When the doctor says, "I need to have my uterus removed," you may feel a lot of fear and anxiety. Questions like 'How will the surgery go?', 'What will happen to me?', 'How will my life change in the future?' are probably running through your mind. That's very normal. So today, let's talk about this hysterectomy surgery, that is, the surgery to remove the uterus, to find answers to all the questions you have in mind.
Simply put, what is Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes your uterus . Often, the uterus is removed along with a part of the cervix. Depending on the reason for the surgery, it may also be necessary to remove the organs around the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
The most important thing is that after this surgery, you will no longer be able to have children. And your menstrual cycle, or menstruation, will also stop completely.
What types of hysterectomy surgeries are there?
Your doctor will explain to you what type of surgery you need based on your medical condition. This will determine whether or not the ovaries and fallopian tubes will be removed along with the uterus. Let's look at the main types.
| Type of surgery | Things to remove and the result |
|---|---|
| Total Hysterectomy | The uterus and cervix are removed, but the ovaries are left in place. Because the ovaries are left in place, you don't suddenly go into menopause. |
| Supracervical Hysterectomy | Only the upper part of the uterus is removed, leaving the cervix intact. Because the cervix is left intact, you will need to continue to have Pap smears. |
| Total Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy | The uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy), and ovaries (oophorectomy) are all removed. Because the ovaries are removed, you will go into menopause immediately after the surgery. |
| Radical Hysterectomy | In addition to all of the above, the upper part of the vagina and surrounding tissue and lymph nodes are also removed. This method is most often used in cases of cancer. Here too, the ovaries are removed, resulting in immediate menopause. |
Why is a hysterectomy necessary?
Doctors often recommend a hysterectomy as a last resort. This surgery is only performed when other treatments have failed. In some cases, it may be the only solution.
Here are some of the main reasons for having a hysterectomy:
- Unstoppable, abnormal, or excessive vaginal bleeding .
- Unbearable severe pelvic pain .
- Non-cancerous tumors that occur in the uterus, especially (uterine fibroids) .
- Endometriosis is a very serious condition.
- Uterine prolapse : This can cause incontinence.
- Cancers of the cervix, ovaries, or uterus.
- Diseases of the lining of the uterus, for example (Hyperplasia) or (Adenomyosis) .
- Serious complications during childbirth, such as uterine rupture.
What are the methods of performing the surgery?
Depending on the type of hysterectomy you require, your surgeon will choose the most appropriate surgical technique. We will also be aware of those techniques.
| Surgical method | Description and recovery time |
|---|---|
| Vaginal Hysterectomy | A small incision is made above the vagina and the uterus is removed through it. There is no incision in the abdomen. Dissolvable stitches are used. This is the method with the fewest complications and the fastest recovery (about 4 weeks). In most cases, you can go home the same day. |
| Laparoscopic Vaginal Hysterectomy | A thin tube with a camera (laparoscope) is inserted through the vaginal incision to clearly view the surrounding organs. The uterus is removed through the vagina. This also does not require any abdominal incisions. The recovery is quick. |
| Laparoscopic Abdominal Hysterectomy | A small incision is made near the cervix and the laparoscope is inserted through it. Surgical instruments are inserted through several other small incisions and the uterus is cut into small pieces and removed through abdominal incisions or the vagina. You can go home in a day or two. The pain is minimal and the recovery is quick. |
| Robotic-assisted Laparoscopic Hysterectomy | Similar to the above method, but the surgeon controls the surgery with the help of a robot. The recovery time is similar to laparoscopic surgery. |
| Abdominal Hysterectomy | The uterus is removed through a 6-8 inch incision in the abdomen. This procedure is most often used in cases of cancer, when the uterus is very large, or when the disease has spread to other areas. You will have to stay in the hospital for a few days, and it will take a long time (about 6 weeks) to recover. |
What can you expect after surgery?
Recovery time and restrictions
The recovery time will vary depending on the type of surgery you had. It usually takes between 4-6 weeks. During this time, you will have to follow some restrictions.
- Heavy lifting: Do not lift objects heavier than 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds) for 4-6 weeks.
- Sexual intercourse: Avoid sexual intercourse for 6 weeks after surgery.
- Other things: Avoid using tampons, swimming in pools or the sea for 4-6 weeks.
- Driving: If you have had open abdominal surgery, avoid driving for about 2 weeks. You can drive a few days after laparoscopic surgery. However, if you are taking painkillers, do not drive until you have stopped taking them.
- Returning to work: Depending on the nature of your job, you may be able to return to work within 2-6 weeks. Talk to your doctor about this.
Physical and mental changes
It is normal to feel some changes in your body and mind after surgery.
- Physically: Your periods will stop completely. You may feel some pain, numbness, or itching in the incision sites for a few weeks. This will gradually subside. If your ovaries were removed, you may experience symptoms of menopause (e.g., hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia). Talk to your doctor about these, as there are treatments available.
- Emotional: Some people may feel sad, lonely, or like they have lost something after this surgery. Others may feel a great sense of relief from chronic pain or excessive bleeding. If you are concerned about your emotional state, talk to your doctor, family, or a trusted friend about it.
When should you talk to the doctor?
If you develop any of these symptoms while at home after surgery, call your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Bright red vaginal bleeding.
- Fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit).
- Severe nausea or vomiting.
- Difficulty urinating, urinary tract infection, or frequent urination.
- Redness, increased swelling , or pus-like fluid draining from the incision.
- The pain gradually increases instead of decreasing.
Take-Home Message
- Hysterectomy is a common major surgery. Don't be unnecessarily afraid of it.
- The type of surgery you need and how it is performed will depend on your condition.
- It takes time to fully recover after surgery. It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
- Mental health is just as important as physical health. Talk to someone you trust about what's on your mind.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have, both before and after surgery.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න