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Second thoughts
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06-14-2002, 08:22 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 21
Hysterectomy: July 1st, 2002
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Second thoughts
I am 2 weeks away from having TAH. I have several fibroids and the biggest one was 10 cm last December. However, they cause me no discomfort or bleeding problems; I just feel a little pressure at times. The first doctor I went to didn't think anything needed to be done until problems arise. My current doctor thinks surgery should be done as soon as possible. He, and my husband, think I should have the surgery done now while I'm in good health and can heal faster. (I'm 52, but haven't gone through menopause yet.) Both of them think I don't know how bad I feel, and will be amazed at how much more energy I'll have after recovery. I am frequently tired, but, hey, I work hard! Do you think doctors are "hyster-happy" these days?
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06-14-2002, 09:43 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 247
Hysterectomy: May 31st, 2002
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Second thoughts
Hi Neets,
Just my opinion- I think most of them today act like they belong to the Order of the Ovary- they don't want to take anything out! It took me quite a while to convince them that I really was tired of the pain.
You are perfectly within your rights to get a second opinion, if you want more information. It seems (to me), though, that if they recommend a hyst that there is usually a good reason.
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06-14-2002, 09:51 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 1,249
Hysterectomy: April 23rd, 2002
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Second thoughts
It took me 3 years to convince my doctor I needed and wanted this surgery. Of course we went thru all the alternatives, nothing helped.
Some docs are in a hurry to get things done and others dismiss problems (as like all in your head type of thing).
My opinion, go ahead with the TAH. You will feel less tired and will have a better quality of life. Of course this is just my opinion, you do what is right for you.
Best Wishes,
Amy
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06-15-2002, 03:00 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 688
Hysterectomy: July 13th, 2001
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Second thoughts
I had problems with my uterus/periods/etc for a long time. I'm younger though so my dr didn't even consider a hyst until after my 3rd (and last- had tubal ligation also) child was a year old. Only THEN did he finally suggest a hyst would be the best route for me and he never even discussed it before -like once you finish having children we should do this-nothing like that. I guess all drs are different though. I suppose there COULD be some out there that are hyst happy but I think they'd have to have just cause for even suggesting it or they'd be taking a lot of risk with their careers. In other words, I agree... he wouldn't recommend this without reason.
Only you can make the final decision whether you should have this surgery or not. But even though you aren't having really bad pain or bleeding problems- the fibroids really should be removed. I think.. and apparently your dr agrees and that's why he thinks you need the hyst. Are there reasons in your mind why you don't want to have the hyst to remove the fibroids? I'm not familiar with fibroids (as I did not have them) and not sure what the risks are with leaving numerous fibroids for a long period of time.
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06-15-2002, 03:57 AM
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Information Keeper
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Posts: 22,612
Hysterectomy: May 25th, 1999
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Be comfortable with your decision.....
If you're having second thoughts, you would be wise to postpone surgery until you are absolutely certain that this is what *you* want. This surgery doesn't come with any guarantees, and you only need to read the threads on The Road Less Traveled to know that a hysterectomy doesn't always cure all problems.
Generally, but not in all cases, fibroids will shrink after menopause. If your fibroids aren't causing any problems for you, you might want to just wait to see if this will be the case with you.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't have surgery, but you need to be comfortable with your decision to avoid any "what if's" later. Your surgery isn't an emergency, so you have the luxury of time on your side. Use that time to further explore your options.
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06-15-2002, 06:31 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 688
Hysterectomy: July 13th, 2001
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Second thoughts
Well see, there ya go. Sounds like fibroids (that aren't causing you problems) are not a risk to just leave them be. So I guess that would mean the decision is up to you or to get another dr's opinion before making your mind up. Thanks Catherine for clearing that up! I sure showed I don't know diddly about fibroids. LOL
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06-15-2002, 07:31 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 53
Hysterectomy: July 9th, 2002
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Second thoughts
My doctor told me that 40% of caucasian women have fibroids and it is higher for other women. He said the difference is that many of them go unnoticed because they never really have any problems or symptoms. I've wondered about having this surgery too especially after reading some of these posts. Yeah I have Heavy periods and I live on pain killers a few days a month but it isn't nearly as bad as some of these ladies. I've known that I had fibroids since I was preg with my 4th baby 4 years ago.
IT wasn't until I went in for a physical in April because I had gotten so that I could feel my uterus. That month my abdominals grew 2.5 inches around and when they did the U/S they could see 4 good size fibroids and also there was so much scar tissue that they aren't sure whether I really have sever endo or if after 5 c-sec I'm just all screwed up inside.
When I talked to my doc he told me it was totally up to me. He would suggest a TAH but the reality of it was it was my quality of life. I asked him if I was his wife what would he do and he said that he would have her do the surgery because he figures that it would improve the quality of life so much.
Also I just turned 30 so I have a long way to go before meno. But I have heard that fibroids do shrink during meno as they don't have the hormones/blood to grow on.
Good luck. My husband wants me to have the surgery too and I am excited to not have a period ANYMORE!!!
Kerri
7/09/02
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06-15-2002, 07:56 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 122
Hysterectomy: August 2nd, 2002
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Second thoughts
Every doctor is so different. I had a tubal when I was 25 after having one child. The doctor that I had then didn't have any problem doing it for me. After that is when the endo started to get really bad. When I went back to him for help with the endo, the ONLY thing that he would do to treat it was a hyst! Well, I had done my research at that point and knew that there were other options out there, not to cure, but to treat and make life a little more liveable.
I found a new gyn that I really liked and we have gone through four years of surgery, drugs and whatnot. Whenever I would see him, he would tell me "whenever you're ready to stop living this way, just let me know." He's wasn't pushing me, just letting me know that he didn't have a problem doing the hyst when I AM ready. The funny thing is, the reason I have put it off for years is becuase I didn't want to go on HRT. (The thought of being depended on something for the rest of my life scared me - and yes, I have requested that he take my ovaries. They don't funtion right anyway - hot flashes at 30???)
One day as I was laying in bed wishing that I could just pass out for the next two days and not have to go through it again I realized that taking a pill or wearing a patch HAD to be better than what I was going through. So, I call him and told him I was ready. He said pick a date. He and I both know that I'm not having any more children (obviously, since I had the tubal 5 years ago!) and don't see any point in living like this for another 20 or 30 years! Wow! That sounds like a long time when I see it in print!
Anyway, IMO some doctors think that a hyst is a solution to pain and problems and others see it for what it is. Get yourself a second opinion, don't do anything that you don't feel comfortable with, but don't put it off just becuase of fear and make more problems for your body down the road.
Good luck with your decision!!! ((((((((((hugs))))))))))
Gillian :
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06-15-2002, 12:41 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 43
Hysterectomy: May 10th, 2002
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Second thoughts
I also had fibroids. Discovered after a miscarriage 6 years ago about golf ball size. Grew to baseball size during my next pregnancy 5 years ago, and maintained that size since then. I had heavy periods with lots of clots and backaches but no major problems. I mentioned hyst to my dr several times, but he always said just leave the fibroids alone since they weren't bothering me. Well, this past year they grew to 14 week size, and I could feel it when I laid on my stomach. Because of the growth this year, the dr said the hyst needed to be done, and it was scheduled for 6 weeks later.
I am now 5 weeks post-op. I have had some incision problems which have delayed my recovery, but overall I feel great. Except for the incision infection (which was very painful for about 3-4 days), I have had almost no pain, and I am now laying on my stomach with no hard lump. I am also very glad about not having periods any more. That is the best benefit of this.
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