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Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy: Before Your Surgery

Female reproductive organs (fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vagina), showing uterus and cervix to be removed in hysterectomy.

What is a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy?

Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) removes the uterus through the vagina. The cervix is usually removed too. In some cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are taken out at the same time.

The doctor makes one or more small cuts in the belly. These cuts are called incisions. They let the doctor insert tools to do the surgery. One of these tools is a tube with a light on it. It's called a laparoscope, or scope. The scope and the other tools allow the doctor to free the uterus. Then the doctor makes a small cut in the vagina. The uterus is taken out through this cut.

You may go home the day of surgery or stay in the hospital 1 to 2 days after surgery. And you may need about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover. The recovery time may be shorter for some people.

After the surgery, you will not have periods or be able to get pregnant. Most people can have sex without problems after they recover.

How do you prepare for surgery?

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

  • Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
  • Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
  • If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
  • Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of surgery?

  • Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking, or your surgery may be cancelled. If your doctor has instructed you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, please do so using only a sip of water.
  • Take a bath or shower before you come in for your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
  • Do NOT shave the surgical site yourself.
  • Remove all jewellery, piercings, and contact lenses.
  • Leave your valuables at home.

At the hospital or surgery centre

  • Bring a picture ID.
  • Before surgery you will be asked to repeat your full name, what surgery you are having, and what part of your body is being operated on. The area for surgery may be marked.
  • A small tube (I.V.) will be placed in a vein, to give you fluids and medicine to help you relax. Because of the combination of medicines given to keep you comfortable, you may not remember much about the operating room.
  • You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. The anesthesia may range from making you fully asleep, to simply numbing the area being worked on. This will depend on the procedure you are having, as well as a discussion between your doctor, the anesthesia provider, and you.
  • The surgery usually takes about 2 to 4 hours.
  • As you wake up in the recovery room, the nurse will check to be sure you are stable and comfortable. It is important for you to tell your doctor and nurse how you feel and ask questions about any concerns you may have.

When should you call your doctor?

  • You have questions or concerns.
  • You don't understand how to prepare for your surgery.
  • You become ill before the surgery (such as fever, flu, or a cold).
  • You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the surgery.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter D669 in the search box to learn more about "Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy: Before Your Surgery".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.