operation to thin or remove your endometrium (the lining of the uterus (womb)) in an effort to treat heavy periods.

3 You might also find it useful to share this information with your family and friends. The exact type of endometrial ablation About this information Your own recovery will depend on: you have depends on your personal You should read this information how fit and well you are before circumstances and will be discussed with together with any other information your operation you by your gynaecologist before your you have been given about your the reason you are having an operation. choices and the operation itself. endometrial ablation endometrial ablation is usually done as This information gives general advice the exact type of endometrial a day-case may have it based on women's experiences ablation that you have done in the outpatients department and expert opinion. Every woman how smoothly the operation with a local anaesthetic or you may have has different needs and recovers in goes and whether there are any it done under a general anaesthetic.

4 Different ways. complications. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015 Contents Previous view What can I expect after an endometrial ablation? Usual length of stay in hospital this time and you should not drive or Most women will not need to take If you have the operation in outpatients, make any important decisions. painkillers after this time. It is a good you should be able to go home soon idea to have some simple pain relief, afterwards but, even after a local Vaginal bleeding and discharge such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, at anaesthetic, many women prefer not to You can expect some vaginal bleeding home just in case. drive themselves home. If you have had for a few days after your operation. Sometimes painkillers that contain a general anaesthetic for this operation, This is usually like a light period. The codeine or dihydrocodeine can you will usually need to stay in hospital bleeding will gradually lessen and make you sleepy, slightly sick and for three to four hours afterwards to become like a heavy discharge, and may constipated.

5 If you do need to take make sure that you are fully awake and darken in colour. For some women these medications, try to eat extra fruit comfortable before you go home. this discharge can last for three to four and fibre to reduce the chances of weeks. You should use sanitary towels becoming constipated. After-effects of general anaesthesia rather than tampons as using tampons Most modern anaesthetics are short could increase the risk of infection. More >. lasting. You should not have, or suffer from, any after-effects for more than a Pain and discomfort day after your operation. During the You can expect some cramps (similar first 24 hours you may feel more sleepy to period pains) in your abdomen for than usual and your judgement may a day or so after your operation. When be impaired. If you drink any alcohol, it leaving hospital, you will usually be will affect you more than normal.

6 You provided with painkillers to take for 48. should have an adult with you during hours after your operation. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015 Contents Previous view What can I expect after an endometrial ablation? Starting to eat and drink Tiredness If you have had a short general You may feel much more tired than anaesthetic, once you are awake, you usual after your operation as your body will be offered a drink of water or cup is using a lot of energy to heal itself. A. of tea and something light to eat short nap may help you recover your before you go home. If you have had energy. Your energy level should return a local anaesthetic, you will usually to normal after a few days, especially if be able to eat and drink as normal you no longer have heavy periods. following your operation. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015 Contents Previous view What can help me recover?

7 Stop smoking A positive outlook There are a Stopping smoking will benefit your Your attitude towards how you are health in all sorts of ways, such as RECOVERING is an important factor in number of positive lessening the risk of chest problems determining how your body heals and steps you can take at after your anaesthetic. By not smoking how you feel in yourself. You may want - even if it is just while you are to use your recovery time as a chance this time that will RECOVERING - you will bring immediate to make some longer term positive help you recover. benefits to your health. If you are lifestyle choices such as: unable to stop smoking before your starting to exercise regularly if you operation, you may need to bring are not doing so already and Eat a healthy balanced diet nicotine replacements for use during gradually building up the levels of Ensure that your body has all the your hospital stay.

8 Exercise that you take nutrients it needs by eating a healthy You will not be able to smoke in eating a healthy diet - if you are balanced diet. A healthy diet is a high- hospital. If you would like information overweight, it is best to eat healthily fibre diet (fruit, vegetables, wholegrain about a smoking cessation clinic in your without trying to lose weight for bread and cereal) with up to two litres area, speak with the nurse in your GP the first couple of weeks after the per day of fluid intake, mainly water. surgery. operation; after that, you may want to Remember to eat at least five portions lose weight by combining a healthy of fruit and vegetables each day! diet with exercise. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015 Contents Previous view What can slow down my recovery? It can take longer to recover from an you were overweight at the time of endometrial ablation if: your operation - if you are overweight, it can take longer to RECOVERING after you had health problems before your operation; for example, women with recover from the effects of an operation is a very anaesthetic and there is a higher risk diabetes may heal more slowly and of complications such as infection and personal experience.

9 May be more prone to infection you smoke - smokers are at thrombosis If you are following increased risk of getting a chest there were any complications all the advice that you during your operation. infection during their recovery, and have been given but smoking can delay the healing process do not think that you are at the stage you ought to be, talk with your GP. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015 Contents Previous view When should I seek medical advice after an endometrial ablation? You should seek medical advice from Pain in your lower abdomen: While most women your GP, the hospital where you had If you have pain across your lower your operation, NHS 111 or NHS 24 if abdomen, especially if you also recover well after an you experience: have a temperature (fever), this endometrial ablation, Burning and stinging when may be a sign of a more serious you pass urine or pass complication associated with complications can urine frequently: This may be endometrial will need occur - as with any due to a urine infection.

10 To be admitted to hospital. Treatment is with a course of operation. antibiotics. Heavy or prolonged bleeding: If you are also feeling unwell and have a temperature (fever), this may be due to an infection in your uterus (womb). Treatment is usually with a course of antibiotics. Occasionally, you may need to be admitted to hospital where the antibiotics can be administered as a drip. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015 Contents Previous view Getting back to normal Around the house You may feel slightly tired for the first few days after your operation, so it is a good idea to plan to have some support with normal activities such as shopping and childcare. Most women are able to continue to do everyday domestic activities within days. Driving You should not drive for 24 hours after a general anaesthetic, nor until you are free from the sedative effects of any pain relief.