Hysterectomy 101: What to Expect During Surgery & Recovery

More than 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the United States each year. Many women choose this surgery after living with persistent cycle pain or heavy bleeding. Even with the relief it brings, the decision to get a hysterectomy can stir up strong emotions and leave women sorting through a mix of hope, sadness, and uncertainty.

Continue reading to walk through every step, from pre-op assessments to recovery, with guidance from the best minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon in Los Angeles.

What Does a Hysterectomy Involve?

A hysterectomy is a surgery that removes the uterus, and sometimes the cervix, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, depending on what your symptoms are. Many women are recommended for a hysterectomy after dealing with symptoms like:

Severe menstrual bleeding
Severe pelvic pain
Severe menstrual cramping
Endometriosis that hasn’t responded to other treatment options
Recurring fibroids that cause painful bleeding and cramping during or in between periods
Genetic testing reveals a higher risk for uterine or ovarian cancers
Scar tissue from previous surgical procedures

The surgery itself can be done in a few ways:

An abdominal approach uses a larger incision across the belly to reach the uterus. This is more common with a radical hysterectomy
A vaginal hysterectomy is done through the birth canal and leaves no external scar
A Laparoscopic or robotic approach uses small incisions, usually through the belly button, and thin instruments to access the uterus

Usually, women reach the choice of getting a hysterectomy only after trying other treatments like medication, hormonal therapy, physical therapy, or minimally invasive procedures.

Common Reasons and Benefits of Getting a Hysterectomy

A total hysterectomy removes both the uterus and cervix, while a partial or supracervical procedure leaves the cervix in place. A radical hysterectomy is more extensive and is often done after a uterine cancer or cervical cancer diagnosis, or after childbirth if severe post-partum hemorrhaging isn’t responding to first-line treatments.

What Happens During a Hysterectomy Procedure

On the day of surgery, you will have a few post-operative instructions, like fasting from food and drink for several hours before your surgery time, stopping certain medications, and arriving at the surgery center or hospital at a specific time.

Before surgery, you’ll be prepped in a pre-operative room, where a nurse will take your vital signs, start an intravenous (IV) line, and confirm that the allergies and medications listed in your chart are correct. You’ll also have a chance to chat with your surgeon and anesthesiologist. Once in the operating room, the surgery team will help you settle onto the table. An anesthesiologist will use medication to help you relax, and you will likely fall asleep.

After surgery, you’ll wake up in a post-operative room, with a nurse monitoring your vital signs. You’ll receive medication for any pain or nausea as you spend a couple of hours recovering from anesthesia. People who have minimally invasive procedures often go home later the same day if pain is under control. Those who have open abdominal surgery usually spend one or two nights in the hospital.

What to Expect During a Hysterectomy Recovery

Recovery takes around six to eight weeks, depending on the type of surgery you get and how your body responds to recovery. Because you may have both internal and external stitches, doctors recommend that you avoid exercising, lifting, and activities that are strenuous in any way for the first few weeks.

For the first few days, you’ll be tired and sore. You’ll also be prescribed pain medication to help you get through the first week or so. Although you’ll be expected to rest as much as possible, you’ll need to get up and walk every couple of hours to lower your risk of blood clots after surgery.

Life After a Hysterectomy: What to Expect

Once the uterus is removed, you’ll no longer have a menstrual period, and pregnancy is no longer possible. This can bring a wave of relief and a quiet sense of loss at the same time. If the ovaries are also removed, your body will shift into menopause right away, with symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help alleviate these symptoms. Emotional reactions tend to come in waves, and it’s normal to feel grateful one day and upset the next. Seeing a therapist or counselor can help you manage your emotions during this change.

Finding the Best Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon in Los Angeles for a Hysterectomy

As the best minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon in Los Angeles, Dr. Siedhoff is an expert in the female reproductive system and offers a calm and compassionate approach to complex gynecologic care. His focus on patient-first reproductive surgery means he understands the physical and emotional weight that leads a woman to consider a hysterectomy, and he approaches each case with careful attention to what the patient has already endured.

In our state-of-the-art clinic, conversations aren’t rushed, and questions aren’t brushed aside. We believe surgery should feel like a partnership, and Dr. Siedhoff’s thoughtful, grounded style gives patients confidence that they’ve got a surgeon who genuinely respects their experience and outcome.