enlarged uterus...scheduled hysterectomy...thinking I am rushing this...

Wow...afer reading all of these cmments, I think doctors have no idea how impactful their bedside manner can be. I realized yesterday as I was getting my blood drawn for pre-op how fast this all went and that I truly do not know for sure if what I have really requires a hysterectomy. The only thing I know is that my uterus is oversized (causing some pain...heavy monthly bleeding and bloating). He mentioned some endometriosis...but other than that he gave me the four typical options. I really would have no idea which option is best for my situation and upon thinking about it, I have realized he never really fully explained my situation in depth. I am just tired of the bloating mainly....but then my sister read yesterday that 60% of women under 40 (I turn 40 on friday) have unneccessary hysterectomies...I tentatively scheduled a second opinion on the 26th and am afraid to call the office to cancel my surgery on friday...the 7th (my birthday). Yikes...I feel rushed and uninformed. Any comments? I feel silly that I jumped into the decision so quickly without good consultation...it all happened so fast. ARGH!!!

I would wait then. Although I am going in for a second opinion on Friday I am 100% okay with having my TAH. If you are feeling that much doubt then you should probably see a second and even a third opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi lvameter,

I agree with Cloudeyes. I would wait. A hyst is majory surgery so it never hurts to take some time and gather more information. Get a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion if need be.

I got (2) opinions myself and it was one the best things I ever did for myself. My 1st Dr. seemed to really rush it with having surgery ASAP. I had a consultation for my fibroids and by the time I left her office I was scheduled for a TAH (Total Abdominal Hyst). It was way too fast for me. I got a 2nd opinion and he just breathed life into the decision making process. He went over all the choices...even if I was not the best candidate for some of them. He had a great way of explaining everything to me. He even resheduled the appointment right after mine...the first time I met him...so my DH and I had extra time to talk to him. I left his office really sure of my direction. He was great...and he is still my gyneo Dr.

In the end...just do what is *best* for you. That is what is most important. As my signature says...trust your inner voice.

Sending best wishes~

Mary

Mary

Ivameter,
I would definitely recommend giving your self some time to explore other options and other opinions.....as long as nothing is life threatening. Keep in mind that many (and I mean many) doctors believe that the uterus is nothing more than a baby bag. I have talked to several women and consulted with many others on websites like this. The odds of adverse side effects are almost 50-50. Those odds made me think twice when my dr. recommended hyst. I had heavy bleeding, we did an ultrasound, found some fibroids (small ones) and the first recommendation was hyst. Not knowing much, I said okay. Then got on several sites like this. After 4 other opinions and ultimately an MRI, I found that I actually only have about 3 fibroids....the largest being the size of a dime. A hyst. seems so drastic for a dime sized fibroid. Fibroids that small typically don't cause issues unless they are in a bad spot (submucousl) like mine. Anyway, I am looking at embolization. I also mustered up nerve to call doctor and cancel the surgery. I just remember that this body is mine....nobody elses....mine. And I have to live with the consequences of decisions impacting this body until the day I die. Just thinking that gave me the courage.

Sorry for long story, but the moral of the story > doctors only know 1 option (hyst). Just because many don't or can't take the time to educate themselves about less invasive measures doesn't mean that you should just settle for something less than right for you.

Ivameter
Like the others, my thoughts are - if in doubt - cancel it. I had the fibroids and enlarged uterus for 3 years before doing anything about it. The dr said as long as they were not growing or causing other problems that she would let me go as long as I wanted to without surgery. Once they did increase in size she sent me for a consult with a surgeon. I knew what she was going to say an abdominal hysterectomy, but she did give me a few other options. 1) Ablasion, 2) a drug(can't remember the name) to reduce the size of the fibroids - but she said that would be so she could do a vaginal hysterectomy after three months. Fortunately she could tell I wasn't ready to make a decision and sent me home asking to get back to her in a week.
I did, loaded with a ton of questions after doing research on a few other sites, but primarily here. The LSH surgery is one of the things that I was asking about. She didn't do the surgery and wasn't very helpful there so I found another doctor that I talked to and by the end of that consultation I was ready to make a decsion.
It's only been a month since my surgery, but I have no regrets making the decision that I made, but have not regrets waiting the three years that I did before having the surgery. Keep in mind, I did not have an immediate need 3 years ago.
Sorry I was so windy, but wanted to stress - don't rush into something you may regret.

I completely agree. A hysterectomy is a major surgery that is irreversible, and can cause many complications including adhesions, prolasped bladder, early menopause if they take the ovaries, for a small percentage of women early menopause even when they leave the uterus, problems with the vaginal cuff and possibly a shorter vagina if they take the cervix, and the usual risks of surgery (Problems with the anesthetic, risk of infection, risk of injury to organs, and small risk of death--the list my doctor went through with me several times.) And, often there are alternative treatments that work as well depending on the condition. I have no regrets about the decision to have a hsyterectomy...but that was after I had tried every other solution for which I was a good candidate and for which I was willing to tolerate the side effects, and it was after my fibroids started hemorrhaging dangerously almost forcing emergency surgery (and daily labor-type pains.)

Most doctors are very comfortable with your seeking a second opinion. If yours istn, I think that is aflag in itself.

I made my decision to have the Hyst pretty quickly even though I did not have major problems: my periods were just heavier (not unbearable) thats all. During my yearly physical, my GP thought he felt an enlarged uterus and prescribed an ultrasound. I discovered had a very enlarged uterus and big fibroid. After consulting with a specialist who recommended a hyst I sent my ultrasound report to my cousin who is an OBGYN and she discussed the pros and cons with me and advised me to get it done. She said since I did not want children and I was still healthy- my recovery would be easier. This "monster" would not go away, even it did shrink with menopause it would not "shrink enough" not to cause problems in the future. After all who knows what health complications could come later in life. Also my husband's insurance covered me fully for the procedure - with job market being what it was - what if he got laid off? I just decided to get it over with. I am glad I did. I have no regrets.

Over 2 years ago I was told "you must have a hysterectomy" by a GYN. My GP said to wait. A second GYN said to wait. I'm still waiting...and now a third has said to wait.

Granted, I do not have the nasty symptoms that many ladies have so quality of life is not a problem. And frankly, I did not like that 1st Dr. nor her office. Sometimes, your gut tells you what you need to know.

I have gone off BCP's and all my follow-up ultrasounds have shown the fibroids to be decreasing in size. I have lost 6 pounds, started calcium pills, and am generally taking better care of myself.

Bottom line..what's right for YOU?

M

You know I think your mental state is really important. If you just don't feel ready, it doesn't sound like there is really any hurry. I was told many months ago to have a hyst. I went for a 2 and 3 opinion. I found a really big difference in all three dr's. Maybe you will find one w/ a better option for you. If not, you might want to just wait until your mind is ready.

I have found the more time I spend educating myself, the more comfortable I am with my options.

Good luck.

I guess I'm the opposite because my doctors are of the opinion that a hysterectomy is never necessary. Granted, I am young, but I am just so ***Tired**** of being the guinnea pig. I was able to create my family, which was a miracle in and of itself but I found out I had lost my fertility. Since then, every time I have the pain, sickness, bleeding, ruptured cysts, etc, I just get more tired of it all. I am so grateful for my family and figure, since I can't conceive anymore, why should I have to suffer continuously? My ovaries are the problem, but my uterus is the symptom and every time I go in with no success with their treatments, they try something else and it seems to just prolong the pain and suffering needlessly. I want my life back, but when I even ask for a laporoscapy to see what the heck is going on, I get told "no". I don't have the option of second opinions since we are military overseas, so I am trapped and I am just-so-tired-of-it-all. I want to get this over with and move on with living my life, and I will be at peace with the decision, once I get the doctors to see how mentally and physically exhausted I am from all the treatments. I know I could put it off and wait until we try other options and find out why this is all happening, but honestly, I am at the point that I don't care. I'm just ready. I guess I'm trying to say, that when you get to that point, you'll know it. You will feel at peace with it and say, "this is ok". I think unless you are seriously at risk if you don't get it, that you should wait until your mind is completely at peace with your decision. Hope that helps.