Submitted by GynoGab Fri 08/19/2011
You and your gyno have probably thought long and hard about the benefits of hysterectomy, and women who face hysterectomy very likely have not had successful medical treatments for this condition. This post will mention a few benefits, but also a list of all unlikely, but possible complications of the procedure so that you can go into to your surgery understanding what your risks are. Having a realistic conversation with your own physician can help you get a feel for just what complications are most likely in you, and what are the chances of avoiding these complications. Women who have a laparoscopic hysterectomy can cure conditions that were not being treated by medication. Your period bleeding will stop, you are unlikely to ever get uterine cancer, and you likely will be able to stop having pap smears. Furthermore, it can be done so effectively, and with so few adhesions that patients can resume work within a few days to a week or two. Risks are many, and women should not make these plans lightly. Fortunately serious complications are rare and can be corrected. It is not uncommon to have infection, bleeding, swelling or a scar at the surgical site. For women who have a lot of disease, a long operation, and several incision sites, there can even be worse pain during healing. It is important to realize that allergic reactions can occur to either medications or to products, such as those that are used in the bandages. Patients can have some numbness from the table positioning in surgery. Women who have their uterus removed cannot become pregnant or carry their babies in their body. If the ovaries are left intact they still may function more poorly or a woman may go through menopause earlier than she would have otherwise. Organ damage can occur with these surgeries, including damage to the bowel, to the kidney, to the ureter, or surrounding structures. Surgical complications, from any procedure, include the risk of infection, bleeding, deep blood vessel clot, strokes and heart attacks. Those who require blood may have a reaction. Your surgeon may have to open the abdomen to finish your procedure safely creating a scar larger than you thought you would get. Although cure is very likely, whatever the reason for the hysterectomy, sometimes women are not cured, and sometimes new problems are introduced such as problems with bladder control.
