Hysterectomy | Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates
For many women, a hysterectomy could be the solution to the pain, discomfort, and menstrual issues, but choosing this definitive treatment option can feel overwhelming and tied to fear, uncertainty, or a sense of loss. At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, today’s hysterectomy is not the surgery your mother or grandmother may have had. Advances in minimally invasive techniques have transformed this procedure into one that is safer, gentler, and far easier to recover from, while still delivering the same lasting relief from the condition that brought you here.
Whether you’re facing this decision because of fibroids, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, or another diagnosis, our goal is to walk beside you, answering your questions honestly, respecting your autonomy, and helping you choose the approach that fits your body and your life.
To schedule a hysterectomy consultation in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online.
Quick Links
How Does Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Work?
Laparoscopic hysterectomy is performed through one or more small incisions rather than a single large one. Your surgeon uses a laparoscope, a thin instrument fitted with a fiber-optic camera, along with precision surgical tools inserted through the abdomen, the vagina, or both. Some laparoscopic procedures are exploratory and help your surgeon evaluate what’s happening inside your body before determining next steps. Others are performed specifically to remove the uterus and any other reproductive organs involved in your treatment plan.
In many cases, our surgeons also use robotic-assisted technology, such as the da Vinci Surgical System. The robotic assistance gives our surgeons an extraordinary level of precision, a magnified three-dimensional view, and control that goes beyond what standard laparoscopic instruments allow, all through incisions roughly the size of a fingertip. The right approach for you depends on several individual factors, including your weight, any prior abdominal surgeries, existing scar tissue, and your overall health history. We’ll talk through all this together before recommending a path forward.
What Is a Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, sometimes along with the cervix, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, depending on your individual diagnosis and goals. In the past, this meant an open abdominal surgery: a large incision, several days in the hospital, and weeks of difficult recovery.
Minimally invasive techniques have changed that picture entirely. Using small incisions, specialized instruments, and advanced visualization technology, our surgeons can often perform the same procedure with less pain, less scarring, a shorter hospital recovery time, and a return to daily life that happens in days rather than weeks.
A minimally invasive hysterectomy can treat and correct a wide range of conditions, including:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Uterine fibroids
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Endometriosis
- Uterine prolapse
- Cervical abnormalities
Because these procedures are less physically taxing, they also open the door to women who may not have been considered candidates for traditional open surgery.
What Are the Different Types of Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy?
Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH)
Your surgeon uses laparoscopic instruments to detach the uteru, and if needed, the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The cervix is separated from the top of the vagina, allowing the uterus and cervix to be removed through the vaginal opening. Unlike an LAVH, only a small portion of this procedure is performed vaginally, with the majority completed laparoscopically through the abdomen.
Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH)
A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy procedure removes the upper two-thirds of the uterus through small abdominal incisions, while leaving the cervix in place and attached to the upper vagina.
Vaginal Hysterectomy
For some women, a vaginal hysterectomy is the most appropriate option. Below are the benefits of a vaginal hysterectomy and what you can expect:
- Performed entirely through the vagina, with no abdominal incision at all
- Typically recommended when the uterus is not significantly enlarged
- Generally used for noncancerous conditions
- Involves fewer complications, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery compared to abdominal hysterectomy
- Can also include removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes, a procedure known as bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)
In some cases, your surgeon may combine a vaginal hysterectomy with laparoscopic assistance (LAVH) to gain a clearer view of the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding tissue, making the procedure even more precise.
Choosing the Right Approach for You
There is no one-size-fits-all hysterectomy. The right technique depends on your diagnosis, your anatomy, your surgical history, and your personal goals and preferences, including whether you hope to preserve your cervix or ovaries. Our board-certified OB/GYN surgeons will walk you through each option in plain language, answer every question you have, and make sure you feel confident and informed before moving forward. This is your body and your decision; our role is to support it with expertise and honesty.
What to Expect During a Hysterectomy Recovery
One of the greatest advantages of our minimally invasive hysterectomy is a faster, more comfortable recovery. While every patient heals differently, many women who undergo laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy go home the same day or after one night in the hospital, compared to the multi-day stay often required after open surgery. Pain is typically much easier to manage, and many patients resume light daily activities within one to two weeks, with a fuller return to normal activity in the weeks that follow. Your care team will give you a personalized recovery timeline based on your specific procedure.
Schedule a Hysterectomy Consultation in Wellesley Today
If you’ve been told a hysterectomy may be part of your path forward, you deserve a care team that treats you as a whole person, not another name on a chart. The OB/GYN surgeons at Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates are expertly trained in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery, and we’re here to help you understand every option available to you.
To schedule your hysterectomy consultation in Wellesley, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online.
Hysterectomy FAQs
Is a minimally invasive hysterectomy safer than open surgery?
For most patients, yes. Minimally invasive hysterectomy is associated with less blood loss, a lower risk of infection, less postoperative pain, and a significantly shorter recovery time compared to traditional open abdominal surgery.
Will I go through menopause after a hysterectomy?
Only if your ovaries are removed along with your uterus. If your ovaries remain intact, they will continue producing hormones, and you will not enter surgical menopause.
How long will I be in the hospital?
Many minimally invasive hysterectomy patients go home the same day or after a single overnight stay, compared to three to five days typically required after open abdominal surgery.
Can I still have sex after a hysterectomy?
Yes, most women return to normal sexual activity after their recovery period, typically around 6-8 weeks, once your surgeon confirms you’ve healed appropriately.
How do I know which type of hysterectomy is right for me?
The best approach depends on factors like your diagnosis, the size of your uterus, whether you’ve had any prior surgeries, and your personal preferences. Your OB/GYN will evaluate your individual case and recommend the safest, most effective option during your consultation.