Vaginal hysterectomy information please

Hi everyone. I have a question . I had a hysterectomy on June 22 but it never occured to me to ask if my cervix was going to be removed along with the uterus. If The procedure was all done vaginally. No abdominal incisions at all. I read somewhere that this kind of surgery almost never keeps the cervix. Does anyone know if this is true?

I would say so. If you feel up to watching them, there are videos on YouTube that show the procedure - it is pretty gross though!

Hi Zany56,
Thanks for your prompt response. I will check them out right now! Take care!!!!!

Hi, iggy73
I had LAVH 11 wks ago. going along well. I understand that if you retain your cervix u can have mini periods still. sorry but going through all the previous pain and hassles and now the surgery, I would've been honkerblonked off if my Doctor didn't take it. I still have low back and bowel issues. But not having to worry about a period is BLISS.
Take good care of yourself and don't over do it. Honestly.

If you are having a total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH), cervix will be removed. They will close it up at the top of your vagina, creating a vaginal cuff. There aren't really any good analogies but it's been explained to me as being sort of like the bottom of a pillowcase. It's just stitched closed at the top. So, although you will not have outside incisions, you need to take it very very seriously. You will have MANY internal incisions and stitches and need to be very aware of it and follow orders regarding lifting, sex, etc to protect the cuff until it is COMPLETELY healed. I had TVH on Feb. 23rd and I wish you the best of luck!! I am doing great now! Just be aware that although everything is done internally, it is a serious surgery and there will be a lot of repair work inside so be a aware of that.

Dear mlb5683
Funny you say that. I fell down three days ago and Im still spotting bright red blood. Just enough to need a pantyliner. Im scared I may have torn something. Im not experiencing severe pain besides my back and legs from the fall but I hope I dont get an infection. The advice nurse told me to take it easy and as long as the bleeding wasnt worse than i didn't have to go in. Any input?

	Quote:
Originally Posted by iggy73 I had a hysterectomy on June 22... If The procedure was all done vaginally. No abdominal incisions at all. I read somewhere that this kind of surgery almost never keeps the cervix. Does anyone know if this is true?

Yes, a hysterectomy done vaginally will almost always result in the removal of the entire uterus with cervix.

The cervix is not a separate organ but instead is the bottom, or neck, of the uterus. Thus, with a vaginal hysterectomy the cervix is actually delivered first. In order to keep it with this type of surgery, the cervix would need to be cut from the uterus and put back inside. While there are some countries where this may be done, it is not typically done in the US, Canada, or Europe.

As others have mentioned, when the entire uterus is removed, a vaginal cuff is then created to seal the vagina from the pelvic region.

If you have questions or concerns, definitely talk to your doctor.

Also, follow the advice of the nurse and take it easy. If your bleeding is bright red and fills a pad an hour, and/or you have increased pain, then seek medical attention immediately as you may have caused some damage with your fall.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by iggy73 Dear mlb5683 Funny you say that. I fell down three days ago and Im still spotting bright red blood. Just enough to need a pantyliner. Im scared I may have torn something. Im not experiencing severe pain besides my back and legs from the fall but I hope I dont get an infection. The advice nurse told me to take it easy and as long as the bleeding wasnt worse than i didn't have to go in. Any input?

Iggy, normally there is only the light pink discharge for 3-4 weeks. But if you've called and they told you that you didn't have to come in, I would just watch it. If it's still bright red in another two-three days, I would call them back. At that point they might want to check your cuff.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by iggy73 Hi Zany56, Thanks for your prompt response. I will check them out right now! Take care!!!!!

You can view hysterectomy videos right here at Hystersisters.com. Click the link below and type "vaginal hysterectomy" in the search box.

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/vbtube.php

Beware the weighted speculum! I could have gone the rest of my life without knowing about that thing