Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of the whole uterus [womb] or part of the uterus. In certain conditions, the upper part of the vagina or ovaries or fallopian tubes or tissues on the sides of the uterus may also be removed by the doctor. 

Hysterectomy is mainly of four types and they are:

1. Subtotal hysterectomy
2. Total hysterectomy 
3. Radical hysterectomy 
4. Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

Hysterectomy can be performed in three different ways:

1. Vaginal hysterectomy
2. Laparoscopic hysterectomy
3. Abdominal hysterectomy

What is the cost of Hysterectomy?

The cost of hysterectomy may differ according to  the following:

1. Doctor fee
2. Age of the patient
3. Type of hospital
4. Admission fee
5. The room that you opted for
6. The health condition of the patient
7. The type of surgery planned to be performed

Minimum cost for Hysterectomy in India Starts from Rs.25,000.

Average cost for Hysterectomy in India is Approximately Rs.76,250.

Maximum amount to be paid for Hysterectomy in India can rise up to Rs.1,50,000.

Who is the right specialist for Hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy can be performed by:

1. Any MD [Doctor of medicine] with several years of experience in hysterectomy.
2. An experienced Gynaecologist with extra training in hysterectomy surgery.

What are the indications of Hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy may be indicated in the following conditions:

1. Chronic pelvic pain
2. Uterine fibroids
3. Adenomyosis 
4. Persistent vaginal bleeding 
5. Uterine cancer 
6. Endometriosis even after surgery or medical treatment
7. Cervix or ovaries cancer
8. Uterine prolapse

What are the benefits of Hysterectomy?

The following are the benefits of Hysterectomy:

1. Hysterectomy may improve the quality of life.
2. Hysterectomy prevents cervix, ovarian, and uterine cancer.
3. It treats severe pelvic inflammatory disease [PID].
4. Hysterectomy reduces abnormal bleeding and pains.
5. It treats the uterine prolapse and other health conditions such as uterine fibroids.

What will be the preparation for hysterectomy?

Before surgery, the doctor may prescribe the following tests for the patient:

1. MRI scan 
2. CT scan
3. Blood and urine tests 
4. Ultrasound of pelvic
5. D & C test [Dilation and Curettage test]
6. X-ray of kidneys and abdomen

Following are the preparation steps for Hysterectomy:

1. Avoid smoking or drinking before surgery.
2. Take a light meal on the night of surgery.
3. Avoid taking medications a week before the surgery or as instructed by the doctor.
4. The patient may be asked to take enemas to clean the intestines.
5. The patient should know all the risks, complications, and benefits of having a Hysterectomy.
6. Inform the doctor about the medical history and medications used.

How is Hysterectomy performed?

Surgical Hysterectomy:

1. An incision is made in the lower abdomen region. 
2. This is followed by cutting the tissue and the blood vessel will be tied off to avoid blood loss.
3. Later, the uterus is removed and if the patient is suffering from uterine cancer or cervix cancer, then the ovaries, cervix, fallopian tubes, surroundings tissues, and lymph glands may also be removed.
4. After the removal of the uterus or other parts, the abdominal wall will be sutured together.
5. Then the incision is closed with the help of either stitches or staples.
6. If the cervix is also removed, then the sutures are made on top of the vagina.

Vaginal Hysterectomy:

1. In a vaginal hysterectomy, no incisions are involved.
2. The vagina is stretched and will be kept open with the help of surgical instruments.
3. Then the blood vessels which are collected will be tied off.
4. Later, the uterus and cervix will be removed by the surgeon.
5. After removal of the uterus and cervix, sutures are made on top of the vagina.

What is the post-procedure care for Hysterectomy?

The following are the post-care steps for Hysterectomy:

1. The patient will be wearing special boots to prevent blood clots in the legs.
2. IV will be removed if the patient is eating or drinking well enough.
3. To urinate well, the patient may have a catheter in the bladder.
4. Walk for a short distance on the night of the surgery. 

After discharge from the hospital, the patient will be provided with some instructions by the doctor and they are:

1. If severe pain is experienced, then take pain killers which were prescribed by the doctor.
2. Avoid sex for at least 6 weeks.
3. Take ample rest and avoid lifting heavy weights for at least 2 weeks. 
4. Know from the doctor when to start back the exercises.

If the patient experience the following symptoms, inform the doctor immediately:

1. Infection 
2. Fever and chills
3. Heavy bleeding
4. Difficulty in breathing
5. Pain while urination
6. Vomiting or nausea that is not controlled by medications
7. Redness, swelling, any discharge from the site of infection

What is the recovery time?

Recovery time may vary from person to person: 

1. Vaginal hysterectomy takes about 3 to 4 weeks of a recovery period. 
2. Abdominal hysterectomy takes 6-8 weeks of recovery time.

Is Hysterectomy a major surgery or minor surgery?

Hysterectomy is a major surgical method as it requires longer recovery time and after this surgery, you will no longer have menstrual periods and cannot become pregnant.

What is the eligibility criteria for Hysterectomy?

1. Women suffering from ovarian cancer, cervix cancer, and uterus cancer, etc.
2. Women with a certain size of the uterus are eligible for vaginal hysterectomy.
3. Women whose age is above 18 years.
4. Women who want to decrease the chance of developing ovarian cancer.

What is the ineligibility criteria for Hysterectomy?

1. Women who want to conceive.
2. If the medical treatment works in improving the conditions like fibroids, and endometriosis, etc. in women, then they are not eligible.
3. Women who don't want to lose the uterus.
4. Women with a weak health condition and poor immune system.
5. Women whose age is below 18 years old.

What are the risks and complications associated with Hysterectomy?

The following are the risks involved in Hysterectomy:

1. Severe pain
2. Bleeding
3. Vaginal prolapse may occur
4. Severe infection
5. Urinary tract infection
6. Tissue or nerve damage
7. Blood clots
8. Damage to surrounding organs like bladder or rectum
9. Breathing or heart problems that are related to anesthesia

How long does it take to complete Hysterectomy?

Usually, Hysterectomy may take around 1-3 hours to complete.

What is the success rate of Hysterectomy?

The success rate of Hysterectomy depends on the following factors:

1. Age of women
2. Type of hysterectomy performed by the surgeon
3. The health condition of the patient

The success rate of Hysterectomy is 92.1% to 96%.

Is Hysterectomy Permanent?

After undergoing any type of hysterectomy, you will be no longer have your periods and cannot get pregnant or cannot conceive. These are lifelong or permanent effects. 

What are the long-term results of Hysterectomy?

1. Dryness of the vagina
2. Pain during sex
3. Organ prolapse may occur
4. Reduced sexual drive
5. Depression due to loss of the uterus

Is Hysterectomy painful?

Every surgery comes with a certain level of pain and discomfort. Anesthesia may be given to numb the area so that the patient will not feel any pain.

Can Hysterectomy be detected in the future?

Hysterectomy may be done by either vaginal or abdominal. So, if hysterectomy is done by abdominal, then there may be a presence of scars over the lower abdominal area. However, hysterectomy can be detected in the future by any doctor who examines your reproductive organs or can be detected through scanning.

What are the options if Hysterectomy is not successful?

The following are the options if Hysterectomy is not successful:

1. Age of women
2. Hygroscopic dilation
3. Dilating the cervix with vaginal misoprostol
4. Using mechanical dilators like Sims sounds and Hegar dilators
5. Hydro-dilation
6. Ultrasound guidance with a trans-abdominal probe

What will be the alternatives for Hysterectomy?

The following are the alternatives for Hysterectomy:

1. Focused ultrasound surgery
2. Hormone therapy
3. Endometrial ablation
4. Myomectomy
5. Pessary placement
6. Medical treatment by NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, etc.
7. Uterine artery embolization