who had adeno and kept the cervix ??

Hello. I have adenomyosis and my doctor and I discussed keeping the cervix and she pretty much talked me out of it and told me LAVH is the way to go. But my gut just says keep it if it's healthy and it is healthy I've never had a bad pap . Surgery is September 30th can I change my mind and keep the cervix even though I told her LAvH? HELP

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Originally Posted by Summer2015 Me me me!!! (waves hand high!!) I had adenomyosis, 20-week pregnancy size uterus. And I kept my cervix (and ovaries). I went to FIVE doctors before I found one who not only agreed to keep my cervix, he wanted to. He took it as a personal challenge, saying that he's never not been able to save a cervix when he's told the patient he can. He said he'd make the best decision once he was in there regarding cervix and ovaries, but he wanted to preserve them. I happily woke up only missing a uterus/basketball. He did it laparascopically, with 4 tiny incisions, and a 4" bikini cut incision. Turns out, my uterus was just too big and dense to get out of the small incisions, which was fine with me. BTW, my doctor was a urogynecologist, so I trusted him with respect to his decision regarding helping preserve pelvic floor support. Yes, there's a lot of debate about whether that's the case or not, but you cannot get your cervix back. I firmly believe in keeping something that's healthy. I was having bladder issues also, mainly incontinence. He used a cytoscope during the procedure and determined my bladder was healthy and that the incontinence was likely caused by the heavy uterus/watermelon. Healing was a breeze. A super peaceful experience. I can't describe it any other way. The only healing issues I had: 1) Because of the laparoscopic gas, I had shoulder pain when I first woke up, which was alleviated upon walking. By the time I left the hospital (within 24 hours), that pain was gone. 2) For about 2 weeks, I had stomach pain/soreness. Best way to describe it is, it feels like you did a huge ab workout, and your muscles feel really sore. Only when laughing, coughing, sneezing. Laughing was the worst, and my family wasn't helping...lol. I kept having to tell them to stop making me laugh. 3) Re: Incision sites: Dr. used Dermabond, so no stitches. I was instructed to shower, but just let water run over them. I wore loose sundresses for the first couple of weeks, with the mesh panties they give you at the hospital, rolled down to hipster style. By the 3rd week, I was back in regular clothes. 4) I did need transfusions after surgery, 4 hours worth. Lost a ton of blood during surgery, and I came in really low. BP came down very low during transfusions (like, 60/38), but bounced back in the morning. Took me a couple of weeks after coming home to feel fully present again, as I did have fatigue as my red blood cells rebuilt. Like, I would feel terrific, then hit a fatigue wall, then great again. 5) Pain meds: Was prescribed....oh gosh, can't remember, but it's a major one....I only took it for a couple of days, as I just didn't need it. 6) Sleeping: Because I'm a stomach sleeper, I put two king-size pillows alongside my body each night, under the covers, so I could roll over to either one. Very peaceful way to sleep. Slept 8 hours straight each night. My parents (over 80 years old) drove in, 5 hours away, for the surgery (I'm 53), as they were so nervous. In their day, hysterectomies meant 6 weeks in bed, in complete misery. They kept remarking that they couldn't believe I was sitting cross-legged, yoga style on the couch, eating sandwiches, wanting to go out for lunch, talking away, by the 3rd day. I live alone, in a 3-story home. I was afraid of the stairs, the shower, etc., and my doctor reassured me I'd be fine. He was right. I walked out of the hospital (no wheelchair), straight up 2 flights of stairs, straight into the shower. 3 months out, and my body is so....at peace. I keep forgetting that I even had the surgery. I do have some scars, and I do have numbness above my bikini incision, which he says is normal. Doesn't bother me at all. Please read as much as you can as you make this critical decision. I'm editing to add: I haven't had sex yet, as I'm single. But I've done some....self-exploration, lol. Everything inside feels the same. Moisture level, etc. I have not had any bleeding, but some who keep their cervix have a bit of spotting here or there. You will need to go in once a year for a pap smear.

Hi there. A question about your procedure? So you had laparoscopic and a 4 inch incision across your abdominal to remove your uterus?

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Originally Posted by Kfox Hello. I have adenomyosis and my doctor and I discussed keeping the cervix and she pretty much talked me out of it and told me LAVH is the way to go. But my gut just says keep it if it's healthy and it is healthy I've never had a bad pap . Surgery is September 30th can I change my mind and keep the cervix even though I told her LAvH? HELP

You can do whatever you want. It's YOUR body. Your doctor wants to do LAVH because it's easier for her. I switched doctors because she told me it was "impossible" to save my cervix. I cancelled my surgery appointment, found a new doctor, and voila.

Do a search for "vaginal cuff tears" and "vaginal cuff makes vagina shorter". Yes, there are plenty who lose their cervix who don't have these issues, but if they can be avoided, by all means.

Please remember: this is YOUR body, YOUR decision.

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Originally Posted by Kfox Hi there. A question about your procedure? So you had laparoscopic and a 4 inch incision across your abdominal to remove your uterus?

Yes, there were 4 tiny incisions across my belly. He really tried to remove it through one of those, but it was too big. So he did the 4" bikini cut (right above the hairline, doesn't show in a bikini or underwear), and got it out that way. Still considered a laparascopic surgery, as that is still a very small incision.

I was very specific about things before surgery, and the issue of a bikini cut was something I actually brought up to him. I told him I would be fine with a bikini cut, as I realized my uterus was probably way too big to come out of a typical tiny lap. incision. He later told me he tried for about 30 minutes to pull it out of one of those, as he really wanted to keep it as minimal as possible.

He was my FIFTH doctor, and I cancelled surgery with the 4th after I got his opinion.

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Originally Posted by Summer2015 You can do whatever you want. It's YOUR body. Your doctor wants to do LAVH because it's easier for her. I switched doctors because she told me it was "impossible" to save my cervix. I cancelled my surgery appointment, found a new doctor, and voila. Do a search for "vaginal cuff tears" and "vaginal cuff makes vagina shorter". Yes, there are plenty who lose their cervix who don't have these issues, but if they can be avoided, by all means. Please remember: this is YOUR body, YOUR decision.

Thank you for your response I really appreciate it. We live in a small town and doctors are limited . I need to ask her again about keeping my cervix . How long did your surgery take?

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Originally Posted by Kfox Thank you for your response I really appreciate it. We live in a small town and doctors are limited . I need to ask her again about keeping my cervix . How long did your surgery take?

3 hours.

Question: are you in pain, bleeding a ton, right now? I'm asking because if you are, then go ahead and get it done, even if your doctor says no way she can keep the cervix.

But if you can, I'd highly advise you seek another opinion, going into the nearest large city.

Either way, I wish you peace through this. Once it's done, you will be amazed at how great you feel.

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Originally Posted by Summer2015 3 hours. Question: are you in pain, bleeding a ton, right now? I'm asking because if you are, then go ahead and get it done, even if your doctor says no way she can keep the cervix. But if you can, I'd highly advise you seek another opinion, going into the nearest large city. Either way, I wish you peace through this. Once it's done, you will be amazed at how great you feel.

Pain yes ! Bleeding a ton right this moment no. The other thing is I've had 2 c-sections and the thought of ripping up my vagina and then worrying about a cuff makes me cringe. Thanks for talking!

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Originally Posted by Kfox Pain yes ! Bleeding a ton right this moment no. The other thing is I've had 2 c-sections and the thought of ripping up my vagina and then worrying about a cuff makes me cringe. Thanks for talking!

If you've had 2 C-sections, then it should be pretty simple to use your C-section scar.

I'd most definitely ask, or request, that that's how you want it done.

I hear ya on the pain and wanting it over with.

The best news is that, once you are done, the pain will be gone. I felt like a magic wand had been waved over me. I woke up from surgery, and it was like fairy dust was sprinkled while I slept. Been 4 months, and I'm pain and blood-free.

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Originally Posted by Summer2015 If you've had 2 C-sections, then it should be pretty simple to use your C-section scar. I'd most definitely ask, or request, that that's how you want it done. I hear ya on the pain and wanting it over with. The best news is that, once you are done, the pain will be gone. I felt like a magic wand had been waved over me. I woke up from surgery, and it was like fairy dust was sprinkled while I slept. Been 4 months, and I'm pain and blood-free.

Love your responses. I'm definitely talking with her tomorrow . Surgery Wednesday and hopefully I will feel fairy dust sprinkles!

Have you considered getting a second opinion? If you have endometriosis, it's recommended that you see an endometriosis specialist? They are trained to excise endometriosis from delicate areas like the bladder. Is a urologist-gynaecologist going to be present in your current scheduled surgery in case there is injury to the bladder? If even a tiny amount of Endometrosis is left behind, it can continue to cause pain even post-hysterectomy. Generally a hysterectomy is a cure for Adenomyosis, but this is not always the case for Endometriosis.

I'm in a similar situation. As far as I know, I don't have Adenomyosis. But I do have Endometriosis, and my cervix is adhered to my rectum. I'm on a 4-6 month course of Lupron in an attempt to shrink down the Endometriosis that's all over my bowel wall to make a hysterectomy safer. My doctor plans to have a colorectal surgeon on hand in the OR too for assistance.

It's probably not too late to seek a second opinion in regards to keeping your cervix. I have read on here that keeping your cervix helps support your pelvic floor too.