Procedure prep
Fasting Before a Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy removes the uterus (womb). It can be done through the abdomen, vaginally, or by keyhole/robotic surgery — and the route affects your recovery, but the fasting is the same for all general-anesthetic approaches.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin — they need a plan. See diabetes tablets.
- GLP-1 (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) — tell your team. See the GLP-1 guide.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water and which to hold.
- Hormone therapy / HRT and combined hormonal contraception — these can raise clot risk around surgery; ask whether to continue, and mention them.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
- A positive or unknown pregnancy test
- A new pelvic or urine infection
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A written list of all your medicines and doses
- Any blood tests, ECG, or scans your team asked for
- Consent forms or referral letters, and allergy details
- Ultrasound or MRI/scan reports
- Recent blood count (Hb) if you've had heavy bleeding
- A ride home and help at home for the first days
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have general anesthesia, spinal/regional, or sedation?
- Which medicines do I take or hold on the morning of surgery?
- When can I eat and drink afterward?
- Will I go home the same day, and who can drive me?
- Which route — abdominal, vaginal, or keyhole/robotic?
- Are my ovaries being removed, and will I need HRT?
- Will I have a urinary catheter, and for how long?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hysterectomy done under general anesthesia?
Usually yes — abdominal, laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomies are done under general anesthesia. Some vaginal hysterectomies can be done under spinal (regional) anesthesia. Either way you'll be asked to fast, because the plan can change to general anesthesia.
Should I stop my HRT or birth control before a hysterectomy?
Estrogen-containing HRT and combined contraception slightly raise the risk of blood clots around surgery. Some teams ask you to stop them a few weeks before; others continue them with clot-prevention measures. Don't stop on your own — ask your surgical team for their plan.
Why do my shoulders ache after a keyhole hysterectomy?
Keyhole and robotic surgery inflate the abdomen with carbon-dioxide gas, which can irritate the diaphragm and cause shoulder-tip pain for a day or two. It's normal and settles with movement and pain relief.