Oct
When considering a hysterectomy, most women have many questions. From whether her hysterectomy is the only, or best, option, to what kind of hysterectomy her gynecologist recommends. Dr. Taryll Jenkins of Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine has helped many women understand the procedure and learn what to expect.
A hysterectomy can be performed several different ways, either through abdominal, vaginal or laparoscopic approach. Nearly all hysterectomies are performed in a hospital or surgical center under anesthesia. Immediately following the surgery, the patient typically recovers in the hospital for a while. If the surgery was a laparoscopic surgery, patients may only need to stay in the hospital for a day and full recovery may only take one to two weeks. Those who undergo an abdominal hysterectomy may require several days in the hospital, with six to eight weeks of downtime at home.
Following the hysterectomy, patients are advised to follow their doctor’s instructions carefully and not try to rush through their recovery. Most physicians recommend light walking but avoiding heavy lifting for several weeks, as the body needs time to heal and recover.
Patients should watch for symptoms such as fever or chills, excessive bleeding or discharge, intense pain, inflammation, redness, or swelling at the incision site, trouble urinating or having a bowel movement, or chest pain and shortness of breath. If a patient does have these symptoms, she should call her doctor immediately.
Finally, patients should also expect some emotional changes following a hysterectomy. For some, it can be a challenging experience as they come to terms with losing their ability to become pregnant or depression over the reason they needed to undergo the surgery in the first place such as infection or cancer. Other women notice hormonal changes, especially if the ovaries were removed. It’s important to note that all of these changes and feelings are normal and patients should not be afraid to talk to their physician about any concerns or questions.
For more information about the type of hysterectomy, and to understand what to expect during recovery, call Dr. Jenkins today.
We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all
stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L.
Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of
Medicine from Meharry
Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the
University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.
Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological
Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie
Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today,
she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with
high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive
volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program
in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.
Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.
Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her
Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University
of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the
Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive
years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior
Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee
Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local
and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.
Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.