What is a Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in women’s healthcare and is used to treat a variety of chronic, painful, or life-threatening gynecological conditions that have failed to respond to conservative medical therapies. Depending on your specific diagnosis, a hysterectomy may involve removing the uterus alone or in combination with the cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
At Miami Women’s Center, our surgical philosophy prioritizes minimally invasive techniques. Our surgeons specialize in advanced laparoscopic, vaginal, and robotic-assisted approaches to ensure your procedure is performed with precision, minimal scarring, and a swift, comfortable recovery.
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When a hysterectomy is the right choice for your health, our team matches you with the least invasive technique available based on your pelvic anatomy and surgical history:
- Robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy: Enhanced 3D magnification and wristed instruments, exceptional for navigating dense scar tissue or large fibroids safely. See our robotic surgery page for more.
- Total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH): Removing the uterus through an incision inside the vaginal canal, with zero external incisions or visible skin scars.
- Standard laparoscopic hysterectomy: Using a thin, lighted tube through a tiny navel incision to carefully detach and remove tissue with excellent cosmetic results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hysterectomies
Hysterectomy Care at Miami Women’s Center
What are the different types of hysterectomy procedures?
Options include a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix, the most common approach), a supracervical hysterectomy (leaving the cervix intact), and a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (also removing both fallopian tubes and ovaries). Removing the uterus doesn’t automatically mean removing the ovaries — unless active disease is present, we prefer to preserve them in pre-menopausal women to maintain natural hormone production.
What conditions are most commonly treated with a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is typically a definitive solution after less invasive treatments have failed, and is used for large or heavily bleeding fibroids, severe adenomyosis or endometriosis, uncontrolled abnormal bleeding, significant pelvic organ prolapse, or gynecologic cancers or high-grade precancerous changes.
What is the difference between an open hysterectomy and a minimally invasive hysterectomy?
A traditional open hysterectomy requires a large 5-to-7-inch incision, a multi-day hospital stay, and a 6-to-8-week recovery. A minimally invasive hysterectomy uses 3 to 4 tiny keyhole incisions, with significantly less pain, minimal blood loss, and a much faster recovery.
Will a hysterectomy cause me to go into immediate menopause?
Only if your ovaries are removed at the same time. If preserved, they continue producing hormones at your normal baseline, so you won’t experience sudden surgical menopause, though periods stop and pregnancy is no longer possible. If an oophorectomy is medically required, we design a customized hormone therapy plan to manage symptoms.
How long does hysterectomy surgery typically take?
Most minimally invasive hysterectomies take between one and three hours, depending on complexity, uterine size, and whether other procedures are performed at the same time.
When can I return to normal activities after a hysterectomy?
With a minimally invasive approach, many patients resume light activities within 1-2 weeks and most normal activities within 4-6 weeks, compared to a longer recovery after open surgery.
Will I need hormone therapy after my hysterectomy?
Only if your ovaries are removed as part of the procedure. If your ovaries are preserved, no hormone therapy is needed as a direct result of the surgery itself.