Vaginal or Abdominal with Stage IV endo

I have been dealing with endo for 16 years and I am finally having my hyster!!!! I am so excited I can hardly wait, but I am having the usual nerves too. I have my pre-op appointment in a few days and I have to decide if I want to have a vaginal or abdominal surgery. I know that the recovery is shorter and easier, but wouldn't an abdominal procedure make it easier to see (and hopefully eradicate!) all of the endo and remove the adhesions? My had pretty much left it up to me and I was just wanting to maybe hear from others who don't necessarily have endo, but had to choose how their surgery was going to go. I have read some of the stories posted and I am still a bit up in the air. I have talked it over with my husband (Who will deploy 3 weeks and 5 days after my surgery), and he said that he would leave it completely up to me as to what to choose and he would support me in every way he can. I know he has a lot going on now, too, without worrying for me, but he keeps minimizing his stuff. I sort of feel guilty, like maybe I should put off my hyster until he gets back, but we have waited for almost 3 years for approval from the insurance. I don't want to have towait that long again. Sorry, this has turned into a cross between a rant and a pity party. Guess i just needed to vent a little. But any info that anyone could share would be wonderful!! Thanks so much!!!!!

I had a LAVH with endo. I'm almost 4 months out. They went in and took it all out, as far as I know so far. Because my endo was cementing my ovaries to everything, I lost both. I'm on HRT and doing great. He was thinking of switching to a TVH, but did want to keep the healing down to a minimum.

Good luck and hang in there.

armywife_623

You're so smart to be thinking beyond immediate recovery about what will give you the best long-term solution. When I was making decisions about my hysterectomy, I sat down with my to address each decision (surgery type, cervix, ovaries) and discuss the long-term pros and cons of each one. It really helped me feel like I was in control of something and it gave me a better sense of what I would be dealing with.

I think it makes sense to have your surgery now. You have insurance approval, and it isn't like there's really a great time to have major surgery. It interferes with life in some way no matter when you have it, so you might as well have it now. Is there someone who can check in on you every day or so after your husband deploys? It would be helpful to have someone to accompany you to the grocery store for a while. (I'm at nearly two months post-op, and I had to have my husband push the shopping cart the past few aisles in the store today.) Or, you could use one of those grocery delivery services.

It is nice to have some choices, and it's nice that the has left some things up to you.

I am sorry you are needing to make this decision while your DH is preparing to deploy.

Because I have endometriosis I can't help but wonder how your doctor will be able to excise as much endometriosis as possible if you have a vaginal hysterectomy. If you were to have a lap assisted vaginal hysterectomy, then I could see going that route. But in order to have the most benefit from your surgery, I believe I would be very hesitant to go the vaginal route since you have endometriosis and that seems to be the reason for your surgery.

Have you ever consulted with an endometriosis specialist? Does your surgeon have the skills to excise endometriosis or can s/he only cauterize? If as much endometriosis as possible is not removed during surgery, you could face issues down the road especially since a hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. Have you had a second opinion about which hysterectomy type might be best for you and your particular situation?

It sounds like your wait for approval has been a long one and I can understand not wanting to have to wait again if you change your mind. However, if you have any doubts at all about this surgery at this time, you may want to consider postponing. You want to go into surgery knowing that you are absolutely making the right decision for you at the right time so if things turn out less than stellar you won't live with a lot of regrets.

Having a hysterectomy is stressful enough without the worries of your DH deploying so soon after surgery. My goes out to you and what ever final decision you make! Sending extra s and best wishes your way!