LAVH Nov 5, I'm so nervous!

I have been dealing with female problems, it's seems, ever since I started my menstrual cycle (which started 2 years after all my friends did). I have had severe cramps, 14 day periods, severe PMS, problems with swelling and pain in my lower abdoman. I had my first child in 1997, and my second in 2000. After the birth of my first child, my PMS and periods got a lot better. Then after the birth of my second things started going down hill. I was diagnosed with Uterin prolapse (severe), but was told to wait for a tie up after I was finished having children. About 6 months after the birth of my second child, the prolapse got worse, and I was having severe cramps with my periods, and also pain in my lower ab almost every day. My OB finally diagnosed me with Endo. We tried the birth control, with no luck (after 6 different types I would experience bleeding every day) he recommended Lapo. Went in and found out that I did in fact have endo and it had devored (sp?) the tendin that attaches my uterus (he reattached it to tissue in my ab) and I had only two spots of endo, but they were between the back of my uterus and my large intest (which was causing my bowel problems) I had lap 6 months ago and was OK for about 3 months, then started getting worse than I was before the surgery. Now I am scheduled for a LAVH on Nov 5th. I am ok with the decision, but very nervous! I know it will improve my quality of life. I only have about 1 good week a month now. I have 2 healthy ovaries, but am still undecided about the removal of 1 or both because of the endo. Dr says that the endo isn't severe enough for him to recommend removing them, but will do whatever I instruct.
I guess I just need some words of encouragement.

Hi there,

I had an LAVH -BSO in July -- the waiting is really the worst part. You will feel so much better just a few weeks after surgery - really!! Not having the constant pain/bleeding, etc. is a real treat.

I am 53 and had a growth on one ovary, so I had everything removed. I did not want to have to have more surgery later on to take out one ovary.

I have been taking Premarin since the surgery and haven't had a problem at all - not one hot flash!!!

You are in the right place to ask all questions and express all fears -- a lot of us have been there and know just what you are dealing with. Relax as much as you can - before you know it you will be a

Most of your story sounds alot like mine, the pms, bleeding, cramping, and pain all month long. I too have 2 kids and after the second everything got worse. I t just got to the point i went to the dr and told her, no more drugs, no more bc, no more lupron, nothing i didnt wanna live like this anymore. So i opted for the hyster...which is happening on thursday, all i keep telling myself is the pain may be there after the sx but i will have my life back after this. Dont get me wrong i am still a crazy lady stomach all tore up, nervers at there end, my dr even put me on valume just to make me get some sleep, but really i just wish it was all over.

The one best thing that happened...my very last period ended on wed of last week...let me tell you I took all the tampons that were left and put them in a pile on my front porcha nd burned everyone of them...that felt amazing!!!

Good luck with everything, and ill warn you next week will be more trying, i am finding this out now but everyone else found a way to deal with it, and so will I.

Good Luck
nikig

Hi Amylouise

I had a TVH as well as A&P (Cystocele/rectocele) repairs done on Oct. 16th. I had a similar history to yours prior to surgery. Painful frequent periods, bowel trouble, prolapsed uterus - which was also retroverted, which caused constipation etc. Have two kids, big babies at birth I guess contributed to the thrashing my pelvic floor received.

Now that I am 11 days post op I can honestly say that I'm so glad it's behind me. You will be too I'm sure. I have read many others here who wrote how nervous they were prior to surgery. I was a mess myself. I had my dr. prescribe ativan for about a week prior and it did help -I took it at bedtime.

One of the reasons I was so nervous was because I was afraid of the general anaesthetic as well as the whole surgery itself. It honestly was not worth my getting so nervous about. I think that once Fear sets in the mind sometimes runs with it. Don't worry your fears are totally normal. I was there myself. You will get through this. Just take one day at a time. Make sure you pamper yourself post op. I made the mistake of trying to do housework too soon and I ended up back in the hospital where the nurses berated me (and rightly so) for potentially popping the sutures inside.

So take good good care of yourself. Pamper. Pamper Pamper. I mean that. Try not to worry too much about the surgery. For me one thing that made me more nervous was going to a website that showed the procedure I was about to have. Big mistake for me. I think having information is one thing, seeing the graphic details are just too much. At least for me. I work in healthcare too. Go figure.

You take care of yourself now.
Hugs.

My history is a lot like yours as well. After the birth of my 2nd child in 2001, all of my symptoms became worse (exponentially) each month. I decided that since we were done having children, then I was done with the pain. I had a TVH last Tuesday (10/21), and quite honestly, the pain has been no big deal at all -- certainly no worse than the pain I was in before, that's for sure. I'm not even a week post-op, and I'm feeling great.

I had a spinal for anesthesia during the surgery, and it was awesome (didn't hurt at all). In fact, I was almost immediately alert when I woke up in recovery, and felt great the whole first day of recovery. I thought I'd be totally out of it, but I was talking to all my friends and family just an hour after the surgery.

I'll repeat the mantra of everyone else here . . . the waiting is the worst part.

Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and an easy recovery.

Kim