A complete hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which all of the cervix and uterus are totaly removed. Sometimes the ovaries and the fallopian tubes will be removed as well. Once a women has a hysterectomy she will no longer be able to get pregnant and it will stop your periods permanently. It is possible for you to experience symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and depression. Did you know that in the United States a hysterectomy is the second leading type of surgery done in women? This shows just how common these surgeries are. Keep in mind that if you are told you need a complete hysterectomy there is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion. In fact, a respectable doctor will even recommend it.
In fact, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion when you are faced with something this serious. You need to understand that once this procedure is done there is no turning back so ask all your questions up front. If you want to have children you may have other choices, but in life threatening situations you may need to have this surgery done anyway. Some conditions that may result in having a complete hysterectomy are Fibroids, Uterine Prolapse, Cancer and Endometriosis. If there is anything that you do not totaly understand, then you need to spend some time finding out as much as you can. Do not go into this unprepared.
It is important to discuss the risks that are involved when you have a complete hysterectomy. You need to know what you might be facing in the event that complications do arise. One of the main concerns is infection and you will have to be careful to try and avoid this from happening. In some cases bladder or bowel injuries have occurred and you do run the risk of pulling lose the wound during recovery. One other main concern is loss of blood. In some procedures women have had to have a blood transfusion due to losing so much blood during the operation.
All women heal at different rates depending on how healthy they are to begin with. Therefore, it is hard to say exactly how long you will need for recovery. However, for women that have a complete hysterectomy the average time is between six and eight weeks. You will spend up to ten days in the hospital and then be released to go home, provided everything is going well. You will need someone at home to help you for the first few weeks so make arrangements before you go in to have the surgery. Follow all the instructions you were given and you should be back up and feeling good in a couple months.