A hysterectomy is a surgical method to eliminate the uterus. This surgery is performed to treat several conditions like cancer and endometriosis. However, the surgery has few side effects. Once the uterus is operated upon, one cannot get pregnant. The menstrual cycle also stops after the operation. But, does it affect your weight?
No, it does not lead to weight loss directly. Though under certain circumstances, few people have experienced weight loss. Let us look further into a hysterectomy on weight.
Women suffering from specific health issues like fibroid tumours or cancer usually undergo a hysterectomy. There are several types of hysterectomy suitable for various purposes. The surgery of hysterectomy can remove the uterus, ovaries, cervix or fallopian tubes. Often the hysterectomy and weight loss are linked following the procedure of operation.
Does hysterectomy lead to weight loss?
Though hysterectomy affects weight, it is not necessarily a side effect of it. Few people experience nausea following primary surgery. This can also be due to pain or after-effects of anaesthesia. Nausea also causes the unwillingness to consume food resulting in temporary weight reduction.
The misconception that hysterectomy causes weight reduction is related to the hysterectomies for the following types of cancer:
- Cervical cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Endometrial cancer
In some cases, the surgery is used together with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy comes with a few side effects, like vomiting, nausea, and weight loss. Some people tend to make the mistake of considering weight loss the reason for hysterectomy instead of chemotherapy.
Hysterectomies help to lessen the heavy bleeding because of endometriosis and fibroids, and chronic pain. As the symptom disappears after the surgery, you start feeling more energized, which potentially tends to cause weight loss.
It is also a good idea to consult a doctor if you have experienced sudden weight loss after a hysterectomy.
A total hysterectomy refers to the complete removal of the uterus, ovaries, Fallopian, and cervix. A complete hysterectomy may be required for cancer treatment in women to reduce the risk of cancer spreading to other organs. A woman immediately reaches menopause, sometimes called surgical menopause, after a complete hysterectomy.
Does hysterectomy lead to weight gain?
After a complete hysterectomy, one may gain considerable weight as the body stops the production of progesterone and estrogen.
Moreover, the lack of hormones increases the male hormone level in the body and weight, especially around the waist. Many people have experienced weight gain after hysterectomy due to menopause and hormonal imbalance instead of weight loss.
A 2009 study suggested that premenopausal women who underwent hysterectomy without removing the ovaries suffered a higher risk of weight gain than those who did not have the surgery.
However, more advanced researches will reveal more about the relationship between hysterectomies and weight gain. If you do have the ovaries removed during the surgery, you will enter the stage of menopause.
The process lasts for a few years, and women gain weight for almost 5 pounds after menopause—related article: Steps for Menopause Hair Loss Prevention.
It is best to avoid strenuous activities for weeks after the completion of the surgery. If you wished to exercise daily, the temporary break after the surgery would increase your weight.
So, it is best to do light exercises after consulting with the doctors to help with weight management. Low-impact exercises and physical activities like swimming, aerobics, and yoga are helpful. It is essential to check on your diet to avoid an increase in weight.
Eating a nutritious and healthy diet will help the body to heal faster after the surgery. It is best to avoid junk food as you start recovering. You will improve within a few weeks after the surgery, even if you gain weight. Just like weight loss and hysterectomy are related, many experienced the opposite condition of weight gain instead.
What are the side-effects of a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy has many side effects that are not related to weight. Menopause and infertility are common problems associated with hysterectomy. It can benefit some, and for some, they may feel a sense of loss. Along with menopause, there are other significant side effects that many have already experienced. They are:
- Insomnia
- Hot Flashes
- Frequent Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
- Decreased sex drive or libido
The procedure of the surgery causes other short-term side effects like:
- Pain
- Inflammation and swelling
- Redness
- Bruising
- Burning
- Itching
- A numb feeling near the incision or that goes down the leg.
As the above ones are short-term symptoms, they usually start to disappear as one recovers.
Ways to Lose Weight After a Hysterectomy
Due to the change in hormones and metabolism after the hysterectomy surgery, many women experience sudden weight gain. The steps to lose weight after a hysterectomy involve fat loss and muscle gain. Let us focus on the steps that are to be followed after a hysterectomy.
- Take a medical test by the doctor to rule out any other reasons of sudden weight gain, like thyroid problem and other medical conditions, if any.
- Dietary changes are essential to reduce calorie intake. Eat protein preferably and regularly, like poultry, seeds, and eggs. Increase the consumption of vegetables and fresh fruits and vegetables also.
- Cardiovascular exercises for a minimum of 60 minutes for at the most three to four times each week. Examples like running, jogging and riding a bicycle. Swimming can be a good option if you experience pain in muscle and joint.
- Do strength training exercises at least several times each week. But let your muscle rest on alternate days. Lift lighter weights and do push-ups to develop and manage muscles. Muscle burns calories easily so strength training can turn you leaner.
- Consulting with a nutritionist for dietary reasons is necessary. Each woman has different nutritional needs and practice, and a personal consultation can help you with a better suggestion to maximize the weight reduction effect.
Do not panic with abrupt weight changes. It is best to always talk to the doctors when you notice unnatural weight loss or gain after hysterectomy due to many underlying reasons.
Lack of physical activity after the surgery can augment the problem of weight gain. Though the problem is a common one, the recovery time differs among women and varies with age. The type of hysterectomy and other physical conditions also affects the duration the body takes to be better.
Usually, hysterectomy is associated with weight gain more than weight loss. Weight loss generally occurs when a hysterectomy is performed in association with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treatment generally leads to weight loss, but people consider hysterectomy the reason behind the weight loss, which might not be the real reason always.
It is best to consult with an expert for the perfect type of exercise. For the first few weeks, it is best to keep the physical activity to a minimal level. Once the body starts getting better, you can change the exercise routine to a more intense level. To set the hormones right, the option of hormone replacement therapy may reduce the symptoms of menopause. It is crucial to take medical help immediately if other health problems grow severe. Always remember, the sooner, the better!
