No Date: laparascopic hysterectomy for endo

I'm 35 years old, I've had endo for about 5 years, but it wasn't diagnosed until 2007. I have had one laparoscopy surgery to have it removed, however within 3 weeks the pain was back. I don't believe my case is severe, but it is affecting my life in many ways. I have one child, a teenager , my husband has 3 from a previous marriage (all ages 15-20) I've tried bc pills and hated the side effects. The one that seemed to help, had me bleeding/spotting constantly, so I quit that. Anywho, I'm opting for a hysterectomy, because I am so done with the periods from hell, and the even worse ovulation pain, not to mention when those 2 lovely things aren't occurring, I still have pain. My husband is "fixed", so having anymore children just isn't in my future, nor would I want it to be.
I got the green light from my gyn and will schedule the surgery probably sometime in August or September. She said I am a good candidate for a laparascopic hysterectomy. I see a lot of people who have gone through LAVH... but, what's the difference between the LAVH and LH?

A Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) means the work can be done via lap incisions but the complete uterus is delivered vaginally. This method can allow the doctor room to clean up endometriosis while removing the uterus in tact. This was the best method available for me as I also needed an appendectomy and my uterus was covered in endo so we wanted it removed in one piece.

A Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) means all of the work is done via lap incisions and the uterus is cut into tiny pieces and removed through those same incisions. Endometriosis could be cleaned up with this method but some doctors may be leery of cutting up the uterus of an endo patient in cases it allows some stray cells to be missed.

A Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH) is also done via lap incisions but the cervical portion of the uterus is not removed. Endometroisis could be cleaned up via this method as well. Again, some doctors are not going to be comfortable cutting up the upper portion of the uterus if endo is involved and some are not going to be comfortable leaving the cervix of an endo patient.

Other types of lap hysterectomies can be done using the da Vinci robot.

You can read more about the various surgery types by clicking on the Hysterectomy Options in the blue bar at the top of the screen.

The most important thing for you is to be sure you find a surgeon who will be able to remove the actual endometriosis. Neither a hysterectomy or oophorectomy are cures for endometriosis so if any endo is missed, it can continue to cause issues down the road. Thus, you want a skilled gynecological surgeon rather than a doctor who practices obstetrics.

We do have a list of well known endometriosis specialists at the top of the Endometriosis Forum but you can make calls to your area hospitals and ask for the names of physicians who treat endometriosis patients, check with women's clinics in your area, and also check with reproductive endocrinologists or gynecological oncologists.

Regardless, a second opinion can be very important before any major surgery.

I wish you all the best! Don't hesitate to post your surgical questions here in the Pre Op forum and feel free to post any endometriosis concerns in the Endometriosis Forum!

i had an lavh.. for the same reasons youve stated.. its done with thre incisions on your tummy and two at the top of your vagina to assist in removal of the uterus and cervix. I was scared and this site helped me alot. Im only 34... but im on a hormone patch.. and am healing pretty well.... the pain .. you know that deep low back pain.. was gone as soon as i took my first steps outa my hospital bed.. no more cysts... cramps.... pain.... im still scared getting hormones balanced... but i know i didnt want to suffer any more....