Second Opinion?

Hi,

I just found out I have what my obgyn described as a complex mass that has encapsulated my left ovary and am scheduled for surgery on April 1. There is also something (much smaller) on the right ovary. I was told Monday that I will either have a laporatomy or a total hysterectomy once they get in and know more.

My dr. said the mass has already caused a convulted uterus and she felt that soon I may have problems with bladder/bowel. The mass is about the size of a plum, which isn't so large, but I only weigh 115 lbs, so it's large to me!

Anyway, I've had dysfunctional uterine bleeding for the last year, which she says will stop after the surgery. My dr. thinks it's endo, and so do I, frankly, although I've never been diagnosed with that.

A friend suggested getting a second opinon, but I can't see what it would really change in terms of diagnosis...it seems to me I should have the ovary/f. tube taken out and let them find out what else is going on?

Does anyone have any other opinions out there?

Thanks. This is a great website!

Kim

Hi Kim,
We frequently suggest that ladies get a second opinion ... not so much for a different diagnosis but for a confirmation of the treatment plan. While one gyn may strongly recommend surgery, another may strongly recommend some type of medical management that does not involve surgery. Particularly when you are facing major surgery, it never hurts to get a second opinion just to confirm that more than one doc agrees that the surgery is your best option.

Hope this helps. Best of luck, whatever you decide. Let us know how you are doing.

Beth

Hi Kim,

Exactly what Beth said. Surgery, no matter what procedure, always carries risks. It's not about doubting your doctor or your decision... it's about confirmation. It is the best you can do for yourself. And... if two doctors agree, then it takes the pressure off you. On the other hand...if the second one has a different opinion concerning treatment, it's worth your time, consideration, research and discussion. You've only got one body...make yourself the most important thing.

Even when we make the decision to buy a car or a dress for that matter, we want to know someone else's opinion...why not for your ovary???

You will feel proud and confident that you went the extra step for yourself. I believe your friend is wise.

Best of luck with this,
Maralyn

Hi Kim,

The panic I felt when I was diagnosed with a prolapsed uterus made me seek out a 2nd (and 3rd opinion), just cuz I was trying to NOT have surgery. It kinda shocked me how much more cutting & pasting doc #2 had in mind for me.

Only YOU must live with your post-op results, good or bad. Get smart about your symptoms & your options, and make the best choice for YOU.

I am sending huge cyberhugs

Well, based on your responses, I'm seriously considering a second opinion. Although intuitively I feel like the ovary needs to come out, but probably not a total hyster. I've also done a lot of research which all jives with having the laparotomy.

But I have until the 27th (my pre-op appt.) to find another gyno and get things checked out.

Thanks for all your kind words and support. I love this website.

Kim

P.S. Is a prolapsed uterus the same as a convulted one? I'm going to have research that now too!


Thanks again.

Dear Kimakim,

I agree with the others about getting another and possibly even third opinion. I "struck gold" with my third opinion and am so glad I found this surgeon. Given the mass on your ovary and the uncertainty about what's causing your bleeding, have you considered seeing a gyn-oncologist? It seems a little strange that you can't get a better diagnosis regarding the reason for your bleeding--just my opinion....

good luck!

Kim:

It may be that, if you have endo, that extra bleeding you are experiencing is symptomatic of adenomyosis, which is endo infiltrating the uterine wall. The problem there is that it is only truly diagnosable and treatable with hysterectomy .

I was shocked when my GYN recommended a hyst for my giant (6-inch) endometrioma (complex also). I went into the appointment expecting to discuss laparoscopic surgery and came out, head spinning, following the verdict of "hysterectomy". However, it turned out that everything in my case was fused together as a block from years of endo and multiple surgeries for ectopic pregnancy, c-section, etc. And the pathology report did come back with severe adenomyosis . And here I had thought that the flooding and clots that I'd experienced for some years were "normal"!!

A second and/or third opinion is vital when you're facing this sort of scenario -- and one of those opinions should be from a GYN-oncologist just in case. Not just in case of cancer, BTW, but because endo can be, like cancer, extremely invasive. And if it is endo that is causing this cyst, you'll want surgical options that "get" as much of it as possible, particularly if you are trying to save the remaining ovary.

Good luck, and ...

Audrey

Well...

Just when I had decided NOT to get another opinion, I then get two more opinions to get another opinion.

So, I think I am going to get a gyno recommendation tomorrow from a friend and then follow up with an appt. I did look up adenomyosis today based on what I've read on the board. I'm not sure if I have it or not, all I know is that for the last year I've been like a leaky pipe with regular period 2-3 days and spotting for 16-17, about a week off and then here we go again.

I did ask my doc if she thought removing the mass and fallopian tube would stop the bleeding and she said yes.

I still have to say though, that my intuition tells me I DO need surgery to find out what is going on and in my mind, I'm ready to go on April 1. At this point, I'm flucutaing about the the second opinion, mostly because I like and trust my obgyn/surgeon. On the flip side, it wouldn't hurt.

At any rate, thanks for all the great advice. I'll let you know what happens.

Kim

Well, I just made appts to see 2 more docs, based on advice from you ladies. I'm seeing a fairly new (young) Obgyn on Monday and a seasoned Doc. on Wed and then my post op (if I still feel it's necessary) on Thursday. Whew!

Thanks for all the advice.

I'll let you know what I find out.

Kim

Well, I had 2 more opinions and both concurred with the first. So in I go on Tuesday.

Thanks for all the support to this post.

Kim