Don't lift or strain

Lifting or straining can damage your healing pelvic floor muscles.

• For the first 6 weeks after surgery, don't lift anything that weighs more than 5 pounds. This includes children, grocery bags, and briefcases. Also don't push or pull heavy items, such as a vacuum cleaner.

• After the first 6 weeks, you can start to lift heavier things. But don’t lift anything that weighs more than 10 to 15 pounds until your provider says it’s OK.

• While you heal, drink at least 8 glasses of fluids each day. Eat foods high in fiber. This helps prevent constipation, which may lead to straining. Ask your provider whether you should take laxatives.

Care for your incisions

Follow your provider’s instructions to care for your incisions. Here are some guidelines:

• Put nothing into your vagina for the first 6 to 8 weeks. This includes tampons and douches. If you are menstruating, use pads.

• You may have light vaginal bleeding or discharge for about a week. Use sanitary pads. Don't use tampons.

• You may shower 1 or 2 days after your surgery. Take showers instead of baths. Getting into and out of the tub can strain an incision.

• If adhesive strips were used to close an incision, leave them in place for 1 week. After that, you may wet and remove them.

• Keep a dry dressing over the incision. Change the dressing every day, or more often if there is heavy drainage.

• Don't have sex for 6 to 8 weeks.

Be active

Follow any advice your provider gives you to help you be active. This may include the following:

• Take walks often to help your body heal and regain strength after surgery. Ask your provider how often you should walk and for how long.

• Don't lift weights, jog, or run until your provider says sit's OK.

• Ask your provider whether you should avoid climbing stairs and, if so, for how long.

• Don’t drive until your provider says it’s OK and you are no longer taking prescription pain medicine (about 6 weeks).

Your return to work

Depending on your job, you can return to work 3 to 6 weeks after surgery. When you do start working again, don't lift or strain.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your provider if:

• Your pain is severe or seems to be getting worse.

• You have a fever of 100.4° F, ( 38°C ) or higher, or as directed by your provider.

• You have chills.

• You have heavy vaginal bleeding.

• There is lots of blood in your urine.

• You have trouble peeing.

• Your incision is swollen, very red, or tender.

• You have vomiting that won’t stop.

• You have chest pain.

• You're short of breath.

• You have symptoms of a bladder infection. This may include fever, pain, or burning feeling when peeing, and needing to pee but not being able to.