Complete Care
Abdominal Hysterectomy & Bilateral Salingo Oophorectomy
What is abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salingo oophorectomy?
An abdominal hysterectomy is when the uterus and the cervix are removed through an incision in the lower abdomen. A bilateral salingo oopherectomy is the removal or both ovaries and fallopian tubes.
When is it used?
A hysterectomy may be necessary if you have on of the following conditions:
- Endometriosis
- Uterine Prolapse
- Fibroids
- Gynecological cancer
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
- Damage to a vein or artery that could cause serious bleeding.
- Making a hole in my bladder that could cause a tract (fistula) between my vagina and bladder and require further surgery.
- Damage to my intestine or track (fistula) between my intestine and skin, vagina, or other organ and need for additional surgery.
- That I may have difficulty emptying my bladder.
- That I may develop bulging in my rectum (rectocele) or my vagina (vaginal vault eversion)
- Damage to my ureters, the tubes that carry urine from my kidneys to my bladder may occur.
- That I may develop infection in my incision or in my pelvis.
How do I prepare for this procedure
Follow your health care provider’s instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery. They are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery. For this reason, if you are a smoker, you should quit at least 2 weeks before the procedure. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery. Also, your wounds will heal much better if you do not smoke after surgery.
Follow any other instructions your provider gives you. If you are to have general anesthesia, eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before midnight. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.
What happens after the procedure?
After the procedure, you will be monitored to make sure there are no reactions and that you are doing well. You can expect to be up and walking by the following day. An abdominal hysterectomy usually requires that you stay in the hospital for one or two days and in rare cases up to four days. Vaginal bleeding and discharge is normal, so you will need to use sanitary pads. The incision will heal however there will be a visible scar on your abdomen.
It takes most women six to eight weeks to get back to their normal selves. Because of this, you should get plenty of rest, don’t lift anything heavy, and follow any other restrictions your doctor gives you. You can resume sexual activity six weeks after the surgery.
When should I call Greenville OB/GYN?
Call our emergency number at any time if:
- You develop a fever over 100 F (37.8 C).
- You have chest pain.
- You have diarrhea that does not stop.
- You have leakage from the incision or the incision opens up.
- You become dizzy and faint.
- You cannot urinate or you have pain or a burning feeling when you urinate.
- You have nausea and vomiting.
- You become short of breath or have chest pain.
- You develop a rash.
- You have heavy bleeding from the vagina.
- You have swelling, redness, or pain in your leg.
Call during regular office hours if:
- You have questions about the procedure or its results.
- You want to make another appointment.
Complete Care
Endometriosis: Everything You Need to Know
Endometriosis is a common condition with plenty of misconceptions. The disease occurs when tissue called endometrium, similar to the tissue that normally lines the uterus, grows in other parts of the body. Endometriosis affects as many as one in 10 American women. It can cause pain, scarring, and even infertility.
