Hi molly, I was back to normal at 6 weeks post op, I had very little bleeding after the operation and no complications, even though I had a vaginal hysterectomy the healing inside still takes time it's very important to follow the advice of not doing too much, but I felt absolutely fine at 4 weeks but was told not to do anything other than rest and not lift anything heavy than a kettle up to the 6 week point, to look at my stomach no one would every know I'd had a hysterectomy I had 5 tiny incisions where the vaginal hysterectomy was assisted laporoscopically, can't even see any scars, I asked lots of questions before, because I listened to lots of negative stories and put off having it done for a long time, but I had little choice in the end, I don't regret it, I have no issues with sex or muscles nothing changed at all for me, I also asked my consult about the vagina being made shorter after hysterectomy because I'd read the silly horror stories that this happens he said that absolutely does not happen they do there upmost to preserve sexual function these days, and shortening only affects a woman if its being done for cancer has they have to take the top portion away due to possible cells, prolapse also is considered more of a risk if the op is being done due to that and if prolapse surgery has or is being done at the same time, I'm 5 years post op and have no issues at all, but I had no weak muscles or prolapse prior to surgery, if you consider it ask your Consultant lots of questions, open abdominal surgery is only done if the uterus is too large to be removed vaginally, I had two monster fibroids and a large bulky uterus and he got mine out no problem, I did have a brilliant surgeon, good luck with what ever you decide to do, I hope you find a solution x ps I kept my ovaries because my surgeon said if they are healthy it's much better to retain them.