I'm Soon To Be Pre-Op!

Saw my ob/gyn Friday and had an ultrasound. I now have a tennis-ball size fibroid amongst 3-4 smaller ones (how small, don't know) plus a huge polyp. Had a D&C only one year ago to remove many, many polyps and already I've grown a huge brand new one. He couldn't do an ablation because uterus is way too big.

With my enlarged heavy uterus laying on my bladder, I find myself needing to urinate more often; and of course, during the night.

Monthly periods are still coming full force at my age of 51 and very regular at that. No hot flashes, nada, to suggest menopause anytime soon. I know fibroids shrink after the change, but with the mess I've got going on, I may have incontinence issues later on moreso than I have now.

Not to mention I can't leave the house for more than an hour, if that, on the 2-3 days of the period due to flooding...and the pain is almost like early to mid labor and also during the ovulation phase.

I've had it. My doctor told me he can't keep doing D&C's on me every month to remove these polyps that insist on forming. I went in his office fully ready to make the decision so there was no talking me into it. He always left it up to me, but this time, he did suggest it saying that I need to get my life back.

I can't tell you how wonderful I feel to know that the end of my suffering through all this every month is near. I plan on having surgery sometime in January. After I have my biopsy on Tuesday, I can schedule. He's going to open up my c-section scar so I'll be having abdominal for sure due to uterine size; plus the fibroids. I've also had several other abdominal surgeries over the years so maybe adhesions are an issue as well.

Keeping ovaries and cervix are my next decision. He told me he'd save the ovaries if there were no cysts or anything suspicious with them. But, I have plenty of time to talk this all over with him.

So if you could direct me where to read up on pros and cons of ovaries and cervix, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I'll keep you all posted on my latest details and thanks for providing such a wonderful; informative site!

The cervix and ovaries decision is a tough and very personal one. For me there was no doubt that I wanted both removed. Like you, menopause was not in sight. My ovaries and cervix were both healthy except for a small cyst on one ovary. I had one pap a few years ago that came back with abnormal results, but that problem was fixed. Some of the reasons I chose to remove everything are that cancer is prevalent in my family and I had had enough with the monthly cycle. If you keep your ovaries, you still cycle. I am pleased with my decision. I do not miss either and feel absolutely fantastic.

I guess my main concern with this whole surgery is the sexual aspect I have to look forward to. I've read not keeping the cervix can hinder the big "O" and others saying it makes no difference at all. I need to read more positive outcomes from having "the works" removed.

I wish there was a forum for positive sexual experiences as well on here. Although, I know no two women are alike, it would be nice to read how wonderful and satisfying sex is after hysterectomy.

Diane99 as you read through the boards, you will find a lot of posts about sex after the hyst. Some good, some not so good. The same goes for how women feel about their general well-being afterward too. It seems that much of what makes the difference is how you view things going in. You seem to have a positive outlook and to be very ready to have this done. When I found I needed the hyst, I hadn't been to the gyn in 4 years so I wasn't expecting to be told I needed surgery, but I was not feeling well and had a lot of pressure. However, I trust my dr completely and made the decision to do it. Once the decision was made there was no point double guessing or lamenting the loss of a few parts. I try not to dwell on or change anything I can't. Basically I do my best to adopt a positive attitude toward things. As for the hyst, I was able to do that well. That is me, though and I do not fault anyone who feels differently.

You know yourself and if you think for one minute you will have regrets, do not remove them. Once they are gone that's it. If you leave them, the worst that can happen is you would have to go back at a later date. For me, I would not consider going back - I wanted it done once and for all. Fortunately, I have had only a minimum of menopausal symptoms that I am dealing with without ERT.

Good luck with your decision. I hope you get posts that can better help you.