It is performed to treat conditions like heavy menstrual periods, pelvic pain, fibroids or it may be performed to treat cancer.
Hysterectomy may be performed vaginally, abdominally or laparoscopically.
A general anesthesia will be administered to the patient and as a result the patient will be asleep during the surgery.
Once the patient is asleep the process begins by making incisions near the belly button and a small device is inserted which is called a port; it creates an opening that will be filled with gas (carbon dioxide) in the abdomen region.
Then a small camera is inserted through a port in order to see the organs properly, once proper visibility is achieved more ports are inserted through which instruments go through and Uterus and Fallopian tube is removed vaginally. The openings are closed through surgical glue or dissolvable stitches. The process might take 2 to 3 hours. Depending on the condition of the patient the doctor might also switch to an open procedure.
The surgery involves small incisions which take very less time to heal and as a result the patient can return back to normal life within no time.
The surgery also leaves minimal scars.
The recovery time for Laparoscopic surgeries is very less and one can return to normal life within days of surgery, but they should avoid heavy lifting. The soreness after the surgery lasts for 48 hours and it can extend up to weeks depending upon the individual.
If the patient is fine and the pain is less, then he is discharged immediately and follow up checkup is held every 7 to 10 days post discharge.
One might feel nauseated post-surgery, this might be due to anesthesia administered for the purpose of the surgery.
The patient might feel scratchy or experience a sore throat due to the tube used for anesthesia. But this will go away within 48 hours.
Post-surgery one might feel shoulder pain because of the gas that was pumped in during the surgery, which will go away within 48 hours.
If you have a prior medical condition and you are taking medicines prescribed by a doctor please make sure you inform the surgeon beforehand.
It requires that the patient goes on a liquid diet 24 hours before the surgery so that his bowel remains clear, which makes it easy to operate. This process is called ‘Bowel preparation’
If you have a habit of smoking you will be advised to stop smoking a few weeks prior to the date of the operation as smoking may result in other complications or may cause infections resulting in failure of the procedure. Quitting smoking enhances the chances of success.
If one feels nauseated, develops fever, bleeding occurs through the incisions, inability to urinate etc; under these circumstances it is better to get in touch with the doctor who performed the operation.
Dr. Kiran is Laparoscopic surgeon and a Bariatric surgery specialist with 17 years of experience in performing various surgeries; by choosing to get treated under him one can rest assured that he/she can expect a full recovery and a permanent solution for their problems.