Which conditions may require a hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is a common procedure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 600,000 women have the surgery each year. There are several reasons why our physicians recommend this surgery.

• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Abnormal or heavy uterine bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Uterine prolapse
• Cancer of the ovaries, cervix, uterus or uterine lining (endometrium)

How do surgeons perform this procedure?

At Athens ObGyn, our trained and experienced surgeons provide minimally invasive surgeries. Our physicians perform surgery vaginally, laparoscopically, and, rarely, abdominally.

• During a vaginal hysterectomy, a surgeon removes the uterus through the vagina. This procedure is the most minimally invasive technique and has the shortest recovery time.
• Our surgeons perform minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy through a few very small incisions in the abdomen. During surgery, a physician will insert surgical instruments into the incisions to perform the procedure.
• If a patient has scar tissue (adhesions) or a large uterus, she may require an abdominal hysterectomy. Our physicians make an abdominal incision similar to a cesarean section incision in order to perform this surgery.

What can patients expect after a hysterectomy?

In the case of minimally invasive hysterectomies, patients should plan on three to four weeks of recovery. They cannot lift anything heavy for four to six weeks or insert anything into the vagina for six-eight weeks after surgery. Women should not have sexual intercourse for six-eight weeks depending on healing. Patients who have an abdominal hysterectomy need four to six weeks to recover. Our caring staff provides patients with exact instructions before and after surgery.

Patients who are having health issues or think they may need a hysterectomy should contact us for more information.