Real Life Accounts of the Benefits of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Surgery

Before laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery became popular, women had to stay in hospitals for days after surgery.  The at-home recovery time was anywhere from 4-10 weeks.  Also, large scars across the abdomen where the uterus had been removed were several inches long.

When women experiencing painful side-effects of endometriosis hear about laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery, it seems too good to be true.  Barely any scarring, quick recovery times, and the ability to leave the hospital the same day of surgery. 

It's all pretty impressive.  And the best thing of all is that it's realistic.  There are thousands of women who have delivered first-hand accounts as testimony.

Take Victoria Newlove from Great Britain for instance.

According to an article on dailymail.co.uk, Victoria was the first person in the UK to have the "belly button" hysterectomy.  Her surgeon made a small incision in the belly button and, using laparoscopic equipment, was able to seal the womb and remove it accordingly. 

John Erian, a UK gynecologist and pioneer of the "belly button" surgery, says "the procedure is a huge advancement as it frees women from discomfort quickly and safely, with little risk of infection,’ he says. ‘It’s suitable for everyone and I hope it will one day become the most common form of hysterectomy.’

This is just one of many laparoscopic methods used by gynecological surgeons in the world that's proven to be affective.

Another woman who had laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery, but not the same kind undergone by Victoria, is a woman referred to as Penelope.  She spoke to Women to Women – a women's health supplement company – about her experience with endometriosis and how surgeons used laparoscopic surgery to relieve her of her pain.

After the surgery, Penelope's diet surprised her.  She was actually hungry!  She wasn't nauseous for days after surgery and didn't experience any pain she couldn't handle.  As a past hospital patient for non-laparoscopic surgery, the difference between the aftermaths of the two different procedures was astounding.  After having her hysterectomy completed with modern technology and equipment, she saw how antiquated non-laparoscopic surgery really was.

Instead of "crashing" after her hysterectomy, she immediately started her new life, with little pain and scarring.

Women like Victoria and Penelope are testaments to the advantages of new surgical tactics - the same tactics used by Michelle Wong, MD.

With Laparoscopy and Modern Medicine, Hysterectomy Surgery Continues to Evolve

There have been significant improvements in hysterectomy surgery since the first documented one was performed by Charles Clay in 1843.  He was a surgeon based in the England and, after diagnosing the patient incorrectly, the surgery was unsuccessful in curing the woman's condition.  The surgery's failure was primarily due to the invasiveness of the procedure.

The first time an abdominal hysterectomy was successfully completed was in 1853 by a surgeon based in Massachusetts.  This was quite a feat for the time, but, again, the patient was diagnosed incorrectly.  It seemed surgeons were starting to catch on to how to complete a successful hysterectomy, but were doing it under the wrong circumstances.  Plus, even when they were done under the right circumstances, women would have to suffer through a painful post-op and be left with a large scar.

Thankfully, today, OBGYN surgeons have the technology and skills to successfully diagnose and treat women in need of a hysterectomy.  Laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery allows for minimally invasive surgical practices, short hospital visits, quick recovery times and minimal scarring.

Fast forward over 100 years from the 1800s to 1988 to just south of Massachusetts in Kingston, Pennsylvania.  This is where Harry Reich performed and successfully completed the first laparoscopic hysterectomy.  From that point forward, the surgery started to evolve.  Now, nearly 100% of laparoscopic hysterectomies performed by qualified doctors are successful in the U.S.  Over the years, the once-common problems with the minimally invasive surgery have been targeted and fixed.

Even though the majority of laparoscopic hysterectomies are successful today, sometimes there are minor complications.  However, as medicine evolves, these complications lessen.  Developments in pharmacology and interventional radiology are all being used and improved to increase patient comfort and reduce complications.

What to Expect With a Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

A laparoscopic hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a woman’s uterus is removed with the aid of a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a thin, telescope-like instrument that is inserted into the abdomen through small incisions. The laparoscope acts like a camera and guides the surgeon through the procedure. This operation is far less invasive than other hysterectomy procedures and has the advantage of usually keeping the patient’s cervix intact. However, it is more common that a doctor has to remove the cervix.

Advantages

The biggest benefit of undergoing a laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery is that it is a minimally invasive procedure. Typically, the doctor only needs to make small incisions that are between five and six inches long. This means that there is less blood loss, less scarring and less postoperative pain than with other hysterectomy methods. It can also be performed as an outpatient procedure as opposed to a more traditional hysterectomy, which usually requires a one night hospital stay. The recovery period after a laparoscopic procedure is also considerably shorter, with most patients being fully recovered after one to two weeks.

What to Expect

As with most surgical procedures, patients preparing to undergo a laparoscopic hysterectomy can expect to undergo a pre-op appointment that may include a physical examination, a blood test and a visit with an anesthesiologist. Patients are placed under general anesthesia for the procedure itself. Roughly, 85 percent of patients are allowed to return home the day of the procedure, and they are encouraged to remain active and resume normal activities almost immediately. Pain can be managed with ibuprofen or narcotic pain pills.

Overall, patients who undergo a laparoscopic hysterectomy will find that the procedure is much easier and less painful than many other hysterectomy options. As with any surgery, there are risks involved, so you will need to contact Dr. Wong to discuss if this procedure is right for you.