A List to Take Your Next Appointment

Do you know the latest? Does your Doctor?

If your doctor has recommended a hysterectomy for you, there are some very important things to consider.

Take these questions to your next appointment and ask your doctor the following:

How many hysterectomies do you perform each year?

What percent are abdominal?

Laparoscopic?

If your doctor only performs a few laparoscopic surgeries per year, you should consider a more qualified surgeon.

Would you recommend a laparoscopic hysterectomy for me?

If yes, how many laparoscopic hysterectomies do you perform each year?

If no, ask why. If you don’t feel comfortable with the answer, consider a new doctor.

If no, you should strongly consider a second opinion.

How often do you remove the cervix?

Be aware of a Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy option.

How often do you remove the ovaries?

If ovaries are normal, the current recomendation is for the ovaries not be removed at the time of hysterectomy unless 65 and older or if there is a benefit because of a personal history of breast cancer or a family history of ovarian cancer. There are certain gynecologic pathologic conditions of the ovaries that may benefit from removal, but we no longer remove normal ovaries in young women without an indication.

What is your conversion rate from laparoscopy to abdominal incision?

A conversion is where the doctor begins a laparoscopic surgery but decides to change to a more invasive abdominal surgery. The number should be less than 5 percent

What is your complication rate?

Major complications should be under 5 percent.