I guess everyone is different, but I had a hysterectomy in 2008 and found a great website: hysterectomy-association.org.uk, but on googling this, I find it has changed to Healthy Happy Woman! The old site was wonderful for friendship and support during and after the op. Medics might say 6 weeks and you will be fine, but lots of us looked more realistically at 12 weeks - no lifting big bags of potting compost or other heavy things. I got a cleaner for about 6 weeks - just to do the vacuuming. As ExD says, your inside stitchings need time to heal, and I would definitely lay off heavy housework for as long as you can! Going back to work may be fine if the job doesn't entail lots of physical work or standing all day. Walking every day is good as you obviously need to keep your muscles active. Good luck with the op if you haven't had it yet. Talking of kettles - I used the travel kettle to start with - much lighter!!!