The recovery time from a hysterectomy depends on how the hysterectomy was performed as well as how well a patient deals with postoperative pain. I tell my patients that if they are having a total abdominal hysterectomy that this could be a good 5-6 week recovery. If they are having a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, 3-4 week recovery. If they are having a vaginal hysterectomy, 3 week recovery. If they are having a laparoscopic or single-incision laparoscopic hysterectomy, probably a 1-2 week recovery.