type of surgery?

Dear Sisters,

Thank you for being here for my questions.
I have an appt. Sept. 3rd to talk with a surgeon about my upcoming hysterectomy - not scheduled yet. Should I "ask" for a certain type of hysterectomy or does the surgeon decide that? My regular doctor says I should have everything taken out (He is the one that I have my gyn exams with and discovered a fibroid tumor the size of a cantalope in my uterus). I would like to keep my ovaries, but am "unsure" if it is better or not.

I just wanted to go ahead and have the surgery to get relief from my bladder, which is being pressed on - which is giving me much discomfort. I haven't really thought about all the options - I just want relief!

Any help? Thanks!
Carol P.

The surgeon will certainly give you his recommendation. Personally, I wanted to keep as much healthy tissue as possible. My surgeon wanted to keep the cervix so that he could anchor surgical mesh there (I also had a sacrocolpoperineopexy done). He gave me the option of keeping the ovaries. I am 47 and peri-menopausal. I opted to keep them, and he seemed to think that was the right decision. I have been thankful not to have to deal with surgical menopause on top of the other post-op issues.

Dear Mercyme,

Thanks so much for your dear help! I have never heard of that long name that you gave me or what you had done. I hope you are doing well.

That makes me feel better that the surgeon will tell me about the options.

I had cervical spine surgery of my neck last November. There was only "one" choice - I "had to" have it done. There were "no" choices of what to choose from, so this kind of surgery is "new" for me.

I have been "leaning" toward "keeping" my ovaries, too. I am only 44 and only have had very little signs of "peri-menopause" - so I am not looking forward to being thrust into it full-throttle.

Take care of yourself.
Thanks again for your encouragement!
Carol p.

I'd suggest that you make it clear to your dr. that you want to keep whatever you can. Hopefully that wouldn't be necessary but I wonder if some don't figure they might as well take everything while they're in there. I didn't have any choices about what would be taken or how the surgery would be performed. If you're lucky enough to have options though, you owe it to yourself to understand what each one means to you and make a decision. Good luck to you and try not to get too overwhelmed by all the information.

Dear Cathy,

Thank you so much for your encouragement! I am sorry that you did not have a choice for yours.

I will be doing some more research about theses things.

God bless you!
Carol P.

Dear Carol,

I am only 44 also and deal with fibroids. They have caused heavy bleeding and cramping, the pain can be very bad. Please research your information thoroughly as to what you want to leave/take and what the different types of surgery consist of so you can be prepared. I had actually asked about a vaginal hysterectomy as I thought it was the least invasive, but I am going to have a laparoscopic as it will let the surgeon see everything in there and check the cysts I have on my ovaries. I would definitely keep your ovaries if they are healthy, as they regulate your hormones and there is no sense in throwing yourself into menopause any sooner than necessary. As for your cervix, that is part of your uterus and if you leave that you can still have mini periods and cramping each month. My doctor said the periods can be non-existant, or very light or like a regular flow and yes, you can still have cramping, sometimes badly. They can cauterize it to stop any bleeding, but just like an ablation, it can grow back and have to be re-done again. My doctor said she attaches the ligaments to help with vaginal and bladder support so that doesn't become an issue. This is a very personal decision, but it helps to know that the bleeding and cramping can still occur. For me this is not an option, I need to know I'm going through this and not dealing with bleeding or pain any more. For others it isn't a problem. I just see too many gals coming on here post-op wondering why they are bleeding and cramping when they've kept their cervix and weren't informed that this is a possibility. Good luck with your decision, arm yourself with lots of research and knowledge, the systers are a great help with that I will be having surgery the same day as your doctor appointment.

Hi Carol



My recommendation is to ask the doctor to review the pros and cons of each option for you, in light of your own medical history. Still, it's good to go in for your appointment full of as much knowledge as possible. If you feel strongly about, say, keeping your ovaries, it helps if you've done enough reading that you'll understand what the doctor says and have some ideas of what questions to ask.

Our Pre-op Resources page has several articles you may find helpful:

• Keep Cervix? Hysterectomy Planning
• Keep Ovaries During Hysterectomy? Keep One or Both?
• Keep Ovaries? Planning Hysterectomy
• Kinds of Hysterectomy surgeries?

These give you some things to consider.

Meanwhile, it's great that you found us. The women here are incredibly supportive and open and will help you along your own hysterectomy journey.

Try to get a minimally-invasive surgery. Some doctors only know how to do the old TAH so that's what they say that you need. Large fibroids can be removed laparscopically and sometomes vaginally using morcellation or removal in small pieces. Please seek out a gynecological surgeon who has state-of-the-art surgical skills and does the type of hysterectomy that is best for patient, not for their schedule or skill set. I was consented for a LAVH and my doctor did a TAH without my consent. There was no medical reason for the TAH and I had a small uterus. It was a "bait and switch" surgery. My doctor was just in a hurry and it was her first day back from vacation. It didn't go well and I am now in permanent pain and had to have a second repair surgery (with a great doctor who did it totally laparcopically). All I'm saying is make sure you get the right type of surgery that's best for your conditions/diseases. Endo can be taken out laparoscopically too. I really don't like the constant pain, nerve damage etc., and my ugly TAH scar is embarrassing. The scar was worsened by post-op complications. I blindly trusted my doctor! After my surgery She refused to explain why she didn't start with the LAVH. I found out the medical facts on my own much later.

Dear Maize, fritzi64, & beler5:

Thank you ladies very, very much! You are a great help to me! I feel so loved!
Take care of yourselves! And, Maize - I will pray for your surgery.

With love,
Carol P.

beller5 - I am so sorry that you had to go through that! My origninal gyn was past retirement and I could just see him doing the "bait and switch" on me like that also. I went for a new doctor that is well experienced in the lap surgeries so I could get the best up-to-date care. I agree that minimal is better if possible.

Carol P - Thank you for your prayers! I will pray for yours also. I couldn't get through this like I am without my systers!