May be done through the abdomen or the vagina . The uterus may be completely removed, partially removed, or may be removed with the tubes and ovaries. A partial hysterectomy is removal of just the upper portion of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact. A total hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus and the cervix.
Most patients recover completely from hysterectomy.
The average hospital stay is from 2 to 3 days. Complete recovery may require 2 weeks to 2 months. Recovery from a vaginal hysterectomy is faster than from an abdominal hysterectomy. A catheter may remain in place for several days to help the bladder pass urine. Moving about as soon as possible helps to avoid blood clots in the legs and other problems.