Hysterectomy

What is a hysterectomy?

When medications, lifestyle changes, and other treatment options haven’t eased your symptoms, you may need a hysterectomy for lasting relief. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to take out your uterus and sometimes nearby organs. 

Why do I need a hysterectomy?

Uterine fibroids are the top reason that women opt for a hysterectomy. The procedures can treat other women’s health conditions, such as:

• Endometriosis
• Abnormal bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Gynecologic cancer

Additionally, a hysterectomy may be necessary in cases of uterine prolapse, which is a condition where the uterus falls out of place due to a weakened support structure.

What are the types of hysterectomies?

Hysterectomies are not all the same. The different types include a total hysterectomy, where your surgeon removes your entire uterus as well as your cervix. 

On the other hand, a supracervical hysterectomy is one where your surgeon removes the top part of your uterus but leaves your cervix. 

If you need a hysterectomy, the board-certified specialists at Women's Health Care Center of Houston recommend the appropriate approach for your condition.  

How is my hysterectomy surgery performed?

The team at Women's Health Care Center of Houston takes a minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy, typically performing the surgery through small incisions in your vagina or abdomen. 

One option is laparoscopic hysterectomy. This is a type of minimally invasive hysterectomy that's an alternative to traditional "open" hysterectomy. 

A conventional hysterectomy requires a large abdominal incision, but a laparoscopic hysterectomy requires just a few small incisions about a half-inch long in your abdomen. 

During your laparoscopic hysterectomy, your surgeon removes your uterus, and other structures, if need be, with surgical instruments the size of a pen. 

This type of surgery offers several advantages over an open hysterectomy, such as less pain, a lower risk of infection, and shorter recovery time.

What is a robotic-assisted hysterectomy?

Da Vinci robotic surgery is a type of laparoscopic surgery where your surgeon uses a 3-D real-time camera and robotic controls to see and perform your surgery through tiny cuts in your abdomen. 

Research suggests this method of hysterectomy results in fewer complications and a shorter stay in the hospital. 

To explore all of your options for a hysterectomy, call Women's Health Care Center of Houston or book a consultation online today with one of the board-certified experts in minimally invasive surgery.