HysterSisters.com is a massive online community with over 475,000 members and over 5 million posts.
Our community is filled with women who have been through the
Hysterectomy experience providing both advice and support from our active members and moderators.
HysterSisters.com is located at 111 Peter St, Toronto, Canada, M5V2H1 and is part of the VerticalScope network of websites.
With free registration, you can ask and answer questions in our HYSTERECTOMY forum community, get our FREE BOOKLET, access Hysterectomy Checkpoints and more.
You are not alone. The HysterSisters are here for you. Join us today!
|
|
SAH questions
|
10-07-2005, 11:59 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 19
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
SAH questions
I'm 47 with fibroids equaling the size of a 16 wk uterus. I had first wanted to go with an endoscopic procedure but several GYNs I saw thought it would be too risky with the size of my fibroids. I decided to go with a supracervical hysterectomy and retain my ovaries and cervix. I have pain during my menses but generally it was just a matter of becoming more and more uncomfortable with my belly. I type and it sometimes feels as if my belly is pushing upwards into my chest area, making me feel short of breath. Nothing acute but just uncomfortable. Pants don't fit right, etc. I would like to hear about other similar experiences with fibroids, thoughts on choosing the SAH, etc. Thanks
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
10-07-2005, 12:19 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 250
Hysterectomy: July 19th, 2005
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Removed both
|
|
SAH questions
My experience is similar to yours. Although my fibroids weren't that large, there were several of them. I often felt bloated, had back pain, and felt like my organs were catching under my ribcage. All of that is gone now. I was perimenupausal when I had my SAH/BSO. So, I haven't really had any major problems with hormone replacement. I use the Vivelle Dot .0325 mg. I chose BSO in addition to the SAH because I had some not-so-well defined ovarian cysts and I only wanted to go through surgery one time. I was really ready to be completely and totally done. So far everything has worked out fine. Best wishes to you and I hope that you have a speedy recovery whichever route you choose.
|
|
10-07-2005, 10:15 PM
|
Guest
|
|
Posts: 961
Hysterectomy: August 5th, 2004
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
SAH questions
I too had a 16 week uterus and pressure from the fibroids (and some heavy bleeding). I was 10 years younger at the time than you. If I were closer to menopause, I wouldnt' have had the surgery. I would have gone for a myomectomy.
There's new evidence, I just saw yesterday that women who have had a hysterectomy have higher levels of c-reactive protein than women who haven't (even if they kept their ovaries).
My doctor was confident she could reduce the bulk of my uterus, but wouldn't take all the fibroids, so there was a high likelihood that they'd grow back well before I hit menopause.
Have you investigated uterine fibroid embolization?
Take care.
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
10-08-2005, 06:40 AM
|
Guest
|
|
Posts: 49
Hysterectomy: August 22nd, 2005
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
SAH questions
I also had large fibroids with heavey, prolonged bleeding and anemia. My Dr gave me a choice to keep ovaries and cervix and I choose to keep them. I feel that was the right decision for me and so far I am 7 weeks Post OP (almost) and I feel good about the surgery. My Dr. spoke with me about the pros and cons about keeping/removing cervix and ovaries so I would discuss this with your Dr as well. It helped me some to make this difficult decision, My personal opinion for me is "if it's not broke don't fix it" I have these organs for a reason and as long as they are healthy I felt they should stay. I had a bikini cut incision which is healing nicely and I had minimal pain, although not to down play it the first week or so was VERY slow going. Good luck
|
|
10-08-2005, 12:16 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 19
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
SAH questions
Thanks for the posts. All the information I can get prior to having this done is helpful. Juniper, my doctor (s) (I saw three different ones) said myomectomy is really only performed when a woman is still in her childbearing years to save the uterus. Two of the first doctors said they would do a bikini incision or a little larger. My doctor now says I would need to have an incision the size of a normal C section. I read about UFE but didn't like some of the post op things I read about it either.
|
|
10-08-2005, 02:24 PM
|
Guest
|
|
Posts: 30
Hysterectomy: August 31st, 2005
Surgery Type: SAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
|
|
SAH questions
I had an SAH and kept my ovaries. My uterus was 18 wk pregnancy size, with large fibroids. The pain with my periods was awful, sometimes to the point where it took my breath away. My desire was to keep my ovaries and cervix, unless they were diseased, and my doctor agreed. I know some people say to take the ovaries and cervix because their is the possibility of future cancer, and they don't want to go thru additional surgery. Well, cancer might develop ANYWHERE in the body. Unless a person is at a higher risk for cancer than the average person, most research seems to support keeping healthy ovaries. Even if a woman is close to menopause, the hormones secreted by the ovaries protect her health in a number of ways. The research regarding the benefits of keeping the cervix is less clear. It was just a strong feeling I had to hang on to it, unless it was damaged or diseased. Keep doing your research, and make the most informed decision that you can that is the best for you. There is no "one size fits all", and of course this is just my situation. We hystersisters are here for you!
|
|
10-08-2005, 06:44 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
Posts: 455
Hysterectomy: January 15th, 2007
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
|
|
SAH questions
I'm at about the same point you are, Swirl. I swear that's why my GERD is worse a few days before my period.
Next month, my doctor is going to fit me with the Mirena Coil to see if that will help with my bleeding. I'm not that encouraged by it from most things I've read from women who've tried it, but will give it a go to see if it helps.
Like you, I'm pushing menopausal years, or so I thought..I'm 50 with no symptoms at all and my hormone levels from my D&C a few months ago checked out that I'm still very much fertile and everything is in balance and working order. Not what I really wanted to hear, but hey, what ya gonna do? My doctor really cannot confidently recommend a doctor that does UAE in my area. He told me, "You have to go to someone who does this ALL the time, or you could end up with problems." Besides, I more than likely have adenomyosis and not really sure if it would help at all anyway.
If Mirena doesn't work, I more than likely will have the SAH next summer. I've had a c-section and several other belly operations so I am no stranger to that kind of pain.
Funny thing is, I'm just getting over a period and it wasn't half bad at all! I actually was able to leave the house for a couple hours and not worry that the dam was going to break.
Best of luck to you, and you're doing the right thing by investigating all options before such a final decison.
|
Similar Threads
|
From This Forum |
From Other Forums |
|
10 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 1 Reply, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) 12 Replies, Cancer Concerns - GYN 1 Reply, No Uterus - No Ovaries - Yes HRT - Surgical Menopause 10 Replies, Cancer Concerns - GYN 6 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 5 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) 1 Reply, Pelvic Floor and Bladder Issues 2 Replies, Hysterectomy Recovery (post hysterectomy) 4 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) |
|
Advertisement
Hysterectomy News
TODAY'S EVENTS
Calendar -
Hysterectomies -
Birthdays
Request Information
I am a HysterSister
Your Hysterectomy Date
$vbulletin->featuredvideos is not an array!
Advertisement
Advertisement
|