ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY

Abdominal Hysterectomy is a procedure in which the doctor removes the uterus after making a cut in the abdomen.  The uterus is a muscular organ at the top of the vagina where menstruation begins and babies grow.  This operation may be performed because of tumors in the uterus or consistent bleeding from the uterus, a fallen uterus-if your vaginal walls are also dropping, your doctor may repair them during the hysterectomy procedure. Alternatives to this procedure are having a vaginal hysterectomy, taking medications to control the problem, or choosing not to have treatment, recognizing the risks of your condition.

VAGINAL HYSTERECTOMY

A vaginal hysterectomy is a way to take out the uterus through the vagina.  In a Vaginal Hysterectomy assisted with Laparoscopy, the doctor uses a tool called a laparoscope to help with the removal.  Recovery is usually faster from a vaginal hysterectomy than from an abdominal hysterectomy, and there is no visible scar.

PREPARING FOR YOUR  HYSTERECTOMY

Plan for your care and recovery after the operation, especially if you are to have general anesthesia.  Allow for time to rest and try to find other people to help you with your day to day duties.  Follow instructions provided by your doctor.  No special preparation is needed for regional anesthesia.  If you are to have general anesthesia, eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure but nothing to eat or drink after midnight or the morning of.

DURING THE PROCEDURE

You will be given a regional or general anesthetic.  A regional anesthetic numbs part of your body while you remain awake.  It should keep you from feeling pain during the operation.  A general anesthetic relaxes your muscles, makes you feel as if you are in a deep sleep, and prevents you from feeling pain.  The doctor makes a cut in the abdominal wall to expose the ligaments and blood vessels around the uterus.  The doctor separates the ligaments and blood vessels from the uterus.  The doctor ties off the blood vessels so they will heal and not bleed.  Then, the uterus is removed by cutting it off at the top of the vagina.  The top of the vagina is repaired so that a hole is not left.  If necessary, the doctor may then repair the walls of the vagina by sewing together the ligaments around the vagina that my have stretched due to age or childbearing.  These ligaments are the ones near the bladder and rectum.  The doctor will then attach the vagina to these repaired ligaments.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

You may stay in the hospital for about 2-4 days.  If they doctor repaired the walls of your vagina, you may stay in the hospital longer until your bladder starts working again.  You may also be sent home with a catheter which will empty your bladder.  Do not do any heavy lifting or otherwise strain the stomach muscles for 4-6 weeks.  Ask the doctor what other steps you should take and when you should come back for a checkup.  After this operation, you cannot give birth to children.  Discuss your concerns about this with your doctor.

BENEFITS OF THE PROCEDURE

A hysterectomy removes and tumors the doctor finds.  You no longer have bleeding from the uterus or discomfort the tumors may have caused.