Methods of hysterectomy: There are two ways that hysterectomies can be performed. The choice of method depends on the type of hysterectomy, the doctor's experience, and the reason for the hysterectomy. ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY. About 75% of hysterectomies performed in the United States are abdominal hysterectomies. The surgeon makes a 4–6-in (10–15-cm) incision either horizontally across the pubic hair line from hip bone to hip bone or vertically from navel to pubic bone. Horizontal incisions leave a less noticeable scar, but vertical incisions give the surgeon a better view of the abdominal cavity. The blood vessels, fallopian tubes, and ligaments are cut away from the uterus, which is lifted out. Abdominal hysterectomies take from one to three hours. The hospital stay is three to five days, and it takes four to eight weeks to return to normal activities. The advantages of an abdominal hysterectomy are that the uterus can be removed even if a woman has internal scarring (adhesions) from previous surgery or her fibroids are large. The surgeon has a good view of the abdominal cavity and more room to work. Also, surgeons tend to have the most experience with this type of hysterectomy. The abdominal incision is more painful than with vaginal hysterectomy, and the recovery period is longer. VAGINAL HYSTERECTOMY. With a vaginal hysterectomy, the surgeon makes an incision near the top of the vagina. The surgeon then reaches through this incision to cut and tie off the ligaments, blood vessels, and fallopian tubes. Once the uterus is cut free, it is removed through the vagina. The operation takes one to two hours. The hospital stay is usually one to three days, and the return to normal activities takes about four weeks. The advantages of this procedure are that it leaves no visible scar and is less painful. The disadvantage is that it is more difficult for the surgeon to see the uterus and surrounding tissue. This makes complications more common. Large fibroids cannot be removed using this technique. It is very difficult to remove the ovaries during a vaginal hysterectomy, so this approach may not be possible if the ovaries are involved. Vaginal hysterectomy can also be performed using a laparoscopic technique. With this surgery, a tube containing a tiny camera is inserted through an incision in the navel. This allows the surgeon to see the uterus on a video monitor. The surgeon then inserts two slender instruments through small incisions in the abdomen and uses them to cut and tie off the blood vessels, fallopian tubes, and ligaments. When the uterus is detached, it is removed though a small incision at the top of the vagina. This technique, called laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, allows surgeons to perform a vaginal hysterectomy that might otherwise be too difficult. The hospital stay is usually only one day. Recovery time is about two weeks. The disadvantage is that this operation is relatively new and requires great skill by the surgeon. Any vaginal hysterectomy may have to be converted to an abdominal hysterectomy during surgery if complications develop. Diagnosis/Preparation: Before surgery the doctor will order blood and urine tests. The woman may also meet with the anesthesiologist to evaluate any special conditions that might affect the administration of anesthesia. On the evening before the operation, the woman should eat a light dinner and then have nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Aftercare: After surgery, a woman will feel some degree of discomfort; this is generally greatest in abdominal hysterectomies because of the incision. Hospital stays vary from about two days (laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy) to five or six days (abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy). During the hospital stay, the doctor will probably order more blood tests.
Return to normal activities such as driving and working takes anywhere from two to eight weeks, again depending on the type of surgery. Some women have emotional changes following a hysterectomy. Women who have had their ovaries removed will probably start hormone replacement therapy. Risks: Hysterectomy is a relatively safe operation, although like all major surgery it carries risks. These include unanticipated reaction to anesthesia, internal bleeding, blood clots, damage to other organs such as the bladder, and post-surgery infection. Other complications sometimes reported after a hysterectomy include changes in sex drive, weight gain, constipation, and pelvic pain. Hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause can occur if the ovaries are removed. Women who have both ovaries removed and who do not take estrogen replacement therapy run an increased risk for heart disease and osteoporosis (a condition that causes bones to be brittle). Women with a history of psychological and emotional problems before the hysterectomy are likely to experience psychological difficulties after the operation. As in all major surgery, the health of the patient affects the risk of the operation. Women who have chronic heart or lung diseases, diabetes, or iron-deficiency anemia may not be good candidates for this operation. Heavy smoking, obesity, use of steroid drugs, and use of illicit drugs add to the surgical risk. Normal results: Although there is some concern that hysterectomies may be performed unnecessarily, there are many conditions for which the operation improves a woman's quality of life. In the Maine Woman's Health Study, 71% of women who had hysterectomies to correct moderate or severe painful symptoms reported feeling better mentally, physically, and sexually after the operation. Morbidity and mortality rates:
The rate of complications differs by the type of hysterectomy performed. Abdominal hysterectomy is associated with a higher rate of complications (9.3%), while the overall complication rate for vaginal hysterectomy is 5.3%, and 3.6% for laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy. The risk of death from hysterectomy is about one in every 1,000 women. The rates of some of the more commonly reported complications are: excessive bleeding (hemorrhaging): 1.8–3.4%
fever or infection: 0.8–4.0%
accidental injury to another organ or structure: 1.5–1.8%
Alternatives
Women for whom a hysterectomy is recommended should discuss possible alternatives with their doctor and consider getting a second opinion, since this is major surgery with life-changing implications. Whether an alternative is appropriate for any individual woman is a decision she and her doctor should make together. Some alternative procedures to hysterectomy include: Embolization. During uterine artery embolization, interventional radiologists put a catheter into the artery that leads to the uterus and inject polyvinyl alcohol particles right where the artery leads to the blood vessels that nourish the fibroids. By killing off those blood vessels, the fibroids have no more blood supply, and they die off. Severe cramping and pain after the procedure is common, but serious complications are less than 5% and the procedure may protect fertility.
Myomectomy. A myomectomy is a surgery used to remove fibroids, thus avoiding a hysterectomy. Hysteroscopic myomectomy, in which a surgical hysteroscope (telescope) is inserted into the uterus through the vagina, can be done on an outpatient basis. If there are large fibroids, however, an abdominal incision is required. Patients typically are hospitalized for two to three days after the procedure and require up to six weeks recovery. Laparoscopic myomectomies are also being done more often. They only require three small incisions in the abdomen, and have much shorter hospitalization and recovery times. Once the fibroids have been removed, the surgeon must repair the wall of the uterus to eliminate future bleeding or infection.
Endometrial ablation. In this surgical procedure, recommended for women with small fibroids, the entire lining of the uterus is removed. After undergoing endometrial ablation, patients are no longer fertile. The uterine cavity is filled with fluid and a hysteroscope is inserted to provide a clear view of the uterus. Then, the lining of the uterus is destroyed using a laser beam or electric voltage. The procedure is typically done under anesthesia, although women can go home the same day as the surgery. Another newer procedure involves using a balloon, which is filled with superheated liquid and inflated until it fills the uterus. The liquid kills the lining, and after eight minutes the balloon is removed. Endometrial resection. The uterine lining is destroyed during this procedure using an electrosurgical wire loop (similar to endometrial ablation).
I had an abdominal hysterectomy June 23, due to having an endometrial thermal ablation. I started to hemorhage during it. I have a scar across my pubic hair line which right now is red and lumpy, but the dr said its normal and in 3 months my scar should be smooth and barely visible. It took me a 3 day hospital stay after it was done. I had a recovery time of 6 weeks which meant no lifint anything heavier than a gallon of milk for that long. I didnt notice any changes to my body. I havent gained weight. I did lose some weight though because it was hard to eat (mostly I think my fear but some from the pain meds and the pain I was in). If you have any questions please contact me as I had my uterus and cervix removed.
2006-08-04 09:44:03
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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2016-12-20 18:43:55
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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In contrast to open abdominal surgery, laparoscopy usually involves less pain, less risk, less scarring, and faster recovery. Because laparoscopy is so much less invasive than traditional abdominal surgery, patients can leave the hospital sooner.
Laparoscopy is a relatively safe procedure, especially if the physician is experienced in the technique. The risk of complication is approximately 1%.
The procedure carries a slight risk of puncturing a blood vessel or organ, which could cause blood to seep into the abdominal cavity. Puncturing the intestines could allow intestinal contents to seep into the cavity. These are serious complications and major surgery may be required to correct the problem. For operative procedures, there is the possibility that it may become apparent that open surgery is required. Serious complications occur at a rate of only 0.2%.
For more info go to: http://www.lifesteps.com/gm/Atoz/ency/laparoscopy.jsp
2006-08-11 02:05:32
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answer #3
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answered by Cricket 3
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Please take a look at this website and take the time to look into some of the resources on there.
http://www.drnorthrup.com/womens-health.php
She wrote a book called Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom which was very eye-opening for me. She talks about issues that most doctors do not want to address. As I do not know the reasoning for your hysterectomy, I am not sure if you have other options. Just remember it is your body and you need to be the one to make the decisions that you are comfortable with.
Good luck.
2006-08-04 09:20:15
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answer #4
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answered by superrrmodel 4
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Just take some baking soda, mix it with a very small amount of vinegar to make a paste, and then put it on the carpet with an old toothbrush. Allow it to dry, then vacuum. If the stain is somewhat removed or lightened up, repeat again. Or small amount of Swarfega or WD-40. Worth testing a very small amount of these things to see what works best. Have also heard of the brown paper and iron method.
2016-03-26 23:14:02
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answer #5
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answered by ? 4
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Uterine fibroids are the non-cancerous tumor growths in the clean muscle levels of the uterus. The Uterine Fibroids is quite popular among the female sexuality throughout early, mid and later reproductive decades and if you wish to get rid of it you will need Amanda Leto's Fibroids Miracle book from here https://tr.im/90fxU .
Fibroids Miracle book is just a total information to managing uterine fibroids normally from home.
The Fibroid miracle is by far the very best and most basic plan to work with to get your body in good health and it will revitalize the quality of your everyday life. The fibroid miracle is your response to a lasting alternative of one's uterine fibroids health condition.
2016-04-29 01:41:04
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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If you want to get rid of the uterine fibroids with simple to apply methods and techniques you then need the Fibroids Miracle process from here https://tr.im/8gnI9
Fibroids Miracle use a combination of normal treatments and a multidimensional way of eliminate uterine fibroids, reduce their recurrence, increase fertility, carry the body back to a hormonal balance, and absolutely remove all signs such as pelvic pressure and suffering, bloating, disquiet, bleeding, and pain throughout sex.
The fibroids miracle is one of the easy stay more adept therapeutic practices of the fibroids health conditions.
2016-05-17 11:43:30
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answer #7
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answered by ? 2
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Since the real causes of uterine fibroids are complex, it goes to follow that their treatment should also be multidimensional. A wide variety of treatments, ranging from simple medicinal drugs to complex surgeries, are available for addressing uterine fibroid symptoms. However, if you are looking for a safe and natural form of remedy, it is best to take a holistic approach to your condition.
To know more about this system click here http://www.goobypls.com/r/rd.asp?gid=553
Cheers.
2014-09-02 10:18:33
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Brandy's answer is superb and says it all. The above recommendation for Dr. Northrup, however, is way off base. Dr. Northrup believes that women's relationships with their mother and "blocked pelvic energy" are what cause diseases. She is completely off kilter when it comes to women's health and I can't imagine how she is still suckering people into her doctrine. Follow Brandy's info and links. Good luck.
2006-08-04 09:54:52
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answer #9
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answered by Endo 6
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why not ask your doctor? if he/she is recommending this, then don't be afraid to ask your question.
i had mine done this way and it actually worked out great! the recovery time was fact and painless. I was back at work w/in 5 days. But, as I always say, each person is different. what may have worked for me may not necessarily work for you. Good luck
2006-08-11 23:21:34
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answer #10
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answered by angel eyes 2
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