There are different methods of course. I underwent a full hysterectomy + removal of both ovaries in 2008 via the Da Vinci machine method. My hysterectomy was a ovarian cancer scare, it turned out to be a bad case of adenomyosis.
The second surgery via the Da Vanci still took some time to heal of course - but the pain wasn't bad. Indeed I don't remember much, though the incision inside my navel took longer to heal than expected. I was off work the same period of time as a more traditional method, but it was care more comfortable. I remember that caused me to want to start doing things too early. All of that being said, in 2008 I was MUCH larger and wasn't active yet. My healing issues was likely more related to that than the method used. As far as getting back to your usual activities, others will have to speak to that - for me it took longer than expected before I could start going for walks without internal discomfort.