Scared of Surgery

Hi all- Im happy I found a site to express my fears, so here goes...
I am 35 years old and have had problems for as long as I can remember. Every Dr. I have ever had has suggested I have a hysterectomy (for about the last 10 years)
After having had surgery 9 times (D&C's and Lapo's) I have endometriosis and adnomyosis (spelling) In 2001 I lost my right ovary to the endo, and my left ovary is a bleeding ovary. So as you can imagine, Im looking at a total hyster. And I am TERRIFIED!!!
I go to the dr today to schedule the appt, so Im looking at about mid-end of march. Ive done lots of research and Im not liking what I have found. There are lots of stats that scare me to death. Loss of feeling to this and that, I dont want to lose any feelings (except the pain). I know all women experience things differently, but Im looking for insight...Thanks so much!!!

Hi Sister,
IMO, the slight risk of complications, far out weighs what you have been, and already are going through!. Read all you can on this site, it will help, believe me. Positive attitude, prayer, support, and education are all very important here. I'm scared too!!, but since finding Hyster Sisters, I feel I am doing the right thing for me, and feel a lot less afraid. There's a lot of negative information on hysterectomy, remember to look at the positive as well. Take ONE day at a time, that's the only day, after all you can live. From one lady in waiting to another......

((((HUGS!))))

sweetie you are so young to be going through this, add that to every thing you've been through, your feelings are understandable. i sought 4 different second opinions with questions just like yours. they All assured me that surgery was necessary; and it was rare to loose sexual function. the female gyn assured me if i was able to achieve o before the operation, i would after...it would mostly be affected by fear so take time and be patient.

i hope you find the peace you need to get through this.

peace

rocknrlllady,
I am having my hyst march 22 and I am the same age as you. I had 3 dr tell me that was my only option and I am now looking forward to moving on with my life!!! Hang in there! Hugs Raymo

I am 26 and having a TVH on tues. I have the same fears as you. Well maybe even a little more. I stay on freak out mode. The gals on here have advised me to quick looking at all those horror stories I have read on the internet. I have hyperplasia which hasn't responded to any meds, pre-cancerous cells on my cervix, endometrosis, and polycystic ovaries. This is surgery number 13 for me. The surgery part doesn't make me so nervous it all those scarey things I have read that can go wrong that make my tummy do flip-flops. I am very confident in my oncolgist that is doing my surgery. 2 of my big fears are:1. they damage my bladder (i have kidney stones), and 2: I am having the surgery done out of town. This doc is the best in the state and I was willing to travel to have the best, but now I worry that he is an hour and a half away and if I have an emergency after I will have to go to a local hospital and I worry I won't get as good of care as I would in his hands. I would say read as much as you can on the surgery, but not on the net. I went to my local library and checked out several books , they helped alot. Good Luck!!

Stacy

Im looking forward to living "pain-free", but its the "at what cost", that gets to me...Ive put this off for so long, mostly out of fear. Thank you to everyone who has responded. I will keep reading. The abbrs. on this site on confusing to me...if someone can explain them to me, that would be great!!! ;o)

Have you read the Hyster Sisters book yet? It explains alot of the abbr.?

Im planning on only taking 2 weeks off of work. Is that feesible? Does anyone know the "average" time?

rcknrllady,
This website was a real blessing to me. I too, had read "horror" stories on the internet and couldn't find a lot of positive information until I came here. Yes, hysterectomy is major surgery, but for most of us, it is our choice for a better quality of life. But it is a choice each individual has to make.

And as for being fearful about the surgery and possible complications, I'd say that is pretty normal. If you weren't a bit concerned, I'd think there was something wrong. Most gals seem to come to a sense of peace about their decisions. I started looking at the pros and cons of my surgery and decided that my quality of life was being/has been compromised for many years and this outweighed (for me) the risks. Yes, there could be complications, but then again, you could slip in the tub, hit your head and go into a coma. Or get in a terrible accident in your car. We all take risks every day we wake up and get out of bed. You just have to take it one day at a time. And when the prospect of a hysterectomy (and all the side issues) appears overwhelming, just "eat that elephant one bite at a time". I'm kind of a control freak and sometimes the thought of my surgery really wigs me out--especially the recovery part. But as is often said here, "you only have one chance to heal marvelously" and I'm going to heal right, the first time!

And for only taking 2 weeks off of work, I guess that depends on what type of surgery you're having and what type of work you do. I'm having a laporascopic supracervical hysterectomy (keeping the ovaries) and my dr. says I should be feeling almost normal by 2 weeks. Just remember this is major surgery and there is a lot of internal healing going on no matter what type of surgery you end up having. Its pretty realistic to say that it may take several months before feeling totally well again. It all depends on the person and what her dr. advises. Just listen to your body and dr.

Best wishes in your upcoming surgery and glad you found us "sisters"!

I am also having surgery March 22nd.

All the women in my family and MANY on this site say it is the best thing they have ever done.

I am a bit different than you. I have been looking at nothing but the positive, so much so, that I have been afraid of setting myself up for a much better outcome than I may end up with. I am wanting to feel 21 again!!

I feel pain right now and just know, that will be gone soon! I am not excited about the initial surgery but I am excited to not have pain, after my recoup time is over. I am more concerned with the swelly belly than most anything else!! lol

You will be fine. Take is slow, take deep breaths and just get it done. Concentrate on the good, not the bad.

Do you trust your Doc? I trust mine and that makes a world of difference.
From what you have said you are taking the right steps for a brighter and healthier future. Don't wait any longer it will just make things worse and not allow you to do the things that you now desire to do that you can't.

Best wishes!