Once you are asleep you will be positioned, lying on your back with your legs supported in foot supports or flat on the bed.
An abdominal and pelvic exam is often performed to help plan out the incisions and approach.
The abdomen, vagina and cervix are then cleaned with a special solution to prevent infection.
Your body will be covered by a sterile sheet to protect you during the surgery.
A small tube (Foley catheter) will be placed in your bladder to keep it empty for the procedure.
An incision is made on the skin and continued through the various layers of the abdomen. The size and location of this incision will vary as previously mentioned.
A survey of the abdominal and pelvic organs is performed at the start of the procedure.
The surgery is performed and any specimens that are removed are sent to pathology to be looked at under the microscope. This process takes up to 4-6 weeks.
When the surgery is complete, the surgeon removes all instruments from your abdomen and pelvis.
The layers of the abdomen are closed individually.
The skin may be closed with dissolvable stitches or staples that are removed after surgery.