Did you get a second opinion?

My hysterectomy was the best thing I have ever done. I had it done three months ago (I'm 40 years old). Don't be intimidated by the "hormone jungle." Five days after surgury I realized it was time to start my Premarin .625 mg (you will know it is time when you experience the hot flashed and crying jags...). Since I was still having some flashes my doctor prescribed Premarin .9 mg. That's it. No drama. No regrets. No horrible periods.

No, I didn't get a second opinion. I trust my gynecologist/surgeon 100%. Plus, I was determined to get one no matter what! Glad I did!

No, I did not get a second opinion. I've had the same family doctor for over twenty years, and he took over the practice from the doctor who delivered me. I know him very well and trust him completely. He gave me a few options and sent me to a specialist who comfirmed exactly the same options my family doctor said. I felt very comfortable with both doctors. All the research I did confirmed what they recommended, as did everyone else I talked with. My surgery was supposed to be *just* a myomectomy, but we knew that there was a strong possibility I could wake up being told it was a hysterectomy ...... which is what happened. Yeah, I was thrilled, but I've had a few weeks to figure out it's not so bad. And after reading the pathology report, I'm thankful it turned out that way.

Yes, I did but I got one because the first dr wanted to do a total abdominal hysterectomy. I didn't think a hip to hip cut was necessary. The second dr did it totally laproscopically.

Hi Speckla,
I'm with you that its most important to get a 2nd opinion when your doc wants to do the more invasive abdominal hyst, and there may be other options such as having the less invasive lap procedure. This happened to me as well. I was originally told that I had to have the total because my fibroid was so large and doing it laproscopically wasn't possible! A lot of times its the skill & experience of the doctor that determines the procedure you can have. Its important that women know this, even though they may trust and respect their original doctors opinion. I almost didn't look further and resigned myself to the total, until a friend encouraged me to see her surgeon. I am so glad I did!

No, I did not have a second opinion. I knew based on the symptoms and the fact that my mom had had the same thing 20 years ago that I needed a hysterectomy. I wanted the hystrectomy because I wanted a permanent solution to the fibroid tumors that had me anemic.

Yes, I did get a second opinion, kind of by accident: when the rectocele occurred, I went to my GP, sure that it was a cystocele. My GP recommended a hyst... something my OB/GYN had been recommended for almost 4 years.

The second opinion helped me take that final step towards scheduling a hyst... and I'm happy I got one... especially when I started having complecations a few years ago.

I researched local and regional doctors through internet, insurance company and a friend who works with most of the them in the local surgical hospital and can see their work first hand. I visited with my family doctor (who has done the gyn for years and delivered my last baby), with the most highly recommended surgeon for the hyst and with the highest recommendation urologist.

I had an enlarged uterus (from fibroids) that was mildly prolapsed, a bladder prolapse with stress incontinence, a CIN 1 cervical biopsy, and recurrent cervical erosion (post menopausal).

I had already tried other less-invasive procedures which were only partially successful. I know I could have postponed this surgery for a while - maybe for a couple of years - while I continued to put up with the discomforts of the above problems. But eventually, the hyst would have become more and more necessary.

Going ahead with it now made sense from many perspectives. I'm glad I did.

It was really helpful to do all the pre-decision work I did to find the different opinions and doctors I could feel comfortable with.

I voted no.

I had mine with one of the top endo specialists,whom I already had a previous surgery with.I trusted him so much, I would NEVER let anyone else cut me open!!!

My stage 4 endo was so bad,it cost me a foot of my colon,my gallbladder and appendix,three bladder surgeries,and rectal surgeries,and was up in my diaphragm(sp?). I have two miracle DC,so I felt it was time,before the endo got to my lungs,or left me with an ostomy bag.

However, I do regret my hysterectomy. Too many reasons to list.

But,until my hormonal he!! came along,I LOVED my endo specialist. Great guy,so skilled,and perfect bedside manners-so compassionate.

M .

Technically, I guess I didn't. I did tons of research and talked to many, many others. My own doctor suggested several other options, some I tried, others I didn't. He was also very willing to give me a referral if I wanted one. In the end, I pretty much asked to have it done since my problems had truly become a quality of life issue for me. I feel very comfortable with my decision...although I may change my tune the close it gets to Feb. 3rd.