Fibroids and hysterectomy anyone ever....

[Lynn CC]

go through this? I Just went to the doctor today after having some tests done and they did a biopsy. They suggest I have surgery. I thought they didn't have to cut your stomach to do this surgery now. She says it's a bikini cut from hip to hip, with a 2-4 day hospital stay, then a 4 - 6 week recoery.....I shutter just thinking of it. I'm too busy for this and too chicken!

 

[peg2001]

Get a second opinion, and a third opinion, and a fourth opinion. They are so eager to "hack and slash" that you really need to be aggressive in your own research to determine what you want to do. There are some new treatments out there. Are they appropriate for you? I don't know, but you should find out.

Good luck.
Peggy

 

[SuiteDisney]

I didn't have fibroids, but I have had a hysterectomy. They did it ******lly.

 

[FOJMO]

It's funny (not really) but I can't GET my gyno to agree to surgery. I want this fibroid thing OUT of me! It's been there for years, and is the size of a 4 month pregnancy, so they tell me.

It's not shrinking, even though I've been through menopause. I would LOVE to have a hysterectomy. I've never even used this equipment (I've never gotten pregnant -- we adopted) and I say "who needs it?"

As for the incision, it may be too big to take ******lly. They can only do it that way if it's smaller.

 

[jel0511]

First off, I agree get a second opinion. A few doctors have started using the laproscope to perform hysterectomy, where they use a scope through the belly button. It does shorten the hospital stay(as well as scar), but the post-op recovery time is the same. The "cut" they use is the same the use when you have a c-section, I know I have that scar to prove it!!! I have had polyps in my uterus removed, luckly all have been benign, but it does put me at an increased risk for a hysterectomy, so I try to keep up on my research in case the next time I have some polyps removed and the results aren't as good, I'll be prepared. Good luck to you.

 

[maleficent1959]

Two of my aunts went through this recently. Both had had c-sections and didn't find that the hysterectomy was any worse than what they went though with those -- not that it was a cakewalk mind you. In fact, one of my aunts was more worried about being able to still wear a bikini than the actual surgery and recovery

I would get another opinion though. With my first pregnancy my doctor told me I had a big fibroid that I might have to have removed. Now in my second pregnancy my current (and much better) doctor can't find any trace of the supposed fibroid and told me the surgery the first doctor proposed would have been unnecessary.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I've had 2 hysterectomies...one to remove the uterus and then the ovaries. They had to cut me the bikini cut the first time and then vertically (belly-button to pubic bone) the 2nd time. I wanted it v@*inally, but my gyn said there's no way due to the fibroids and endometriosis. It's a good thing because the endometriosis had spread to my tissue around the bladder. It was a mess. Sorry if I offended anybody.

I had a 2nd opinion and the other doctors agreed with the diagnosis. I totally trust my gyn and he doesn't do surgery just for the money. Anyway, make sure you trust your gyn and he will take care of you. You will also HAVE to get a 2nd opinion for insurance anyway.

Good luck!

 

[luvdzny]

I had it done when I was 30, right after my DD was born. I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!! The only time I regretted it was right after I woke up after the surgery, I was in a bit of pain - but it was well worth it. I don't miss it at all!

 

[Pamlur]

I had mine 30 years ago (by way of the "v" word); the doctor told me later that he discovered enormous fibroids during the surgery. So, if they could do it that way even with large fibroids 30 years ago, they should be able to do it that way now.

 

[obnurse2003]

Each case is SO different. You may have other factors that your doc is taking into consideration with the abdominal procedure. With adhesions (scar tissue) you can have adherence to the bowels and would need to have open abdominal surgery to do this safely. The size of the fibroid(s) is also a huge consideration.

In my career, I have never had a woman regret a hysterectomy done for this reason. With fibroids your life can be SO limited due to the side effects, that most women feel like a new person once they recover from surgery.

I encourage anyone to get a second opinion when they are in doubt. Your doctor would most certainly agree I am sure. I know many, many women who beg to have hysterectomies done due to symptomatic fibroids and/or endometriosis but their doctor's keep putting them off. THAT, I don't understand.

I remember a patient asking the doctor before her surgery, that with the "bikini-cut" scar, would she be able to wear a bikini.

He said, sure, of course you will.

And she smiled and said: Good, 'cuz I could never wear one before!!! (sorry!)

 

[Lynn CC]

Thanks so much for the replies, I feel a little bit better now. I should read up on it because I don't know anything about the subject...sometimes I feel if I don't know about it, it won't happen to me, When it does I like to be informed. I wish the surgeon that did my last 2 surgeries(appendix and breast lump) could do this too, but he can't
This is the first time I went to this GYN(mine retired), how do I know if she's expereinced enough without directly coming out and asking her. She's new to the area.
One good thing to look forward to is no more side effects from the fibroids, I was a little surprised when she said they were the size that compared to being 13 - 14 weeks pregnant. No wonder I feel like I have an abdominal toothache most of the month.
Thanks again~ if anyone else has anything to add feel free, good or bad I want to know everything.

 

[Bildmouse]

Just had it done four weeks ago and should have had it done a lot sooner. I might be an exception but after waking up with quite a bit of pain in the recovery room it was a breeze after that. I had a morphine pump for the first 24 hours, one percocet after the pump and nothing but motrin 600 since. I had a bikini cut which has healed nicely.

 

[Eiblis]

hi....
and depending on the side effects of ur fibroids, that will tell you if you need the op. I agree to get another opinion if you are not sure tho. Best thing my gyn said to me was....."Are you emotionally attached to your womb"
I have to say......my reply was a definite NO by then.

I had hysterectomy at age of 34, my youngest daughter was just 5 (It had been diagnosed 3 years previously, and I had tried various drugs to treat it, make it shrink, nothing worked) By the time they operated I was told it was the size of a 24 week foetus.


Seriously though,,for the sake of 4-6 weeks recovery, was the BEST thing I have ever done. No regrets at all. I also had it done through V. Altho had been told they might try keyhole or if not it would be bikini line. TBH at that stage I really didnt care.

Feel free to pm me if you want to know anymore.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I had one about 12 years ago. I thought at 24 I was way to young for that , I know now that I would have died had I not done it. I had one surgery and I'm so glad my Doctor did it all at one time . I have a friend that had to go 3 times before they took everything out . They did it the same way as *********** and it was not that bad at all. My navel has a small scar that looks a bit strange but unless you are looking close you wouldnt know it .

If you need it.... you need it.... I know you are scared and maybe the thought of not being able to have children is a factor for you . Try not to be afraid it really will be ok . But I agree you need to see more then one Dr. before you do it I saw 4 !

Wishing you a Tagged night ~

 

[wdw4us]

My fibroid was the size of a softball. They took it out the V way in pieces. The hysterectomy was done that way and the recovery was so much easier then if I had been cut. I had 2 c sections so I know of what I speak. I was in pain about 1/2 day and that's it. Of course compared to the paid I had for years with the tumor, it was a cakewalk.

My doctor was very experienced with the V way but some Dr's aren't or their may be factors that won't allow him/her to do it that way. There was always the possibility that they would have to cut if they ran into a problem but they didn't

Best thing I ever did, I don't miss any of that monthly stuff. I still have my ovaries so I don't need hormones. The best of both worlds.

denise

 

[Pinnie]

Best thing I ever did 13 yrs ago!!! I had the hipbone to hipbone cut and it healed nicely. The recovery took every bit of the 6 weeks, however. I also had my ovaries removed due to pre-cancerous cysts and have been on an estrogen patch ever since.

Love planning a vacation and not having to pack any "supplies"


pinnie

 

[Eiblis]

Originally posted by Pinnie


Love planning a vacation and not having to pack any "supplies"


pinnie

Now that bit is the very best bit......altho have 2 teenage DD's now....so ......had to pack supplies for them.

Other great bit is not 'having' to choose dark trousers....if u know what i mean

 

[Poohbear123]

my right Ovary. I WANT a Hysterectomy, but the Doc. Won't give me one! He has the "wait and see" attitude. Wait and See WHAT?? Till its too late? I go back on the 9th of Sep. for ANOTHER Ultra Sound!

 

[dumboiu]

I just lost a very dear friend to a very, very nasty cancer (leiomyosarcoma) which the physician (for years) said was "just" a very large fibroid.

I would definitely seek another opinion.......and make sure you have all the appropriate tests. Even though there is a very, very small chance that a fibriod would be cancerous, it can and does happen.