About 600,000 women have a hysterectomy every year, making it the second most common gynecological procedure performed in the United States. Despite a hysterectomy being a common procedure, Victoria Mills, DO, at Mills Obstetrics & Gynecology never takes the decision lightly or recommends surgery until trying all other treatments. Dr. Mills’ expertise in minimally invasive hysterectomy ensures you experience minimal trauma and have a quicker recovery. To learn more about your options, call the office in Oklahoma City or book an appointment online.
For most gynecological conditions, a hysterectomy is the last treatment considered after you’ve undergone all other options. There are some exceptions, however.
Hysterectomy may be your first and best option if you have cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries.
The noncancerous gynecological conditions that may necessitate a hysterectomy include:
Dr. Mills has years of experience performing several types of hysterectomies. The type of surgery used is based on each woman’s underlying condition:
Dr. Mills may also remove one or both of your ovaries and fallopian tubes during a hysterectomy if needed.
Dr. Mills works closely with each patient, explaining the options and then choosing the type of surgery that’s best for each woman’s individual health care needs.
There are several ways to perform a hysterectomy, including:
This is traditional open surgery using a 5-7 inch incision in your lower abdomen.
Dr. Mills specializes in laparoscopic hysterectomy and uses this method whenever possible because it’s a minimally invasive procedure. Laparoscopic surgery is done using specialized instruments contained in long, narrow tubes, that are inserted through a few very small incisions.
During this procedure, your uterus is removed through your vagina, but the procedure is assisted by laparoscopic tools inserted through your abdomen.
The small incisions used during a laparoscopic, or minimally invasive, hysterectomy cause much less trauma to your body than open surgery does. As a result, you gain several important health advantages, such as:
Even if your laparoscopic hysterectomy is done in the hospital, you’ll spend less time as an inpatient than patients getting an abdominal hysterectomy to do.
If you have a condition that may need a hysterectomy, call Mills Obstetrics & Gynecology or book an appointment online, so you can learn about your surgical options.