Hysterectomy Procedures for Improved Quality
of Life
At Honu Women’s Health, our goal is to help every patient live her life to the fullest. Sometimes our patients face women’s health issues that are resistant to less invasive therapies, including lifestyle changes, medications, surgical procedures, physical therapy, psychotherapy and more. For these patients, a hysterectomy may be the best treatment that will lead to positive outcomes. While we only suggest hysterectomy as a last resort after trying other treatments, it is necessary in some cases. If you are a candidate for hysterectomy, your care will be expertly handled by our board-certified OB/GYN, Dr. Aya Sultan, who will apply her advanced surgical training and more than 20 years of experience in medicine and research to ensure you are able to experience a renewed quality of life.
Find Your Inner Health and Outer Beauty™
Types of Hysterectomies
One of our goals at Honu Women’s Health is to improve your health as least invasively as possible. Even with a hysterectomy, there are methods to accomplish this procedure in minimally invasive ways. The least invasive ways to conduct hysterectomies are vaginally or laparoscopically. A vaginal hysterectomy involves removing the uterus through the vagina. A laparoscopic hysterectomy is also minimally invasive in that it works by removing the uterus through only a few small incisions. An abdominal hysterectomy is when the uterus is removed through an incision in the lower abdomen and is typically recommended only if you have a large uterus or your other pelvic organs need to be checked for signs of disease.
Common Questions Regarding Hysterectomy
At Honu Women’s Health, there is no such thing as a silly question. We spend ample time with our patients explaining health issues and answering any questions or concerns. Our most common questions regarding hysterectomies include:
Are ovaries removed too?
This depends on your level of risk for developing cancer. There is an overall health benefit to keeping ovaries, but if you are at a high risk of developing ovarian cancer, it is best to remove them.
Will I need hormone therapy if my ovaries are removed?
If you have already experienced menopause when your ovaries are removed, you should experience no additional symptoms.
Will my sex drive or sexual pleasure be impacted by hysterectomy?
Most women are not affected sexually by a hysterectomy. This is because most women achieve orgasm from nerves in the clitoris and other vaginal areas that are not impacted by the removal of the uterus. However, a small subset of women who may have uterine contractions with orgasm in addition to clitoral-stimulated orgasm may notice a difference.
Is a hysterectomy an outpatient surgery?
Both vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomies are usually outpatient surgeries, which means patients can expect to go home the same day as their surgery. Abdominal hysterectomies typically have a 1-3 night stay depending on how quickly patients recover from the surgery. Honu Women’s Health patients typically have hysterectomies conducted at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children or The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, depending on the type of hysterectomy.
Do hysterectomies cause weight gain?
There are some studies showing that women who have had their uterus removed tend to be heavier than those who have not had hysterectomies. However, this is not always the case. If you feel that you are experiencing unexplainable weight gain after a hysterectomy, Dr. Sultan can make personalized recommendations to you to help keep your weight under control, which may include hormone therapy.
What is a partial hysterectomy?
A partial hysterectomy involves removing only the uterus, with the cervix being left intact. A total hysterectomy removes your uterus and your cervix.
How much recovery time should I expect after a hysterectomy?
Any hysterectomy requires six weeks of recovery time; however, the type of hysterectomy you undergo will dictate how quickly you are up and about your normal routine. Patients who undergo vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomies usually go home to recover the same day of surgery or the next morning. These patients usually feel well within two weeks but should still take it easy by avoiding strenuous activity for a full six weeks. Patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomies will recover in the hospital for two to three days. They will feel better over the course of the next two to three weeks and experience a full recovery in six weeks.
Life After Hysterectomy
At Honu Women’s Health, we are with you every step of the way. We closely monitor our patients who have had hysterectomies in an effort to stay ahead of any potential side effects that can develop as a result. We offer a number of therapies for women experiencing health issues after hysterectomy, including diVa® laser therapy or Platelet Rich Plasma for vaginal dryness or hormone therapy for other potential issues such as menopause symptoms.
Hysterectomy can lead to improved quality of life for many women. Contact us to schedule an appointment where we can assess your feminine health issues and discover how your body responds to various therapies and treatments. Hysterectomy could be the best route for you toward achieving better health and enjoying life more.