to keep, or not to keep, that is the question

so during my pre-op appointment my doctor threw a fast ball at me....i thought the plan was to take my uterus, cervix and right ovary, with the knowledge that my left ovary may go depending on what she sees...

now, she is giving me the option of just flat out keeping them...i was a bit stunned, and she and i spoke at length about it, but i still don't have an answer for her.

doctor was taking the right ovary due to a 4+mm cyst that grew within six months...the left also has a cyst, but it's only 2 mm or so...

i understand that taking both means menepause....i won't lie, i don't feel ready for menepause at 36...but i'm afraid the cysts are causing pain, and i really don't want that either....

arg...i know i've seen this asked before, and i'm not trying to be a pain, but i'd like to hear opinions....if anyone has a crystal ball, let me know, i'd totally use that too!



thanks!

Im in the same position as you . Except im 33. Is menopause really worse than nearly constant pain and having to take rx pain meds multiple times a day. When your done with the crystal ball can I borrow it. LOL

I am sorry you are dealing with this. Crystal balls and magic wands would be helpful, huh?

I am not a doctor and cannot advise you - you have to do what is right for you. You may have already done this, but you can ask the doctor what are the chances that the cysts are causing the pain. Maybe list the pros and cons she discussed with you, and try to figure out what, on balance is best. This is difficult to figure out, I know.

Good luck to you.

:hugs2u:

This is a tough decision.....

This is what I did. I told my that if the ovaries looked healthy in her opinion, that I wanted to keep them. They looked good, so they stayed.

You can always have your ovaries removed at a later date, but you can't have them put back in. I would personally have as little removed as possible.

We're here for you either way.

pain or no pain is the issue....i understand what you are saying mjd....my doctor said it would be fine to leave healthy organs, but if i wanted them removed she would do that also. however, she also explained that removing them later may be a bit more difficult...i can't remember why, but whatever...

marestail i wish i could have those darn magic wands and crystal balls....it would make some things so much easier, but i'm having trouble figuring out which is the better option...i know it will all work out, just so frustrating!

fullof...i'll make sure to pass them along when i find them!

thanks for the ideas ladies....too much to think about!

I am 26, and just had a complete hyster on Tuesday. I was scared for the menopause thing too, but I figure the nightmare I have gone through the past 5 years would balance out the menopause. Plus we all have to go through it at some point. For me it was never an option to keep my ovaries. If it is causing you pain, I would just be done with it all while I could. Everyones circumstance is different, and it's def a final and lasting decision, but as for me, I wouldn't go back on keeping them.
From what my dr told me, the hormone replacement isn't bad at all after they get you regulated, and life is so much better post hyster and post ovaries than before.

Explore your options, and go with your gut. Good luck to you!

I understand the tough choices that the docs put on us without much info.

My first opinion (doc #1) wouldn’t even talk about treating me, because I am 32, so she only gave me BC pills which I was already on for the last 16 years. My second opinion (doc #2) gave me 3 different options before we settled on a game plan which involves adding another surgeon that does laparoscopic hysters. On Thursday I went into the pre-op appointment with the second surgeon (doc #3) thinking we were going to talk about a LSH. She told me that she would like to take the cervix out, but that the choice was mine. Her opinion was based on the fact that I have fibroids and possibly adenomyosis (my uterus is 14 week size). She told me that I could still be in pain, would still get periods plus fibroids could grow on the cervix. The other surgeon (doc #2), who promised that she will be assisting, had talked to me about keeping the cervix for pelvic floor support and to help with sex.

I have filled out all the paperwork except the waiver and doc#3 wants my choice asap. She was not going to book me until I made up my mind, but I pointed out to her nurse that I was getting a laparoscopic hyster either way.

Now I have to decide!! GRRR!!