My doc...I asked all the questions...VERY satisfied...

Well, I had my pre-op discussion with my doc today. I just love her. She is just awesome. I will highlight categories to give you the lowdown on the questions I asked.

Question: If I had mild dysplasia, treated with cryo 8 years ago, why do you recommend that we surgically remove my cervix now after clean paps?

Answer: She says HPV doesn't go away and even clean pap smears now can turn negative if the immune system goes into a tailspin....very likely at some point during the aging process or stressful situation. It is also more difficult to remove the second time around, surgery more difficult as we age and riskier, chance of dysplasia return increases with each passing year. It's even more difficult to re-approach it from a surgical standpoint.

Question: I worry that if you remove my cervix, my orgasm will be affected.

Answer: VERY few women she has seen have reported this sexual dysfunction, and nearly ALL her patients say they feel better because there is no pain, freedom from bleeding, and no fear of pregnancy anymore. She said there is some speculation that uterine contractions may intensify it in some, but her research and careful followup with her patients have produced very positive comments......orgasm unchanged unless ovaries removed too. She said, "It's all in the clitoris". Now I must say that I really love her candidness.

Question: What about vaginal shortening?

Answer: She said a women with a good tone to begin with will have no trouble whatsover and even most post-menopausal women can have great success with patience and practice. In her words, "Unless he is 'this' big", (and held out her arms), you won't have a problem. I nearly fell off my chair laughing!

Question: How big will my incision be?

Answer: About 3-4 inches long. She likes to keep them as small as possible.

Question: Will I have stitches or staples?

Answer: Neither. She likes to stitch everything from the inside very neatly, then apply surgical glue. She said I probably will barely know it's there within a very short time, just like my other laparoscopic scars that she had to practically look at with a magnifiying glass.

She also said I can shower normally, swim within several weeks as long as I don't "soak too long". She said to walk a lot and drink a lot of fluids. Take it easy for a few days, then gradually increase activity. Stop if I begin to feel fatigued. Slowing training in the post-op olympics seems to be the plan.

Ladies, I feel just GREAT. I can't wait to be done.....next Wednesday.

Oh, one more thing.....she said I will have WAY less gas than my myomectomy because that was four hours long and I was filled with gas. I asked if anything REALLY helps, like MOM or Gas-X etc. She said it may, but not as much as good old fashioned walking. Also, a BIGGIE here.....The less opiates consumed the better the bowel function!

I don't like to be drugged much myself. I took opiates for a few days after my last surgery, then it was Ibuprofen. She gave me a prescription for Darvoset this time and will hook me up with Delautid (sp?) in the self-administering unit upon waking.

The one icky thing....cathether when I wake, but it can be removed right away.

She thinks I will do just great and that I will feel like a new person after all of the problems I've had.

One final note that corresponds with my Doc's opinion on sex afterwards. Both my sis-in-law and my mother said their orgasms never changed. If anything they are better. I feel completely confident now will definately go TAH, sparing ovaries. I never thought I'd say I'm actually looking forward to being pampered at the castle....piece of cake!

Take care,

Jackie

Jackie,

Thanks for sharing all this info. I will be thinking about you until next week is through.

This info helped me some and should help others as well.

Judy

You're welcome, Judy. I think I'm not AS afraid since I've had BIG surgery before, but this one can tug a bit more due to emotions and such as I've never had children. Also, my independent nature and need to be in control of my actions lends some fear of being drugged, like I may say something strange and won't remember, etc.

My uterus has become a battleground and must go. I have been blessed with many wonderful friends and family members in this lifetime. For those who are lonely or shy, it's great to have this forum.....to seek those with whom we have so much in common. We must answer and welcome destiny with faith and a good attitude. It will do none of us any good to lament over things we cannot change.

In my case, my hyst was actually recommended because I've been so sick and have endured painful periods and fibroids for almost 13 years now....DONE! Other surgery has been tried and my doc KNOWS that endometrial ablation, among others will just be temporary with my numerous, aggressive tumors. I'm not very cracked up on those little pellets being inserted into my veins either.....could be dangerous.

Oh well.....IT IS WHAT IT IS! This is life, but this is one thing that really WILL have a positive end!

Ladies, surgery is not what you think.....request the anti-nausea meds in your IV. Don't insist on Ice or food (did this once) unless the nurses LET you. You can really make yourself sick....I know because I did this after my MYO and puked all afternoon....not fun with a sore belly. Have a positive attitude. The pain is very, very manageable....it is a soreness, rather than a pulsing, aching experience, especially when you move or walk. You will feel stiff as a board and take tiny baby steps....teaches you how to slow down, which serves as a lesson in patience....trust me.

I'm not crazy about the catheter this time around, but oh well, pain meds make you not care.

Take care,

Jackie