vaginal or abdominal hyst?

I'm confused! One doc tells me that I need to have an abominal hysterectomy (I have one fibroid, 4 cms causing bleeding). The other says I can have a vaginal hysterectomy. The first says he wouldn't do vaginal (although he is experienced at doing it) as I have never had children and he thinks it would be difficult and possibly cause me more problems in the long run due to difficult access and possible injury. The other doc says it's fine as my uterus isn't very large at all!
Anyone else had this experience?
Toni

Go to a third doc or a fourth until you are confident in what you are going to do. Hang it you have to take care of you. Bookfairy

Hi,

My situation was similar to yours and my doctor recommended an abdominal hysterectomy since I never had children and is the usual recommendation for women like us that never had children vaginally. I had a TAH and healed fine! Best of luck to you!

Thanks to both - will have another think then decide! Nice to hear from someone who was in exactly the same situation - think I'll probably go with the abdominal.

I had a LAVH and I've never had children. Also, my uterus was the same size as someone who is 4 - 5 months preggers.

I think a lot of it has to do with how comfortable the surgeon is with the lap procedure.

My Doc. said I had to have a TAH, because I never had children, and the Fibroid was to large to go Vaginally, as I was to small inside for that. Vicki

My doctor also said I needed abdominal since I never had children!

Just thought I would let you know what my dr said. I don't care either way as long as I get relief!!!!

I had a LAVH, and I have never had children. My uterus was the size of a 12-14 wk pregnancy due to fibroids.

No one ever mentioned the fact that I hadn't had children as being a factor; my doctor only said that the size of the uterus was "marginal," i.e., whether or not it could be done vaginally. The surgeon was confident he could, and he did.

I had TAH because I've had Laparoscopy twice before, which leaves some internal scarring/adhesions that would make TVH or LAVH very difficult at best.

I've never had children, but the surgeon never mentioned that as a reason why a vaginal hyst wouldn't work. I chose the TAH because the LAVH or TVH would have taken longer, and maybe required the surgeon to remove my 14+ week size uterus in "segments". The TAH just sounded all-around easier in the long run to me.

I agree with the suggestion to get a 3rd/4th/5th opinion, until you're comfortable with the answers to your questions. Only you can make the best choices for you!