Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus. The uterus, also known as the womb, is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The uterine lining is the source of menstrual blood.

You may need a hysterectomy for many reasons. The surgery can be used to treat a number of chronic pain conditions as well as certain types of cancer and infections.

The extent of a hysterectomy varies depending on the reason for the surgery. In most cases, the entire uterus is removed. The doctor may also remove the ovaries and the fallopian tubes during the procedure. The ovaries are the organs that produce estrogen and other hormones. The fallopian tubes are the structures that transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus.

Once you’ve had a hysterectomy, you’ll stop having menstrual periods. You’ll also be unable to get pregnant.

Your doctor may suggest a hysterectomy if you have any of the following:

A hysterectomy can be performed in several ways. All methods require a general or local anaesthetic. A general anaesthetic will put you to sleep throughout the procedure so that you don’t feel any pain. A local anaesthetic will numb your body below the waistline, but you’ll remain awake during the surgery. This type of anaesthetic will sometimes be combined with a sedative, which will help you feel sleepy and relaxed during the procedure.

Abdominal Hysterectomy:

During an abdominal hysterectomy, your doctor removes your uterus through a large cut in your abdomen. The incision may be vertical or horizontal. Both types of incisions tend to heal well and leave little scaring.

Vaginal Hysterectomy:

During a vaginal hysterectomy, your uterus is removed through a small incision made inside the vagina. There are no external cuts, so there won’t be any visible scars.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy:

During a laparoscopic hysterectomy, your doctor uses a tiny instrument called a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front. The instrument is inserted through incisions in the abdomen. Three or four small incisions are made instead of one large incision. Once the surgeon can see your uterus, they’ll cut the uterus into small pieces and remove one piece at a time.

A hysterectomy is considered to be a fairly safe procedure. As with all major surgeries, however, there are associated risks. Some people may have an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic. There is also the risk of heavy bleeding and infection around the incision site.

Other risks include injury to surrounding tissues or organs, including the:

These risks are rare. However, if they occur, you may need a second surgery to correct them.

After your hysterectomy, you’ll need to spend two to five days in the hospital. Your doctor will give you medication for the pain and monitor your vital signs, such as your breathing and heart rate. You’ll also be encouraged to walk around the hospital as soon as possible. Walking helps prevent blood clots from forming in the legs.

If you’ve had a vaginal hysterectomy, your vagina will be packed with gauze to control the bleeding. The doctors will remove the gauze within a few days after the surgery. However, you may experience bloody or brownish drainage from your vagina for about 10 days. Wearing a menstrual pad can help protect your clothing from getting stained.

When you return home from the hospital, it’s important to continue walking. You can walk around inside your house or around your neighbourhood. However, you should avoid performing certain activities during recovery. These include:

If you’ve had a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy, you’ll probably be able to return to most of your regular activities within three to four weeks. Recovery time will be a little longer if you’ve had an abdominal hysterectomy. You should be completely healed in about four to six weeks.