First and foremost, both you and your client should be following her doctor's reccommendations for when to resume the activity and at what level.  Since this can range anywhere from a minor to a major surgery, depending on how the procedure was performed,  health of the client and any potential complications, etc., it is in your best interest to work under the reccomendations fo the physician. 

If her doctor is unsure or unaware of pilates, this is a great opportunity to offer a free session to the doctor and enlighten a member of the medical community.  In the very least you should ask your client to have her doctor give you a call to discuss what is allowable fand reccommended for activity post-surgery. 

I had a complete hysterectomy, or what is commonly known as a radical hysterectomy. It called a radical nysterectomy because you are left with only your vaginal canal and lymph nodes.  I was 35 years old and not able to have children.  I was doing pilates before and after my surgery.  I encourage you to go with doctors orders. I would remind her that this is not even one eighth of her whole life since the human body is designed to live to be 150 years old.  Encourage her to take it slow so that her whole body heals. I would encourage to ask questions about about the menopause side of things.  Hysterectomy's bring your body into a whole new phase of life if menopause raises it's pretty head (that is a whole blog and book for me).

I was cut open, one week after my surgery "I was trying to scoop my pooch",and my incession came unglued. That caused a new set of health problems to deal with, and more out of pocket money to spend. It took about 4 months post to be able to scoop again. Until I could scoop, I did alot of upper body work to regain lost body strength. To keep your client coming back after surgery, encourage her to do exactly what she is told. She will come back with a renewed vigor, have the money to pay your fees and you will be her hero for supporting her.

 Good luck. Hope my experience can help.  OHHH, do not tell your client what I went through, or anything you might know about the surgery, let her doctor tell her what she needs to know.  If I would have known what I know now, I probably would have not had it done, and would be dead today.

Hi there,  Following my own hysterectomy which was without an incision I was able to re-commence training after 8 weeks and my surgeon said to treat it like I was post c-section, even although I had no abdominal cut.  Your client will have been given advice from a Physical therapist in hospital and I would suggest that you speak to them with your clients written permission. It does take time to regain strength and sensation.  The fundamentals were excellent and I took everything back to beginner level for at least a month. Happy teaching!