vaginal or abdominal?

Hi! I'm brand new here! Not sure quite how this works, but sure appreciate the site. I am scheduled for a hysterectomy March 2nd. 3 weeks from now. I'm nervous... of course.

I was told today by an ultrasound technician that she sees a lot of complications from vaginal hysterectomies and that abdominal may be the better way to go because the Doctor can see what he/she is doing! Is this true?

I see you are Canadian! I am in Ontario. Anyway. I am fairly new here too and still learning to navigate the site. I'm not sure of the difference. I am having an abdominal hysterectomy on the 18th. I was never offered the vag way.
Just wanted to say hi, and wish you all the best, I am however very sorry that I have no answers to your question. I am sure one of the other ladies on this site will be able to give you an answer.
Good Luck

Vicky
TAH Feb.18th 2004

first of all, it was/is NOT the ultrasound technicians job to tell you anything about "what she see's" and what she thinks "is the best way to go".....this decision is your dr's..once he/she examines you, he/she will then decide what is best for you........as far as complications, all surgeries pose this risk.....you will need to get all of your information from YOUR DR and then weigh the pro's and con's with him/her, then decide whats best for your medical needs.

Good answer abcdefg1! I had a total vagninal hyst May 2003. I personally was glad that I wouldn't have an abdominal insision to deal with but was willing to do whatever my doctor recommended. I had several large fibroids and anterior and posterior repairs. My doctor did need to take my fibroids out in pieces. My recovery was uneventful and progressed well. Even though I was a good princess and rested, ate right and drank lots of fluids I did have a slight brownish discharge for several weeks but figured that I was pudhing my activity level too soon and that was the cause. I was relieved to be rid of monthly periods that were becoming more and more painful, closer together and with heavy flow. Some of those days I wanted to just stay home rather that risk an imbarassing accident. I pray for wisdom for you and your doctor as you both make decisions that will give you the best out come.

You will notice that in the last post I said my surgery was 2003. I then read it and realized that of course it was 2002. Sorry for the error. Time does fly though doesn't it?

Everyone's different and you and your doctor need to decide which surgical approach is right for you! As far as TVH' s go, I count myself lucky as I have had NO post-op complications (thus far). But everyone is different. Please keep us posted as to when/how your surgery will be done. :-)

Hi!
Welcome to HysterSisters! There is tons of information, advice, support, and s when you need them.

Be sure to check out the PreOp Hints and Articles (click here) PostOp Articles (click here) and Princess Stories (click here) for information and answers to help you get ready for surgery and what to expect after surgery.

Also please be sure to read the info New Here? which can also be accessed from the top of every screen, for information to help you get the most out of this site.

	Quote:
Originally posted by needreassurance I was told today by an ultrasound technician that she sees a lot of complications from vaginal hysterectomies and that abdominal may be the better way to go because the Doctor can see what he/she is doing! Is this true?

If the U/S technician is a friend of yours discussing her experiences and offering her advice, that is one situation. However if this is an U/S technician who was talking to you while doing her job, that was way out of line. Regardless of why and when this conversation took place, the type of procedure depends on a variety of issues, and your DR/Surgeon is the one to make that determination.

Read and research as much as possible to help you, in conjunction with your DR, make the best decisions for you.

Best wishes!

ps: please click on <control panel> and go into your profile and add your surgery date. This way you will be on the calendar and we can be sure to send you special good wishes as your date approaches. Thanks!

I was scared of having it done vaginally too as I was scared she couldn't see what she was doing. She assured me she can indeed see what needs to be seen and there are safeguards they take to minimize risk of anything happening. She also told me the risks of abd surgery (added infection risk, etc) outway the risks of vaginal. Basically the way she said it was that anything that could go wrong during vaginal surgery could also go wrong during abd, but that adding the adb incisions adds even more risk. I took her advice, and she was right. Everything went fine, and now I don't have the incision to deal with!

Keep in mind it depends on your diagnosis and previous history as to which is the better option. I think as long as you trust your dr, trust them to help you make the best decision. They're the ones who do this all the time, and know why one method is preferred in your case.

Jeannie

Thank you very much to everyone who responded to my question. I will speak to the Doctor one more time to which method he thinks is best.

I've had two meetings with him so far. My symptom is excessive pain for about 7-10 days per month. Which DR says is because of fibriods. I've been planning my life around this pain for many years now. ie. no vacations, no parties, etc at that time. I've decided to take control, cause who knows when the big Menopause will come?!! Anyways...it was me who asked for a vaginal hysterectomy. He said yes, but in hind site, he said it hesitantly. I'll go in again ask him which way he would prefer to do it.
My name is Sylvia

I had LAVH. Have three small incisions on the tummy from the laproscope. Had everything removed, endo along with fibroid. Had endo removed twice previously so this wasn't that much worse than that, just a little longer recovery period. But all is going well right now.