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Help! I think I'm going crazy!
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04-24-2001, 05:41 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 47
Hysterectomy: June 11th, 2001
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Help! I think I'm going crazy!
Sisters,
Help! I have so many new questions. Yes I am going to direct them to my dr, but in the meantime any advice would help. Why is it called a TAH if you keep your ovaries and cervix? Hopefully and prayerfully, I will be having only my uterus,and lots of endo removed. It is a definite possibility that my left ovary may have to go to and I'm okay with that. I want the right one kept even if I have to go back in a couple of years to have it cleaned up again from the endo. I read an article today that stated that after the surgeon removed the uterus and cervix they could actually see down through the vagina. Oh my Gosh, I nearly had a stroke!!! What keeps everything from falling out. Yes I know they suture it, but it is kind of a scary thought. Also, in this article after the surgery it shortens the cervix, if you keep it. How does sex feel after that? I know this is a weird question, but does the semen just flow back out after "loves"! It has no where to go. I am trying to be positive, but I feel like backing out. What if the wonderful relationship between me and hubby isn't the same. Won't it feel different. Also, I've never had a baby vaginal, so everything is still pretty tight and feels good. Won't that change? I read all the posts and the terrible problems and pain that everyone goes through, myself included, but is it worth having it all removed. I'm really nervous and my surgery date is still a long way off (June11) what am I going to be like the closer it gets?!?! Men try hard to understand, but can't. Please, any advice for this crazy woman? In a roundabout way my Mom says I've become to "well informed" and I'm scaring myself to death. Thanks for listening.!
Sandi
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04-24-2001, 05:52 PM
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Help! I think I'm going crazy!
Dear Sandi,
More experienced persons than I will respond to your post. In my limited experience (no children, only one surgery ever and that was the TAH) I can relay the following:
TAH means Total Abdominal Hysterectomy which means the surgeon does nothing vaginally or laprascopically ~ it's totally through the abdomen, thus TAH; total abdominal hyster.
If you want to keep ovaries and cervix, you need to specify that in writing with your doc before surgery. I insisted my ovaries be kept, if they were salvagable (they were, the pelvic ultrasound that said one was enlarged was WRONG), but my cervix was removed and I was not prepared for that (didn't really know what it was to tell the truth!)
If anything happens, sex-wise, it'll be that you will be, ummm, more snug than you were before.
Sorry I'm not going to provide further details, you and your DH will work those out when you've recovered sufficently to try things out.
PS - if dryness ever becomes a problem, the sisters have a site for a free sample of Astroglide. It's a fantastic lubricant (if you feel you'd like to use it the *first* time). Ask anyone and they'll provide you the URL to get your free sample. My best wishes to you.
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04-24-2001, 06:06 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 1,345
Hysterectomy: August 10th, 2000
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Help! I think I'm going crazy!
Hi Sandi!
First, it is called a TAH if the uterus and cervix are both taken. If you keep your cervix, it is a SAH (Subtotal Abdominal Hysterectomy).
Yes, they do sew the top of the vagina closed, and my doctor assured me I would have no problems with support, or having anything fall out! I am 8 months post from my TAH, and so far, so good!
As far as sex, yes, the semen does seem to just kind of "flow out" after. My doctor described my insides this way: she said before my surgery, the vagina was a tunnel leading to the cervix and uterus. Now, the vagina is more like a cave, with a sealed back wall.
In my case at least, sex is GREAT after my TAH! My husband says he can't feel any difference, and I have no difficulties with lubrication or orgasms. I also have never had a baby, but this surgery didn't affect my "tightness" at all.
As far as your cervix is concerned, that is a decision only you can make, with the help of your doctor. I chose to have my cervix removed for two main reasons. One, I wanted to drastically limit my chances of cervical cancer (still a remote possibility, because some cells remain, but highly unlikely). Two, many women who kept their ovaries and cervix report a "mini-period" every month, when their cervix bleeds a little. I did NOT want to go through this surgery only to continue bleeding!
As far as fear, that is perfectly normal. I was TERRIFIED before my surgery. I had never even had a gyn exam before, much less surgery! Every woman is different, but I had an uneventful recovery, and am very glad I had the surgery.
You need to read as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can. Then you can be well-prepared to discuss all your options with your doctor. Only you and your doctor can make the best choices for you. Take your time, and make an informed decision!
Good luck!
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04-24-2001, 07:05 PM
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Help! I think I'm going crazy!
Had a TVH on April 9. Cervix and ovary (couldn't get second one) out. Pre-op surgery class, doctor's info., and from reading this site there is no difference in sex if cervix is removed. Clitoris is still there, sex and orgasms are not lost. Was told if sex was good before hyster. it will be good after hyster. In fact, if you read all the threads, it sounds as if sex is better than ever.
Best wishes!
Miranda
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04-24-2001, 07:22 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 47
Hysterectomy: June 11th, 2001
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Whew!
Sisters,
Thanks for the input. I guess the questions about how sex will feel afterward is kinda shallow on my part when I think of the big picture. No pain, Yahoo! No periods, Yahoo! No more BC pills that increase my blood pressure and cause nasty ole' yeast infections, triple Yahoo! It is a true blessing to be able to have access to this website. {Big deep breath!} Okay, I guess I'll calm down a little. Still real antsy though! Poor hubby, comes in the kitchen to kiss me goodnight and sees I'm "chatting with my gals" as he puts it. As I smooch back, I say - I'm following in their footsteps and they are helping to lead the way!
Love, Sandi
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04-24-2001, 08:19 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 20,817
Hysterectomy: December 14th, 2000
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Help! I think I'm going crazy!
Hi Sandy, please be assured that no question is too shallow to be asked on this site In fact, the sex questions keep returning, because it IS a major concern.
I had a TVH and my cervix was removed. Please note that we are all different, but, for me, sex is a lot better than it was pre-op No more bleeding or hormonal imbalance to deal with: just enjoyment.
I really have no regrets about having this procedure done, even though I almost walked out of the OR
Once again, please remember that the wait is the WORST part.
{{{{hugs}}}}
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04-24-2001, 08:54 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 778
Hysterectomy: February 26th, 2001
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Keep asking those questions!!
Hi, Sandy,
Your DH sounds like mine...he comes by and says (regularly)...are you one there AGAIN?? But then, this is a man who waits until he has 68 emails to answer any!
And...as Dany said, no question is shallow around here...the water can get kind of deep and murky but Kathy has provided us all with defogger for our scuba masks...!
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