Hysterectomy

Whether to have a hysterectomy is a complex and emotional decision for most women, even if it’s the best treatment for your health and well-being. When you face tough choices, you need a compassionate physician like Bassem Maximos, MD, MPH, FACOG. At Maximos OB/GYN, Dr. Maximos takes the time to discuss your treatment options, offering same-day hysterectomies with fast recovery. To learn more about hysterectomies, call the office in League City, Texas, or request an appointment online today.

When would I need a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is usually the first line of treatment for women who have ovarian, cervical, or uterine cancer. For noncancerous gynecological conditions, a hysterectomy is the last treatment considered. 

Dr. Maximos works with you to decide if a hysterectomy is right for you and your desired lifestyle. He recommends a hysterectomy as a solution if other nonsurgical treatments are ineffective, or if you have severe symptoms and you’re sure you don’t want to have more children.

Dr. Maximos may treat the following conditions with a hysterectomy:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometrial polyps
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Uterine prolapse

The conditions in this list cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, pain before or during your periods, abnormal bleeding, and irregular menstrual periods.

What are the different types of hysterectomies?

Dr. Maximos recommends the type of hysterectomy best for your underlying condition. You may need:

Supracervical hysterectomy

If you get a supracervical hysterectomy, also called a partial hysterectomy, Dr. Maximos removes your uterus but leaves the cervix intact. He may perform this type of hysterectomy for noncancerous conditions.

Total hysterectomy

Having a total hysterectomy means that Dr. Maximos removes your uterus and cervix.

Radical hysterectomy

A radical hysterectomy is most often used to treat cancer. Dr. Maximos removes your uterus, cervix, the top part of your vagina, and in some cases, the pelvic lymph nodes.

Hysterectomy with oophorectomy and/or salpingectomy

If Dr. Maximos removes one or both ovaries, it’s called a hysterectomy with oophorectomy. You may also have a salpingectomy, which means he removes one or both fallopian tubes.

How is a hysterectomy performed?

At one time, hysterectomies required open surgery, a procedure called an abdominal hysterectomy. But with today’s advanced techniques and surgical instruments, many women can have one of the following:

Laparoscopic hysterectomy

Dr. Maximos does this minimally invasive hysterectomy by making a few small incisions in your abdomen and using a laparoscope and specialized instruments that fit through the incisions.

The laparoscope holds lighting and a camera and sends magnified images to a monitor. Dr. Maximos performs your hysterectomy by viewing the monitor and controlling the other instruments from outside your body. With this type of hysterectomy, some patients can return home the same day. 

Vaginal hysterectomy

During this procedure, Dr. Maximos removes the uterus through your vagina. He can also take out your cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries during this type of hysterectomy. 

If you have questions about a hysterectomy, call Maximos OB/GYN or request an appointment online today.