Hysterectomy—Laparoscopic Surgery Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have hysterectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Reactions to anesthesia
• Pain
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Fatigue
• Injured pelvic organs (bowel and/or bladder)
• Urinary incontinence (problems controlling your urine)
• Loss of ovarian function and early menopause
• Depression
• Sexual dysfunction

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Heart or lung disease
• Diabetes
• Previous pelvic surgery or serious infection
• Use of medicines during the past month

Discuss the risks with your doctor before surgery.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, leakage, or any discharge from the incision site
• Incision opens up
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Dizziness or fainting
• Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
• Heavy bleeding
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
• Pain, burning, urgency or frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
• Swelling, redness, or pain in your leg

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.