Hi -- my hysterectomy was related to other surgery, and was performed in a closed operation with a da Vinci. I was up and walking within 12 hours, and actually walked out of the hospital, much to the distress of my nurse who was trying to find a wheelchair I did not need. This was far less incapacitating than any other surgery I have experienced, and it was the only "major" surgery, other than childbirth. I chose this surgeon, who chose my hospital, after six months of research (in 2008). He was one of five doctors I interviewed in as many hospitals, three of them women, and he was the furthest from my home. One of the women I interviewed recommended an open surgery; she was not trained in closed surgeries, said she had not had time to be trained, and did not recommend one versus the other. Now her hospital is trying to advertise itself as the center for such minimally invasive surgeries! If I were required to have the same surgery again, I would choose the same doctor, and again a closed, minimally invasive surgery, but I would opt for a larger hospital, not the regional affiliate that he thought I would like better because I could have a private room. In all, I made three trips to see him, including the surgery. My only regret in choosing a surgeon and hospital so far from home, was using a public restroom less than 24 hours after surgery. Next time, I would stay another day before returning home.

At the time I was unaware that my chronic back pain was related to a mild scoliosis (