Anyone Having Surgery Due to Heavy, Prolonged Periods?

That's how my symptoms started out...heavy, prolonged periods. Then I ended up with dreadful pain with the periods. Turns out it was "only a fibroid" about the size of an egg but the pain is unbelievable. And YES, I those were my only symptoms. As long as you've made the decision to have no more kids, I would recommend the surgery.

However, find out why your doctor is recommending TAH instead of TLH. My doc originally said TAH but I pushed and ended up with TLH. My ovaries were fine and I wanted to keep them so I didn't have to deal with HRT but I didn't care about keeping my cervix.

You may need to find a doctor who knows how to perform TLH...an older docs may not know how. The surgery took longer (about 2.5 hours) but I've only got three little incisions instead of a 6-8 inch across my belly and my recovery time is a lot less with the TLH.

It's your body and your health. Make the decision that will improve your life. I did and now that's it's over...I couldn't be happier!

I had a Novasure ablation in April that didn't work. At the time, my doctor noticed I had 1 fibroid tumor. My ultrasound in September revealed 3 tumors. I've endured very painful, heavy, erratic, and prolonged periods for far too long. The last few months my abdomen has become so distended that I look 4 months pregnant for a week at a time. Although I'm a little nervous, I'm mostly anxious to be rid of my symptoms.

Best of luck to you.

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Originally Posted by Kirpiggy Although I'm a little nervous, I'm mostly anxious to be rid of my symptoms.

Kirpiggy...that is a great attitude going in to surgery. You go girl!

I'm hear to tell eveyone, it is fabulous to never have a period again! Never to have the horrid cramping. ANd think of all the money we save on tampons and pads! Although, perhaps we should all by stock in one of those companies

Kathy, that's a good point. I never even thought of all the money I'll save on tampons and pads! One more reason to celebrate

TLH vs. TAH... my doc would have tried TLH but due to the fact that the primary fibroid was the size of a football it wasn't practical or safe and being under longer than necessary isn't the best either. I guess everyone makes their own decision, but a shorter surgery with less poking around and an easier procedure for all involved was the way I chose to go. I do have a scar probably closer to 10" but here I am 10 months later and its starting to settle back into itself and I know someone who's scar is undetectable 3 years after..... just keep options open and get as much information as you can when a decision has to be made about that kind of thing. Better to be informed and understand the choices you make. If a TLH was possible I probably would have opted for that, but for me it wasn't the best option and I had NO external stitches even WITH a very long incision. They just spray glued everything shut! Cool, huh?

I am having a TAH on 12/17 due to extremly heavy periods and cramping due to fibroids. I am tired of the biggest pads and super plus tampons and still having to change every little bit. I never call in sick except when I am on my period. I also hurt even before my period starts. It is past time for me to take care of this. I am looking forward to feeling better.

I'm having an LAVH and tummy tuck this Friday due to prolonged periods. Bleeding 25 days of the month with severe cramping. I'm freaking out a little but I know it is the right decision.

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Originally Posted by JOYFULWOMAN45 I am having a TAH on 12/17 due to extremly heavy periods and cramping due to fibroids. I am tired of the biggest pads and super plus tampons and still having to change every little bit. I never call in sick except when I am on my period. I also hurt even before my period starts. It is past time for me to take care of this. I am looking forward to feeling better.

Ah, at least you could call in sick. I earn my living on commission. No work, no money. I had to always carry extra clothing and hope not to soil my leather seats. UGH! Although they were great as they are heated and heated seats helped to ease by back cramps! The worst for me was when I had one of my Importers with me, visiting accounts (I sell wine). I would have to hit the bathroom once or twice per stop...not pretty.

I was off for 5 weeks after my LSH. Thank goodness my accounts love me....they worked with me by phone and I had one of my biggest months ever. Whew! When you wok on commission, there is no paid vacation nor paid sick pay.

I actually took the Friday after Thanksgiving this year off! Woo Whoo! Although I worked on Thanksgiving day to do that....which was good as I do not do the Tday dinner *thang* until 7PM. Still have yet to take a vacation (okay I went to Argentina and Chile in March, but I was actually working.)

I work for the railroad, and it was a good thing I was working a yard/switcher job instead of a road job. At least in the yard, we have Real Plumbing with running water in a building, which all of us Red Queens can agree is a sight better than nasty blue-water toilets and washing your hands with water from a drinking-water bottle on a locomotive!

Gizmo Cat... interesting issue with commission. I used to work in a commissioned position but somehow they allowed us to accrue sick time. I don't remember how it was done, but I THINK we set aside a portion of our commission checks and it went into a pool for all the sales people, then if someone had to take a day we weren't without money. Course when you lose a sale you LOSE BIG TIME, but it helped a little. I too had to bring change of clothes and usually couldn't even complete the commute to work without needing a change of EVERYTHING. SO glad that is all behind me now! Yay! Anyone waiting for their date, I know the wait can seem forever and it is scary, but you will be amazed at the difference. Its amazing how much we manage to get used to when we're dealing with all that... almost like we forgot what being in control of our bodies was LIKE!