A woman who is told she needs a hysterectomy will only hear that one word. However, if you are told you need a hysterectomy, you should know you have choices. There are alternatives to the total abdominal hysterectomy which used to be the only choice women were given. Now, women have choices for other hysterectomies. One of those choices is the laparoscopic hysterectomy.

A laparoscopic hysterectomy is the choice alternative for some women who have endometriosis because the recovery time is less and the stay in the hospital is minimal if at all. The laparoscopic hysterectomy is called the LH and many patients will consider it so much easier to face once they realize the recovery isn’t as painful as the recovery experienced after the abdominal hysterectomy.The laparoscopic hysterectomy is still considered relatively new.

Patients who were once considered in the group of patients who didn’t need a hysterectomy, but instead wanted one (which is debatable) are now opting for this alternative because it is something insurance companies will approve before they will consider paying for the total abdominal hysterectomy.A laparoscopic hysterectomy is something patients can handle better emotionally according to some beliefs. The hysterectomy is one which can be done in outpatient in some circumstances and if not, it is a hysterectomy which only requires a minimum stay over.

Women who have the laparoscopic hysterectomy can then return to normal daily activities quicker than those women who have the other alternatives.Check online for forums on women’s health if you are considering a hysterectomy. Find out if the laparoscopic hysterectomy worked for other women and what their concerns were after the surgery and perhaps you will be better able to make an informed decision for your hysterectomy.Offline, you should be able to obtain brochures from your doctor about the laparoscopic hysterectomy and recovery time for the procedure. Pain medications should be discussed with your doctor as well as any other recommendations for a speedy recovery.

Check Out Our Brand New e-Book –> Women’s Hysterectomy Stories – The Essential Guide by: Ruth Steeves. Click Here Now for Instant Access!

A basic laparoscopic hysterectomy begins with a short incision below the woman’s navel. The laparoscope is inserted through this cut. After the doctor has examined the pelvic cavity via the laparoscope additional incisions will be made. Narrow surgical instruments will then be introduced to the area through the secondary cuts. Using the laparoscope to guide the surgery, the doctor will then cut the uterus away from the patient’s body. The organ will be cut into strips small enough to be removed through the incisions which have been made into the abdomen. Once the uterus has been taken out in this fashion only a few short stitches are need to close the cuts.

Two variations on the common laparoscopic hysterectomy are the laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. One of the disadvantages of a standard vaginal hysterectomy is the inability of the surgeon to view the pelvic area and to see the other reproductive organs. By enlisting the aid of a laparoscope when performing a hysterectomy vaginally, the doctor can more fully ascertain the condition of the reproductive area as a whole.
A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy provides for the uterus to be removed while leaving the cervix intact. The cervix acts as support for many of the pelvic ligaments; not taking it out adds to the post hysterectomy stability of the entire reproductive area. It is also thought that excising the cervix can result in vaginal dryness and decreased sexual response. For these reasons, the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is gaining favor amongst many women and their physicians.

Unfortunately, the uterine conditions that can be treated by some type of laparoscopic hysterectomy are limited. Laparoscopic operations are appropriate for small to medium size uterine fibroids. They may also be successfully performed for less severe cases of endometriosis and for unusual bleeding. If a woman’s ailment has caused her uterus to grow much beyond normal size she generally is not a good candidate for laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Even a laparoscopic hysterectomy is major surgery which should not be contemplated without thorough research. As long as a physician does not feel that a woman is jeopardizing her health, she may want to try remedies for her condition which stop short of hysterectomy. However, once it has been determined that a hysterectomy is necessary, many women may want to discuss the possibility of having an operation which is less invasive than a conventional abdominal procedure. If her condition allows and after close consultation with her physician, a woman may find that a laparoscopic hysterectomy can be the best solution to her problem.

Check Out Our Brand New e-Book –> Women’s Hysterectomy Stories – The Essential Guide by: Ruth Steeves. Click Here Now for Instant Access!