Type of Hysterectomy?

I have posted a few times before with my situation. Today I had a repeat ultrasound at the specialists office. This ultrasound tech has been doing this for 27 years and seemed very knowledgeable. My GYN had suspected adenomyosis and this was to confirm her suspicions. Well the Ultrasound tech said she would say that in her opinion I have adenomyosis. She said the doctor will talk to me more about it on tuesday. Tuesday is the day I have to make my decision to have the hysterectomy or not. Well, at the age of 34 I have decided to go ahead with the surgery. There are too many factors against me not to have it done. I have to decide on whether to keep my ovaries or not. They said I could argue either way. My Aunt had ovarian cancer so they want to take my ovaries. I was told by my neighber who is a nurse and had a hysterectomy at the age of 42 that he doctors said that you have enough glands in your body that produce hormones so take the ovaries. My second question is how do you decide what process they will take your "plumbing"? I have heard a few horror stories about having a vaginal hysterectomy and it can be a hemmorhage risk. I have only had family members who had an abdominal hysterectomy. Will the doctor decide on my condition on tuesday or should I have an idea of what I want? Please help. I have been doing research on my own but I figure that since so many of you have gone through this that I would ask you! Thanks!
Melissa

Hi Melissa,

Here is a starting point for you. It is a Hyster Sisters link that goes over the different types of surgeries. Just scroll down:

https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/vie..._articles_list

I am sure you will have some adeno ladies replying. I can also suggest getting a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion. It can help you gather more information about what aprroach to take.

Best wishes. We Hyster Sisters are here to help if we can.

Mary

Hi Melissa,

I am 33 and had my Hyst 4 weeks ago, because of edenomyosis, which was causing lots of pain and heavy periods, endo (pain), and abnormal paps, I feel so much better, although I didn't believe that would ever happen the first 2 weeks, I am so glad I had it done now.

I had an abdominal hyst. because my Dr. said there was just not enough room to do it vaginally, so I really didn't get to decide, you dr. will probably let you know which way is best for your situation and body.

I kept my ovaries mostly because of my age & because they were in great shape, I don't know about what that nurse told you about the glands, but I think there will be many ladies that tell you differently on this site.

I am so happy I had this done, I feel better now, at 4 weeks than I did before surgery, no more pain, no more bleeding - I definately made the right choice for my body and situation.

Like Mary said, get another opinion, just in case, I had 3, and they all said the same thing so that was easy!!!

Good luck
Rochelle

Hi Melissa Most of us have not been given any choice about our surgery type. It tends to be determined, as (((Rochelle))) said, by our particular circumstances. For example, I had a severe prolapse, so a vaginal hyst was the only route that made sense. Your own DR is the best one to advise you on what type of surgery should work best for you.

I would also take issue with the idea that our bodies contain enough glands to produce enough hormones so you don't need your ovarian hormones. Surgical menopause can be pretty rough, just check out the threads in the Hormone Jungle and No-Hormone Desert Oasis forums here to get an idea of how other ladies are faring on and off HRT. I had my ovaries removed with my hyst and have been on HRT since then (three plus years now). I have tried to decrease my dosage but the symptoms are too severe to handle at this point.

The question of whether or not to keep your ovaries is a very personal one. With your family history of ovarian cancer, I can see why your DRs would want to remove them. Ask your DR whether or not you will be able to use HRT if they are removed, and if not, what you will be prescribed to take care of the symptoms and help preserve your bone health.

Do be aware that if you decide to keep your ovaries, they may or may not work after the surgery. Some ladies find they keep on working just fine, and others find that they can shut down either temporarily or permanently, or they may enter natural menopause a few years earlier than they would have without the hysterectomy. The reason for this is because removing the uterus compromises the blood supply to the ovaries.

There are some great links in our Resources directory to information about different surgery types as well as the question of whether or not to keep your ovaries. To get there, just click on "Resources" in the banner at the top of the page, and then scroll down to the Options and Alternatives section.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
s,
-Linda

	Quote:
Originally posted by surferbabe Do be aware that if you decide to keep your ovaries, they may or may not work after the surgery. Some ladies find they keep on working just fine, and others find that they can shut down either temporarily or permanently, or they may enter natural menopause a few years earlier than they would have without the hysterectomy. The reason for this is because removing the uterus compromises the blood supply to the ovaries. -Linda

Hi Linda. You know, I have read this here several times and it is one of things that I was most concerned about and have asked my doc about repeatedly....at 35 I am not ready for menopause. While at my pre-op I asked my doc about the phenomena of ovaries just shutting down altogether even though they are left in. He was very blunt about answering the question and literally told me this was horse poopy.....that the blood supply to my ovaries is separate from my uterus and would not be touched. SO, given that I continue to read about this here, and really am trying to stay as informed as possible, would you cite some scientific resources for this claim? Other women's experiences are all well and good, but I really need to know what the *truth* of this matter is in this regard. And if this assertion is not based on scientific data, does it not constitute medical advice, which is to be avoided. I am really not trying to *flame* and do apologize if I am coming off a bit strident...but this is the ONE thing about this surgery that totally freaks me out and it is unnerving to keep hearing it, in spite of the fact that my doc said it is simply not a possiblity.

I, too, have a family history of ovarian cancer, but my doctor (2 opinions) still feel it would be beneficial to keep my ovaries at this point. (I'm 40). After menopause, they can then be taken out since they will have served their purpose.

Of course, every situation is different.....consult your doctor.

(((Tonia))) your concern is understandable. There are some links in Resources about this issue...

Keeping Ovaries? Will they Work?

Relationship between hysterectomy and subsequent ovarian function...

Hysterectomy and Ovarian Preservation

Ovarian Failure Following Hysterectomy

DRs who say this is impossible may not have experienced it in their practice... but more probably, their patients whose ovaries have failed have gone to a different DR for support in dealing with their menopausal symptoms. It is, unfortunately, a reality, one which has been replayed on the boards here time and time again. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it happens.

I hope these links help.
s,
-Linda

I too was told by my dr that the ovaries should keep working just fine. He was not concerned, said it is very very rare for them to shut down, and with healthy ovaries it just should not be a concern.

I feel very confident that he knows what he is talking about, 22ish years in practice, w/ the same medical team. Thousands and Thousands of hysts over the years.

I understand stranger things have happened, and I am not saying that it has not happened to some women, but after visiting w/ him and my regular physician (she also said not to worry about that), I decided it was not worth my time and energy to worry about!!!

As some of the other ladies said it is a very very personal decision, and has to be based on all the factors w/ your body. I am glad I kept mine, they are working fine, and unlike a friend of mine who had hers taken out - I CAN SLEEP!!!! She had it done 6 weeks before me and still cannot sleep. YUCK - THAT WOULD STINK!!!

Thank you for the links....I guess at this point I will just have to hope that I am in the majority and those little buggers keep on doing their thing after my TAH and I hope that this will be my one and only pre-op anxiety attack