canididate for keeping cervix?

I've already had my hyst and I'm trying to figure out a few things after-the-fact, unfortunately...

My question is: If you have been told you are *not* candidate to keep your cervix, what reason did your doctor give?

My doc told me I could keep mine, even though I'd had severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ just 14 months earlier. From the research I've been doing post-op, I've come to the conclusion that this was a very unconventional suggestion.

Any input would help.



Margot

P.S. *Please* do your own research before making medical decisions! Develop a list of intelligent questions and if you do not get satisfactory answers, get another opinion. Heck, get another opinion anyway...once the surgery is done, you can't undo it! Do not let anyone pressure you.

Dear Margot:

I was a prolapse victim (falling organs), so the cervix was part of the problem, therefore I never considered keeping it.

About 4 years pre-hyst, I was not able to pass the pap test 3 times in a row They could not find a definitive problem, even with a colposcopy, but I was eventually able to get a good pap test, and had no problems with pap after that.

When I was first diagnosd with prolapse, I was searching out ways to avoid hyst altogether, and I went for 3 medical opinions. At one point, I even called in a complaint about the 3rd opinion (and my eventual surgeon), thinking his bedside manner was too flip. In hindsight, his fancy specialties were probably *wasted* on me, since I was a plain ole' TVH.

Eventually, I chose TVH, and had the surgery only 3 weeks after my first diagnosis. When I had some complications post-op, I really struggled with wondering if I had rushed into an elective surgery... if I had created a mountain out of a molehill.

Altho getting more medical opinions may not stave off a surgery, it can go a long way to bringing peace of mind that the patient has checked out other options, and is choosing the most effective treatment for HER diagnosis, and not just the newest tech gadget or method a particular doc is wanting to try out.

I am sending huge cyberhugs

P.S. You may wanna ask in the Cancer Concerns forum regarding keeping cervix for the dysplasia...

Hi Smargie,

I am sorry to hear you are having LSH problems in post-op. Since we both had a LSH, I kept my cervix also.

My Dr. told me I was a candidate to keep my cervix since I had had normal pap smears for over ten years and I had a sturdy cervix, which he determined by doing an internal exam.

I am curious to the replies you will get. I would like to know too.

Best wishes,

Mary

HI Margot

I'm so sorry to hear you did not get the successful out come you were hoping for

I had A TAH/BSO due to endometriosis.

I was glad that the cervix went because of an abnormal pap at the age of 18. I had the freezing process done 3 times before my paps came back normal.

So when the doctor said it was best to remove everything do to the endo he was treating, I was fine with that decision.

I have since seen on the message boards that doctors treatment plans on endometriosis vary widely and not everyone has had successful outcomes.

So I would assume that no matter what diagnosis and treatment plan a women might receive from her doctor , there is another doctor that would do something different.

I agree with your advice whole heartedly about getting a second, third or fourth opinion before we make the decision to have any major surgery.

We as women put our trust in our doctors, but we have to educate ourselves to make sure the decision our doctors are suggesting are decisions that are accurate and effective decisions that we can live with.

I wish you the very best

I had a LSH on the 21st & keeping my cervix was deemed ok because I'd not had abnormal paps & I didn't have any prolapse. Those are usually the biggest factors. Of coourse your case does soound different from most that I am aware of.
Don't be afraid to bring this up to your doc on your next visit.
I think mainly, prolapse is the biggest factor.
Talk to your GYN.
And best of luck getting those answers you really need.