One step closer; How long does it take to schedule?

For me to have surgery my psychiatrist has to be as involved in the decision as the gyn. because there is a lot of planning involved since I am on meds that severely limit what can be given. I saw her today, she was quite impressed with the improvement since my Mirena came out and she agrees that waiting 5 more months for a consult isn't going to help anything. So she sent an email to my gyn. and told me to make an appointment soon. My gyn. is actually a pelvic floor disorder specialist that doesn't see a lot of gyn. patients; I latched onto her because she is the only doctor who handles trauma and pelvics well enough for me to feel safe. So it can take a bit to get in to see her.

My psychiatrist said with my age there may be some protocol for this that was require me to hang in there for a while longer but that if the gyn. agrees she's all for getting started on the process (a little more complicated than average behind the scenes).

So I have reason to hope that this will be scheduled within the next few weeks to a month. Project GET THIS UTERUS OUT OF ME has begun.

Next hurdle besides the gyn saying yes is what procedure is used. General anesthesia is not ideal for me and the gyn. mentioned maybe being able to do a vaginal with a spinal, even though I am not the typical vaginal candidate. I'm nervous about this because waking up with vaginal pain would be the PTSD nightmare I don't need. But it's apparently important to do it that way if possible and I'm promised lots of sedation. I am kind of hoping that it just won't work and I can do laparoscopy. We'll see.

I'm just glad to be going somewhere.

I'm glad to hear your one step closer to getting your procedure scheduled. Try to be patient as you go through the process. It's sometimes a bit more time consuming when 2 doctors have to coordinate your care, but in the end it will be well worth it. Take this time to get in the best physical shape you can. This will make your recovery so much better. It will also give you something to keep your mind on during the waiting to lessen the anxiety. Keep us posted on your progress!
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Since one of my doctors recommended that I see the gyn. sooner than the planned Dec. appointment I had been hoping to get in within the next few weeks. Instead I was given an appointment 2 months away. I called in to try to get it changed and the receptionist wouldn't believe that I see my doctor for typical gyn. because she is a pelvic floor specialist. I have been seeing her for a while and even in this situation she's a better choice than other drs. because she does so much specialized surgery, making robotics and other technologies possible. Apparently she's out of town and they "CERTAINLY can't get me in next week" (whatever) and actually won't schedule anything until she approves me as a patient. Because of blood loss and pain I had numerous calls there last year and never encountered this special woman I talked to today; usually they are very kind.

However, at best I'm assuming it will be early August when I see her. I think I have to have an extensive pelvic at that point to see if I can do TVH despite not having had a baby. Once that's decided there's typical scheduling plus several doctors have to work together to determine safe anesthesia. The last surgery took I think 3-4 months to have a spot open up but I had 2 surgeons then and I was trying to delay so that I'd have vacation days.

Since this is more straightforward is it usually done relatively soon after the decision? I have a window of time to do it and then I will have to wait until December because I don't want to be recovering with a 12 hour car ride each way for vacation in November.

For what it's worth I go to a huge hospital so there is potential for lots of red tape.

Thanks

Once my doc and I decided hysterectomy was the way we were going I was scheduled rather quickly.Is there a chance if you call the doctor that referred you maybe he would call the receptionist and ask that you get scheduled sooner?If he explains you have anxiety issues and it is in your best interest health wide, maybe they will reschedule you earlier. Red tape is stressful.I'm so sorry this frustration is adding to the health issues your already experiencing. Keep me posted!
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Last week my psychiatrist contacted my gyn. via email to let her know that she feels I need to have this surgery sooner than waiting out 6 months, if the surgery is still the option of choice. (It has to be, there really aren't other options besides ablation which isn't a good plan for me). She also had me try to move my appointment up from Dec. to now. Initially I couldn't get in for 2 months and my gyn.'s receptionist didn't believe my (specialized) gyn. was truly my gyn. (She manages my sexual abuse past in a way that I will actually go for exams. So she does regular gyn. stuff even though she doesn't see many basic gyn. patients. For this she's more of a surgeon than most gyn's and since there are some complications with this that matters too).

Anyway, they called back today. I actually am her patient (surprise) and I have an appointment on the 24th to discuss surgery and presumably start the process of scheduling it. Naturally there is a high risk that I'm going to get to have another pelvic while having my period (I did this about 5 times a year ago) but hopefully I'll be scheduled for surgery soon.

Project Get this Uterus Out moves on. I hope.

So glad you got your appointment sooner! Your getting closer!!
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I saw my gyn. today. She didn't even make me do the pelvic thing; this had already been decided more or less. She said there'd be a chance of improvement as I got further from the Mirena but it's not large and I was having serious pain from cramps and pressure and the knife that stabs my ovary sometimes.

Originally she'd talked about a vaginal with a spinal; she has decided there's not enough room so it will be laproscopic.

They'll call to schedule but it's likely to be a month or two because of coordination issues.

I am so relieved. And so tired. She's 2.5 hours away and so I went up yesterday but it's still a big day.

Never though I'd be so happy to have something painful done.

Yay! Glad to hear it's in the works. This is progress. (Sloooow, but progress).

Each step gets you closer to your surgery!So glad things are moving forward for you! Keep us updated on your progress.
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