Choice between TVH and TAH

Has anybody opted to have TAH instead of TVH. I plan on discussing this with my GYN but it has weighed very heavy on me. I have been alot of vaginal pain with my symptoms and had an unexplaineable vaginal hemorage after my cold cone that sent me back to the ER/OR earlier this year. I have had 3 kids vaginally and epesiotomy (spelling?) with my son that ended really badly...in bed for 3 months (long story). My doc suggested vaginally but we haven't had time to discuss it yet. The more I think about this I do not want a TVH...The fear that I will end up with more vag/pain and the possibility of another epi is giving me panic attacks and I just don't want anything else in that "area". The packing scares me too, I know it doesn' hurt but I don't think I can handle the discomfort of it.

I have had abdominal surgery for my ruptured ectopic a few years back with the full 6 week recovery. So as much as I can be I am very familiar with both ends of the recovery (sorry TMI).

Any advise from would be really helpful.

Nicole.....I had 3 children vaginaly also...and a TVH....I did not have any of the other problems that you have had .......

I have heard of some people talking about the packing, but I did not have that... All Drs. are different...

The TVH is the way to go for a quicker recovery time and no out side incisions,at least that is what I have been told..

I would talk to your Dr. about your concerns, don't be afraid to ask any questions you might have...

I was supposed to have a TVH, but suffered a complication when the assisting doc peforated my bladder before installing the bladder sling. In order to repair my bladder, they had to open me up abdominally, which turned my TVH into a TAH. My doc said the TVH is much easier to recover from, so I was disappointed that I had to have a TAH. At 3 weeks post-op, my abdominal incision & the tissue behind it are still quite tender. I agree that you should discuss all of your concerns with your doc so you can make a well informed decision. Good luck.

I was "glad" when the doc said my best option was the TAH. I'd never had any type of major surgery before so any option scared me, but the TAH caused me the least amount of fright. I felt comfortable with that option and prepared myself for whatever recovery length it required. Not that it's been a piece of cake to recover from, but it's been easier than I thought. Of course, everyone is different though. If I had to do it over again, I'd go the same route.

By all means, I'd definitely discuss all thoughts and concerns with the doc.

Thanks ladies for the all the input. This is really weighing heavily on me and I feel that I can deal with the extra recovery time and being off of work is not a problem since my company has an excellent sick leave policy. I am usually not a panicky type of person and have a really stressful job but this issue has my stomach all tied into knots.

Grateful - Thanks. I really truly believe that this would be the best option for me because it would be much less traumatic for me. I will be discussing it with my GYN and the URO/GYN.

Just a comment about recovery time.

There are women here who seem to have had long recovery times with TVHs and women here who have had relatively easy or short recovery times with a TAH.

I had a SAH (kept ovaries and cervix) and was driving in a week. Many who had a TAH had a similar experience. I've read many posts by women with a TVH who were still complaining of pain and energy and discomfort well past 4 weeks.

Just a thought. Not a judgment.

I am not thrilled that mine will be TVH also but the doctor gave me all the reasons--- A & P repairs etc. The "hernia" in my rectum is the biggest concern. I will have stitches that are like the episiotomy after childbirth. I will be packed and catheterized and I have the multilevel bowel prep to look forward to, to boot. I think the most important thing is to know exactly what the doctor plans to do to you and why. She has warned me that there will be a good chance that the bladder will be nicked because of the way it is "parachuted" over the uterus and if that happens it will mean that I will come home with the cathether for a week. She plans to be sure that the urologist specialist is available if there is a big problem with the bladder. ( I was a teacher and we are known to have the biggest bladders around since we often have to "hold' it longer than other professions.)

Even though I have terribly weak abs--- even though I exercise six days a week, I'd still rather go the TAH route so that she can see what she is doing better. I guess with having three big babies and the extreme prolapse for many, many years, that the TVH is the way to go for me. The doctor should discuss the reasoning for every aspect of your surgery with you so that you will not have any doubts that the decision is the best for you. Ask questions until you are sure of the plan and are in agreement with it.

Good luck.

Downyocean

Definitely discuss your surgery plan with your doctor. My doc went from telling me I needed a TAH due to the size of my fibroid and enlarged uterus to possibly doing it LAVH. Once she got the laparascopy equipment going, she was able to perform a TLH and everything was removed via the lap port. I have only three 1-2 inch incisions rather than a 6-8 inch across my belly and I have recovered much more quickly than if I'd had the TAH. My doc said the surgery took her almost 3 hours to complete, but the extra time she took will mean less recovery time for me. In my opinion, the less invasive, the better. Good luck!

I had a TVH with BSO on 12/7 It went very well and I am glad I opted for it to be done (if possible) that way. I was stair climbing the 2nd day post-op and drove on the 4th day post-op. I had no packing and only a small amount of discharge for 2 days. Discuss all your options and pro's and con's with your Doc. Best of luck. You'll do great!!

I had a TAH and was so glad I did. Truly it was not bad at all.