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22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
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08-02-2013, 07:53 PM
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HysterSister
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22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
Hi everyone, I've been reading so many of these post. Finally decided to post myself lol. I am 33 yrs. old with a distended abdomen looking four months pregnant. No problems with heavy bleeding just a large stomach (So self conscious about it). I was told my fibroids are 23 cm two very large looking like micky mouse ears on each side of the uterus. My bladder is ok for now.
I'm three weeks into a lupron injection hoping it will shrink them down a little. Only received the 2 months shot because of the side effects. I am here because since they are so high up the incision may have to go above the belly button (DEFINITELY DON'T WANT THAT) concerned about recovery time and scar. Also, they are leaving my ovaries but suggest the hysterectomy because of how large they are.
I don't believe I want children at this time in my life or at all ,so thinking its okay to do this but you never know. I just want my stomach and life back. By the way... doc also suggested cervix and tubes. Can anyone help? Feeling helpless
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08-02-2013, 08:14 PM
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Posts: 17,510
Hysterectomy: May 17th, 2011
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: 22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
Hi seekeroftruth to HysterSisters!
First off, your emotions are very normal.
I had a very large complex ovarian cyst and numerous fibroids. My surgery was a TAH BSO - everything is gone. My incision was 6 inch vertical - starting just below my belly button. The scar is visible but not noticeable.
If you are uncertain about the surgery, you can get additional opinions to see if you have other options. This is MAJOR SURGERY, and should be considered carefully. Recovery from this surgery takes a long time - think weeks and months, not days. Every one is different, but for me, it took 15 to 18 months before I was 100% recovered. Right after surgery, I was three weeks out of work, and part time for an additional 4 weeks at a moderate stress desk job. It was a very SLOW progression back into my life.
If you are still pondering having children, tell this to your doctor. Maybe there are other options.
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08-02-2013, 08:49 PM
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HysterSister
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Re: 22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
Wow... I hope it doesn't take that long to recover. I'm more concerned about going above the belly button.
Thank you
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08-03-2013, 08:06 AM
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Posts: 19,781
Hysterectomy: May 29th, 2013
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: 22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
I had a TAH/BSO with a vertical incision, although for cancer rather than fibroids. In my case, both my gyn and my gyn onc said that a vertical incision was necessary to allow the gyn onc room to look around for signs that the cancer had spread and to take samples. If you're not sure why your doc is doing a vertical incision, you need to ask. If you're not sure why s/he's proposing to take the cervix and tubes, you need to ask. If your doc brushes off your questions or gives you answers that don't make sense, get a second opinion. You shouldn't be having this surgery until you're clear as to what will be done and why.
Regarding recovery time, it's very different from person to person. Count on at least six weeks for a full recovery. I had a very easy recovery, with no complications. My gyn onc cleared me to return to work (desk job, low stress and part-time at this time of year) and do just about everything except lift heavy boxes at four weeks. At six weeks, I could lift boxes too. At that point, I felt completely recovered. But some of the sisters who had their surgeries about the same time I did had to deal with post-op infections and other setbacks and are still recovering.
Re: your incision, be aware that it will fade with time. I've got an incision scar on one knee from minor surgery after a bike accident. It was purplish red for some months after the accident but eventually faded to the same colour as the surrounding skin. I'm expecting/hoping my hyster scar will do the same. Right now, my hyster scar looks like someone drew a line down my belly with purple Sharpie!
At least one of the sisters mentioned going the opposite route: getting a tattoo that incorporates the scar. You could sort of hide it in plain sight.
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08-03-2013, 05:49 PM
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HysterSister
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Re: 22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
Doc said reason for vertical incision is because of how large the are. Removal of cervix and tubes are for cancer precautions. I feel comfortable with my doctor/surgeon just concerned about recovering from such a large incision. Hope that the Lupron shrinks it a little.
Thank u for your help
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08-03-2013, 07:30 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 12
Hysterectomy: July 24th, 2013
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
10 years ago I had surgery to remove cysts with a possible cancer scare. I had a vertical ins from belly button to pubic bone. It hurt badly for a week then got better. 8 years ago I had a c-sec down the same scar no prob- easy recovery , 10 days ago I had a TAH on the same scar. I am doing great. Only on Advil and trying very hard not to over do it even thought I feel good. I am actually glad I had a vertical. Hope this helps👸
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08-03-2013, 08:22 PM
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Posts: 3,319
Hysterectomy: July 2nd, 2007
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: 22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
seekeroftruth,
I too had large fibroids and did five months of Lupron. The Lupron worked well for me and I was able to have a minimally invasive surgery. I was 55 at the time so the Lupron didn't cause me many problems, 33 is another story.
There are many options for shrinking and removing fibroids without a hyster. Even very large ones. Have you had a second opinion? Did your doc offer any other options? We have articles and videos on the site you can check out for more info. Take advantage!
My fibroids were very large, even after shrinking considerably, but a LSH was still doable by an experienced surgeon. Don't hesitate to get more opinions, it's your body. You may have options for non-hyster or minimally invasive surgery.
Big fibroids don't necessarily need a big incision.
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08-04-2013, 04:32 PM
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HysterSister
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Re: 22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
Insurance not the best. Did get a second opinion. I didn't mind a hyst because I didn't plan to have children. Doctor said if I did want to have children she would save my uterus.
Thx
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08-04-2013, 04:36 PM
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HysterSister
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22 cm fibroid not sure about the vertical incision
That's helps to know after three incisions healing didn't take long.
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