Are you a candidate for having a hysterectomy? Women who suffer from fibroid tumors, endometriosis, various forms of cancer, uterine prolapse or abnormal bleeding or pain, consider having a hysterectomy.  It is a procedure that removes the uterus and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Because it is a major surgery that can take anywhere from one to six hours, you need to be well informed as to the different types of procedures as well as possible alternatives to this procedure. Hysterectomies are very common as one in three women in the United States has had one by age 60.

 

There are four types of hysterectomy procedures.

 

Partial hysterectomy. The body of the uterus is removed while leaving the cervix in place.

 

Total hysterectomy. The entire uterus is removed, leaving the ovaries and the fallopian tubes in place.

 

Hysterectomy with oophorectomy. This procedure includes the removal of one or more ovaries. The fallopian tubes sometimes are removed as well.

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Radical hysterectomy. All of the female organs are removed, including the top of the vagina. If the patient has cancer, it may include the removal of pelvic lymph nodes.

 

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Risks of a Hysterectomy

As with all surgeries, there are risks. Specifically, the risks for a hysterectomy can be heavy bleeding, an allergic reaction to a medication, discomfort during  sex, injury to another organ or blood veins, a negative reaction to anesthesia, and infection or blood clot. Make sure you discuss all these risks with your surgeon before surgery as every patient has her own unique situation that may present other risks in addition to these listed. We have provided a partial key list of questions for your hysterectomy surgeon . More can be found in our surgery recovery guide as well as a step-by step process for healing faster, natural pain control and procedures you can take to accelerate your healing before and after surgery.

 

Preparing for Your Hysterectomy Surgery

Recover Quickly From Surgery is a necessary guide for your surgical preparation in the weeks prior to your hysterectomy operation. The guide directs you through specific diet and nutritional protocols, and an increased fitness regime  (if possible), how to reduce pain and swelling. The book’s protocols can enhance a speedy and thorough recovery.

You must enhance your immune system to decrease the possibility of infection. If you have several weeks before your surgery, there are several suggestions on how to do this in the Guide. Once the surgery is complete, your surgeon will examine and monitor your incision and progress via blood work and other tests.

Because this surgery usually takes between one and five hours, after patients often note side-effects from the anesthesia. Tips on how to ameliorate these symptoms, as well as how to manage your pain and wean off your pain medications are also discussed in Recover Quickly From Surgery. Although it is necessary to take pain medication days following your surgery, these prescription drugs can cause addition, other side effects and toxicity in your system so it is best to wean off them as quickly as possible. The Guide offers other  effective pain management techniques that compliment your pain meds and can have the effect of enabling you to reduce the pain meds sooner.

 

The guide covers how to plan for surgery ahead of time and

 for proper home care afterwards. Your recover time depends

upon the nature of your surgery. You may be up in a few hours

after your surgery or bed bound for several days.

Prepare to fast the day or night before. In addition, it important

to not drink alcohol or smoke within 48 hours prior to your surgery.

 

 

Your Hysterectomy Surgical Experience: What To Expect

Once you enter the hospital, the hospital staff will prep you for the operating theater. Once there, your anesthesiologist will closely monitor your vital statistics during your procedure. Depending on your condition, nurses and additional doctors may assist the surgeon during the procedure.

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Incisions are closed with staples or small stitches and then properly bandaged. You will be wheeled to a recovery room where you will be monitored until you awaken. A nurse will check your vital statistics and ask you if you are in pain. You may be offered additional pain medicine. You will also be asked to breathe into an apparatus that will measure your output. When you are stable, you will be wheeled into a hospital room for recovery. Your time in the hospital will be between several hours up to a week depending on your condition and the type of surgical procedure you had.

 

Post Surgery Healing and Recovery Time:

Once you are recovering in your room, you may experience pain or abdominal cramping. Medication will be administered orally or if the procedure was more complicated, intravenously. Depending on the type of procedure, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and use the bathroom on your own. Liquids and foods will be administered appropriately. Every woman's procedure will differ and thus the healing time varies. If you are having a standard abdominal surgery, the belly incision will be large and  the  recovery time will take longer  than the laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, or LAVH, maybe six weeks. If you are having a LAVH the recovery time will be much shorter, often a few days or one week, depending.

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There may be vaginal leakage, depending on the surgery. You will want to keep your bandages dry and sterile to prevent infection around the incisions. If you are having abdominal surgery, your stomach's  incisions may be tender for up to 8 weeks depending on your procedure. Laparoscopic surgery may cause shoulder pain at a later time due to the gas they administer to blow up your abdomen.  The gas pain can be terrible, so be sure to read Recover Quickly From Surgery for suggestions on moderating this gas pain and other post-surgical pain.

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After your procedure, all organs and tissues that have been removed will be sent to the lab for analysis. A pathology report will be issued to your doctor who will then share that report with you or your advocate. The doctor will then let you know when you should have a follow up-visit. You will have your stitches removed during the follow-up visit.

Your doctor will give instructions for returning to normal activities, such as exercise, sexual activity and work. If any unusual symptoms arise, please notify your doctor immediately.

 

Prepare Now To Recover Faster from your Hysterectomy

The best thing you can do is start preparing now for your approaching surgery is to educate yourself on the crucial things you can do to reduce your pain, swelling, scarring as well as decrease your risk for infection. This essential guide, Recover Quickly From Surgery, thoroughly covers easy-to-read suggestions that best prepares your for your operation naturally.  Backed by clinical research,  these natural protocols compliment and work in tandem with your surgeon’s procedures. Ultimately, if you follow its easy protocols, you may experience less pain, scarring and a faster recovery.

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