Pre-Op Hysterectomy: Open House Chat Thread - Today Jul 03, 2016

I am51 years old with complex atypical hyperplasia. Surgery is scheduled for July 6th. My pre-op EKG was abnormal so now I am waiting for a stress test july 5 for medical clearance. Stressed about stress test. Just want to have surgery and get it over with. My fear is they will Not clear me for surgery on th 6th. Thanks for listening. Prayers for all!

I'm on the 6th as well - hope your test was just 'stress' and that you get the go-ahead!

Hi all,

I'm a 36 year old with 3 kids (13, 8, 2) at home. I'm scheduled for a da Vinci supracervical hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy on Thurs, 7/7, in the afternoon. I have a connective tissue disorder, so a bunch of vaginal deliveries and normal aging led to significant uterine prolapse, cystocele & rectocele. I'm taking a pretty aggressive treatment path, with the blessing of my OB/GYN and my urogynecologist. The uro/gyn is doing the procedure and says I should be all patched up and feeling normal after a couple of weeks. The hardest part should be the lifting restriction, as 37lb toddlers don't exactly fit within the 10lb limit that I have for 6-8 weeks.

Honestly, this site and all of the anti-mesh sentiment have added to my anxiety. Because my collagen is weak, native tissue repairs are not an option. Unless I want to see my cervix peaking out for the rest of my life, mesh is necessary. I am already equipped with titanium mesh from a previous surgery, so I am trying to tell myself that there is a good chance it will be fine and at least this won't add to my metal detector problem. If there is anyone else out there that is taking the mesh plunge this week, it would be great to know that I'm not alone.

Good luck to everyone on this journey.

I'm 42 with no children. I have a massive uterine growth (20 cm) that is causing pain and pressure, but no bleeding. My team hasn't ruled out cancer because the tumor looks so different from the two other smaller fibroids that showed up on the MRI.

I'm going into surgery not sure what to expect. If the growth is benign, my doctor will try to keep the uterus. If it turns out to be malignant, she will remove the uterus, tubes, cervix, and ovaries.

The uncertainty is causing a lot of anxiety, and I'm feeling sad at the loss of reproductive capacity even though I'd more or less accepted it over the last few years. But my mother had two children in her forties so I realize now that I must have still hoped.

starting to prepare my nest and pack - also cancelling my husband's friend visiting next weekend for their golf game....thanks hystersisters - its time to prepare to take care of me

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Originally Posted by goldwhiteclouds starting to prepare my nest and pack - also cancelling my husband's friend visiting next weekend for their golf game....thanks hystersisters - its time to prepare to take care of me

Yes!! Take care of you!!

My husband took of this Friday for my surgery AND the whole next week so he can be here if I need help. He knows I will try to do too much too soon if he weren't here.

Good luck!

Hi everyone my name is Tamara. I'm 36 years old. I'm scheduled to have a total hysterectomy on Thursday the 7 th. The doctor thinks is a rest me to have uterine cancer my surgery is being performed using the da Vinci robotic surgery. The doctor said he is going to remove my uterus through my vagina because it can't be cut up to be brought out through the smaller incisions. I have been diagnosed with PCOS,Endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids and my lining is also to thick. I was told 5 cm is normal and mine is 6.85. Ive bled over 40 days with major clotting. I had a biopsy but because blood and clots were in everything the results couldn't be trusted. ( negative). I'm over this all and ready to have the surgery done. My husband is taking off to be with me. Then my parents are coming and then my cousin will care for me.

I do have three children. I have a 10 year old and 5 year old twins. They're all boys. My husband has been great through out this. But I'm scared and becoming more emotional as the days near the surgery. I hope that I'm able to relax some for the next few days. I just am exhausted all the time. I'm on this bc pill until the day of and iron because of low hemoglobin from all the bleeding, and a high blood pressure/ water pill.

Hi Tucker, don't let the stress test stress you out. It will make it worse. I'm praying for you.

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Originally Posted by traci6276 Hi, I just turned 51 years old, and I'm having a complete hysterectomy this Tuesday. I have adenomyosis, but to be honest, I don't really have any problems with it. But because my mother developed uterine cancer in her 60s, my doctor recommended this procedure. I'm extremely concerned about losing my ovaries at this age because I've read that it increases my risks for developing dementia, heart disease, and lung cancer among other things. And, of course, the research on HRT is not at all reassuring. I'm curious to know how everyone else feels about losing their ovaries at this age. Thanks!

traci6276

I was almost 51 when I had my surgery and had to decide whether or not to keep my ovaries. My doctor recommended removing them because she said the average age they stop working is 51. Even at almost 51 my cycle was as regular as clockwork and I don't think I was anywhere near menopause before my surgery. I had read that the ovaries continue producing small amounts of hormones after menopause and as such continue to provide some health benefits. I waivered back and forth on what to do, but in the end what influenced my decision the most was that my SIL was battling ovarian cancer. At my pre-op before my D & C I asked my doctor if she could look at my ovaries when I had my hysterectomy and leave them if they looked healthy and she said yes. Unfortunately, I forgot about that option when I had my pre-op for surgery and agreed to have them removed. I struggled with my decision post-op, but the one thing I knew was that I couldn't have them back and I just needed to move on. I started on HRT at 5 weeks post-op. My hot flashes were at an intensity and frequency that I think I could have managed without HRT because I think the SSRI that I take was helping in that area. It was some of the other menopause symptoms that were getting the better of me. I chose to use an estrogen patch because the side effects are thought to be less. After an increase in dose at 12 weeks post-op, my symptoms have been pretty well managed since.

Deciding whether or not to keep our ovaries is a tough decision to make. If you are questioning having your ovaries removed, maybe you should talk to your doctor one more time before your surgery to make sure removing them is the best decision for you.

Should I Keep My Ovaries When I Have My Hysterectomy?

Should I Keep My Ovaries if I Am Near Menopause?

Hi Chrissie, aparently you and I are dealing with mostly the same issues. I'm also 36 I have three children and a husband. I'm nervous! The after is what concerns me as well. Your surgery is one day before mine. I'll be praying for you.