How it Works

There will always be common risks involved in all surgical procedures, such as infection, incorrect healing, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and subsequent pain. Our doctors are passionate about making sure you feel educated and empowered to make the decision that’s best for your body. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to gynecology, even if you might have experience with doctors in the past that took this approach. WCJC will never recommend a procedure to a patient unless we truly believe it is a safe and viable option to address their concerns.

WCJC physicians perform vaginal hysterectomies at Olathe Medical Center and Advent Health Shawnee Mission. The procedure takes 1 to 3 hours.

While most insurance companies typically cover Vaginal Hysterectomies in Kansas City, it’s best to confirm your exact coverage with your insurance provider ahead of your appointment. Out-of-pocket costs could include co-pays, prescription co-pays (if necessary), and even a portion of the procedure itself. If you are still unclear of your coverage after speaking with your insurance carrier, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any additional questions you might have.

The Vaginal Hysterectomy procedure was originally created to help patients achieve similar goals as Abdominal Hysterectomies, but with less downtime. Although every patient is different and recovery is contingent on lifestyle, the nature of your work, and medical history, recovery time after a Vaginal Hysterectomy can range from 2 to 4 weeks. We typically tell patients they should not engage in sexual intercourse, lift anything heavy, or return to full activities until 6 weeks after their surgery.

We will carefully review the potential side effects of Vaginal Hysterectomy before your procedure. This may include bloody vaginal discharge (wearing a pad after surgery should suffice), pain, swelling, and/or a numbness. If you choose to get a Vaginal Hysterectomy as part of a BSO, you will begin menopause immediately following your procedure, which comes with a separate set of side effects.

The team at WCJC will do everything we can to make you feel comfortable during and after your Vaginal Hysterectomy. Pain should be expected, as with any surgery. However, a Vaginal Hysterectomy typically results in less pain than procedures that require a large abdominal incision. We will encourage you throughout your hospital stay and even after you return home to keep in contact with us regarding your pain and comfort levels to ensure we make recommendations for you based on your unique experience and needs.

In addition to the pre-procedural exam and actual procedure (requiring a short 1 to 3 day hospital stay), we will also have you return to our office for follow-up appointments after 2 weeks and after 6 weeks.

Because Vaginal Hysterectomy is considered a major surgery, we require a variety of steps leading up to the procedure, including an exam, a medical records review, and a consultation to discuss what to expect, aftercare, etc.

• Please use the narcotic pain medication prescribed only as needed. Narcotics will increase constipation and can exacerbate pain with bowel movements.
• It is important to take a stool softener such as Colace® while taking narcotic pain medication such as Percocet or Vicodin. Please purchase a stool softener before your surgery.
• You may take “over the counter” pain relievers that do not contain aspirin, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®). Do not exceed the daily recommended dose.
• If the pain is not relieved by pain medication, becomes worse, or you have difficulty breathing, call our office.

• You may resume the diet you had prior to surgery.
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.

• For the first several days after surgery, the bowel is usually less active. You may not have a regular bowel movement right away depending on your pre-op bowel prep or pain medication use.
• Narcotic pain medication (Percocet, Vicodin, hydrocodone or oxycodone) will increase constipation. Regular bowel movements may be less frequent.
• If constipation should occur:
  • Drink more fluids
  • Continue to take a stool softener such as Colace® until constipation resolves
  • Take a mild laxative such as Milk of Magnesia®

• Mild abdominal swelling can occur following surgery due to slowing of the bowels.
• Swelling of the hands and lower extremities is common due to fluids given during surgery.
• If you have swelling of the calves that is persistent or associated with redness, call our office.

• It is normal to feel tired for a few days after surgery. Listen to your body and do not overdo it.
• We encourage walking immediately after surgery, as tolerated. You should NOT be bedridden after surgery, as continued movement will prevent prolonged recovery times due to “deconditioning.”
• If you could climb stairs un-aided prior to surgery, you may resume climbing stairs on discharge home.
• No strenuous activities such as heavy lifting (greater than 10 pounds or a gallon of milk), pushing or pulling for six weeks.
• You should avoid abdominal exercise until six weeks.
• Do not drive while taking prescription pain medication or if your level of discomfort could inhibit your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
• You may return to work after 2-6 weeks, provided that heavy lifting is not a job requirement. Recovery times vary from patient to patient. Your doctor will make recommendations based on your specific case.
• You may shower the day after surgery and take a bath after six weeks. You must also wait six weeks to go into a swimming pool, hot tub, or the ocean.

• Light vaginal bleeding, spotting or brown discharge are common for up to two weeks after surgery.

Note: If you have heavy, bright red vaginal bleeding, call our office. Bleeding that fills a pad in one hour is considered heavy bleeding.

• Avoid placing anything (i.e. tampons, douching, and sexual intercourse) in the vagina for eight weeks.
• Vaginal closure disruption can occur if sexual intercourse is resumed before healing is complete and will require additional surgery, which can lead to shortening of the vagina and painful intercourse.

You should schedule a follow-up post-operative appointment at two weeks and at six weeks.

You should call your WCJC office if you are experiencing…

• A fever higher than 100.4º F
• Increasing pain not controlled by pain medication
• Inability to eat or drink without vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Inability to empty your bladder
• Redness and tenderness at the incision site, or a large amount of drainage
• Heavy, bright red vaginal bleeding, or foul smelling discharge. You can expect to have a small amount of reddish-brown colored discharge for up to two weeks. Do not be alarmed by this.

If you feel you need to be seen urgently, please go to the Emergency Department where your surgery was performed so that our physicians may care for you.

Any questions regarding your surgery or post-operative recovery should be directed to the staff at the Women’s Clinic of Johnson County rather than your Primary Care Physician.