Pre op concerns

Hi Guys

I am booked in for surgery to remove my , uterus, tubes and ovaries for a weeks time which is been done via a laparotomy. I have 2 very large cysts on each ovary and fluid around my tubes , from the MRI scan and blood tests my consultant seems to think its severe, extensive endometriosis.

The plan was i went for my scan and blood tests and then be brought back to see my consultant and her prepare me for menopause and HRT and discuss the procedure ect as i was terrified of going this at 28 yrs old, due to the chin hair, weight gain around the middle , vaginal atrophy , the inability to enjoy sex ect ect.

However insted of an appointment to see her i got a phone call from her secetary saying come in for a pre op assessment and your surgery will be the following week. So i went to this appointment expecting to see my consultant, insted i saw a nurse and this other gyne doctor who nothing !! about my case or what i was having done.

They looked through my notes and told me what i was having done, otherwise i wouldnt have known!. They also said i would only be able to speak with my surgeon on the morning of my operation. I just dont know what to do ?? there was no mention of any HRT after surgery or anything. And i really dont want to wake up and find i have to wait days and experience the menopause . I am also terrified of the surgery and the pain i will experience, i am so sceard i will wake up wishing i had never done it.

I already have 2 kids, a lovley boy and girl i am gutted the choice of more children has been taken away from me but i can live it. I just feel like im been rushed through surgery with no say or choice. What advice could anyone give me please? do i cancell the surgery and wait for an appointment to see my consultant comes through to talk about this? or do i just go for it and deal with it when i have to?

any advice would be grate, im running out of time and dont know what to do

It is difficult when you don't get your questions answered when you're expecting to, plus this is a frightening time anyway. If your questions are just about HRT and pain relief after surgery, then I would say not to postpone surgery. Meds for HRT and pain relief can be taken care of quite quickly and easily with just a couple questions and a prescription written. So these can actually be addressed just before surgery if that's when you get to see your surgeon. And anything needed right after surgery can also be taken care of quite quickly with the nurse. This is a difficult time and I know you need your mind put at some sort of ease, so I would suggest calling the doctor's office to speak to a nurse about HRT and find out what the procedure is for that treatment. They should be very willing to address your concerns on this, even if the office is busy (as most are).

I, too, had severe endometriosis and my surgery was rushed also. I was comfortable with it though. I did not know if I would get to keep one ovary or not until after the surgery was done, so that was a worry for me about HRT. But I trusted my doctor to know how to treat me and when, if he had to remove both ovaries. I just decided I would deal with whatever came out of surgery and not worry myself sick about it as surgery and parts removal really couldn't be avoided. It ended up the doc was able to save the ovary for now (with endo you never know for how long) and put me on a progestin to slow the growth of endometrial tissue on that ovary. I know if I had delayed my surgery, it would've just given me more time to worry myself into oblivion plus extend my misery and pain. Fear and concerns are natural and part of the process, I hope you find the comfort and answers you need. Best wishes.

elexica,

I'm sorry that you are facing a hysterectomy at such a young age. This is a major surgery and is hard on most women both physically and emotionally, even when they are fully prepared and ready for it. In your case, it doesn't sound like you have been given enough time to get your questions asked/answered and fully understand what's next.

You are absolutely correct in wondering what HRT will look like for you. This is a big deal!! Especially for someone your age. If the doctor is correct with your diagnosis of endometriosis, you need to know that estrogen can fuel endo, so sometimes HRT can be rather tricky too. I was diagnosed with endo after a laparoscopy, which from my understanding is really the only way to be sure if someone has endo...I do not believe that an MRI alone can determine that. Also, the removal of endometriosis is very tricky and is usually most successful with a specialist who can excise each implant, so you should fully understand the capabilities of your surgeon before going in.

Please don't rush into anything. This surgery is permanent and you can't take it back once you do it. If your health isn't going to be effected if you wait, it may be best to do that. I would make an appt. with your consultant and perhaps get a second or third opinion before having the surgery. In the end, the result may be surgery, but at least you'll know that you've explored every option and you will be more prepared for the outcome.

Take some time to look through the site and visit the other forums for some more information. Here's a link to a few that may be of interest to you: Options and Alternatives , Hormone Issues , and Endometriosis Support .

Good luck to you and please keep us posted.