Hysterectomy Scars: Swelly Belly Pictures of Stomach

Hysterectomy is a standard procedure that removes the uterus surgically. The term “hysteria” comes from ancient Greek, meaning womb. It is a general surgery that can be performed to remove the entire organs of the female reproductive system, which includes both parts, namely the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Many concerns come with a hysterectomy. For example, you might be worried about the cosmetic and health effects of scarring and how it will affect your lifestyle, in general, moving forward after completion of surgery. While most procedures do cause some internal scars, they don’t always result in visible ones for all patients. They don’t leave visible traces of surgery – something worth considering when choosing between options like mini-invasive versus open surgeries!

The surgeon will remove all or part of your uterus during a hysterectomy. In some cases, they may also take away both ovaries and cervical cells with it- which means that there are different types of scarring depending on what’s being done during surgery!

There are many different hysterectomies, and each can cause patterned scarring. The different types of hysterectomies and their potential scars are outlined in this article.

Types Of Hysterectomies:

In our approach to hysterectomy, having questions about the procedure, recovery, and long-term health is part of being diagnosed with the condition that requires hysterectomy.

1. Total Hysterectomy

The entire womb (uterus) and the cervix (neck of the womb) are removed.

2. Subtotal Hysterectomy

The main body of the womb is removed (uterus), leaving behind the cervix in its place.

3. Total Hysterectomy With Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy

Fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and the ovaries (oophorectomy) are removed with the womb and the cervix.

4. Radical Hysterectomy

The womb and the surrounding tissues are removed, including the fallopian tubes, part of the vagina, ovaries, lymph glands, and the fatty tissues surrounding it.

Different Ways To Carry Out Hysterectomy:

Different ways to carry out a hysterectomy are as follows:

1. Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy:

The laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is a procedure that allows for the removal of just your uterus without removing any other parts like cervical mucus or walls. This technique requires small incisions to be made inside yourself. Still, it offers significant benefits over traditional surgeries, such as being less painful and requiring fewer recovery times so you can go back to work quicker!

2. Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Gynecological surgery is a delicate and complicated process, but it has been seen that the keyhole (laparoscopic) technique can be used for the removal of both the uterus and cervix. This means less invasive surgeries with no abdominal incisions!

The uterus and cervix are removed through the vagina.

3. Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy

The doctor makes one or more minor incisions through your belly, but it is typically the same as the total laparoscopic hysterectomy besides the incision part.

4. Vaginal Hysterectomy

When you have a vaginal hysterectomy, your doctor will make an incision in the top of your vagina and remove both womb tissue and cervical cells.

This operation is usually done to treat endometriosis or other conditions that affect reproductive function. It reduces cramping by removing pressure from underlying structures such as those adrenal glands responsible for producing estrogen, which can cause pain during menstruation.

5. Robotic-Assisted Total Hysterectomy

Robotic-Assisted Hysterectomy is a type of surgery where the surgeon controls robotic equipment with their hands and removes the uterus through automated instruments.

Robotic-Assisted Hysterectomies (RAHs) allows the surgeon to operate with precision, offering a better outcome for women than traditional surgery. It is a typical major surgery that takes around 2-4 weeks to recover.

After a robotic hysterectomy, women usually experience relief from pain and correction of abnormal uterine bleedings.

6. Abdominal Hysterectomy:

An abdominal hysterectomy is a surgery that removes your uterus through an incision in the lower part of your abdomen, usually done because there are problems with menstruation.

Why Is Hysterectomy Performed?

Hysterectomies are performed to treat the following:

Abnormal or heavy vaginal bleeding
Severe abdominal cramps
Severe pains with menses
Uterine fibroids or Leiomyoma
Increased pelvic pain that is related to uterus
Uterine prolapse
Uterine incontinence
Cervical cancer (cervix)
Uterine cancer
Hyperplasia of the uterus lining
Recurrent uterine polyps
Adenomyosis

Pros And Cons Of Having A Hysterectomy:

PROS:

Chronic pain relief
Controlled uterine bleeding
Stoppage of abnormal and heavy vaginal bleeding
Restoration of pain-free sex
Prevention of uterine cancer
Removal of necrotic and cancerous tissues
Improved quality of life
Avoid unexpected bleeding
Prevention of fibroid recurrence

CONS:

A major surgery
Loss of fertility
Requires extensive recovery time
Greater chance of weight gain
Bowel injury possible
Adverse reactions to anesthesia
Higher risk of abnormal blood fat levels
Hypertension
Ureter damage
Ovary failure may occur

Different Hysterectomies With Their Scars:

1. Abdominal Hysterectomy:

When the uterus is removed through an incision in your lower abdomen, it’s called abdominal hysterectomy. It is major surgery with 6 to 8 weeks of recovery time. It recovers week by week, and rest is recommended during this period.

Abdominal hysterectomy is recommended over other procedures when:

You have a large uterus
Pelvic organs are also at risk of disease
Surgeon feels it better to have it over vaginal or laparoscopic surgery

2. Abdominal Hysterectomy Scars:

There are many different ways that surgeons can perform abdominal hysterectomies, but the most common is through a large incision on your belly button. Sometimes they do it horizontally and other times vertically from just above where your pubic hairline would be down towards your navel.

These procedures leave a visible scar, commonly known as an abdominal hysterectomy scar. A large scar is observed around the bikini lining, halfway between the belly button and the pubic bone.

The scar remains still visible even after the incision is completely healed.

3. Vaginal Hysterectomy:

Removal of the uterus through the vagina is a vaginal hysterectomy. During a vaginal hysterectomy, the surgeon detaches all of your reproductive organs, including the ovaries, upper portion of the vagina, connective tissues, blood vessels, and fallopian tubes, before removing the uterus.

Vaginal hysterectomy requires less time and less recovery time than an abdominal hysterectomy. But if your uterus is of greater size, then vaginal hysterectomy might not be possible.

4. Vaginal Hysterectomy Scar:

After removing the uterus and the cervix through the vagina, the top of the vagina is then sewn together. Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, it doesn’t leave any visible scarring.

Therefore, no visible vaginal hysterectomy scars are present.

5. Laparoscopic Hysterectomy:

Laparoscopic hysterectomies are a popular, minimally invasive procedure that can be done through small incisions in the abdomen. The surgery uses tiny instruments to remove your uterus without creating any prominent scarring or damage on top of it!

The surgeon will use a small incision in the belly button to insert the laparoscope. This tube is flexible and has a video camera inside, giving doctors an excellent view of organs without large incisions.

Then the doctor will make two or three small incisions in your abdomen to insert surgical tools and help them carry out their work efficiently!

6. Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Scars:

The small scars left behind after a laparoscopic hysterectomy shouldn’t be too noticeable. Laparoscopic hysterectomy scars are less visible than the abdominal ones, and it usually leaves 2 to 4 scars at various locations on the abdomen.

7. Robotic Hysterectomy:

Robotic hysterectomies are a revolutionary way to perform surgery on the reproductive system. Surgeons use high-definition 3D magnification, miniature surgical instruments, and automated technology, which helps them view all aspects of the surgical area beforehand.

The doctor will make four or five small incisions in your abdomen to insert surgical tools and thin robotic arms into the abdomen, which allows for a more precise surgery.

8. Robotic Hysterectomy Scars:

Robotic hysterectomies are the new generation of surgical procedures. These mini-surgery results result in penny or dime-sized scars similar to those left after laparoscopic procedures, but without pesky incisions, called Robotic hysterectomy scars.

Bottom Line:

Hysterectomies are one of the most common surgeries for women. The procedure removes your entire uterus, which can offer relief from many conditions like heavy bleeding or painful periods. It doesn’t come back again after being removed in most cases!

Whether you have had a hysterectomy with or without removal of your ovaries, scarring is normal. Depending on what type of procedure it was, internal and external scars will vary significantly from person to person.

These minimally invasive procedures can help you achieve a natural-looking result with little or no scarring. The recovery time is also much shorter, and the pain level is significantly reduced compared to traditional surgery!

Hence, hysterectomies are a popular choice for women who suffer from painful periods or heavy bleeding.