surgery date 9/10/02

I just found out my surgery date is 9/10. I gotta tell you I'm pretty OK with it. I have a fibroid pressing on my bladder, and it feels like I ALWAYS have to use the bathroom. I'm not looking forward to the surgery. DH is going to be great. He's taking 2 wks off, then after that ladies from our church are going to pitch in and help (w/2 yr old).

I did not get 2nd opinion. I've been with myprimary care doc for 15 yrs, and she recommended the surgery, then the ob/gyn she sent me to recommended it. I hope I don't regret that decision, but I feel very comfy with it. Are there any of you who did not get 2nd ob/gyn opinions?


I've printed out the 'what to buy', 'what to take to the hospital', etc...thank goodness for Wal-Mart!

Recovery question...I'd like to go to Disney in late Nov w/family. Should I be able to?

Jan

Hi Jan,

I had my hyst for other reasons, but did not get a 2nd opinion. In fact, I went directly to my OB/GYN and didn't even see my PCP first, so I had only one opinion, but then I knew that everything was falling out and I needed surgery.

If you are not sure that you need to have surgery, or if you do not feel comfortable with the surgeon, then you should go for a second opinion. In reality, you have already had two, since your PCP recommended it, too.

As far as what you will be able to do in late November - each of us has slightly different surgery and each of us heals differently, so be sure to talk with your doctor and to listen to your body. It will tell you what is possible. Disney does have wheelchairs available that you could use if you get too tired.

I see that you are from Florida - we are having a get together in Sanford this Saturday - here's the link: https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/for...?s=&forumid=59

We'd love to have you join us.

's

Karen

I didn't get a second opinion either. Actually, I am the one that has been talking to my gyn about it for years. He is very conserative and wanted to try other stuff fisrt but I was getting sick of things and he agreed this last time that it was time to do it.

I am 9 days post-op and feel really good. Actually, I am having a hard time keeping myself from doing things! I *am* being a good princess but could be better!! I think that *I* would be up to Disney in 2 months but you never know. Everyone is different and I do tire VERY easy.

Just take your time and see how you feel. As Karen said, you could you a wheel chair if needed or just go back to the hotel if you are staying there.

Take care and I am glad you are sooo comfortable with your decision! It will make things easier for you!!

Christy

I've never done this before, writing and joining groups, I just signed up. And to tell you the truth I don't know if it's okay to just jump right in.

I saw your article and it stook out due to the fact that 9/10/02 is my surgery date too!

I'm 27 years old and I've lways been very strong, and I find my self feeling breakable, now. I have two little boys one is 6 one is 4, they besides my husband are my life. I too didn't get a second opinon my primary I've been w/ also for years. I had surgery in March of tis year to remove thousands of sists. Last month I had an ultra sound done againcause I was in alot of pain and they found I have even more sists this time around, They also said(and I forget the medical term) that my uteris is attached to the muscle and that is wy I'm hving so much pain.

This surgery scares me I've had a total of 8 other surgeries, not related to this, but none I really feared.

I've heard so many horror stories related to this type of surgery, from uteris cancer, to depresion,to loss of sex drive, to short term memory loss- I don't know what is true and what isn't.

All I want is the pain to go away, I want my old life back, I don't want to get cancer, or forget things, or not want my husband to touch me any more, or die!

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

Wow I see how this is helpful, I mean this was my first try, and I said t myself I wouldn't write too much, but the words just kept coming and my figers wouldn't stop typing.

THANKS for reading!! GOOD LUCK on the 10th--I'll be thinking of you!

Hi hevenlyangel,

Welcome to Hystersisters!! I'm sorry that you are facing surgery, but glad that you have found us.

And it's perfectly alright that you jumped right in - that's what this forum is all about - sisters reaching out to each other.

A hysterectomy is major surgery, so it's perfectly normal that you are nervous and worried about surgery. You said you're worried about the aftereffects - some women have to have their hyst because they do have cancer, but unless you already do have cancer, you cannot get it from the surgery. If your ovaries are healthy, your doctor will probably want to leave them so that you will not have to take hormones. Yes, it is possible that you could become depressed and forgetful for awhile. One of the aftereffects of general anesthesia is depression and fuzzy thinking, but it's normally very short-term.

Be sure to read the pre-op and post-op hints that are on the main page (here are links to them) and then come back and post any more questions that you may have.

Pre-Op Hysterectomy Articles

Hysterectomy Recovery Articles

's

Karen

P.S. Follow the link in my post above to the Florida forum. We'd love to have you join us, too.

I'm having my LSH on 9-10, too! I am pretty good at putting on a brave face and it works most of the time, but I'm still very sad to have to have surgery. I'm afraid, too, of the hormonal issues that can crop up--been lurking over in Hormone Jungle to get a grip on what can happen and what the ladies are doing about it. So many woman have posted how much BETTER they feel. Yes there are some who feel worse, but the "better" ones are in the majority.

Feel free to PM me if you want! (Just to let you know, my e-mail link is my work e-mail & it is screened by my boss )

Lots of s and s

I had a TVH /BSO on 8-12-02. I went to my gyn, after not going for a year and a half and he told me what my options were --some of which were meds and ablation, but also said he suggested the hysterectomy because my uterus was literally falling out and i had a cystocele and said the other options would only fix part of the problems and not all of them. He had never mentioned a hysterectomy in the past and is a very conservative doctor. I was also have very heavy menstrual bleeding, very frequent periods, had cramps and breast soreness every day of the month, so decided to have the hysterectomy. I scheduled an appointment with a surgeon for a second opinion, and on the day I was to go, started another period, after only 14 days from the last period, and bleeding was so heavy and clots so large decided there was no need for a second opinion, as a nurse and knowing my own body, I knew I needed to go ahead with the hysterectomy.

Anyway, my husband went to our GP for a bad cold, so I went with him, he mentioned to our GP that the GYN had suggested that I have a hysterectomy and his reply was the in his opinion a woman is never the same afterwards and that living in our town a woman with a uterus would not have one for long and I should get a second opinion. He knew that I had been having problems for years but, because I had my GYN I really did not discuss a lot of my female problems with him. Needless to say, I left there very mad and do not plan on returning to him, but plan on changing doctors, I felt what he said was very uncalled for. He made my husband have second thoughts, and made him more scared, but thankfully after my last period he changed his mind in a hurry when I was lying in the bed crying in pain for the horrible cramps and back pain.

I feel everyone should get a second opinion if they have any doubts at all, and sometimes the insurance companies require a second opinion.

Hey, good luck on your surgery and hope everything goes well. Other than the surgery pain (I am not too good at resting and such), I actually feel so much better, have gotten rid of all the tampons,keeping the pads around for awhile, and even though I am on hormones and haven't gotten all that straightened out yet, I am actually emtionally better than I was before.

Hi, I too, didn't get a second opinion, but did read about options and my doctor explained some alternatives that "might help", but they didn't sound as if they would positively take care of the problem. I also have a fibroid, but its on the lining of the uterus. Causing major bleeding, clotting. You sound as though you feel comfortable and confident with your doctor. You, better than anyone knows how you feel. (if you have any doubt though you still have time to seek that second opinion.) I, too, am scheduled for surgery on 9-10. Good Luck sister and I'll be thinking of you and my prayers are with you.

It felt so good to log in tonight and see all your replies, I guess in a way i felt no one would write back!

I have been searching around in the pre surgery hints and read alot, I amscheduled for a full abdominal hyster. leaving the ovaries, and he is supposed to take out the cervix, but the more research I do on my own, the more everyhing seems to point in the direction, that it's best to keep it if you can.

I really don't know what is best to do.

I am 27, and I don't want my sex life to change, when I have it that is, now it's been too painful. It's hard for me t be open when I'm hurting I have always keep things in, I've always been what others call strong. I'm really not sure Iif I am truely strong, or just scared to tell I'm weak. My husband doesn't really know how much pain I'm in, when all this started and we did have sex, I hid the pains w/ moans(god help me) but since it's gotten worse(the pain that is) I try to avod him touching me at all. That sounds so bad. I'm afraid to have him touch me, cause I want to be w/ him too, it just kills when I give in, yet it kills me too when I don't.
I know he is confused, and I've told him just recently that he really doesn't know how much pain I am in, and that I try to keep it from him, so he doesn't worry more, and so that he doesn't baby me. I'm not one that can handle that too well.

My hormones are so out of wack right now, and I know that will clear up afte the surgery , aswell as the pain issue during sex, I just am stumped about the cervix thing.

During my surgery the doctor is going to remove the thousands of sists from my ovaries, and possibly (Idon't remember te medical term) but cut a like notch out of each of my ovaries and the sew it back together! Has any of youhad that done?

Am I normal??? Right now I feel so far away from normal, I feel I wear a sign on my chest whenever I am out!!