What's a hysterectomy?

Removal of uterus: Removal of uterus alone leaving behind the ovaries and fallopian tubes - total hysterectomy. When ovaries are also removed tubes it is called total hy with bilateral salphingo(tubes) opperectomy(ovaries).

Removal of uterus: Some women choose to keep their cervix. Others are not a candidate to keep the cervix. Hysterectomies can be done by an abdominal incision, usually a "bikini" cut, laparoscopy or robotically. Talk with your gynecologist about different options.

Uterus removal: Total hysterectomy is removal of the uterus & cervix. Supracervical removal of the uterus. Increasingly the ovaries are left in place and for good reason as they continue to cycle producing female hormones. Preservation of normal ovaries results in an additional 7-8 years of life in women under 65. If tubes & ovaries are removed bilateral salpingoophorectomy is term added to hysterectomy.