Recovering from a Robotic Hysterectomy: What to Expect

Each year in the United States, up to half a million women undergo a hysterectomy to resolve reproductive health problems and improve their quality of life. While you’re anxious to get past this health hurdle, you’re wondering how much your life will change after your robotic hysterectomy.

To answer this question, the team here at Advanced Endometriosis Center, led by Dr. Ulas Bozdogan, pulled together the following information.

Why a robotic hysterectomy helps with recovery

Traditionally, hysterectomies were performed through open surgery, which meant surgeons made large incisions to remove the uterus (and other reproductive organs, when necessary). This approach led to significant downtime and recovery challenges as the incision and damaged tissues healed.

Recovery from hysterectomies these days is greatly improved thanks to modern technology, including our daVinci robotic system. Dr. Bozdogan is a leading expert in this minimally invasive surgical technology, which allows him to perform your hysterectomy by using only very small incisions or, better still, by going in through your vagina.

What this means for you is that the procedure carries far less risk and a much faster recovery time.

Life will change without your uterus

While our robotic hysterectomy can greatly improve your immediate recovery, life after a hysterectomy will be different.

Many of our patients opt for hysterectomy to overcome painful and uncomfortable problems, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. The good news is that, through a hysterectomy, the quality-of-life symptoms that you struggled with will disappear almost immediately.

If we remove only your uterus, you can expect that your periods will end, along with your ability to have children. Women who’ve had their uteruses removed may also be slightly more prone to pelvic organ prolapse, but there are steps we can take to strengthen your pelvic floor.

If we remove your ovaries as well, the absence of these hormone-producing organs will send you into menopause, no matter your age. The subsequent lack of estrogen and progesterone can cast a wide net over your health and lead to:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Bone loss
• Vaginal health issues, such as dryness
• Moodiness
• Sleep issues

Women react differently to menopause, so it’s impossible to say here which side effects you may face and for how long.

If you find the side effects are moderate-to-severe and they show no signs of slowing down, we can discuss placing you on hormone replacement therapy to bring your reproductive hormone levels up.

While life after a hysterectomy will change, these changes may pale in comparison to the problems you experience with a uterus.

If you have more questions about what to expect after your robotic hysterectomy, book an appointment online or over the phone with Advanced Endometriosis Center today. We have offices in New York City and Hackensack, New Jersey.