Back after a 2 year absence and here to stay

Hello ladies. I had posted for a short time in 2002 while deciding whether to have a hyst, and ultimately decided then to forego the hyst and instead had a lap with conscious pain mapping/hysteroscopy/D&C/RSO. It was the right decision at the time because my twins were only 2.5 then and I wanted to wait until they were older to go through major surgery. Well, now it's time.

Long story short, I have endo, adhesions, chronic pelvic pain, history of infertility and miscarriage, and 3 laps under my belt. In the past year, my VERY regular 35 day cycles have gone to 21-24 days, I'm experiencing heavy bleeding, and nearly constant pain. My doctor and I have decided it's time to start living my life, instead of having my life revolve around pain and bleeding. The decision came after waking up in a pool of blood two days ago. I simply can't live like this anymore.

So I'm now a LIW and should have a surgery date sometime in June or July. My GYN has to coordinate his surgery schedule with that of the pelvic pain specialist who assisted with my surgery in 2002 -- they will both be in the OR. It looks as though I'll be keeping my cervix and one remaining ovary, so I'll be having a SAH. My doctor calls it a "mini-laparotomy" -- he'll be going through my c-section scar but is hoping for a smaller incision. The pelvic pain specialist will also scope me to make sure they clear away any existing endo.

I do have a few questions for those of you who've been there, done that. First, I keep reading about "swelly belly." How long can I expect that to last? I'm small (5'1" and 105 lbs.), and hoping I won't have to buy new clothes! Also, how long can I expect the recovery to take? My doctor is estimating four weeks. Does that sound right? What sort of lifting/driving/stairs restrictions did you have? I'm most concerned about how long I'll be unable to have my kids sit on my lap (they're 4.5 now) and that sort of thing.

I appreciate any advice, and am so glad to have this site while I wait for my surgery.

Welcome back!!! I can totally relate to your concerns about your children!!! I am also the mother of twins that were 4 1/2 yrs. old when I had my TAH/BSO almost 6 mo. ago!!! I also have a 7 yr. old. I was VERY concerned about the kids not getting to sit in my lap much! Well, we made it work~one at a time, beside me in the recliner!!! They all 3 would get on the couch and sit by me. Kids this age do adapt well and are capable of doing SO much more than I gave mine credit for!!!!!! The early days of recovery were hard with the kids being so little, but we did survive!!!(with the help of some very busy Guardian 's!!!!)

I also can relate to your previous decision in 2002! My twins were 18mo. and 26mo. when I did D&C's instead of hyst!!! I could not see it happening when they were still so lil' and time consuming and dependant on me. For me, that was the right decision too. Now, looking back, I do wish that I could have had my hyst. (just not have to go through recovery) when they were littler so that I would have felt this good then!!! It was time for me to get on with living my life and I am so glad that my surgery allowed me to do that!!!!!

When I had my TAH/BSO, I had already had 8 laparoscopies, IVF,Pre-Sacral Neurectomy, and 4 D&C's, 1 miscarriage. But, had also been blessed with my children~which, without all those other surgeries to keep cleaning up ENDO/Adhesions, I would not have had! When I was 18, my GYN wanted to do a hyst on me. I am glad I was able to wait until I was 33 to do it.

It sounds like you have a great TEAM working with you to plan your surgery!!! I am glad you came back to HysterSisters to be a part of our family!!!

's,
Ronda