Surgery without a diagnosis?

Hello,

Has anyone had a hysterectomy based solely on their symptoms and their suspicions? I'm wanting to know if anyone went thru surgery and discovered they were right all along and how many were told that there wasn't anything serious in there.

Let's say they don't find anything questionable inside, would they continue with the hysterectomy based on the symptoms given prior to surgery? I don't have an appt to discuss my problems with the uro/gyno til the 26th, so I'll be bugging all you guys til then!!!

Thanks so much!
Lovely

Well not quite the same, but I had a Gyn who recommended hyst & repairs for my prolapsed uterus, bowel & bladder just by doing two internals??
Was very blase about it. As if I was being scheduled for an appendectomy. I didn't feel comfortable at all with his atittude.

I gave him the shove, and saw a lovely female UroGyn who not only did an internal, but scans on my pelvis,abdomen, & kidneys and also Urodynamics testing for my bladder problems.
I felt alot happier making my decision based on the fact that I had had extensive testing first.

In your case what if they went ahead with the hyst based on your symptoms and then afterwards you still had the same problems?

you dont have to have extensive tests before making the decision i actually asked for my hyster because my periods are so horrible , they have found my uterus to be enlarged but thats it.
but having said that it may be wise to bug your dr for tests and find out for sure what is causing your symptoms
whatever you decide its your body and your life you have to live with whatever the outcome is its not an easy decision but its yours to make
good luck to you

I ma leaving for the castle today and I don't have a diagnosis. My surgery is actually Monday, but we are going to the city early to do a few fun things.

Anyways, sometimes they just can't figure it out. I have bleeding with no apparent cause. My doc says this will definitely cure it, but I still have this odd fear that maybe it's not coming from my uterus. I have never heard of that, but I am an odd case.

If they could find a cause, maybe they could treat it. Your doc will probably do some tests and may even offer some meds before you have a diagnosis. I know they tried with me, but nothing worked.

I went through the same doubts as you did. I'm 3 1/2 weeks post op now and I do feel better. My doctor suspected Adeno, so far the initial path reports do not show that but he has asked for additional testing. I will go back next week so I will know then.

I did have an enlarged uterus ( 92 grams, which is small compared to many other sisters here ), prolapse and the doctor said the endometrium was deteriorating. I had been experiencing heavy bleeding, prolonged bleeding ( periods were 8-10 days ) and pain, felt like everything was going to fall out.

I had a conversation with a friend of mine who had a hyst for cancer concerns. She agreed that for her she didn't need to question the choice it was the only one she had, I needed to explore all the alternatives and make my list of pros and cons. I also sought a second opinion, who agreed with my original doc. That made me, and my DH, feel better about this decision. I'm only 34 so I am young ( at least I want to think so ) to have this surgery. without knowing more about your history it's hard to comment further, but obviously you are not okay with the way things are now or you wouldn't be looking into a hyst as a solution. Educate yourself.

I'm glad you found this site, you will get alot of real life answers from people that have gone through what you are going through now. No question is off limits.

Good luck as you journey down this road

I had no definative diagnosis before my surgery either. The surgery was my idea because my periods were completely out of control. No pills or anything else helped. So I said surgery please!

The only thing that came back after my Hyst is my uterus was the size of a three month pregnancy.

I was so scared that I was doing the wrong thing because the doctors couldn't find a reason for all my problems. But if they can't find a reason then they can't fix them.

I am feeling soooo good now. I can tell when my period is "coming" and I am always so happy when it doesn't. I am almost four months PO and could not be happier with my decision at this point.

Good luck with your surgery!

S. Ann

No way RUN to another doctor get tests..I had sonograms and biopsies. I am still considering picking up my films before my surgerey so I can se them and really convince myself. I had reoccuring dream tehy took my uterus out an dcame and toldm eteher was nothing in theer. It wwas all a mistake. So.I ahd many opinions..BUt I still want proof. So I'm going to pick up m,y films and take with me to pre op appt. Just to visually see what everyone knows for sure.
I need to see for myself to be totally , absolutely convinced. I want no doubts going into this

My doc suspected endometriosis, which can only be diagnosed by exploratory surgery. So they did laparoscopy and took a look around. Sure enough, there it was. At that point, the goal was just to eliminate the endo.

If you discuss it with your doctor, they can start with laparoscopy, look around and see what they see, and if there's nothing requiring a hysto, they make repairs or do other procedures. Or, if they find you need a hysto, they can proceed in that direction.

The important things to ask about are what exactly would require a hysto as opposed to other procedures.

If your doc isn't willing to do it this way, then I agree with the last lady--find a new doc who is willing to take this kind of conservative approach--especially if you are trying to improve or preserve your fertility.

Just to add to my previous post.

I had a lap done, showed no endo, one small cyst on my right ovary. had a D& C that helped with the bleeding for 1 cycle. Tried continous BC which helped for three months. started breakthrough bleeding, added progesterone and that increased the bleeding so that I had 1 period that lasted 6-7 weeks.

I was offered ablation and lupron by both docs. Both presented those as temporary solutions to my problems so that is what led me to the decision to have the hyst. I don't think I would have had I not tried alternative treatments with no success first. That is why I was curious as to what your history has been, I agree with the other ladies, make sure you are satisfied that you have tried to correct this through less invasive means first. You'll feel better about the decision to have a hyst if you have done that.

To update MY post, I DID do the lupron, for six months before surgery. She offered me another six months, because it HAD helped with the pain, and I didn't have any periods or bleeding while I was on it. But it was six months of being totally sick from side effects (it's a chemotherapy drug, originally developed for treating prostate cancer). Ack.

After the surgery, doc said the lupron had helped reduce some of the endo, and had shrunk the fibrods, making the surgery easier to do. ACK, ACK, ACK, (thinking back on it all).

I just can't explain how much better I feel now.