Vaginal Hysterectomy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A hysterectomy (hiss-ter-ek-tuh-mee) is surgery to take out your uterus (womb). This surgery is also called a "TVH" (total vaginal hysterectomy). This is because caregivers remove your uterus through an incision (cut) in your vagina. The uterus is a hollow, round organ in your lower abdomen (belly). It is where your baby grows when you are pregnant. You cannot have children after your uterus has been removed. You will also not have monthly periods.
  
  
• A fallopian (fuh-low-p-un) tube is attached to each side of your uterus. The ovaries are below and behind the fallopian tubes. If your tubes and ovaries are also removed it is called "BSO." If your tubes and ovaries are not removed, you will have menopause (change of life) at the normal time. This is usually between 40 to 50 years of age. If your tubes and ovaries are removed, you may need to take hormone medicine. This medicine helps your body wait to go through menopause at the regular time. You can start normal activities 4 to 8 weeks after your hysterectomy.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

There are always risks with having a hysterectomy. You may bleed more than usual or get an infection. Caregivers will watch you closely for these problems. If you don't have a hysterectomy, your problems may get worse. And without a hysterectomy, there may be no other way to treat your problem. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your health problem or care.

GETTING READY:

The Week Before Surgery:

• Ask your caregiver if you should stop using any of your medicines before surgery.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver about any over-the-counter medicines you are taking such as vitamins, herbs, food supplements, or laxatives. Your caregivers can find out if these medicines interact with medicines you may need during surgery.
  
  
• You may need to have blood tests. Ask your caregiver for more information about these and other tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.
  
  
• Take antibiotic (an-ti-bi-ah-tik) medicine before surgery if given to you by your caregiver.

The Night Before Surgery:

• You may be given a pill to take to help you sleep.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.

The Day of Surgery:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your surgery.
  
  
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to the hospital.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver before taking any medicine on the day of surgery. These medicines include insulin, diabetic pills, high blood pressure pills, or heart pills. Bring a list of your medicines or the pill bottles with you to the hospital.
  
  
• Do not wear contact lenses the day of surgery. You may wear your glasses.
  
  
• If you are staying in the hospital after surgery, bring your personal belongings with you. These include your bathrobe, toothbrush, denture cup (if needed), hairbrush, and slippers. Do not wear jewelry or bring money or important personal papers to the hospital.
  
  
• An anesthesiologist (an-iss-thee-z-all-o-jist) may talk to you before your surgery. This is the caregiver who gives you medicine before and during surgery so that you do not feel or remember the surgery.
  
  
• Informed Consent: You have the right to understand your health problem in words you can understand. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your problem. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

TREATMENT:

What Will Happen:

• You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You may be given medicine in your IV to help you relax or make you drowsy. You will be taken on a cart to the operating room. You may get medicine called regional anesthesia (an-iss-thee-zuh) that will make you numb from your waist down. Or, you may get general anesthesia to keep you completely asleep. You and your caregiver will decide which type is best for you.
  
  
• An incision (cut) is made in your vagina and caregivers remove your uterus through this incision. Your tubes and ovaries also may be removed. The incision is closed with stitches (thread). Caregivers may pack your vagina with a gauze sponge that may be soaked with medicine. This helps the incision heal faster and also helps prevent infection.

After Surgery: You will be taken to a recovery room. You will be there until you either wake up or get the feeling back below your waist. You will then be taken back to your room. You will also need to wear a sanitary pad after your surgery. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK.

Waiting Room: This is a room where your family can wait until you are ready for visitors after surgery Your doctor or nurse can then find them to let them know how the hysterectomy went. If your family leaves the hospital, ask them to leave a phone number where they can be reached. When it is time for you to go home after surgery, an adult should drive you home and should stay with you for 24 hours. Do not drive home alone.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have questions or concerns about your surgery.
  
  
• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• The problems for which you are having the hysterectomy get worse.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your surgery appointment on time.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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