Hysterectomy vs. C-Section?

Does anyone know how they compare (which is more difficult) in terms of depth of incision, recovery time, etc.???

for me, they are exactly. I had staples with my last c-section, and I have staples with my hyst. there is no difference to me. But it may be different for other ppl. Good luck!

2 1/2 weeks PO and had 4 c sections.. to me the c sections was a much easier recovery so far.. Didnt seem to be as much pain, gas or bowel problems with c sections.. but of course with a hyster. they take out a part that is supposed to be there and u have alot more stitches on the inside..

Forgive me if this sounds stupid--I feel pretty informed about everything....but, exactly where are the stitches for a TAH? I know about the cervical cuff & understand. Aside from that, where else are the stitches?

In a C-section, wouldn't there have to be a lot of stitches in the uterus??

I am a LIW so I don't know where the stitches are.

As for hyst vs c section my doc explained it this way. When you have a c section they cut your stomach and an umbilical cord.
Hysterectomy they cut your stomach and cut several organ out, depending on what you are having done. She said in her experience a c section is often quicker to recover from.
Not to mention, most , not all of us are younger when having a c seciton and older when having a hysterectomy which can slow up healing time.
Good luck

There is much more work from a hysterectomy in the abdomen than delivering a baby and placenta. Keep in mind that a baby is supposed to come out. With a hysterectomy, you are losing a major organ. There can be nearly 100 or more stitches inside you that will seal off blood vessels and reattach uterine ligaments to other parts of you (among other things), creating a whole new internal structure to support your vagina, etc. This is a MAJOR cutting-and-stitching job inside you. Some women that have had vaginal hysterectomies can also have over 100 internal stitches. I was told the internal work is the same as if it were an open abdominal route with no outside cut. My dr. told me I had a lot and where. If you have a total hysterectomy (loss of uterus and cervix) there are usually stitches at the top of the vagina holding it shut sort of like how the end of a sock is stitched. Imagine an empty toilet tissue tube with one end open and the other end closed off. Post op ladies need to make sure that they follow dr's orders and there is usually a rule of nothing in the vagina for at least six weeks after a hysterectomy because of all the healing to do on the inside above where the cervix used to be and inside at the top of the vagina where the stitches will eventually dissolve and some women notice passing of stitches. That closed off end is called the vaginal cuff where the cervix used to be. I didn't notice passing any of my stitches till about six weeks post op. Sometimes they can be black like small threads, blue, purple, or whatever the dr. used. One person described them as looking like tiny spider legs. Not a very comforting example but I thought that was exactly what they looked like. I was not released for intercourse till 12 weeks post op because it took a long time for my vaginal cuff to heal.
Having sex too soon can put you at risk for complications, infection, and other things. Here is a link about what can happen if sex is done to soon. You have a lot of recovering to do after a hysterectomy. You might find the following article interesting:
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/hsa...p?s=&id=121468
You only have one chance to heal right.

go to www.pelvicfloor.com to see exactly whats done for a hysterectomy and other 'female' surgeries.

Just wanted to add that www.pelvicfloor.com is a very graphic site and can turn some peoples stomachs.
My hubby being a paramedic thought he saw it all and thought he could handle looking at the site but after looking at the image library; he said to me, "Honey, I hope they keep you longer in the hospital after your hysterectomy than when you had the kids". I stayed about two and a half days after my TVH ( total vaginal hysterectomy) kept ovaries. I was told that the internal work for vaginal hysterectomy was the same as an abdominal one just without the outside cut to remind us. I felt worse after my vaginal hysterectomy than I did with my vaginal deliveries of my kids. There are many different types of hysterectomies and here is a link explaining about the different types and what the abbreviations mean. http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/vie...=abbreviations

Here is another link about how many days or nights others usually stayed after their hysterectomy
How many nights did you spend in the hospital following your hysterectomy?http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...threadid=51907