6 week postop visit and confused

Hi
I went for my 6 week post op visit today and my dr said I was doing great and he said I was free to do what I wanted now. I thought he removed everything during my hysterectomy today I learned he left my ovaries. Im confused somewhat. wont that still cause me problems? will i still ovulate? sorry if this sounds stupid im a bit confused
lorrie

If you still have your ovaries, you will still ovulate. So, you may also experience PMS symptoms each month as well (or PNS--pre nothing sydrome).

You may wish to question your dr more closely to find out why the surgery you expected was not what you received. It is possible that your doctor saw that your ovaries were healthy during surgery and therefore opted to leave them as usually it is in the best interest of a woman to keep her ovaries vs. HRT.

Were you scheduled for a LAVH/BSO? Or just a LAVH? The BSO (Bilateral Salpingoopherectomy--removal of both tubes and ovaries) is a seperate procedure, although it can be performed at the same time as a hyst. The LAVH is a complete hyst (cervix and uterus).

Best wishes to you as you recover!

I was thought he had taken everything. I dont see the point of keeping the ovaries if everything else was taken. should I ask him to just take them?

NO! It is best to keep any healthy organs you can. Your ovaries provide many vital hormones for your system. Without them, you will need HRT--although some women choose to try to forgo the HRT and deal with the menopausal symptoms. I suggest you talk to your dr about why you still have your ovaries, what his reasons were for not removing them, what they will do for you, and what the consequences of surgical menopause could be if they are removed.

If you would like to find out what it is like to not have ovaries, check out the struggles of the ladies over in our Hormone Jungle. It takes many of them a long time to find the right balance of hormones after their hyst. There are also Hormone Jungle Articles you may wish to read.

Additionally, read some of the information in Resources about Ovaries, there are some specific articles about preserving your ovaries.

I do not know the reason(s) for your hyst but IMHO, if you can keep your ovaries, it is in your best interest for your overall health. Best wishes to you.

I agree with Weiser. More than likely your gyn saw that your ovaries were healthy and opted not to remove them. I don't know your age--your birthdate isn't in your profile. Most gyns don't want women to begin HRT at an early age--before 45-50 for most.

If you didn't discuss your ovaries with your gyn, perhaps he assumed you wished to keep them.

Talk it over with your gyn and get your answers.

Good luck to you!

Carol