Choosing LSH option

Hi, all-

About two weeks ago I was referred to this amazing web site. My options given to treat my fibroid were myomectomy, UAE or...hysto, which I was not thrilled with since it would be so difficult to take such a long amount of time off from work, and I live by myself so recovery would be hard.

The time off work for the hysto and the recovery was what bothered me the most. My GYN did not tell me that a laparoscopic hysto was an option. After doing some homework here I went back and asked her if it was an option. She said it was, but she hadn't mentioned it to me earlier since she wasn't sure I definitely wanted a hyst.

Well, guess what...if I can have a hyst with a much shorter recovery then YES, I want it it! That's the only way to guarantee that I am forever free of fibroids. So, I looked into LSH (lapro supracervical, meaning that you keep your cervix) and that seemed to be a good option. Now I just needed to find a doctor who knew how to do it, and someone who had done a lot of them (for my own comfort level).

I posted asking about physician referrals and Hyster Sister Mary (historylady) posted a couple of sites with referral services...enter your zip code and names come back.
http://www.hysterectomyoptions.com/dtcf/

I feel blessed, thanks to Mary and this site, to have found a wonderful doctor in Bethesda, MD (he is easy to find in the referral search engine above; just enter Bethesda, MD), who does an advanced minimally invasive (MIP) procedure. Not too many doctors do advanced laparo, and so it's obviously important to ask a lot of questions.

He does about 30 of these procedures a week and only 1% of his laparo procedures become open procedures. Because he uses this MIP technique, my LSH will only require 30 minutes under general anesthesia, I can go home that afternoon, I can drive as early as three days later (as long as I'm off pain meds), and I can go back to work the following week if I feel up to it.

I went from dreading the thought of a hysto to being ABSOLUTELY THRILLED about it! I can't wait to be free of bladder issues, free from heavy periods, free from lower back pain...and most important, I can't wait to feel like my old self.

I would encourage anyone who is considering hysto to ask her doctor about laparo and to go on these search engines and get a second opinion. Most OB GYNS do open hystos because that's what they know and that's what they've done for years. If an open hyst was my only option I probably would have gone another route.

When talking to doctors make sure you ask them what percentage of their laparo procedures become open ones, and how many lap procedures they do each year. That's very important.

http://www.hysterectomyoptions.com/dtcf/
http://www.aagl.org/findaphysician.a...ients&search=1

Thanks again Mary and Hyster Sisters, and best of luck to all!

Deb
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My post from earlier this month

Hi all-

I'm new to this terrific site! I'm 39, not planning to have kids, and have a penduculated (sp?) fibroid (the stalk kind). It's 3.5 cm and is pressing on my bladder causing frequent urination as well as heavier periods and some occasional lower back problems if I turn over and sleep the wrong way.

I also found out that my grandmother had uterine cancer, so I want to explore LSH. My GYN didn't mention that as an option when I saw her last week (just traditional hysto, UAE and myo) but obviously not that many are trained in it yet so I thought I'd do some homework on it. I also read that UAE is not done as often for penduculated fibroids. I have found some good UAE resources and may get another opinion.

I'd love to find out more and learn if there are specific LSH fibroid forums and also if there is an area for physician referral. If anyone can recommend resources or actual dr's who do LSH in the greater Washington DC area or in Richmond VA I'd really appreciate it. I'd also be interested in knowing about the symptoms that would discourage a LSH. Has anyone out there had LSH with a ped fibroid?

Thanks in advance, and good luck to all! :-)

Deb

Hi Deb,

Best wishes with your surgery direction. I am still very pleased with my LSH results.

Mary

Thanks, Mary -- I am glad that you did so well with your LSH. Your success encouraged me to ask my doctor about it. It is so kind that women like you have stayed around to help women like us. Thanks for "paying it forward" ... I'll do the same!

Deb

Good Luck! I had my LSH 5 days ago and I am feeling good. Went off pain meds after the 3rd day. In my opinion it is the only way to go (if you can). I am like you, I couldn't afford to take 6-8 weeks off from work. As it stands now, I will be taking 2-3 weeks depending on my progress. My dr. said she wanted me out 3 weeks because "afterall, what was wrong with taking an extra week off when you actually feel good?" I love her! Best wishes and thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thanks, Southern Girl...so glad to hear that you're doing so well after your LSH! Sounds like you have a great doctor who has your health and well-being in mind. You only have one chance for a good recovery! Even though my doctor says I could probably go back to work sooner, my plan is to work from home during week two. I'd rather pace myself and take it easy...plus my long commute will not be fun.

How was the gas part of the procedure, by the way? Do you have swelly belly at this stage? And how long from time under general to discharge?

Thanks for sharing your insights with those of us who are following you...I am really surprised more women aren't doing LSH.

I'm glad you have found a surgery that meets your needs with a skilled surgeon and that you are a candidate.

Its important to note that not everyone is a candidate for the LSH and that we encourage all members exploring their options to discuss their specific health needs with their surgeon.

For this reason, our website guidelines state:

	Quote:
Suggesting Surgery/Hyst Types: We do not advocate for or against hysterectomy surgery or recommend one particular kind of hysterectomy surgery over another. Only your personal doctors can make this determination. Please be wary of any member who contacts you privately suggesting you are a good candidate for one particular type of surgery. This is considered medical advice and is prohibited on hystersisters.com. Always consult your personal surgeon in all matters and make your determination for surgery type based on the professional input of your doctor.

We have seen women who decided, against the advice of several doctors, to find a surgeon to perform an LSH. Regret followed as there were health reasons the first two surgeons said "no" to the LSH while a less experienced surgeon was ready to try a new skill on a patient who insisted on this particular method.

So we caution all members to do their homework and to partner with their surgeon for their options and choices for their particular needs.

I'm thrilled with my recovery from LSH. Surgery July 12th, going all over town with visiting DD on the 17th & 18th, driving on the 18th, and working the 19th for a few hours. I was in surgery longer than expected, but since it was scheduled at 1:00 pm, she had planned on me staying overnight from the beginning. When she came to discharge me she had to come looking for me as I was on my 6th lap around the floor. Occasionally I have a few twinges of pain inside & on incisions, but they are minimal and I'm so happy to be on the other side. If your symptoms can be alleviated with this type of surgery, it's the way to go. My doctor is a gem!

KDS8705 - I went home same day as surgery. I was in recovery for 2 hours after a little over 2 hours of surgery. It was nice to take my meds then sleep in my own bed. I only swelled up a little bit about the 3rd day. I took my stool softeners and ate some TUMS, it seemed to help alot. Good luck to you again!

Thank you for bringing this topic to the website. I have a fibroid around 8.5 cm and my doctor stated that he could not do a vaginal due to the size. Has anyone completed a LSH with a fibroid that size?

Hi Socialwrkr21,
I don't think mine were that large, but I had 9 of them, about 1/2 were golf ball sized, and a large uterus. In LSH, the surgeon "slices" the uterus up and takes it out with a vacuum of sorts. Check with your Dr. to see what he thinks, or get a referral or second opinion. Make sure that the surgeon you pick for LSH does it as a specialty, and had done many. Don't assume that your doc can just do this type of surgery. My regular gyno referred me to my surgeon, who has a fellowship in laproscopic surgery.