Medical conditions such as uterine fibroids and cancer may recur even after treatment. The symptoms you might experience, such as heavy bleeding and pain, may get in the way of everyday activities and affect your general productivity. If you are looking to undergo a hysterectomy in Orlando, you can get treatment at Contemporary Women’s Care.
What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove your uterus. Your doctor may recommend this process for various reasons, including:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Uterine fibroids that cause heavy bleeding
- Cervical and ovarian cancer
- Cancer of the uterus
- Uterine prolapse
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
Your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy for different reasons, and the type of procedure your surgeon uses will depend on your condition. The different types of hysterectomy are:
- Total hysterectomy. During this process, your surgeon will remove your entire uterus and may also get rid of your fallopian tubes and ovaries.
- Partial hysterectomy. Your doctor removes the upper part of your uterus but will leave your cervix.
- Radical hysterectomy. Your doctor may recommend this procedure if you have cancer. It involves the removal of tissues on the side of your uterus, vagina, and your cervix.
Diagnosis
Initially, you will discuss with your doctor the options available and how you feel about the surgical process. Before you undergo the procedure, a specialist will review your medical history and check for any pre-existing conditions that may affect decisions during surgery, such as how you react to anesthetics.
Your doctor will also test your hemoglobin level to make sure you have enough blood before surgery. Other tests which your specialist may use are:
- Cervical cytology to check for cervical cancer
- Pelvic ultrasound that enables your doctor to see the size of fibroids or ovarian cysts
- Endometrial biopsy. This test is used to detect endometrial cancer
Before the process, your doctor will let you know about the risks involved after and during the surgical procedure, which include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Severe reaction to anesthesia
- Damage to your pelvic organs such as bladder, rectum, and urinary tract
There are different approaches that your surgeon may use during the procedure, including:
Open surgery hysterectomy
This is the most commonly used technique. Your doctor will make an incision measuring five to seven inches across your belly to remove your uterus. You may heal after three days, and a scar may be visible on the incision area.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy
Your surgeon will use a specialized camera to view your pelvic organs and make an incision in your navel. Your doctor will inflate your abdomen using carbon dioxide gas to see organs clearly and remove your uterus through your vagina.
Vaginal hysterectomy
For this procedure, your doctor will make an incision inside your vagina and remove your uterus.
Abdominal hysterectomy
Your doctor will make a horizontal incision along your lower abdomen to remove large uterine fibroids. You may have a scar form on the incision area after the procedure.
After the surgical procedure, your surgeon will give you several instructions to observe to facilitate your recovery process. For example:
- Avoid lifting heavy objects to allow for healing.
- Take soft foods like plain rice to avoid constipation.
- Take pain-relieving drugs as prescribed by your specialist.
- Clean your incision area using soap and water to avoid infection.
It is essential to keep your reproductive health in check. Reserve a session with your doctor at Contemporary Women’s Care to get treatment for multiple conditions like fibroids, ovarian cysts, and uterine cancer.
