What's the difference between TVH and LAVH and recovery?

I've read that a lap assisted vaginal hysterectomy has the fastest recovery (2-4 weeks). How does that differ from a non-lap vaginal hysterectomy? I'm so confused. I'm having the regular vaginal hysterectomy, no lap involved (doctor said 4-6 weeks recovery). What's the difference and why would having the lap make the recovery easier?

Anyone know?

Thanks!

a LAVH is laparopscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy
a TVH is trans-vaginal hysterectomy.
I would thing the TVH would be the fastest recovery since there are no puncture wounds for the scoping.

I don't think there's much difference if any in the recovery time. When I had my tubes tied it was done laparascopically and unless you have some kind of complication, the tiny little holes don't take long to heal at all.

The sheet from my doctors says the TVH is the easiest to recover from, cheapest in costs, the least amount of time to perform, safest and is the choice for most doctors. BUT some women cannot have this method due to other complications. Enlarged uterus, endo, previous scaring (c-section, hernia, etc...), never had a child through the vaginal canal (although sometimes this won't matter), large or many fibroids, etc...
So then the option becomes Laparoscopic assisted vaginal (LAVH)hysterectomy, or TAH .
LAVH is the longest surgery. It takes the most skill and you are on the table longer than a TAD but the recovery time afterwards and the post op complications is suppose to be better. During surgery, there is a slightly higher risk for complications. You end up with an internal stiches in the vagina just like you do with the TVH as well as four or five small incision sites on your belly. With any LAVH there is always the chance you may wake up with a hip to hip incision because they may have to switch over because of the complications the women has in the first place that prevents her from having a TVH.
TAH is the most commonly performed as not all doctors are skilled and trained well enough yet to do the LAVH. It has a shorter amount of time on the table, in surgery risks & complications are a tad lower than the LAVH, easier access and more visability for the surgeon. But the healing time for the patient is longer and they have a large insision and more post op complications.
So....
TVH - least time on table, shortest recovery time - internal stiches only
LAVH - most time on table - shorter recover time - internal stiches and small external incisions
TAH - middle time on table - longest recovery - large external incision

Thanks Cindy for the thorough explanation of all three ! If only our doctors would take the time to explain it to us . I started off with LAVH and was converted to TAH due to severe endo and he could not see my ovary clearly or the urethra laparoscopically. Surgery ended up an hour longer due to the endo.

Thanks everyone for the responses. Great info. I appreciate it!