Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy, or surgery to remove the uterus, is a very common surgery among women in the United States, second only to caesarean section. About one-third of American women will have a hysterectomy by the time they are 60, according to healthywoman.org. Reasons for performing a hysterectomy include: uterine fibroids, abnormal bleeding, pelvic support problems, such as uterine prolapse, chronic pelvic pain and tome types of female cancers.
At Salina Women’s Clinic, we can perform hysterectomies using several methods. Your hysterectomy may be performed through the vagina, through an abdominal incision, or with laparoscopy using the da Vinci Surgical System. The route of your hysterectomy depends on both your diagnosis and your body.
We have been performing hysterectomies using the innovative da Vinci surgical technology, exclusively at Salina Regional Health Center since 2009, and are experts in this procedure with more than 1,000 da Vinci hysterectomies to our credit. The da Vinci procedure can mean less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries for patients.
Your surgery will be performed at Salina Regional Health Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Reasons for performing a hysterectomy include uterine fibroids, abnormal and heavy bleeding, pelvic support problems (like uterine prolapse), chronic pelvic pain and some types of female cancers. Your surgery will be performed at Salina Regional Health Center and may be either inpatient or outpatient.
A hysterectomy may be performed through the vagina, through an abdominal incision, or with laparoscopy using the da Vinci Surgical System. The route of your hysterectomy depends on both your diagnosis and your body.
Expect to stay in the hospital from overnight to three days, depending on the type of hysterectomy that you had. Some patients, following a da Vinci hysterectomy, may go home the same day as their surgery. You will be encouraged to walk around as soon as possible following surgery. Walking keeps your blood moving and helps prevent blood clots in your legs. You can expect some pain following surgery, but it will be controlled with medication.
Once you return home, showers are preferred for ten days to two weeks. If a shower is not available, a shallow tub bath may be taken. Pain medicine may be prescribed. Follow the directions on the label and know that excessive use of prescription pain medication can cause nausea and constipation. If that happens, switch to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) as the label directs and increase your intake of water, juice, fruit, and fiber. A mild laxative can be taken as the label directs.
During the first week following surgery, you may ride in a car, take walks, and do light housework as long as it does not involve straining or lifting. You may climb stairs, but only as needed. You can eat what you ate before surgery. Get plenty of rest and keep up your fluids. During the second week, you may drive if you are not on pain medication and it does not hurt when you push the car brakes. You may gradually increase your activities as you feel like it, but do not lift more than 30 pounds. During the third week, continue to increase your activities as you feel like it -- but do not exercise until your check up with Dr. Boo, Dr. Graber or Dr. Carroll. If your ovaries are removed, discuss hormone replacement therapy with Dr. Boo, Dr. Graber or Dr. Carroll to avoid symptoms and complications from menopause.
The risk of problems related to hysterectomy is among the lowest for any major surgery. As with any surgery, though, problems -- even death -- can occur and include blood clots in the lungs or legs, infection, bleeding during or following surgery, injury to the bowel or bladder, and complications from anesthesia. While some discharge -- even tinged with a little blood -- is normal, the amount should not be excessive, even though it may continue until you see Dr. Boo, Dr. Graber or Dr. Carroll three or four weeks after surgery.
Call our office, Dr. Boo, Dr. Graber or Dr. Carroll immediately if you have a temperature above 100.4 degrees, heavy bleeding, severe pain, redness or streaks around the wound, signs of a urinary tract infection (pain, burning, frequent urination, or blood in the urine), severe vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, or severe chest discomfort or cough.