Did you get a second opinion?

My first doc, a urogynecological specialist) wanted to do P&A repairs with no hysterectomy even though it was prolapsed. Second opinion doc wanted to also do the TVH. She said you only get one chance to get the best possible surgical outcome. Wound up going with my second opinion doc. TVH, P&A repairs. Found out that in addition to the prolapse I had endometrial polyp and adenomyosis. No wonder I had such long heavy periods!

I did not. I knew what I wanted, how I wanted it and without a shadow of a doubt trust my Dr.

I choose "Yes, I got a second opinion but it didn't really matter in the long run."

(FYI: I had a RAH due to early stage cervical cancer.)

I was very fortunate to have my gyno recommend my gyno onc to me. He is an excellent physician and surgeon. I did make one phone call to a friend of a friend who's a nurse at a cancer facility in NYC (I live in southwestern CT) and asked her opinion on alternatives..... and she told me that my gyno onc was already on the money.

Ruqayya33,
Best wishes on a speedy and complication free recovery!
AngelD

I got *3* second opinions and finally went with the 4th opinion. Interestingly though each opinion was totally different.

I think realistically I waited until technology caught up with the type of surgery I wanted.

oopsydaizy

I didn't get a second opinion from a surgeon, but did go through 1 different doctor before changing due to dissatisfaction and luckily found one who was thorough and has great communication with me. After talking with her and the test results she brought to me, I had no doubt I was doing the right thing.

I went for a second opinion at my gyne's request. He said he wouldn't feel good about doing a hysterectomy on me if I didn't get one. He had, however, already offered me the hysterectomy at that point. I asked him what he would do if the 2nd opinion gyne said not to do the hysterectomy. He said he would consider other options if they were good ones. The 2nd gyne didn't have much to suggest other than waiting.

I didn't get a second opinion from another surgeon, though it turned out my surgeon was in a way the second opinion. I initally saw my OBGYN nurse practioner when OCs began to fail controlling heavy and prolonged bleeding and pain. I was backwards, 1 week of no bleeding to nearly 3 weeks of bleeding. She did all the screening for cancer and other abnormalities and referred me to the OBGYN/Surgeon for an ablation after I refused an IUD (didn't want a chunk of plastic in my body). He was the one to discuss options e.g. hormonal treatments (mainly progesterone which makes me puffy and weepy), and what an ablation would and would not relieve. Ablation would greatly reduce the bleeding, but not do so much for the cramping -- and -- they would put these little plastic "springs" in my fallopian tubes to block them because it is dangerous to conceive after an ablation. Egads! more plastic - that's my neurosis. Lastly we discussed hysterectomy which would definitely take care of all my symptoms. It carried it's own risks, but I don't regret it for a second.

Wishing all my sisters healing and peace.

TVH 31 Jul 08
"normal" organs behaving badly

Second opinion? hahaha. I got SIX opinions! I saw six drs. I was ready to settle on the third until my husband noticed his hands shook. So then I had to see three more before I found one to do my LSH. Went great!!! I'm so glad I did it! I loved my dr. too!

But I also think that getting that many opinions really put me in a good frame of mind for the surgery. I felt and feel that it was the right thing for me. No regrets.

I didn't get a second opinion from a surgeon but I did make one visit to the emergency room and a visit to my regular doctor before seeing the surgeon.
I had moved and hadn't been to a GYN for 8 years (stupid, stupid) so one day when I noticed a bulge "down there" I raced to the emergency room where he told me I had a cystocele (fallen Bladder). He didn't feel comfortable doing an internal so he sent me to my regular doctor (who I didn't feel comfortable having do an internal) so then I went to the GYN surgeon. It was obvious what I needed since not only had my bladder fallen but also my uterus. It was so bad I could barely walk and had to use one of those motorized carts in the food store. So I had the surgery with the first GYN. He did a good job.