Do You Really Need Surgery?: A Sensible Guide to Hysterectomy and Other Procedures for Women »

"A wonderfully comprehensive and much-needed primer for women faced with the option of gynecologic surgery." --Peter Clarke and Susan H. Evans, authors of Surviving Modern Medicine: How to Get the Best from Doctors, Family, and Friends

"A must-read for women who are contemplating surgery. Drs. Moore and de Costa demystify medical jargon and present the facts in a nonjudgmental manner. With this book in hand, women will be able to share information with their friends and family and feel better equipped to articulate exactly what surgery they anticipate having and why."--Dr. Tanya DeWitt, Department of OB-GYN, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center

At last, here is a user-friendly guide to gynecologic surgery. The authors' guiding principle is that each woman for whom any kind of surgery is recommended should be well informed about the indications, the risks, and the expected results.

Using anecdotes drawn from a combined fifty years of experience, doctors Moore and de Costa provide clear and accurate information about women's anatomy, physiology, common gynecological ailments, diagnosis, alternative treatments, and, finally, full details about surgery itself. Among the surgeries discussed are removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), and removal of fibroids. The various ways of performing these procedures are examined, including minimally invasive surgery done through the laparoscope.

The authors also help the patient through the post-operative phase, revealing what to expect, how to make the recovery easier, and how to take care of yourself after the surgery. The result is a book that empowers women as they weigh their options with regard togynecologic surgery.

Michele Moore, M.D., the author of The Only Menopause Guide You'll Need, is a family physician specializing in women's health. Caroline M. de Costa, M.D., a gynecologist and obstetrician, is a mother of seven who has herself undergone a hysterectomy.