Why can't i have a vaginal hyst.?

Dear Sisters,
I have 11 days to go until my TAH and, like the rest of you are/have been i am very nervous and wondering if i am making the right decision.
One thing (out of many) that bothers me is the scarring i will have with a TAH, i know it is supposed to be minimal but i suffer with hypertrophic scarring, which means i have scars that look like thick rope when healed.I have been told that as i have never had children i cannot have a vaginal operation as my cervix is too small, but what difference does it make if they are going to remove it anyway?
Does anyone have an idea or any experience?
I have alos ben told to take Arnica post-op. Has antone else tried this and does it make a difference?
Thanks you ladies for all your help and support, i will be here everyday for the next 11 days using your support to get me through.

I had a LAVH/BSO on March 5th and I have never had children. My Gyn/Oncologist said she felt she could get a good view with the scope and therefore thought she could do it vaginally. My uterus was enlarged also. It was never mentioned about not having had children as a problem, and yes the cervix was removed as she said it has to be with a vaginal procedure. Of course I had to sign a release that gave her permission to do an abdominal procedure if she saw something or had problems. I guess every Dr. is different, but thought I would tell you my story. Good luck,
Flipper

I had a vaginal hyst on 3-3-03 and I have never had
children. The dr told me that there was a chance she
could not do the TVH because I was so small and i had
several fibroids. It makes a difference if the uterus is
enlarged. Mine was about the size of a 10 -12 week
pregnancy. Luckily, she was able to do the TVH, but
she did tell me that the uterus had to be cut into
two different pieces in order to accomplish the TVH.
Maybe you could take to your dr again and be sure a
LAVH or a TVH is for certain not an option. If not, don't
worry. My dr also assured me that if she had to do the
TAH, most people have a very good recovery. Anyway
you do it, I think it is worth it.

Good Luck

Karen

___________
green1201, TVH 03-03-03, several fibroids, kept ovaries

I am scheduled for a LAVH in May. When my doc and I first started talking about having my hyst, she said Abdominal becasue I had no vaginal birth only a C-section. She thought there would not be enough room I guess. She then did an exam and changed her mind and decided she was going to go with the LAVH but said she would switch in the middle to a TAH if she had to. I'm guessing my labor even though it stalled did make things a little roomier in there. My uterus is also not real large yet, but I'm sure with enough time it would be with the fibroids taking over.

Sorry to hear about your scarring problem. I'm afraid I don't know anything about it, but you may want to try a search Arnica. Just click on the search button at the top of the page.

Take care and keep reading and posting!

Rae-Ann

Hello!
I don't have an answer for you on the TVH v TAH, other than to discuss it more with your doctor.

But I have taken Arnica after the birth of my last two babies. It does seem to help with bruising and soreness.

I've read that a majority of doctors don't have a lot of experience with LAVH, so that's why it's not done as much as the abdominal surgery. You should find out why (or if) it's not an option, but tread carefully on the physician's ego. I hear some can get a little testy.

I've never had children either and I had an LAVH. The first doctor said he could do it vaginally, and the second doctor chose to do it LAVH. I'm not sure why you were told what you were told. Re- ask your doctor the question. It's your body, you are entitled to answers you understand and trust.

I was told I wasn't a candidate for laparascopy too by 2 doctors, but I found a doctor with the skill and the tools. I had an enlarged uterus, a large fibroid and a calcifying left ovary. I have never had children. My surgery was called LSH (laparascopic supracervical hysterectomy) I still have my cervix and my right ovary. Everything was taken out through tiny incisions, the largest in my belly button was less than 1 inch.

My recovery is going very quickly. I am 2 weeks out and went to a chiropractor today and actually laid on my stomach. I couldn't do that comfortably 3 weeks ago.

One cut was in my belly button and the other three were along my bikini line and they are about 1/2" long. I had a scar from a myomectomy many years ago and the cuts were made in that scar. So by swimsuit weather I will virtually have no evidence that I had surgery.

It's hard to find doctors with this skill but I feel lucky lucky lucky that I got my surgery with so little impact.

LSH in NOT the same thing as a TVH (vag hyst) or a LAVH (Lap assisted vag hyst), it is a completely different procedure, very new and not offered in a lot of places or by that many surgeons.

If you're not 100% comfortable with your DR's choice of type of surgery talk to him again, or get a second or third or fourth opinion, or however many you need to feel comfortable. Your DR may want an abdominal incision to get a good look around, or possibly your uterus is too large and the cervix could be too small. Basically with a TVH they are pulling the uterus out through the cervix and then cutting and stitching.

Lady Diver, I was also told a vaginal procedure was probably out of the question because I'd never given birth. The doctor put me down for LAVH with possible TAH, and I ended up with the TAH.

In addition to being small in that area my uterus was also enlarged to the point where an abdominal procedure was the best option.

Sending lots of good wishes and s your way.