Hysterectomy
Alternate Names : Vaginal hysterectomy, Abdominal hysterectomy, Supracervical hysterectomy, Radical hysterectomy, Removal of the uterus, Laparoscopic hysterectomy, Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy, LAVH, Total laparoscopic hysterectomy, TLH, Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, Robotically assisted hysterectomy
After the Procedure
The average hospital stay depends on the type of hysterectomy you had. Most women stay 2 to 3 days. When hysterectomy is done because of cancer, the hospital stay is often longer. You will be given pain medicine after surgery through an IV (intravenous, through a vein) and pills. You may also have a catheter into your bladder for 1 to 2 days to pass urine. You will be asked to get up and move around as soon as possible. This will help keep blood clots from forming in your legs and will help you avoid other problems as you recover.
You will be asked to get up to use the bathroom as soon as you are able. You may return to a normal diet as soon as your bowels start working again.
Prognosis
Complete recovery may take 2 weeks to 2 months. Recovery from a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy is faster than recovery from an abdominal hysterectomy. It may also be less painful. Average recovery times are: - Abdominal hysterectomy -- 4-6 weeks.
- Vaginal hysterectomy -- 3-4 weeks.
If your ovaries are also removed and you have not gone through menopause yet, this surgery will cause menopause. Your doctor may recommend estrogen replacement therapy. Some women worry that their sexual function will decrease after their uterus is removed. Sexual function after a hysterectomy depends mostly on what sexual function was like before the surgery.
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