Advanced Hysterectomy Procedures at Dignity Health

A hysterectomy is surgery that is used to remove the uterus (womb). After a hysterectomy, you will no longer have menstrual periods and cannot get pregnant.

Reasons for having a hysterectomy include:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Uterine prolapse
• Cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids 
• Persistent and abnormally heavy periods

Find out all that you need to know about having a hysterectomy in the Sacramento region by consulting with the specialized team at Dignity Health. Our experienced surgeons use advanced technologies to perform hysterectomy, resulting in shorter recovery times. Find a Doctor today at one of our six hospital locations to get started.

What to Expect

Your hysterectomy will be performed in a state-of-the-art Dignity Health facility operating room under general anesthesia (a medication that puts you into a deep sleep).

How the surgery is performed depends on if you are having a partial or total hysterectomy. During a partial hysterectomy (or subtotal hysterectomy), the uterus is removed but the cervix remains. During a total hysterectomy, both the uterus and cervix are removed. During either surgery, your ovaries may also be removed. This is a separate procedure called oophorectomy.

A hysterectomy can be done through your abdomen or vagina. During an abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the lower belly area. Sometimes, an abdominal hysterectomy only requires a few tiny incisions. Surgical instruments and a special camera pass through the incisions. This is called a laparoscopic hysterectomy. During a vaginal hysterectomy, the uterus is removed through the vagina. 

At Dignity Health hospitals throughout the Sacramento region, we offer da Vinci robotic hysterectomy and the latest minimally invasive options to help you get back to your daily life more quickly after surgery.

Recovery After Hysterectomy in Northern California

Your recovery depends on what type of hysterectomy you have. A laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy uses much smaller incisions, so you have a shorter hospital stay and recovery period.

Immediately after the surgery, you will still have a tube in your bladder to drain urine, but it will be removed as soon as possible. You will be given pain medication as needed. Our caring hospital staff will encourage you to walk often to help you heal and reduce your risk of blood clots.

You may go home the day after surgery or stay in the hospital a few days. If your ovaries were removed, you will be in menopause after the surgery. Full recovery after hysterectomy generally takes three to six weeks.