Hysterectomy in Central Texas

Vital to a woman's health, any uterus with painful fibroids, pelvic organ prolapse, or treatment-resistant endometriosis may need to be removed. One of our board-certified OBGYNs (Drs. Teresa Irwin, Barrett Blaue, Kari Fay, Beth Reid, and Brittney Schumann, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., M.D., F.A.C.O.G.) or board-eligible obstetrician-gynecologist (Dr. Lauren Hermann) can make the decision to remove part or all of the uterus with a hysterectomy. The Caring Center for Women is proud to offer the traditional open-hysterectomy and the da Vinci robotics-assisted hysterectomy in Central Texas. Our group was the first to bring in the da Vinci System to the San Antonio – Austin Corridor, and we perform more robotics-assisted hysterectomies than any other group in our area.

A hysterectomy is the surgical elimination of a woman's uterus. It can be performed as either an open (also known as traditional) surgery or as a laparoscopic robotic-assisted da Vinci surgery by one of our doctors. If you have been referred to us by your primary care physician, tried other treatments without success, or have a medical concern to discuss with an experienced OBGYN, call our practice today. You can schedule a private consultation with one of our doctors to learn more.

All our hysterectomies are performed at an accredited medical facility and usually take about two hours to complete. Our practice offers two types of hysterectomies:

Traditional or open hysterectomy
A traditional or open hysterectomy is the most common method performed by our doctors. This surgery consists of a single large incision across the abdomen, the uterus is then removed with your surgeon's hands, and the incision site is stitched closed. Typically, patients will need to stay in the hospital for 2 – 3 days.

Laparoscopic and da Vinci hysterectomy
A laparoscopic hysterectomy is performed using a laparoscope or tube-like device that has a camera attached to the end. Usually, three small incisions are made in the abdomen, which allows for the insertion of the laparoscope to remove the uterus.

In a da Vinci hysterectomy, your doctor will make several small incisions in the abdomen. Using long tools and a camera, your doctor will go through the incisions to start the removal of your uterus. The surgeon will have a magnified view in a monitor to visually assist and the robotic hands to help control movements with the tools in the removal of your uterus. Once the uterus is out, your incisions will be closed, and you will be sent to recovery. You may be in the hospital for 1 – 2 days. Compared to a traditional hysterectomy, these method limits the amount of scarring on the skin and may reduce recovery time.

After a hysterectomy, you will no longer have a menstrual period or have the ability to become pregnant. In some cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes may be removed in addition to the uterus. If the ovaries are extracted, it will cause the body to enter menopause despite your age. We understand that surgery may not be for everyone, and we will educate you on all your treatment options before resorting to a partial or full hysterectomy. 

If you have been suffering from chronic abnormal bleeding during your menstrual cycle, pelvic pain, or extreme discomfort due to uterine fibroids, call our practice today to learn how the progression of options before and after a hysterectomy can improve your health. We have a large team of board-certified OBGYN professionals who are dedicated to helping you receive the care you need.