Hysterectomy | Santa Fe OBGYN
Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH)
and Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH)

At Santa Fe OBGYN, we offer advanced minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures that allow for quicker recovery, smaller incisions, and less disruption to your life. Our experienced surgeons perform both Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) & Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH). These techniques are safe, effective, and designed with your comfort and long-term wellness in mind.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy involves small abdominal incisions used to guide instruments and cameras. The uterus is detached laparoscopically and then removed through the vagina. This method is ideal when a vaginal hysterectomy alone isn’t possible due to anatomy or previous surgeries.

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy is performed entirely through small abdominal incisions using a camera and laparoscopic tools. The uterus and cervix are removed in pieces through the vagina or through a small incision. TLH provides excellent visualization and is especially useful when a full view of the pelvis is needed.

We’ll always explore non-surgical options first, but when surgery is the right path, our goal is the most minimally invasive option possible. Our surgical team is highly trained in minimally invasive gynecologic procedures, and we perform LAVH with the highest standards of safety and compassion. We believe in clear communication, shared decision-making, and care that respects your body and your voice.

If you’re struggling with pelvic pain or uterine symptoms, you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Santa Fe OBGYN we’re committed to helping you make well-informed decisions that align with your lifestyle & long-term health.

Hysterectomy
Santa Fe OBGYN
Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH)
& Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH)

At Santa Fe OBGYN, we offer advanced minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures that allow for quicker recovery, smaller incisions, and less disruption to your life. Our experienced surgeons perform both Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) & Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH). These techniques are safe, effective, and designed with your comfort and long-term wellness in mind.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy involves small abdominal incisions used to guide instruments and cameras. The uterus is detached laparoscopically and then removed through the vagina. This method is ideal when a vaginal hysterectomy alone isn’t possible due to anatomy or previous surgeries.

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy is performed entirely through small abdominal incisions using a camera and laparoscopic tools. The uterus and cervix are removed in pieces through the vagina or through a small incision. TLH provides excellent visualization and is especially useful when a full view of the pelvis is needed.

We’ll always explore non-surgical options first, but when surgery is the right path, our goal is the most minimally invasive option possible.

Our surgical team is highly trained in minimally invasive gynecologic procedures, and we perform LAVH with the highest standards of safety and compassion. We believe in clear communication, shared decision-making, and care that respects your body and your voice. If you’re struggling with ongoing pelvic or uterine symptoms, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Let’s explore your treatment options together.

Hysterectomy

Reasons for Hysterectomy

You & your OBGYN may consider hysterectomy if you’re experiencing:

• Heavy or irregular periods
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Uterine prolapse
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Precancerous or cancerous changes of the uterus or cervix

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy:

• Less postoperative pain
• Smaller incisions and minimal scarring
• Reduced blood loss and infection risk
• Quicker recovery (often 2–4 weeks)
• Outpatient or overnight hospital stay

Is Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy Right for You?

Not all hysterectomies can be performed laparoscopically. Your doctor will assess several factors including:

• Size and position of the uterus
• History of abdominal or pelvic surgeries
• Overall health and healing capacity

We’ll help you make well-informed decisions that align with your lifestyle & long-term health.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy FAQs

What exactly is Laparoscopic Hysterectomy?

Laparoscopic hysterectomy is removal of the uterus through small incisions on the abdominal wall. Hysterectomies can either be partial or total. A total hysterectomy means that we are removing the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. A partial hysterectomy implies that we are not removing either the cervix or the ovaries or both. Laparoscopic hysterectomy has the benefit of having a shorter hospital stay and recovery with less pain due to smaller incisions. Laparoscopic assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy is done when we are removing the cervix. Ovaries can be removed or left in place.

Who is not a candidate for Laparoscopic Hysterectomy?

If you have an indication for hysterectomy, the majority of the time, you are a candidate for laparoscopic hysterectomy. Only if the uterus is too large that it obstructs the ability to see around it, or if there is scar tissue that limits the ability to see or operate safely, would you not be a candidate for Laparoscopic Hysterectomy.

How is Laparoscopic Hysterectomy performed?

In the hospital, under general anesthesia, three small (1 cm) incisions are made on the abdomen, one near the belly button and the others on the right and left side of the lower abdomen. A needle is placed into the abdomen and we fill the abdominal cavity with CO2 gas so that we can see. Trocar ports, or plastic tubes, are place through the incisions. A camera is placed through the belly button incision and laparoscopic instruments are placed through the other two ports to do your surgery. During the abdominal portion of surgery, the ligaments and blood vessels of the uterus are cauterized and separated from the pelvic ligaments. Vaginally, we will remove the cervix and uterus through the vaginal incisions. We often remove the fallopian tubes ever if leaving the ovaries as it is thought that a component of what is considered to be ovarian cancer, may in fact be fallopian tube cancer.

When is hysterectomy indicated?

Hysterectomy is indicated for treatment of heavy bleeding, painful periods, fibroids, endometriosis, recurrent ovarian cysts, endometrial hyperplasia, recurrent abnormal pap smears, and uterine cancer.

Why would I leave my ovaries?

Ovaries function to produce hormones. If we remove the ovaries, we are, in effect, creating a “surgical menopause”. If you are postmenopausal, there is no reason to leave your ovaries in place and we would recommend consideration of removal to minimize the risk of future ovarian cancer which is hard to detect early. If you are pre-menopausal and your ovaries appear normal, we will often recommend we leave the ovaries in place to minimize the side effects associated with menopause such as hot flushes, mood changed, vaginal dryness. If you are perimenopausal and already experiencing a lot of these symptoms, then it would be a personal choice to leave the ovaries or remove them.

How many laparoscopic hysterectomies has Dr. Martinez performed?

Dr. Martinez trained at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston from 1992-1996 and received extensive laparoscopic training in hysterectomies as well as all laparoscopic surgeries including treatment of fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and pelvic pain. Dr. Martinez performs the majority of her hysterectomies laparoscopically due to the optimized 2-4 week recovery time and overnight hospital stay associated with laparoscopic hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomy requires, on average, a three day postoperative stay with a 6-8 week recovery. Dr. Martinez tries to avoid hysterectomy whenever possible by utilizing alternative, minimally invasive procedures, such as her in-office Novasure Endometrial Ablation. However, when hysterectomy is indicated, Dr. Martinez is an extremely experience surgeon in this technique and has performed over 500 laparoscopic hysterectomies to

Drs. Martinez has received extensive laparoscopic training in hysterectomies as well as all laparoscopic surgeries including treatment of fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and pelvic pain. She performs the majority of their hysterectomies laparoscopically due to the optimized 3-4 week recovery time and overnight hospital stay associated with laparoscopic hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomy requires, on average, a two- to three-day postoperative stay with a 6-8 week recovery. Dr. Martinez tries to avoid hysterectomy whenever possible by utilizing alternative, minimally invasive procedures, such as the in-office Novasure Endometrial Ablation. However, when hysterectomy is indicated, you are in the hands of an extremely experienced surgeon in this technique who has performed hundreds of laparoscopic surgeries to date.

Hysterectomy | Santa Fe OBGYN Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) and Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH)