Need Perspective -- thinking about putting off surgery

Hi! My short story ... periods getting really bad over the last several years. Tried tri-cycling on BCP and that helped some for a little bit but I took myself off them (w/Dr's ok) due to my increasing age and they weren't helping. Don't have bleeding outside my period, but the last 5 mos. the period hasn't been coming at it's normal time. I'm almost 49 - 2 c-sections; 4 miscarriages incl. one ruptured ectopic that I'm not sure what damage was done to the ovary but the tube was obliterated. I've had to take a day off maybe 4 out of the last 6 mos. b/c of the heavy bleeding/clotting. This month wasn't too bad except for the really bad cramping pain for about 30 hours...more ruined clothes (as always).

The reason for putting it off? I had a tummy tuck about 3 yrs ago - a quack Dr. (no, I did not do good research) and then had a bleeding issue w/a second surgery and turned into 4 days in the hospital w/no clear answer on the reason even tho my labs & all tests were "normal". So there's some fear there...no other problems w/any of the other surgeries.

It seems like I'm over-thinking the whole thing - DH works shifts, worried above care for my 9 yr old - not being able to drive - thinking I can "suck it up" until school starts....but everyone said that I should get the surgery over with. I'm less than a month out (12 Jul) -- OH -- and it seems to be taking an act of Congress to get work documentation to submit for advanced sick leave and/or applying for leave donor program b/c I don't have 6 wks of leave saved up.

Please tell me this is hormones!

Hi JillyMac. I was in a similar situation to you.

After talking to my awesome hubby, we decided that if my surgeon had a cancellation, I would take it (I was worred about the not being able to drive, and did the whole I can suck it up until September when things calm back down). We are also planning on a 2 week European vacation this summer, so I had to take that into consideration as well.

Once we spoke to my surgeon, and he a) did have a cancellation and b) was planning on performing my hysterectomy as a LAVH, I had no concerns. From what I've read, LAVH is the easiest way to go on the body. I was in the hospital over night (for observation), and was up walking around the next morning by 9am (I was thirsty and had permission to walk).

I know you'll make the best decision for you. Hope my experience helps, even a little with your decision making!

cheers

Hi JillyMac!

There's likely "pluses and minuses" for whatever time frame a patient chooses to have major surgery. At least that's the way it's seemed to worked for me.

Hysterectomies aren't going anyplace anytime soon, so if you do postpone for whatever reasons you will always have another chance sometime down the line.

s,

My perspective is that you should be as comfortable as possible with the timing so that you don't worry about things and can concentrate on recovery.

That said,

• can you hack another few months of the misery?
• things always find a way of working out, even if it isn't the best timing.

Hmmmm...not sure I was much help! Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for the viewpoints! They are all well-received and under consideration!! I'm thinking that if I continue to get grief about the surgical docmentation for the time off of work, then that will be my "sign" that maybe suffering through another month or two until things calm down in life and summer is over that I can handle it. Ya'll are the best!!!! (hugs)

Jilly - I had a tummy tuck 18 months ago. Friday, had a TAH & alot of repair work for the bladder & vejayjay. Unfortunately, the incision had to be vertical rather than horizontal because of the size of fibroids. When I had the TT, I was miserable for a solid month, wondering why I did this to myself. This time I feel fantastic & I'm not kidding. The pain doesn't even compare for me. Unbelievable!!! Because of the TT surg, I knew that morphine was not my friend & the anesthsilogist hooked me up to a epidural for 2 1/2 days. I was pain free. As soon as I started getting oral meds, starting getting sick. Since I've been home, I have only been taking ibuprofen.

Hi Glee! Thanks for the info. I'm glad that the pain wasn't like the TT. I'm not so afraid of the pain but the scar tissue and stuff that might be in there from that and a couple other abdominal surgeries. Doc said he'd try laprascopic but I don't think that's gonna be the case. I'm going to try and get in to see the doc before my preop (6 Jul - surgery 12 Jul) cuz I have some additional questions that I need answered but don't want to wait until 6 days b/f surgery. Have a great day!