Questions about hysterectomy

I am new here. Wow. What a great and informative site. There is a huge service being done here to all women in this situation. Thanks to everyone who participates.

It looks like a hysterectomy is in my future. I have a large fibroid (anterior, intramural, 8.6 cm max) and it is making my life miserable. I wanted to have a LSH, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. I am probably going to end up having an abdominal hysterectomy. I am going to fight to keep my ovaries and cervix, though. I am wondering about the belly swelling, though. My uterus is already the size of someone 4 months pregnant. How much swelling can I expect and if my belly is already a little distended because of the size of my uterus, can I expect it to be much more swollen than that? I am really trying to get my house in order before this surgery is scheduled and that includes making sure I have some things to wear in an adequate size. My next appointment is on the 24th of March and I believe surgery will be scheduled at that appointment.
Thanks.

GinT - maybe you could look into an LAVH (uterus out through the vagina - 3 very small incisions in the abdomen)? My largest fibroid was 9.6 cm, and this was able to be done. (Of course, you have to find a very experienced surgeon.)

My abdomen was still swollen after the surgery for around 2 to 3 weeks - I needed to wear one size larger than I wore before the surgery for that period of time.

Welcome!

I did not have an abdominal hysterectomy, but even with my minimally invasive procedure, I had considerable swelling. My swelly belly starts just below my bustline. I can't measure it against my belly before surgery, as I had no swelling before surgery. I can tell you that I chose to recuperate in nightgowns, as I did not want anything touching that area and my doctor wanted air to reach my incisions.

For my return to work, I bought the big "granny panties" mentioned here, one size bigger than usual. I only bought three pairs as we do laundry every day. They lasted until my scabs came off, and then I switched to the light control panties that are sold on this site.

I ordered my after-surgery clothes on line, and found them on sale. I bought empire waist dresses (which I combined with cardigans I already had for a more dressy appearance) and pants in my regular size with a fully elasticized waist. Some of my sweater sets were too short or tight, while the longer, fuller styles still fit fine. As far as tops, the baby doll styles in my regular size are the most becoming. Anything that is form fitting shows off the swelly belly!

I don't wear jeans, pajamas or sweatpants so I can't help with the fit for those items.

About 8 months after surgery, I was able to return to wearing my suits, dress pants and skirts. I have bought some tanks in the next size to wear with my suits so that I can camoflauge the swelly belly.

Other hystersisters have not had their swelly bellies as long as I have. I was not physically active before surgery, I had a very stressful job and I was 57 at the time of the surgery, so I think all of that had an effect.

The best thing to counteract the swelly belly IMHO is to take gentle walks as soon as you feel up to it and as soon as the doctor permits. Just walking around the house helps.

Some hystersisters find that the "girls" are smaller after surgery. My bust has gotten considerably smaller, which may be due to my losing the excess estrogen that fed my cancer. But since I was a 46G, I am delighted to be only a 44D now.

I have only gained two pounds in the past year since my surgery which I know was due to too many Christmas cookies. So even though you may look bigger, you may not weigh more!

Best wishes to you. Don't wear yourself out getting ready before the surgery - a little dust and frozen pizza for dinner never hurt anybody.

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Originally Posted by bwonk2003 GinT - maybe you could look into an LAVH (uterus out through the vagina - 3 very small incisions in the abdomen)? My largest fibroid was 9.6 cm, and this was able to be done. (Of course, you have to find a very experienced surgeon.) My abdomen was still swollen after the surgery for around 2 to 3 weeks - I needed to wear one size larger than I wore before the surgery for that period of time.

Thanks. That helps a lot. I might consider the LAVH, but I really wanted to keep my cervix. Also, my doc said if I have this one, I will need to do some Lupron first and I am not happy about that at all. I don't do well when my hormones get out of whack. I have never been able to take BC pills or HRT because of it.

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Originally Posted by GinT It looks like a hysterectomy is in my future. I have a large fibroid (anterior, intramural, 8.6 cm max) and it is making my life miserable.

Have you considered a UFE? Have you spoken to an experienced Interventional Radiologist?

That was the size of my larger fibroid; after 3 months it shrank 50%.

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Originally Posted by centralNJ Have you considered a UFE? Have you spoken to an experienced Interventional Radiologist? That was the size of my larger fibroid; after 3 months it shrank 50%.

Wow. That's awesome. Here's the thing..... I am a medical transcriptionist. The pathologist I type for told me that the radiologist can't always "hit the right spot". If they do, it doesn't always shrink very much and then you are stuck carrying around a large fibroid uterus, possibly subjecting yourself to prolapse or having to get a hysterectomy anyway. I did think about having a UFE. My initial reaction was to avoid a hysterectomy at all costs, but I don't want to have to ever revisit this problem again, so that's why I decided to have the hysterectomy. I might rethink this, though, if yours shrunk that much.

I do know an ablation would be a total waste of time in my situation.

Monday I have surgery and I am so glad that I stumbled upon this site it has help me with answers to questions that I had but forgot to ask my dr. Best wishes to all1

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Originally Posted by GinT Wow. That's awesome. Here's the thing..... I am a medical transcriptionist. The pathologist I type for told me that the radiologist can't always "hit the right spot". If they do, it doesn't always shrink very much and then you are stuck carrying around a large fibroid uterus, possibly subjecting yourself to prolapse or having to get a hysterectomy anyway. I did think about having a UFE. My initial reaction was to avoid a hysterectomy at all costs, but I don't want to have to ever revisit this problem again, so that's why I decided to have the hysterectomy. I might rethink this, though, if yours shrunk that much. I do know an ablation would be a total waste of time in my situation.

What does a pathologist know about interventional radiology?

There is so much mis-information going around.

Women need to speak to the right professional.

My IR was <oops! name of physician removed per site guidelines!>. If you read his resume, you will find that he is an extremely experienced and highly regarded in his field. I was lucky to find someone of his expertise. I would trust his judgment on the effectiveness of a UFE for my fibroids more than from a pathologist.

Every woman is different. Age, location/type of fibroids will determine whether a UFE would be a good option. But you must speak to someone who is a SPECIALIST on the procedure. What does it hurt to talk except the co-pay?

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Originally Posted by centralNJ What does a pathologist know about interventional radiology? There is so much mis-information going around. Women need to speak to the right professional. My IR was <oops! name of physician removed per site guidelines!>. If you read his resume, you will find that he is an extremely experienced and highly regarded in his field. I was lucky to find someone of his expertise. I would trust his judgment on the effectiveness of a UFE for my fibroids more than from a pathologist. Every woman is different. Age, location/type of fibroids will determine whether a UFE would be a good option. But you must speak to someone who is a SPECIALIST on the procedure. What does it hurt to talk except the co-pay?

Yea. I think I am going to set up an appointment to at least talk to someone. I can't feel good about my decision if I don't at least talk to someone about it. I would always wonder if that would have been better for me I think.

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Originally Posted by GinT Thanks. That helps a lot. I might consider the LAVH, but I really wanted to keep my cervix. Also, my doc said if I have this one, I will need to do some Lupron first and I am not happy about that at all. I don't do well when my hormones get out of whack. I have never been able to take BC pills or HRT because of it.

I did not need to take Lupron first even though the largest was 9.6 cm. as mentioned! I have the same kinds of hormone issues and was very opposed to it as well. (Although, I was told that if I postponed the surgery, I would have to take it.)
Maybe you can check in with another gyn or look for surgeons who specialize in the procedure?

If you're told you have to take Lupron anyway, than maybe you can consider just LSH after all? Have you gotten a 2nd opinion?