Successful ablation prior to hysterectomy

I wanted to throw this out there...I get from people a lot, "Oh, don't worry about the surgery. It is all worth it to not have a period anymore." I am NOT gaining that benefit from this surgery. I had a successful ablation done in June of 06. I haven't had a period since. I haven't had to carry tampons, I can wear white pants, everything. Sometimes I feel like people are diminishing the hugeness of this surgery by telling me this stuff. Now, I am happy to have this done. I am on the countdown thread, celebrating the countdown to the day I can have everything taken out. I am tired of feeling swollen and crampy and uncomfortable. My back almost always hurts. I have to fall asleep most nights with a heating pad on my tummy. If it's a good night, I don't have to take any tylenol PM to sleep. I am looking forward to eliminating all those problems. But I also worry that maybe this surgery won't make it all better. What if all that isn't eliminated by removing my uterus? What if things get worse?

Thanks for letting me put all that down. It's been bouncing around in my head for a while and I needed to get it out. For those of you that are counting on no more periods....I can tell you, IT IS FABULOUS!!!!

Annessa

Thanks for posting this hon. My surgery date is April 2nd, I am thinking no more periods will be really nice!

I really hope this helps for you sweetie. I hope some of the ladies who are on the other side have some great advice for you

I had ablation Dec 06 and have not had bleeding since either, that part I love, however I had alot of endo and my bowel is adhered to my cervix, and I lost an ovary due to a cyst and endo scarring. The cramps didn't let up and I feel uncomfortable most of the time and have IBS type symptoms related to my cycle. If I didn't have all that, I could deal with the bleeding, it's not the worst part by a long shot, though it's nice it's gone, I think people not experiencing what you go through just see that one benefit, or maybe they are just trying to point out a bright side to the surgery. I am hoping this surgery ends my issues and I can get my life back.

Kareoke Marge
What is the hysterectomy for? For somethings (like fibroids) it is a complete cure--for others, like endo, it is not. It all depends.
Deb

It's for a prolapsed uterus. I also have a cystocele and rectocele so I am having A&P repairs. To quote my doctor, when he's done with me I'll be a debutant again.

Hi Annessa,
I'm sorry to say that there is the possibility that this surgery may not resolve all your symptoms. No surgery is guaranteed. You need to consider the risks vs benefits. Make sure your doctor is aware of all of your concerns and let him/her address them. I'm sure he did some testing to lead him in the direction of recommending this surgery. I wish you the best and hope you find some comfort in your decision.

Hi
You might also want to get a second opinion on whether this will resolve your problems and whether other options might be effective. I don't know anything about these problems, but I do think its always wise to get a second opinion before major surgery where possible.
Deb

I also had a successful ablation and my story is similiar to yours.

After having the uterus and fibroids taken out, I feel SO MUCH better! I can sleep on my belly, very rarely do I get heartburn, I don't feel like I'm going to burst the end of the day, more energy...etc.. etc..

I am having some symptoms of menopause lately (and I kept my ovaries), but even with that I'm not regretting my decision at all!

You have to do what is right for you and your life.

I love all the ablation commercials now because I think they leave something out. I had an ablation and no periods for three years and then I started bleeding again! I was so mad and marched back to the gyn and asked what the heck is this?!? He told me that a good percentage of women do get their periods back after an ablation that it is often just a temporary fix. Ended up with the everything out plan (hence my tag name hystergo as everything had to go), uterus, cervix, both ovaries, tubes so now after I get by the recovery and complete the other part of my pain mgmt plan, I will get my life back for the first time in fifteen years.

Im with Hystergo--I, too, had an ablation that worked for maybe a year--then everything started all over again. I, too, got frustrated with friends and co-workers minimizing this surgery--thats where this website comes in--Its nice to have a place where eveyone understands what everyone is going through!
Everyone on this site told me the waiting is the hardest part--I kept reading it over and over and thinking, "harder than the pain---ppplllleeeasssee!!" BUT they were right--the waiting was the hardest--Im on the other side and the waiting was the hard part!!!