TVH or TAH???

I have posted before on other boards. But now it looks like I may not be able to avoid a hyst.....on the good side, the fibroid has grown very little since it was discovered. ( I went for a 2nd opinion to a Gyn/Onc since my mother died of cancer that went wild after her hysterectomy.) The Onc. sent me for a us, then did an endrometrial biopsy because lining was thicker than normal. (reason for horribly heavy 2 days each month???--bathroom visit every hour--using supers) Anyway, biopsy came back OK--but have several questions I hope someone can give opinions or their experiences with: 1. Could this be causing bloating? and/or weight gain? 2. Since I had 2 c-sections (one scar is vertical the other horizontal) and I had the left ovary and tube removed--would a TVH be an option--I guess I'm wondering about adhesions, etc. 3. Would TVH even be an option since uterus is "12 week size"? 4. I'm 47--should I keep ovary? (I'd like to avoid HRT if possible) 5. This is gross--but I'm also having increased discharge about mid-cycle that feels almost like a urine leak--is this a symptom of fibroids? 6. Last, could the thicker lining be causing the excessive bleeding?

Sorry this is so long!!! I'm sure I will have a million other ?'s before this is all resolved. Thank you all for this site and the support--

I'm so sorry about all your pain. I hope you can find answers to all your questions. I go in for TAH with both overies on Monday(for cronic pelvic pain adeno. and endo). I asked my Dr. about vaginal and laproscopic removal. He said he wouldn't do either in my condition due to increase of complications. And with Adeno. your uterus is enlarged making it harder. Also he can get a better look of whats going on and where with TAH. Another Dr. in who does the lapro. removal(their aren't many Dr.s doing it in my area). Said that they only reason a woman couldn't have it done that way was due to cancer. He does them in most cases and says there is less bowel and bladder problems. Along with a much quicker recovery and less pain. You can eat and resume sexual relations earlier. I don't know if this helps you. But I would talk to another Dr. and get second opinion no matter what you decide. They all seem to have their own ways of doing things.
Best of luck. For me the hardest part is not having complete answers. Always seems to be alot of "might and maybe" which doesn't do alot to ease my mind.
Take care!
Lin

I was told that if my uterus was 10 weeks or bigger than I would have had to have a TAH. Mine was 9 weeks size according to an ultrasound and I also had to give permission to the dr. to do a TAH in case he couldn't get it out vaginally. As far as sex I had to actually wait longer (12 weeks) than most have due to granulation tissue that formed at the vaginal cuff. The internal work with a TVH is basically the same as a TAH. The uterus has to be cut out and this leaves the need for many internal stitches. I've read that some women with a TVH had over 100.
I felt bloated due to my enlarged uterus sitting on the bladder. It also caused some difficulty empyting all the way without changing positions so I had to consult a urologist before the hysterectomy. If you have any leakage or bladder problems it's a good idea to mention this way beforehand as sometimes it can take a month or so to get in with a urologist. If any additional work is needed the two surgeons have to rearrange their schedules so they can be in there at the same time. Good luck.