Hysterectomy how long

A vaginal hysterectomy is a procedure that surgeons perform through the vagina to remove the uterus. A woman can often go home the same day or within 24 hours of the surgery.

She can also return to normal activity after 6 weeks, though a hysterectomy has lifelong effects. A hysterectomy through the vagina is minimally invasive, so recovery is normally shorter and easier than other types, such as abdominal hysterectomy.

It also leaves no visible scar. In this article, we look at what to expect after a vaginal hysterectomy, including timescales for returning to work, exercising, and driving. We also discuss recovery tips, long-term effects, and possible complications. The options are:. Surgeons may use this method for the following conditions:. The following timescales are a guide to what a person may expect after this surgery.

It is normal to feel drowsy and tired for several hours after surgery while the effects of anesthesia wear off. Nurses and other medical staff may be monitoring blood pressure , pain, and how the body is recovering, plus other factors. Some women will be discharged from the hospital on the same day as their surgery, while others may need to stay for a day or longer.

This depends on the success of their surgery and if any complications occur. Some women can go home on the day of their surgery or within 24 hours. Others may be in the hospital a day or two longer, depending on any complications or medical concerns that may arise. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. References Abdominal Hysterectomy. Mayo Clinic.

January 31, Vaginal Hysterectomy. UNC School of Medicine. Laughlin-Tommaso, et al. Cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity after hysterectomy with ovarian conservation: a cohort study. Menopause , May Sources Incision Care After Surgery. Comprehensive Gynecology Center. March 29, Hot Flashes. February 10, Hysterectomy, Vaginal MedlinePlus. August 14, Pain Control After Surgery. Cleveland Clinic. October 2, With surgical menopause, menopause symptoms often begin suddenly for women after having the procedure done.

Depending on how much these symptoms affect your quality of life, you may need short-term treatment with hormones. A hysterectomy is generally very safe, but with any major surgery comes the risk of complications. During abdominal hysterectomy, your surgeon detaches your uterus from the ovaries, fallopian tubes and upper vagina, as well as from the blood vessels and connective tissue that support it.

The lower part of your uterus cervix is usually removed total hysterectomy but may sometimes be left in place partial hysterectomy. If necessary, your surgeon may remove additional pelvic organs and tissue, such as your ovaries or fallopian tubes. Before surgery, you may have tests done to check for cancer, which could change your surgeon's approach to surgery.

Tests may include:. The day before and morning of your surgery, you will be instructed to shower using soap provided by your surgeon to reduce your risk of infection. A preoperative cleansing of your vagina vaginal douche or preoperative cleansing of your rectum enema also may be done.

Immediately before surgery, you'll receive an intravenous antibiotic medication to minimize your risk of infection after the procedure. During abdominal hysterectomy, your surgeon makes a vertical or a horizontal incision in your lower abdomen. A vertical incision left gives the surgeon greater access to your pelvis.

A horizontal incision right follows your skin's natural lines, usually leaving a thinner scar. A hysterectomy typically is performed under general anesthesia, so you won't be awake during the surgery.

The procedure itself generally lasts about one to two hours, although you'll spend some time beforehand getting ready to go into the operating room. To begin the procedure, a member of your surgical team passes a urinary catheter through your urethra to empty your bladder.

The catheter remains in place during surgery and for a short time afterward. Your abdomen and vagina are cleaned with a sterile solution before surgery. To perform the hysterectomy, your surgeon makes a cut incision in your lower abdomen, using one of two approaches:. The type of incision depends on many factors, including the reason for your hysterectomy, the need to explore the upper abdomen, the size of your uterus and the presence of any scars from prior abdominal surgeries.

For instance, hysterectomies performed for endometriosis, large fibroids and gynecologic cancers are done mainly through a vertical incision. Find out more about the complications of a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is a major operation. You can be in hospital for up to 5 days after surgery, and it takes about 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover.

Rest as much as possible during this time and do not lift anything heavy, such as bags of shopping. You need time for your abdominal muscles and tissues to heal. Find out more about recovering from a hysterectomy. If your ovaries are removed during a hysterectomy, you'll go through the menopause immediately after the operation, regardless of your age. This is known as a surgical menopause.