Pre-op Over and Still Undecided BSO

My Pre-op was good except for the dang ovary decision :confuse: My doctor already had the orders written for a LSH/BSO. When I was at the front desk ready to leave, I suddenly remembered we didn't discuss ovaries and I didn't notice the papers saying BSO So there I am in the hall discussing this with my doctor. I told him I was leaning towards leaving them unless he finds lots of endo, which he does not suspect and ultrasound showed only 1 small cyst on one ovary.
He told me again if it was his wife he would recommend removing them, he went and got a newsletter from the American College of OB &Gyn that shows 1 in 68 women will develop ovarian cancer, he was quick to say that means 67 will NOT. I asked him about the risk decreasing with just having a hysterectomy and he said he has not read anything credible on that statistic. So now I am confused..again. I had my mind made up but now I don't know. I will be 50 in Oct. I have never had mid-cycle pain, no ovarian or breast cancer in family. One really positive thing that the hospital pre-op nurse said was he was the best male gyn in the area and his hysterectomy patients recover 50% quicker than any other gyn surgeon out of that hospital.
He wants to be so sure about my ovary decision that he told me NOT to let the anesthesiologist give me any Versed until I speak with him before my surgery. He seems to really care that I am satisfied in my decision before I make it permanent. Should I flip a coin. I have read myself silly and as he said there is no RIGHT decison.
If anyone can shed more light or has a coin I can borrow please share with me and others because I know I cannot be alone in this.
Debbie

Oh that is a tough one. My personal opinion is that if there is no endo and the ovaries are healthy then leave them. They are a part of your natural system and if it ain't broke...

Is there any history of ovarian or any cancer in your family? Is there any reason for you to suspect that you might be the 1 in 68?

Irmctexas,
My father died of bladder cancer in 2005. He was a heavy smoker, I have never smoked. Lots of heart disease in family, but no ovarian or breast cancer. I did take BCP's on different occasions during my lifetime. I have 1 child which I breastfed until the age on 1. I don't use body powder. I don't appear to have the "risk", but most women that develop ovarian cancer do not have risk factors from what I have read.This is a toughie. I just read on a cancer website that one type of ovarian cancer develops inside the ovary and is usually not detected until it is outside the ovary, so what good does it do to have the surgeon look at the outside of an ovary if the cancer can be starting on the inside? Of course I do not have a medical degree, and even the ones that do most likely do not have time to read every study/statistic that gets published. I have been praying about this and will continue right up tell surgery. Thank you for responding.

Eskie, I was still deciding in the prep room of the hospital right before the surgery. I am 52 and had already finished menopause. My Dr walked in and I started questioning him and he said his mom died of ovarian cancer and that mine were not doing much at this point anyway and he recommended taking them. I said 'what the heck, get them out" I have always hated the idea that ovarian cancer is so often not found until it is too late. I have not been sorry and I am glad they are not there to worry about!

I hope you come up with a decision that feels right for you!

Eskie that is a rough decision for everyone here. I won't know what happens to mine until I get out of surgery, it's not really my decision at this point as I do have endo and we don't know their condition (other then being polycystic). From what you've said, it doesn't look like you have a high risk of ovarian cancer and if you're not post menopausal I would probably lean towards leaving them myself. There is always the opportuniy to go back in and remove them if need be but you can't put them back after they're out ya' know? None of us want to go through another surgery but if they are in good shape and you don't have any other risk factors I would leave them, again MY OPINION.. this is something you really should try to weigh the pros and cons w/ your dr before the surgery still. Huge hugs and I wish you luck in your decision!

my opinion would be to leave them since you do not have the family risk of ovarian cancer. they continue to work after menopause and why remove something that is healthy? you most likely will not go into surgical menopause and have to deal with hormone replacement. good luck with your decision

I am 47 years old and had a TAH/BSO on May 17. The initial intent was to leave me with my left ovary but due to endo (which did NOT show up on my preop ultrasounds) it was necessary to remove the left one as it was all plastered to the back side of the uterus. The right one had a huge cyst on it so it wasn't an option to salvage that one. My doctor explained to us after the surgery that the left ovary was very small and didn't appear to be doing much. Perhaps I was closer to menopause then I thought. Anyway, I am doing fine postop. Occasional hot flushes/more of a warm feeling not sweating or anything. I am happy with the decision my doctor made for me. She even had photos to show me at my appt to remove the staples and showed me exactly what it looked like before she removed the uterus and ovaries. I know she made the right decision to proceed. Good luck with whatever you decide! Stay in your peaceful place!

Hi Eskie1,

I might vote to leave them too. I was 46 when I had my hyst and I kept my ovaries. That was 3 yrs ago and they are still working. If you do not have ovarian cancer in your family and the ovaries are healthy...I mean...the question is why remove healthy ovaries to prevent something that might *never* happen?? The ovaries secrete important hormones that help with the bones, skin and hair...to name a few. And the hormones are *free*.

Here is a research link on the ovaries that might help you:

http://www.acog.org/from_home/public...08-01-05-1.cfm

Sending best wishes~

Mary

Kathiem1954,
Thanks for responding to my post
Were you still having regular periods up until surgery? How have you been since surgery? Have you needed to take HRT since surgery?
Thanks again and your continued support of us pre-op sisters is truly appreciated.

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I have been in so much pain the last few days I am almost to the point of saying get rid of it all, I just wish I new if any of my pain is in anyway related to my ovaries. I kind of doubt it though as they looked normal on ultrasound.
No coin offers yet! LOL
Debbie

Eskie-

Ultimately, the decision has to be yours. I don't know your religious feelings/affiliation, so I would say go by your gut feeling.

In my case, I'm 46, but I've been doing the menopause things since I was 36. Mine have almost shutdown, plus I've had large cysts (size of grapefruits) removed from them so mine is scheduled as a "clearance sale" (everything must go).

Just know that whatever decision you make, I (and all your sisters here) will be here to talk to.

We love you,

Billie