How long surgery for hysterectomy

You will have a range of tests before your hysterectomy, including a complete blood-count test to check for problems such as anaemia deficiency in red blood cells or haemoglobin. The operation may be performed via an incision cut in your lower abdomen abdominal hysterectomy , three to four small incisions in your abdomen laparoscopic hysterectomy , or through your vagina vaginal hysterectomy.

For an abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon usually makes a horizontal cut along your pubic hairline your pubic hair may have been shaved around the incision. For most women, this leaves a small scar.

Some women may need a vertical midline incision in the lower abdomen, especially if the hysterectomy is for a large uterine fibroid. An abdominal hysterectomy is generally recommended when a woman has very large fibroids or cancer. For a laparoscopic hysterectomy, the surgeon inserts a telescope laparoscope to see your pelvic organs through a small incision in your navel, and makes another three or four small incisions through which other instruments are used.

Carbon dioxide gas is used to distend inflate your abdomen, like a balloon, so all of your organs can be clearly seen. The surgeon then removes the uterus, with or without fallopian tubes and ovaries, through the vagina. If the top of the vagina is sutured stitched through keyhole incisions, the operation is called a total laparoscopic hysterectomy. If the gynaecologist stitches the top of the vagina through the vagina, it is called a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

A vaginal hysterectomy is performed through an incision at the top of the vagina. It is usually performed where there is a uterine prolapse the cervix and uterus come down into the vagina, or protrude out of the vaginal entrance. With good pain relief, recovery may be similar for all forms of the hysterectomy. Although, more care is required regarding the pelvic floor, urination and bowel function after vaginal hysterectomy.

It is important to start pelvic floor and abdominal exercises within the first few weeks after surgery. These exercises strengthen the muscles in your pelvis, and help maintain normal bladder function and vaginal muscle tone. Your doctor or physiotherapist will let you know how soon you can start these particular exercises. Be guided by your doctor, but general suggestions for the four to six-week post-operative period include:.

After hysterectomy, you will no longer need contraception or have menstrual periods. If your ovaries were removed, you may experience menopause symptoms starting within a few days of your surgery. If you were still having periods before your hysterectomy, your doctor should discuss oestrogen replacement therapy or other options with you. How long you might need oestrogen replacement therapy will depend on your age.

Hysterectomy can be an effective treatment for gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis and adenomyosis, though sometimes endometriosis may recur. If you have had a hysterectomy to treat cancer, depending on the stage of the cancer you will need to have regular check-ups to make sure you are cancer free.

You may need to have a regular vault smear test — similar to a cervical screening test but involving cells from the top of your vagina instead of the cervix.

You will be hospitalized for at least one night so your physicians can monitor your healing progress. Most patients return to normal daily activities within one week.

Your physician will give you detailed instructions so your recovery is unremarkable. Our surgeons are committed to providing the best treatment option for every individual patient. While radical hysterectomy or abdominal hysterectomy performed using robotic-assisted surgery is considered safe and effective, these procedures may not be appropriate for every patient.

Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Request your next appointment through My Chart! Whether you're crossing the country or the globe, we make it easy to access world-class care at Johns Hopkins. Learn more about pregnancy and childbirth in the Johns Hopkins Health Library. Take a tour of our birthing centers. Visit one of our convenient patient care locations. This will be removed in 1 to 2 days.

This method will not involve any outside incisions. The vagina will be stretched and kept open with special tools. Next, the uterus and cervix will be cut free. The connecting blood vessels will be tied off. The uterus and cervix will be removed through the vagina.

Lastly, the top of the vagina will be closed with stitches. Pain, bloating, and vaginal discharge and bleeding are common in the first few days. Medicine and home care can help. It will take about 3 to 8 weeks to fully heal, depending on which procedure was done. Physical activity and sex will be limited during this time. Tampons will need to be avoided. Ask for help with daily activities and delay your return to work.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Accessed August 25, Exceptional Nurses Winchester Hospital was the first community hospital in the state to achieve Magnet designation, recognition for nursing excellence.

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What Our Patients are Saying A leading indicator of our success is the feedback we get from our patients. Home Health Library. Hysterectomy—Open Surgery Click here to view an animated version of this procedure. On the other hand, you may feel a sense of loss after hysterectomy. Premenopausal women who must have a hysterectomy to treat gynecologic cancer may experience grief and possibly depression over the loss of fertility.

If sadness or negative feelings begin to interfere with your enjoyment of everyday life, talk with your doctor. Abdominal hysterectomy care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Overview Types of hysterectomy surgery Open pop-up dialog box Close. Types of hysterectomy surgery A partial hysterectomy top left removes just the uterus, and the cervix is left intact. Female reproductive system Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Female reproductive system The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina vaginal canal make up the female reproductive system. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Abdominal hysterectomy incisions Open pop-up dialog box Close. Abdominal hysterectomy incisions During abdominal hysterectomy, your surgeon makes a vertical or a horizontal incision in your lower abdomen.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Walters MD. Choosing a route of hysterectomy for benign uterine disease. Accessed Jan. First consult. Accessed Dec. Baggish MS.