Hysterectomy

Why do I need a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing your uterus. In some cases, you may also need to have your ovaries and Fallopian tubes removed. You might want to consider a hysterectomy if you have any of the following conditions:

• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Uterine prolapse
• History of abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Precancer or cancer of your uterus, ovaries, cervix, or endometrium

If your family is complete and you do not want to get pregnant in the future, you might want to consider having a hysterectomy if any women’s reproductive organ cancers run in your family, even if you haven’t developed them.

What happens during a hysterectomy?

Dr. Chalian is a board-certified OB/GYN and has extensive training in advanced minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures, including robotic surgeries, with the state-of-the-art da Vinci® system.

During your hysterectomy, you’re going to be under general anesthesia. After making several small incisions in your abdominal wall, Dr. Chalian uses the robotic tools to carefully remove tissues and reproductive organs.

The da Vinci system utilizes a tiny camera that is inserted into an incision, so Dr. Chalian can make all essential repairs by watching a high-definition monitor. This not only gives him a clearer view of your insides — as compared to an open-incision hysterectomy — it also lowers the risk of errors and surgical bleeding.

Once your surgery is complete, Dr. Chalian moves you into the recovery room to rest as you wake up from anesthesia.

How long is the recovery after a hysterectomy?

Since your hysterectomy with Dr. Chalian is minimally invasive and only requires a few small incisions, your recovery period is minimal, usually about three to four weeks. You’re probably going to need to spend a night or two in the hospital, although Dr. Chalian could clear you to go home the same day if you’re in good general health.

To prevent blood clots, it’s important to get up and start moving shortly after your hysterectomy. Dr. Chalian often encourages you to get up to go to the bathroom, even if it’s with a supportive device, like a walker.

You’re going to feel pain and inflammation for the first few days after surgery. Dr. Chalian prescribes medications to minimize discomfort as much as possible. It can take up to six to eight weeks to have a full recovery, before you can return to all normal activities, like exercise and intercourse. But during your preoperative appointment, Dr. Chalian lets you know what to expect.

Find out if a hysterectomy is right for you by scheduling an evaluation at the office of Raffi Chalian, M.D. Click on the online scheduler, or call the clinic to speak with a team member.