Vaginal Hysterectomy: What You Need To Know

When you are to undergo a hysterectomy, you are often given a choice of three surgical procedure types. Each one of their risks and possible complications but are quite common. So what are the three procedures?

First, you have the abdominal hysterectomy. This means the surgeon will make an incision in your abdomen and remove the infected or affected female organs. Doctors usually prefer this because it allows them to see the entire uterine area.

Second, you can have a laproscopy. Surgeons will place a camera called a laparoscope into the belly button and remove the affected pieces through small incisions or the vagina.

Third, you can undergo a vaginal hysterectomy. This means the affected or infected female organs, namely the uterus and cervix, are removed through the woman's vagina.

What does a vaginal hysterectomy entail? Keep in mind that no incision is made in your abdomen when you choose a vaginal hysterectomy for your procedure. While abdominal hysterectomies are still quite common, vaginal hysterectomies are becoming more the norm due to the technological advances that help the surgeon do the procedure.

When a woman is undergoing a vaginal hysterectomy, it isn't uncommon for the surgeon to use a laparoscope to help him/her out during the procedure.

Here are some tidbits about vaginal hysterectomies you may or may not have known about:

First, vaginal hysterectomies are the same procedure as a total abdominal hysterectomy but it's performed vaginally instead of abdominally.

Second, the acronym for total vaginal hysterectomy is TVH

Third, a total vaginal hysterectomy involves the surgeon removing the uterus and cervix by way of a cut in the vagina. A vaginal cuff will be sewn into the vagina's top so that the incision is repaired. This procedure is much like the procedure for a total abdominal hysterectomy.

Fourth, a total vaginal hysterectomy is often chosen for four different reasons. What are these reasons?

• Woman has a prolapse
• No cancer possibility
• Uterus is not enlarged
• Delivered babies vaginally

Fifth, a surgeon will not conduct a total vaginal hysterectomy for several reasons. What are they?

• Your physician needs the space to look around in the uterine area for possible problems
• There's a risk of cancer cells or endometriosis spreading to other areas of your body
• You have never delivered a baby vaginally
• Your uterus is enlarged more than an appropriate size

Keep in mind that this surgery has the possibility to increase bleeding. You may want to make yourself aware from time to time that you've had major surgery despite the lack of an incision. Some women tend to overdo it when they are recovering because they feel they are further ahead in the process.

Once you've undergone the procedure, recovery time can be from six to eight weeks. You are unable to lift or strain for this period of time as well. If you choose to have intercourse, be aware of restriction possibility, as this is normal.

There's also the possibility your doctor will choose to do a Laparoscopical Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy or LVAH instead of a Total Vaginal Hysterectomy. Should this be the case, your cervix will still be removed.