Hysterectomy Specialist

What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your uterus. You may need a hysterectomy to treat conditions such as gynecologic cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or other diseases that cause abnormally heavy bleeding and pain.

Depending on the reason for your hysterectomy, your surgeon may also remove your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cervix. There are three different types of hysterectomies:

Total hysterectomy

A total hysterectomy is the most prevalent type of hysterectomy. Your surgeon removes your entire uterus and cervix. If necessary, she may also remove your fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Partial hysterectomy

During a partial hysterectomy, your surgeon only removes the upper part of your uterus, leaving your cervix in place. She may also remove your ovaries during a partial hysterectomy if needed.

Radical hysterectomy

A radical hysterectomy involves the removal of all of your reproductive organs including your uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix, as well as tissues from the upper part of the vagina that surrounds the cervix. The doctors at Contemporary Women’s Care use radical hysterectomies to treat cervical cancer.

Whenever possible, the surgeons use minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical techniques to perform hysterectomies. Laparoscopic procedures are performed through a few small incisions in your abdomen instead of one large cut. Using smaller incisions helps you recover faster and reduces your risk of infection.

Does a hysterectomy cause menopause?

After your hysterectomy, you won’t have any more menstrual periods. If your surgeon leaves your ovaries, your body will still produce the necessary hormones to prevent other menopausal symptoms, but you may start to have symptoms a few years earlier than the average woman. If your surgeon needs to remove your ovaries during your hysterectomy, you will begin menopausal symptoms right away.

What should I expect while I recover from a hysterectomy?

After your hysterectomy, you will spend a day or two in the hospital recovering. You may spend more time in the hospital if you’re having cancer treatment or if your surgery was a traditional open procedure. The nursing team helps you get up and move around after your surgery and provides support until you can get out of bed and go to the bathroom on your own.

Once you’re at home, you still need to take it easy. Your doctor provides personalized instructions about how to reintroduce physical activity and when to go back to work.