Hysterectomy A hysterectomy is a surgery or operation that removes a woman’s womb or uterus. A uterus is the part of a woman’s body where the fetus or baby would grow during pregnancy. Many times during what is called a radical hysterectomy, a woman’s ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix is removed too. Usually this occurs when a woman has cancer to help prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
The Operation During the procedure, most doctors make an incision in the lower abdomen or vagina to remove the organs. Some doctors perform this surgery using a laparoscope, where they insert a tiny camera into the body during a vaginal hysterectomy. The type of hysterectomy performed will depend largely on the reason the doctor has to perform the surgery. Usually an abdominal hysterectomy takes the longest to recover from. After the Operation- At Home Women undergoing an abdominal hysterectomy will likely recover over a four to eight week time. During this time they can slowly start to engage in physical activity again. The vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomy offer a much quicker response time. Most women are able to get back to work and start exercising lightly again within two weeks. Within six weeks women can start swimming again and enjoying physical or intimate activities in the bedroom.
Colporrhaphy Colporrhaphy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that repairs and strengthens the vaginal wall after a pelvic organ prolapse (POP). A pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one of the organs in the pelvic floor region slips out of its normal location in the body
The operation During the colporrhaphy operation, an incision is made near the entrance of the vagina, extending inward toward the top of the vaginal canal. This incision gives the surgeon access to repair and restructure the weakened underlying pelvic floor tissue that caused the prolapse. The incision is sutured with strong, absorbable stitches. General, regional or local anesthesia may be used depending on which option the physician believes is best for the patient.
Diagnostic Dilation and Curettage Dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside your uterus. Doctors perform dilation and curettage to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions — such as heavy bleeding — or to clear the uterine lining after a miscarriage or abortion.
The operation Your doctor uses small instruments or a medication to open (dilate) your cervix — the lower, narrow part of your uterus. Your doctor then uses a surgical instrument called a curette to remove uterine tissue. Curettes used in a D&C can be sharp or use suction. For dilation and curettage, you'll receive anesthesia. General anesthesia makes you unconscious and unable to feel pain. Ovarian Cystectomy An ovarian cystectomy is surgery performed to operate on or remove a large or suspect ovarian cyst or other anomaly. Often women have benign or noncancerous cysts in their ovaries and in other places in the body that do not cause any trouble. Sometimes cysts are discovered accidentally through a routine ultrasound of the reproductive organs.
The operation When the cyst is removed during an ovarian cystectomy, traditionally the surgeon creates an incision through the abdominal wall to visualize the ovaries. The cyst can then be removed safely. Surgery is often recommended for women that are post-menopausal because they are most at risk for complications and for cancer. After The Operation Following surgery patients should avoid strenuous activities including exercise for anywhere from one week to about six weeks depending on the type of surgery they have had done. Patients with a laparoscopy will recover more quickly than patients that have had a laparotomy. Because a laparotomy involves a deeper incision, the patient will spend a longer time recovering. They may stay in the hospital for up to four days after surgery, and it may take up to 6 weeks before they can return to full activities.