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COPYRIGHT 2005 South Florida Sun-Sentinal
Byline: Chris Young
For years, Derrell Edwards lived with constant back pain from a large benign tumor in her uterus. But when her doctor suggested having a hysterectomy _ the surgical removal of the uterus _ she worried about the pain, recovery time and possible complications.
Instead, Edwards, 41, got a second opinion from Dr. Stephen Zimberg at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Fla. Zimberg recommended a minimally invasive, laparoscopic hysterectomy _ requiring just three small incisions in her abdomen. Recovery time would be one week, compared to the six weeks required after a typical hysterectomy.
On July 21, doctors removed most of Edwards' uterus, which was about the size of a volleyball due to the tumor. The next day she went home, walked around the house in a loose-fitting shirt and shorts, and even put away the dishes.
"It was a breeze," she said. "I would recommend it to anyone."
A small number of doctors are increasingly promoting minimally invasive hysterectomy for its quicker recovery time. Many women are praising the option. But most gynecologists aren't qualified to do it....
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