What are the questions to ask?

I will be going to get a 2nd and maybe a 3rd opinion. My first dr. wants to do a partial hyst. leave my ovaries. She suggested this about 5 years. I have put this off. One because I had small children so I wouldn't be able to lift. I also didn't feel like it was that bad. I am 35 now. I am sure I am done having children. My monthly periods are enough of a problem. Every time I go for a pap she doesn't see how I can still use a tampon or have sex because my uterus is so prolapsed.

After reading all these posts though, I am not sure what questions to ask the doctors. Surgical menapause? What is that. HRT what is that? Everyone keeps using intials to explain their procedures. I need cliff notes. I have no idea what they have had done. I want to be sure I get all my answers.

My dr says I can do this surg. have a down time of two weeks and be back teaching 4yr old preschool 3 mornings a week after that. Is that realistic? I just don't know what to expect.

Anyone have answers for me?

Miss Deb

Dear Miss Deb

I had a TAH (total abdominal hysterectomy) and was off of work for 6 weeks. I wouldn't have been able to work taking care of small children at two weeks. Personally, I don't think that's reasonable. I would get another opinion.

There is a place on here (don't know where, on the home page I think) that explains the abbreviations. It took me a while to figure them all out, and there are a couple on here I still haven't figured out.

Take a list of your questions and take notes of the answers. You can always go back/call and ask more questions.

Here's hoping you have an uneventful surgery and recovery.

Hi There!

Here are the Abbreviations used on the website. In the future, to find them, click on "Quick Links" in the lavender bar near the top right of this page. "Abbreviations" is listed near the bottom of the menu.

Surgical menopause happens when the ovaries are removed. Since you are keeping your ovaries, you shouldn't have to worry about that. HRT means "hormone replacement therapy" which, again, is primarily used for women who have their ovaries removed. There is no need for you to be concerned about these things at this point, since it's unlikely they will pertain to you.

Many s and Best Wishes,

Dear Miss Deb:

Kudos to you for seeking out a 2nd or 3rd medical opinion. My doc #2 had much more cutting & pasting in mind for me than doc #3.

85% of hysts are elective, done for quality of life reasons. Get smart about your symptoms and your options, and make the best choice for YOU. I am sending huge cyberhugs

Hi MissDeb,

it sounds like maybe your 1st Dr. is recommending a laparoscopic hyst, such as a LAVH or a LSH.

I had a LSH and I went back to work, slowly, at 2 weeks with a Dr's okay. A laparoscopic hyst is a less invasive hyst. I am one year post-op from my LSH and I am still very pleased with my surgery results.

Here is a Hyster Sisters link that goes over the different types of hysts:

https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/hsa...p?s=&id=152317

Best wishes,

Mary