Care after surgery for uterine fibroids

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Nhu Thu Truc - Obstetrics - Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital
Post-operative care for uterine fibroids plays a very important role in the patient's health, not only helping the patient recover quickly but also helping to prevent recurrence after surgery.
Diet and lifestyle play an important role in the recovery process of patients after surgery for uterine fibroids.

1. Life mode

After surgery for uterine fibroids, whether laparoscopic or open surgery, the patient will still feel a dull pain, pain all over the abdomen, accompanied by a feeling of intestinal cramping, especially in the first day of surgery. Therefore, doctors will prescribe pain relievers and advise patients to rest for 3 to 5 days.
● For laparoscopic surgery: on the 2nd day, you can move and walk gently. After about 5 days, health can gradually recover, because the incision is small, the healing process is faster than open surgery.
● For open surgery: On the 2nd day, try to move gently by turning on the bed, sitting up with the support of a loved one. Pay attention to walking, gentle exercise, more in the following days. About 7-10 days, you can gradually recover. The healing time depends on the incision made when the tumor was removed.
Sex: the patient should absolutely avoid sex for the first 2 months after surgery to avoid sexually transmitted infections that make the disease worse.
After surgery for uterine fibroids, the patient should at first limit driving; Wear loose, comfortable, cotton clothing.
Personal hygiene: in the first month, the patient will often have bleeding after surgery for uterine fibroids. Therefore, it is recommended to choose paper underwear or daily sanitary napkins to change regularly, both convenient and to avoid infection. However, if the patient has prolonged bleeding, they should return to the doctor for examination and timely treatment.

2. Diet

Diet plays an important role in the postoperative recovery of patients with uterine fibroids. Here are the foods that should be added to the diet:
● Increase the addition of green vegetables, fresh vegetables, legumes, fruits, ... to the menu every day.
● After surgery, should eat thin dishes such as porridge, soup in the first 2-3 days. When you can have normal bowel movements and bowel movements, switch to eating more solid foods.
● Pay attention to drink a lot of water during this period.
● Supplementing with fiber-rich cereals is a way to help eliminate toxins from the body, and at the same time, they have the effect of balancing female hormones.
● Should eat a lot of salmon, tuna, ... containing omega-3 fatty acids to help soothe some swollen tissues, reduce inflammation, avoid irritation of the incision.
● Patients need to limit spicy, hot, greasy foods, fried foods that are fried many times, do not use stimulants... Absolutely do not eat red meat in the first 2 weeks after surgery, because This food has the ability to stimulate the growth of tumors. Moreover, red meat causes indigestion, which in turn makes it more difficult for you to defecate after surgery. Instead, add chicken, dairy products with high nutritional content.
Besides changing the diet and living as advised above, the patient also needs to keep an optimistic and happy mentality, avoid thinking and worrying. This will be good for regulating endocrine activity, helping the recovery process to progress better.

Vinmec International General Hospital applies robotic laparoscopic surgery to treat uterine fibroids with advantages such as less blood loss, less pain, but still ensuring safety, the program Enhance recovery after surgery ( ERAS ) of Vinmec also helps patients recover quickly and reduce hospital stay after surgery.

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