In some cases, when treating severe gynecological or women’s conditions, the doctor may need to perform a hysterectomy – an operation to remove a woman’s uterus. After this procedure, a woman will no longer menstruate or be able to become pregnant; therefore, it is necessary for women to have valuable information about the hysterectomy procedure. It is important that women, when faced with this difficult decision, be as educated as possible, so that they can avoid unnecessary concern.
A hysterectomy is usually performed when a patient is suffering from the following conditions:
The different types of hysterectomies include the following:
A hysterectomy can be performed using the following techniques:
The choice of surgical approach depends on the developmental stage of the disease, the surgeon’s specialization, and the decision made by the patient.
The possible risks involved in a hysterectomy are as follows:
Most complications which can arise during a hysterectomy can be easily resolved and do not pose long-term issues for the patient.
Here are the key preparations you need to make before undergoing a hysterectomy:
What happens during a hysterectomy can depend on the specific technique used and the patient’s condition. However, most of them start with the same general process. After you have removed all jewelry and have changed into a hospital gown, an intravenous line (IV) will be inserted into your hand or arm. Hair at surgical site might have to be shaved off if there is too much. For a standard hysterectomy, you will be lying on your back. For a vaginal procedure, your feet will be on stirrups. Your blood pressure, breathing, heart rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored throughout the procedure by the anesthesiologist. A thin, narrow tube called a catheter will also be inserted into your bladder to drain your urine. Then, an antiseptic solution will be used to clean the skin over the surgical site.
After the doctor has made an incision and carried out the procedure according to the specific technique chosen, stitches or surgical staples will be used to close any incision. The doctor will provide sterile bandages or dressing, and a sanitary pad to absorb any drainage from the vagina.
There might be some pain for the first few days after the surgery, for which the doctor might provide medication. Constipation is a common occurrence after hysterectomies, and there might be bleeding and discharge from the vagina for several weeks. Sanitary pads and tampons can be used. The length of your stay at the hospital is determined by the type of the operation you have. If you had undergone a Hysterectomy using Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES), you might only have to stay in hospital for a day or two.
After leaving, make sure to ease slowly into your normal day-to-day routine. Consult the doctor immediately if you start displaying any of the following symptoms: