Basics Regarding Hysterectomy Waco Residents Need To Be Aware Of

By Charles Edwards


There are a number of conditions that may necessitate the removal of a uterus in a woman. The surgical procedure used is what is medically referred to as hysterectomy. There are a number of things on hysterectomy Waco residents need to know if they intend to or have been advised to undergo the same by their doctors. The most important among them is that the affected women will not no longer be able to carry a pregnancy.

There are two main categories of hysterectomies. The first type is where the procedure is done as an emergency to save the life of a woman. This may be needed, for instance when there is excessive bleeding from the uterus. There are many methods that are first tried as intervention with hysterectomy only coming in as a last resort. The second type is termed elective hysterectomy and is scheduled to be done at a convenient time.

Most patients who require the operation tend to suffer from conditions that are termed cold cases. This means that their surgeries are not an emergency and can be conducted after adequate preparation. They also have an opportunity to try out other alternatives of treatment before consenting to the surgery. Examples of conditions that may be managed in this manner include cancers of the cervix and uterus as well as uterine bleeding disorders.

You need to be taken through some form of preparation just is the case with any other surgical operation. This preparation is both psychological and physical. A number of investigations will be ordered to determine the extent of the condition as well as your readiness for the procedure. Such may include, for example, the ultrasound scan, CT scan or a full blood count.

You will be issued with instructions that you need to follow in the days following to performance of the operation. These are mainly aimed at minimizing the risk of the procedure. For example, if you are a smoker you will be advised to abstain from the habit for a few weeks as a continuation of the same may delay wound healing. It is the same reason that informs the stoppage of blood thinners before surgery.

One of two approaches will be used to access the uterus. These are the abdominal and the trans-vaginal routes. The choice is determined by a number of factors including the condition affecting the uterus, the size of the lesion and the surgical skill of attending surgeons among others. The trans-vaginal route is highly preferred because it does not leave visible scars after healing takes place.

The abdominal approach allows the surgeon to use the open technique or to conduct the operation laparoscopically. With the open approach, a larger incision is required leading to a higher risk of complications such as excessive bleeding and injury to other structures. The laparoscopic approach, on the other hand, requires smaller incisions hence a lower risk of complications.

This operation usually takes one to two hours. The duration may be longer if complications are encountered. Either general or regional anesthesia is chosen depending on the preference of the surgical team. Regardless of the type of anesthesia used, recovery from the operation is quick and the majority of patients are released from hospital within three days. Full recovery takes a couple of weeks.




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