Hysterectomy
Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare
Each year, nearly half a million American women get hysterectomies, making it the second most common surgery among women. If you need a hysterectomy, the highly qualified multidisciplinary obstetrics and gynecology team at Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare, serving the populations of Fayetteville, Newnan, and Stockbridge, Georgia, provides you with a choice of hysterectomy procedures. The practice features board-certified OB/GYNs who perform vaginal, laparoscopic, and robotically assisted hysterectomies. To find out more, call one of the offices or book a consultation online.
Hysterectomy Q & A
What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a gynecological surgery to remove organs within the pelvis involved in reproduction. A hysterectomy may be performed as a:
- Partial hysterectomy
- Simple total hysterectomy
- Radical total hysterectomy
A partial hysterectomy removes just the upper part of your uterus, and sometimes your ovaries. A simple total hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus and cervix. It may include your:
- Ovaries
- Fallopian tubes
- Lymph nodes
A radical total hysterectomy typically removes many of the same organs and structures as a simple total hysterectomy but includes the upper portions of your vagina.
After a hysterectomy, you can’t become pregnant. You’ll stop getting your period, and may have menopausal symptoms if your doctor removes your ovaries during surgery.
Why do I need a hysterectomy?
Your provider at Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare generally recommends a hysterectomy when you have one of the following conditions:
- Uterine fibroids: Noncancerous growths causing pain or heavy bleeding
- Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding: Due to cancer, infection, or fibroids
- Uterine prolapse: When your uterus slips down into the vagina
- Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue growing outside your uterus
- Adenomyosis: Uterine tissue growing where it shouldn’t, causing severe pain and heavy bleeding
Your doctor also recommends a hysterectomy to treat cancer in your uterus, cervix, ovary, or endometrium.
What are the types of hysterectomies?
If you need a hysterectomy, your Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare provider discusses the different types of hysterectomy surgeries.
Open surgery
Your doctor makes a long incision from your pubic bone to just above your navel. The surgery is performed through the incision. Your recovery takes 4-6 weeks.
Vaginal hysterectomy
Your provider makes a small cut in your vagina to minimize scarring. They perform the surgery with laparoscopic devices and remove your uterus through your vagina. Your recovery time is about 3-4 weeks.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy
Your doctor makes a few small incisions in your stomach. They use a tiny camera and long instruments to perform the surgery. Your recovery time is 3-4 weeks.
Da Vinci robotically assisted surgery
Da Vinci surgery requires about five small incisions around your stomach area. During surgery, your doctor sits at a console next to you. They operate using tiny instruments, while a camera provides a high-definition, 3D magnified view inside your body. Your recovery takes 3-4 weeks.
To learn more about your options for a hysterectomy, call Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare today or book a consultation online.
