dVH/RALH: Is it worth it??

Hi all-

My doctor has recommend the Divinci for me to remove my uterus and cervix. I have pretty bad pain with my cycle and he doesn't want to keep me on narcotics long term and thinks the surgery is a good idea. However, he told me it's possible the surgery WON'T cure my pain. I'm kind of looking forward to no more periods, bleeding or pregnancy scares (I already have 2 kids with the husband) but I'm scared this won't be worth it! Any advice for those of you who have been through it? Words of encouragement?

Do you have fibroids or some issue causing all of this pain? I don't understand why he said it wouldn't help your pain...

In my case, I was glad I had the surgery (uterus & cervix out) when I did because if I'd waited, my fibroids would have been too big and too involved to do with the daVinci procedure and I would have had to have an abdominal incision. I was "borderline" and my dr. said during the surgery two or three times she thought she would have to go abdominal, but pressed on...made for a longer surgery, but shorter and less painful recovery...

If you wait...things could get much worse...have you had an ultrasound done to show what is going on?

During my second c-section, the doc found endo which was burned off at that time. Since having my second child, my periods have become increasingly painful with cramps lasting anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. My doctor said having the surgery should cure all the discomfort but sometimes people have unexplained pelvic pain that wouldn't be helped by the procedure. (He did say that was a small chance). The doctor didn't find an exact cause for my discomfort (like fibroids) which is why I'm nervous is the surgery is worth it. Obviously it would be lovely to have no more periods but without having a 100% certainty that it will cure all my problems makes me wonder if it's worth it.

Ultimately I think you have to way your pros and cons and make the decision that is best for you. That being said my hysterectomy did not take care of my pelvic pain. I still have it on a daily basis. some days are not to bad and some days are incompacitating. Before the surgery I had had periods that lasted 15 days for 10 years. They were VERY HEAVY and pain so bad I was in bed for about 5 days. The rest of the period days the pain was intense but livable.
Now I have pelvic pain daily. I orginally had my surgery because I was bleeding for over 4 months extremely heavy. I was literally bleeding to death as my Dr. told me.
After the surgery when I saw the pathology I had a boat load of things wrong with me. But I can tell you if I had been able to get the bleeding to stop I would never of had this surgery. There are days now that I wish I would of never had it bleeding and all.
But the problems I am having are not what the majority of people experience. I am in the minority.
Good Luck on your decision. Please be informed on any and all problems you can have with this surgery. Once you are armed with those facts then you can look at every angle and decide what is best for you.

Going Da Vinci was worth it for me. I had had painful periods with excessive bleeding and clots for years. In 2008, i decided to try an ablation the same month I had a clot the size of a golf ball. Not quite three years later, the pain was back but the bleeding was minimal.

I went back to the Dr that did the ablation. He requested another ultrasound to see how things compared to the previous one and to get measurements if a repeat ablation was in order. The ultrasound found my uterine wall was actually thicker than before the ablation, which should not be. And they found my left ovary had a cyst, once again.

Decided on having a biopsy of the lining to make sure no pre cancer or cancer cells, came back fine. Then it was really up to me. He offered me three possible answers to my pain...1)redo the ablation 2)remove the left ovary/redo ablation or 3) do a hysterectomy. Was referred to a dr that does DaVinci surgery, got educated and decided a hysterectomy, with cervix and left ovary removal was the way to go.

Surgery was scheduled on July 5th. Not even 3 weeks after the decision was reached and about 2 1/2 months since the start of this. During the surgery it was found that my left ovary had adhered to the wall and other structures around it. Was told that this was probably causing most of my pain. At my 4 week check up......surprise...had a fibroid the ultrasound had not seen and had adenomyosis. So the explanation for most of my pain was found during surgery and after.

I am telling you this because I just want you to realize that even after you have all the test and they still can not decide what is causing your pain, that there are reason's possible that will only come to light afterwards. Needless to say, after surgery I have felt like a new woman. I have had a few set back because I feel so much better, but I would not second guess the decision I made.

We are glad you have found HysterSisters.com and hope we can offer you helpful information and support!

One reason your doctor cannot guarantee that a hysterectomy will resolve your pain issues is because you have an endometriosis diagnosis. Endometriosis is not cured with the removal of the uterus or ovaries and remaining implants can continue to cause pain and symptoms post hysterectomy. The key for treating endometriosis is the skillful excision of the actual endometriosis implants, something most doctors cannot do. "Burning off" endometriosis is not a very successful and long term method for treating endometriosis implants. To learn more about endometriosis, feel free to pop over to our Endometriois Support forum.

Additionally, women who have dealt with chronic pain such as endometriosis can end up with a phenomena where even if the source of the pain is removed, the body continues to send pain signals. While the nerves are stuck in this cycle, one will continue to feel pain that can be difficult to treat since there is no real source for the pain.

Before you schedule a hysterectomy, I would strongly advise that you learn all you can about endometriosis, consulting with an endometriosis specialist if at all possible. You should also search out a doctor who treats chronic pelvic pain issues. That type of doctor may be able to help you decide if your pain issues are something associated with your uterus or not.

Regardless, get a second opinion from a doctor who does not practice obstetrics. Look for a gynecological surgeon who practices minimally invasive surgery.

As (((countryliving))) shared, a hysterectomy doesn't resolve all issues and can open the door to whole list of new health problems. Thus, you are wise to be asking questions prior to heading into OR. Each woman needs to very carefully weigh her own pros and cons because some of us do end up with not so happily ever after experiences.

I wish you the best for whatever you decide is right for you!

Weiser...I so agree with everything you said.
I did not get a second opinion and am kicking myself everyday for it.

I had my surgery almost two years ago for endometriosis. It was supposed to cure it and it hasn't. I now have chronic pain,fibromyalgia, and allergies none of which I had going in. I was in horrible pain so guess the surgery helped some. I go to a pain clinic now and that has helped with pain. I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that my life has changed permanently since the surgery.
I would get as much info as possible prior to the surgery so you truly know all the complications that could happen. I really think it is vital to get the most info possible. I didn't do that and am left wondering if I needed this surgery or if something else could have been done.
Everyone makes their own decision and weighing pros and cons I would still chose surgery. Hope this helps a little

I would definitely investigate your problem further before I had such major surgery., I would not have had a hysterectomy if I did not have to, I have uterine prolapse and my uterus was literally falling out of my vagina. Go for another opinion, if it rids you of your pain it would be worth it but if your doctor does not think it will why in the world are you doing this, you are nuts to do this without further investigation, This is a major surgery which can have major complications. I wish you all the best but do not just jump into this,