Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. The most common causes in women are heavy menstrual bleeding or pregnancy. Iron deficiency affects up to 40% of pregnant women around the world.

Men and women develop Iron deficiency through a poor diet, kidney, or gastrointestinal intestinal diseases affecting iron production and absorption. 

Medical providers will search for the underlying cause while treating this common disorder with dietary changes and iron supplementation. 

What is iron-deficiency anemia?

Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when the body lacks iron. Our bodies require certain mineral levels to carry oxygen through our red blood cells to all parts of the body. Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and kidneys.

If our bodies do not make enough healthy red blood cells or the blood cells function correctly, then we develop anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia.

Iron is required to produce hemoglobin, the oxygen-binding molecule inside of red blood cells.  

Who gets iron-deficiency anemia?

Although anyone can develop Iron-deficiency anemia, it much more common in women. The risk of iron-deficiency anemia is highest for women. 

Pregnancy is a major risk factor. Iron-deficiency anemia affects up to 40% of pregnant women. Pregnancy increases the risk of iron deficiency for three reasons. 

1. Dilutional effect. Pregnant women expand their total blood volume by 50%. This increase in fluid creates a dilution effect on blood cells leading to anemia
2. Reduced blood cell lifespan. Red blood cells have a lifespan of about 120 days. During pregnancy, red blood cells live only 90 days. 
3. Baby’s steal it. The growing fetus needs iron too. The baby fills its nutritional needs from maternal blood through the placenta.

Heavy menstrual periods are another cause of anemia. Menstrual cycles may be a natural process, but the body is still losing blood. Up to 5% of women of childbearing age develop iron-deficiency anemia because of heavy bleeding during their periods.

Infants, small children, and teens are also at high risk for iron-deficiency anemia due to dietary habits. 

What are the symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia?

Iron-deficiency anemia often develops slowly and gradually. In the beginning, one may have mild symptoms or none at all. As anemia becomes worse, patients may notice one or more of these symptoms:

• Fatigue 
• Weakness 
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Low body temperature
• Pale or yellow “sallow” skin
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially with physical activity
• Brittle nails
• Pica (unusual cravings for ice, or non-food items like dirt or paper)

Anyone with symptomatic anemia should talk to a doctor or practitioner.

What causes iron-deficiency anemia?

Chronic blood loss causes the loss of red blood cells faster than the body can reproduce them. Most chronic bleeding occurs in the gastrointestinal, renal, and reproductive systems. 

• Digestive system problems include stomach and intestinal ulcers, colon polyps, or colon cancer. 
• Regular, long-term use of aspirin and other over-the-counter pain relievers
• Frequent blood donation
• Heavy or long menstrual periods
• Uterine fibroids– Fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding.
• Endometrial polyps
• Pregnancy
• Poor nutrition 
• Iron absorption issues- Certain health conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or gastric bypass surgery reduces dietary iron absorption. 
• Iron production issue- Chronic kidney disease or bone marrow disorders

How is iron-deficiency anemia diagnosed?

A physician will combine a medical history, exam, and blood testing to diagnose and evaluate anemia. 

• Health history: The doctor will ask about questions about the digestive system, menstrual cycles, diet and nutrition, medications, and family history. 
• Physical exam
• Blood testing: The doctor will run a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC measures and evaluated many blood components and is the starting point for anemia evaluation. If abnormal other tests such as a serum Iron level, Iron binding capacity, and ferritin may be needed. 

How is iron-deficiency anemia treated?

The first step is iron deficiency treatment is to identify the underlying cause. We can supplement iron levels, but if we do not stop the iron loss, the problem will continue. 

Think of a bathtub. We can continue to fill it up, but the water will rise faster if we plug the drain first. 

• Blood loss from a digestive system problem. Gastrointestinal ulcers may need medical treatment with antibiotics or other medications. Intestinal polyps, precancerous lesions, or even cancer will require surgical removal. 
• Blood loss from heavy menstrual cycles. A gynecologist can help offer many options to help with heavy periods. Hormonal birth control methods and other medications can help reduce menstrual bleeding. Endometrial polyps and fibroids can be treated with surgery. Some choose to control heavy bleeding with an endometrial ablation or in severe cases a hysterectomy.
• Iron supplementation. Over-the-counter and prescription oral Iron supplements are often prescribed to help increase Iron levels. IV Iron injections are available for severe cases. 
• Dietary changes. Eating more iron-rich foods helps increase iron storage. Good sources include meat, fish, eggs, beans, peas, and iron-fortified foods.
• Vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C helps our body absorb iron from other foods. Good sources of vitamin C include oranges, broccoli, and tomatoes.

Iron deficiency is a common condition. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step to getting affecting patients feeling much better. 

The post Iron-Deficiency Anemia; Why It Happens and What to Do About It appeared first on Medika Life.

What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus. Hysterectomies are performed for a variety of gynecologic conditions such as uterine fibroids, heavy periods, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, uterine prolapse, and gynecologic cancer.

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus. When the entire uterus is removed, this is called a total hysterectomy. If the entire uterus, tubes, and ovaries are removed this is called a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Sometimes the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left behind. This surgical technique is called a supracervical hysterectomy.

During hysterectomies, Obgyns often recommend fallopian tube removal (bilateral salpingectomy) to reduce ovarian cancer risk. Some women will also need the removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy). Hormonal changes only occur when the ovaries are removed.

Gynecologists perform hysterectomies through a variety of techniques. The size of the uterus, surgeon experience, the patient’s body type, and the prior surgical history help determine the proper surgical approach. Techniques include:

1. Vaginal hysterectomy
2. Abdominal hysterectomy
3. Laparoscopic hysterectomy (total or supracervical)
4. Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy
5. Robotic hysterectomy

What are the advantages of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy?

Many patients who need a hysterectomy are concerned about a long recovery and missing time off work. A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is an excellent option for hysterectomy candidates who do not have any cervix problems.

The cervix is the opening of the uterus at the back of the vagina. Some women are not candidates for supracervical hysterectomy due to a history of cervical dysplasia, HPV, or abnormal pap smears.

This minimally invasive technique allows faster recovery, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stay. Patients benefit from small incisions, a short hospital stay, and a quicker return to work, exercise, and everyday activities.

During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon places a camera through the umbilicus (belly button). This technique allows the surgeon to use small instruments to perform the surgery and monitor the surgical field through these tiny incisions.

How long will I be in the hospital?

Surgeons perform a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy as an outpatient procedure or inpatient surgery with an overnight stay. Various factors, such as the patient’s underlying health status, surgical complexity, and physician preference, help determine the surgical plan.

Most laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy patients can leave the hospital much faster after a traditional abdominal hysterectomy.

Can my family visit me?

A trusted family member should drive you to and from the hospital or ambulatory surgery center for a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. Families are welcome to stay with you before and after surgery. Hospital visitor policies for overnight stays vary from region to region due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Does my procedure require an anesthetic?

A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy requires general anesthesia. An anesthesiologist will temporarily put the patient to sleep so they will feel no pain during surgery. The surgeon may also inject a local anesthetic into the incisions to decrease postoperative pain.

What’s the procedure when I check-in?

Most surgeries will involve a preoperative visit with your surgeon to go over the procedure’s risks and benefits in detail. Your surgeon answers questions regarding your upcoming surgery. The surgical consent form is reviewed, signed, or updated with any changes.

Because any hysterectomy will eliminate the possibility of child-bearing, your doctor will ask questions to make sure you are confident you will not want children in the future.

In most settings, patients will receive a preoperative phone call by a nurse or medical assistant one to two days before surgery. If any blood work or preoperative testing is required, it will be scheduled and confirmed.

After arrival at the hospital or Ambulatory Surgery Center, the staff will guide you to the preoperative holding area to change into a surgical gown and store your valuables. You will meet the nursing team who will provide care during your stay. Your nurse will place an IV at this time.

The anesthesia team will come to interview you and answer questions. Typically your surgeon will also come and review any last-minute questions.

What happens on the day of surgery?

What happens in the operating room?

After the preoperative evaluation, the team will guide you to the operating or procedure room. You will move from the mobile bed to the operating table. Once you are positioned comfortably and safely, the anesthesiologist will give you medication through your IV to help you go to sleep.

The OR nursing team will cover your body with sterile drapes and prep the abdomen for surgical sterility. The team then performs a “surgical time-out.” The head nurse will read a surgical safety checklist aloud, requiring all surgical team members to be present and attentive.

The gynecologic surgeon will insert a speculum into the vagina to allow visualization of the cervix, the opening of your uterus located at the back of the vagina.

Once the speculum is in place and the cervix visualized, the surgeon inserts a device called a uterine manipulator into the cavity of the uterus. This step facilitates the surgeon’s ability to safely operate and avoid injury to surrounding tissue such as the bladder, rectum, intestines, and ureter.

The surgeon will mark the surgical sites with a small marking pin and insert a small camera through an incision in the belly button. Air inflates and distends the abdomen to allow visualization of the pelvis. My preference is to insert a specialized instrument called Gel point mini by Applied Medical. This type of port will enable me to use one incision to perform the procedure.

The surgical team positions the laparoscopic camera to show the pelvic anatomy. We pass small instruments through the additional ports.

Many surgeons recommend complete removal of the fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingectomy) at the time of surgery as this technique reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.

The fallopian tubes are located and grasped with one instrument. Using the other hand, the surgeon clamps and cuts the fallopian tubes from the adjacent anatomy.

The surgeon travels down the sides of the uterus, freeing it from the connecting tissues. The round ligament and uterine/ovarian ligaments are clamped, cauterized, and then cut. At each step, the surgeon will take precautions to control and avoid bleeding.

Critical anatomy lies towards to lower end of the uterus. The surgeon will separate the bladder from the lower uterine segment to allow visualization of the cervix and avoid bladder injury.

The surgeon will focus careful attention on the uterine arteries, the main blood supply to the uterus. These two blood vessels travel over the ureters, which are the tubes connecting the kidney to the bladder.

At this point, we can separate the uterus from the cervix for removal. There are various techniques, but I prefer to use a product called the bipolar Lina Loop.

The surgeon lassos the loop over the uterus and positions it at the uterus and the cervical junction. We perform a safety check to make sure no other anatomy is in contact with the loop. Then the uterus is amputated from the cervix.

The uterus is now free but still needs to be removed. We place the uterus into a surgical bag for tissue retrieval.

The surgeon examines all of the surgical sites for bleeding. When safe, the Obgyn removes the uterus safely located inside the bag through the umbilical (belly button) incision. We removal the operative ports and sew the surgical incisions closed.

Once the procedure is complete, the surgical team completes a post-procedure review. All instruments and equipment are counted and verified. When finished, the anesthesiologist will begin to wake the patient up for transfer to the recovery room.

How long will I be in the operating room?

Once the patient enters the operating room, a series of safety steps must occur. This process takes about 20 minutes.

The operative time for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy varies. The surgeon’s experience, surgical technique, patient body type, uterine size, and previous surgeries are all factors. For example, a small uterus is a much easier surgery than a large, fibroid uterus.

In general, the patient should expect 1–2 hours of total operative time.

When can I go home?

Postoperative recovery time will vary from person to person. Some surgeons will recommend an outpatient procedure, while others prefer an overnight stay. The patients underlying health status, surgical complexity, and physician preference are all factors.

To be able to go home, each patient must meet specific discharge criteria. The patient’s vital signs must be stable. The patient must be alert, oriented, and able to walk with assistance. The recovery room team will control postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain and monitor for postoperative bleeding.

The nursing team will go over discharge instructions, and confirm postoperative pain management plans.

AFTERCARE AND RECOVERY QUESTIONS

What is the usual recovery time?

Most women should be able to return to normal daily activities within a few weeks of surgery. The nursing team will help patients walk and move around a few hours after surgery to reduce blood clots’ risk, improve lung function, and expedite bowel function return.

Most patients will require pain medication like NSAIDs and narcotics for a time. Many experience discomfort in the right shoulder due to air irritating the nerves of the diaphragm.

Light bleeding, spotting, and brown or black discharge is common and expected. Sanitary napkins are safe to use.

What aftercare is required?

You should speak with your physician regarding the resumption of exercise and sexual activity. Most can return to basic activities in one to two weeks. Sexual activity is typically restricted for 6–8 weeks to allow complete healing.

Your doctor will schedule a postoperative examination 1–2 weeks after the procedure to evaluate the incisions.

Danger Signals to look out for after the procedure

You should call your doctor if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, fevers, severe nausea or vomiting, worsening abdominal pain, or the inability to pass gas.

If you experience heavy bleeding, abdominal or pelvic pain, a fever, or pain that increases over 24 hours, call your physician. After any surgery, contact your physician if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Pain not controlled with prescribed medication
• Fever > 101
• Nausea and vomiting
• Calf or leg pain
• Shortness of breath
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Abdominal pain not controlled by pain medication
• Inability to pass gas

What preparations should I make for aftercare at home?

Laparoscopic procedures require very little postoperative care. Keep the incisions clean and dry. Patients should avoid sexual activity until cleared by their doctor. One may resume a normal diet the day of surgery and begin light exercise the day after the procedure or when you feel ready.

What information should I provide to my doctors and nurses?

It is very important to provide your doctor with an updated list of all medications, vitamins, and dietary supplements prior to surgery. All medication and food allergies should be reviewed. Share any lab work, radiologic procedures, or other medical tests done by other healthcare providers with your surgeon prior to your procedure.

Still have questions?

Read through any existing comments in the section below and if you still need information on this procedure please do leave your questions in the comments section.

The post Preparing for: Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy appeared first on Medika Life.

She looked at options like uterine myomectomy and uterine fibroid embolization, but she wanted kids one day. She feared the potential impact on her future fertility. She searched for an effective medication to treat her fibroids and reduce her heavy menstrual bleeding. She wanted to get her life back. 

For many years, women with fibroids have sought out menstrual cycle control options beyond oral contraceptives, Depo-Provera injections, and Progesterone IUDs. In May 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Oriahnn™ for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids in premenopausal women.

What is Oriahnn™?

Oriahnn™ is the only FDA-approved oral medication designed to improve and lighten heavy periods caused by uterine fibroids. Fibroids, also called leiomyomas, are benign uterine tumors that grow in the uterus. Up to 80% of women will develop one or more uterine fibroids during their lifetime. 

Oriahnn™ is a combination product containing elagolix, estradiol, and a type of progesterone called norethindrone acetate. Elagolix is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist. This term means it suppresses the ovarian sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, both of which stimulate fibroid growth.

The addition of estradiol and norethindrone acetate adds back some of the female hormones to prevent side effects and help thin out the endometrial lining. 

Oriahnn™ is approved for use in premenopausal women to reduce the amount of bleeding caused by uterine fibroids.

Why would a woman want to try Oriahnn™?

Many women suffering from the effects of fibroids seek a non-surgical treatment to control heavy periods. Medial options allow her to reduce her symptoms without impacting her future fertility. An effective medication will enable her to keep her options open.

Older medications, such as Depo-Lupron (leuprolide acetate), are administered as an injection. This type of medication is costly, poorly covered by insurance companies, and often triggers menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. 

Oriahnn™ comes packaged as a daily oral medication giving women the options to avoid surgery, procedure, or a birth control method. This pill is clinically proven to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding due to uterine fibroids within one month of taking it. 

Oriahnn™ is not birth control. Patients using this medication who do not want to get pregnant may want to consider a nonhormonal contraceptive option such as condoms, Phexxy, spermicide, copper IUDs, or a diaphragm. 

Does Oriahnn™ work? 

Oriahnn™ was studied in two 6-month clinical trials used for FDA approval. These studies included 591 premenopausal women aged 26–53 with heavy periods due to sonographically-confirmed uterine fibroids.

The participants measured menstrual blood loss (MBL) for two cycles before starting Oriahnn™ or a placebo. Only those with greater than 80 ml of MBL qualified for the study.

In the first study, 68.5% of patients who received Oriahnn showed a reduction in menstrual bleeding compared to 8.7% of patients who received a placebo. 

In the second study, 76.5% of patients who received Oriahnn showed an improvement in blood loss compared to 10.5% of patients who received a placebo.

Oriahnn™ was proven to lighten heavy periods in 70% of women with a 50% reduction in menstrual blood loss. During the 6-month clinical trials, only three women required surgery for their uterine fibroids.

What side effects for Oriahnn™?  

During the clinical trials, about 10% of patients stopped treatment because of any side effects. Of note,7% of women taking the placebo also stopped treatment due to side effects.

The most common reported side effects were hot flashes, headache, fatigue, and irregular uterine bleeding.

All products containing estrogen and progestin combinations increase the risk of thrombotic or thromboembolic disorders, including pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, and myocardial infarction. A doctor must evaluate a patient’s medical history to determine if these medications are an appropriate option. 

Oriahnn™ may increase the risk of bone loss so the FDA approval recommends limited its use to 24 months. 

A new medical option for fibroids

Gynecologists now have a new option to help women with fibroids. Women with fibroids who want to avoid surgery or birth control may want to consider Oriahnn™. 

This novel medication, back up by clinical evidence, gives women more choices to reduce menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids. 

The post Oriahnn; A Drug to Stop Heavy Periods for Women With Fibroids appeared first on Medika Life.

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove theuterus. Hysterectomies are performed for a variety of gynecologic conditions such as uterine fibroids, heavy periods, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, uterine prolapse and gynecologic cancer. 

During a hysterectomy, the uterus is removed. Obgyns often recommend fallopian tube removal (bilateral salpingectomy) to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Some women will also need the removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy). Hormonal changes only occur when the ovaries are removed.

Gynecologists perform hysterectomies through a variety of techniques. The size of the uterus, surgeon experience, the patient’s body type, and the prior surgical history help determine the proper surgical approach. Techniques include:

1. Vaginal hysterectomy
2. Abdominal hysterectomy 
3. Laparoscopic hysterectomy 
4. Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy 
5. Robotic hysterectomy robotic

What are the advantages of robotic hysterectomy?

Contrary to the name, robots do not perform the surgery. A human gynecologic surgeon attaches a surgical system to intraabdominal ports. While sitting at a surgical console, the surgeon controls the robotic arms while monitoring the surgical field in a 3D view..

Through 4–5 small incisions, the surgeon detaches the uterus from the surrounding tissues. Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that allows for faster recovery, reduced pain, and shorter hospital stay.

The American College of Obgyn acknowledges this type of hysterectomy’s growing popularity but recommends robotic hysterectomy be reserved for more complex cases that can not be safely completed through other minimally invasive techniques.

Experienced robotic surgeons prefer the precise control of the surgical arms allowing complex cases to be completed in a minimally invasive fashion. Patients benefit from small incisions, a short hospital stay, and a faster return to work, exercise, and everyday activities.

How long will I be in the hospital?

Surgeons perform robotic hysterectomies as an outpatient procedure or as an inpatient surgery with an overnight stay. Various factors, such as the patient’s underlying health status, surgical complexity, and physician preference, help determine the surgical plan.

Most robotic hysterectomy patients are able to leave the hospital much faster after a traditional abdominal hysterectomy. 

Can family visit me?

A trusted family member should drive you to and from the hospital or ambulatory surgery center for a robotic hysterectomy. Families are welcome to stay with you before and after surgery. Hospital visitor policies for overnight stays vary from region to region due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Does my procedure require an anesthetic?

Laparoscopic robotic surgery requires general anesthesia meaning patients will be temporarily put to sleep. The surgeon may also inject a local anesthetic into the incisions to decrease postoperative pain.

What’s the procedure when I check-in?

Most surgeries will involve a preoperative visit with your surgeon to go over the procedure’s risks and benefits in detail. Your surgeon answers questions regarding your upcoming surgery. The surgical consent form is reviewed, signed, or updated with any changes.

Because robotic hysterectomies will eliminate the possibility of child-bearing, your doctor will ask questions to make sure you are confident you will not want children in the future.

In most settings, patients will receive a preoperative phone call by a nurse or medical assistant one to two days before surgery. If any blood work or preoperative testing is required, it will be scheduled and confirmed.

After arrival at the hospital or Ambulatory Surgery Center, the staff will guide you to the preoperative holding area to change into a surgical gown and store your valuables. You will meet the nursing team who will provide care during your stay. An IV will be placed at this time.

The anesthesia team will come to interview you and answer questions. Typically your surgeon will also come and review any last-minute questions.

What happens in the operating room?

After the preoperative evaluation, the team will guide you to the operating or procedure room. You will move from the mobile bed to the operating table. Once you are positioned comfortably and safely, the anesthesiologist will give you medication through your IV to help you go to sleep.

The OR nursing team will cover your body with sterile drapes and prep the abdomen for surgical sterility. The team then performs a “surgical time-out.” A surgical safety checklist is read aloud, requiring all surgical team members to be present and attentive.

The gynecologic surgeon will insert a speculum into the vagina to allow visualization of the cervix, the opening of your uterus located at the back of the vagina.

Once the speculum is in place and the cervix visualized, the surgeon inserts a device called a uterine manipulator into the cavity of the uterus. This step facilitates the surgeon’s ability to safely operate and avoid injury to surrounding tissue such as the bladder, rectum, intestines, and ureter.

The surgeon will mark the surgical sites with a small marking pin. A small camera is inserted through an incision into the belly button. Air inflates and distends the abdomen to allow visualization of the pelvis. Three or four secondary ports are placed to allow the robotic arms to function. 

The robot is then positioned over the body and attached to the ports. The laparoscopic camera is positioned to show the pelvic anatomy. Small instruments are passed through the additional ports. Scissors are attached to one robotic arm and a grasping device in the other. This allows the surgeon to operate with both hands. 

The surgeon then moves away from the patient to the surgical consult to control the robot. 

As the surgeon takes her seat, she adjusts the camera and robotic arms’ position to begin the surgery.

Many surgeons recommend complete removal of the fallopian tubes (bilateral salpingectomy) at the time of surgery as this technique reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.

The fallopian tubes are located and grasped with one instrument. Using the other hand, the surgeon clamps and cuts the tubes from the adjacent anatomy.

The surgeon travels down the sides of the uterus freeing it from the connecting tissues. The round ligament and utero-ovarian ligaments are clamped, cauterized and then cut. At each step, the surgeon will take precautions to control and avoid bleeding. 

Towards to lower end of the uterus lies important anatomy. The surgeon will separate the bladder from the lower uterine segment to allow visualization of the cervix. 

The surgeon will focus attention on the uterine arteries. These two blood vessels are the main blood supply to the uterus and travel over the ureters, which are the tubes connecting the kidney to the bladder. 

Once the uterine arteries are controlled, the surgeon can safely separate the uterus from the vagina. 

The surgeon makes a circular incision just below the cervix freeing the uterus. The uterus is delivered through the vagina and sent to the pathologist to analyze the tissue. 

The surgeon then sews the edges of the vagina closed to form the vaginal cuff. 

The surgeon examines all of the surgical sites for bleeding. When safe, the Obgyn removes the operative ports and sews the surgical incisions closed. 

Once the procedure is complete, the surgical team completes a post-procedure review. All instruments and equipment are counted and verified. When finished, the anesthesiologist will begin to wake the patient up for transfer to the recovery room.

How long will I be in the operating room?

Once the patient enters the operating room, a series of safety steps must occur. This process takes about 20 minutes.

The operative time for robotic hysterectomy varies. The surgeon’s experience, surgical technique, patient body type, uterine size, and patient’s previous surgeries are all factors.

In general, patient should expect 1–2 hours of total operative time.

When can I go home?

Postoperative recovery time will vary from person to person. Some surgeons will recommend an outpatient procedure while others prefer an overnight stay. The patients underlying health status, surgical complexity and physician preference are all factors. 

To be able to go home, each patient must meet specific discharge criteria. The patient’s vital signs must be stable. The patient must be alert, oriented, and able to walk with assistance. Postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain must be controlled as well as confirmation of no postoperative bleeding.

The nursing team will go over discharge instructions, and the plan for postoperative pain management options will be confirmed.

What is the usual recovery time

Most women should be able to return to normal daily activities within a few weeks of surgery. The nursing team will help patients walk and move around a few hours after surgery to reduce blood clots’ risk, improve lung function, and expedite bowel function return.

Most patients will require pain medication like NSAIDs and narcotics for a time. Many experience discomfort in the right shoulder due to air irritating the nerves of the diaphragm.

Light bleeding, spotting, and brown or black discharge is common and expected. Sanitary napkins are safe to use.

What aftercare is required?

You should speak with your physician regarding the resumption of exercise and sexual activity. Most can return to basic activities in one to two weeks. Sexual activity is typically restricted for 6–8 weeks to allow the vaginal cuff to heal.

Your doctor will schedule a postoperative examination 1–2 weeks after the procedure to evaluate the incisions.

Danger Signals to look out for after the procedure

You should call your doctor if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, fevers, severe nausea or vomiting, worsening abdominal pain, or the inability to pass gas.

If you experience heavy bleeding, abdominal or pelvic pain, a fever, or pain that increases over 24 hours, call your physician. After any surgery, contact your physician if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Pain not controlled with prescribed medication
• Fever > 101
• Nausea and vomiting
• Calf or leg pain
• Shortness of breath
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Abdominal pain not controlled by pain medication
• Inability to pass gas

What preparations should I make for aftercare at home?

Robotic procedures require very little postoperative care. Keep the incisions clean and dry. Sexual activity should be avoided until cleared by your doctor. One may resume a normal diet the day of surgery and begin light exercise the day after the procedure or when you feel ready.

What information should I provide to my doctors and nurses?

It is very important to provide your doctor with an updated list of all medications, vitamins, and dietary supplements prior to surgery. All medication and food allergies should be reviewed. Share any lab work, radiologic procedures, or other medical tests done by other healthcare providers with your surgeon prior to your procedure.

Still have questions?

Read through any existing comments in the section below and if you still need information on this procedure please do leave your questions in the comments section.

The post Preparing for: Robotic Hysterectomy appeared first on Medika Life.