Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove the uterus.
There are various cases that require a Hysterectomy to be performed. It can be performed in cases of uterine fibroids that cause pain or are bleeding, in the case of a uterine prolapse that causes the uterus to slide from its normal position into the vaginal canal, endometriosis, or in case of cancerous growth in the uterus, cervix, or ovaries.
According to the reason for opting for hysterectomy, a surgeon may remove a part or the entire uterus and hence it’s important to prepare accordingly.
Even before deciding to get the procedure done, one needs to gather all the information regarding Hysterectomy.
There are different kinds of hysterectomy, and various alternative options are also available that can alleviate the problems by non-surgical and medical approaches. It is essential to weigh in all the options before making the final call.
Eating healthy and working out regularly is recommended before the surgery. This will help in maintaining good shape during the procedure and make up for the inactive weeks needed during recovery. Adding Kegel exercises to the workout routine is also a great idea since they help strengthen the pelvic muscles which will need to be in good shape to keep all the organs in place, after the uterus is removed.
Hysterectomy can be performed in two ways. Minimally Invasive Procedure or Abdominal Hysterectomy.
If the ovaries are also removed during a hysterectomy, a woman will immediately enter menopause. In case the ovaries are not removed, a woman is likely to enter menopause earlier than expected.
A patient who has recently undergone hysterectomy is told to abstain from intercourse and avoid lifting any kind of heavy object for at least 6 weeks after the surgery.
Hysterectomy the procedure does indeed help a vast majority of women overcome their main problem, be it pain or heavy periods.
If a comparison were to be made of an Abdominal Hysterectomy and a Minimally Invasive Procedure, it can be said that MIP allows for less pain and less chance of infection.
MIP also leads to shorter hospital stay and less scarring.
With an MIP, women are able to resume their normal activity with an average of 3 to 4 weeks, whereas in an abdominal hysterectomy, this time frame is 4 to 6 weeks.
Also, the costs associated with an MIP are fairly lower than the costs associated with open surgery and there is less risk of incisional hernia.
Hysterectomy is a safe procedure to undergo, but it comes with its set of risks. These complications could be surgical or post-surgical factoring in the health of the woman and the experience and expertise of the surgeon.
Here are the risks involved with hysterectomy:
Bladder injury
There is a high risk of the bladder getting injured due to its close proximity to the uterus or due to the insertion of the Veress needle during the surgery.
Urethral injury
Most urethral injuries occur due to the excessive use of thermal cautery, a process used to generate heat and laser during laparoscopic surgery.
Hot flashes
Many women suffer from hot flashes post-surgery. There is no exact reason why hot flashes occur in the body, but they tend to increase the heart rate, temperature and cause heavy sweating.
