Help! LSH or TAH!

I'm scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy on June 4, leaving cervix and ovaries. My gyn doesn't do laparascopic hysterectomies at this point. I still have an appt. with a local doctor who is on the forefront w/ this procedure just to get his opinion as well. His practice is actually a specialty center for treating gyn problems so this is what he does all the time.

Here's my dilemma: I'd love to do this w/ an LSH if possible-- my uterus is about 14 week size with fibroids. Anyone out there had an lsh w/ similar condition? This is going to sound strange, but I'm actually more afraid of general anesthesia than I am of pain. I figure that an abdominal hysterectomy would not take as much time as a LSH, thus less time under anesthesia. On some level, I think that I'm willing to trade a longer/more difficult recovery for less surgery time. Does that make sense? Any of you who've had a LSH, what was the time frame like? I know that they could get in there and realize that a TAH is best, and I'm prepared for that, but w/ 2 preschoolers the recovery time of the lsh sure sounds more appealing.

Thanks for your input!
gigimay

Hi Gigimay,

I got 2 opinions myself. My 1st Dr. wanted to do a TAH and did not do laparoscopic hysts. My 2nd Dr. was well trained in laparoscopic hysts and he recommended a LSH.

For me, I chose the LSH. I was a good candidate to keep my cervix and the LSH is a less invasive hyst.

My surgery time for my LSH was orignally supposed to be about 1 hr. and 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. I ran closer to 2 hrs. since my largest fibroid was right on top of my cervix and my Dr. needed more time.

Also, generally, as you mentioned, the recovery time for a LSH is shorter. In my case, I went back to work - slowly - at 2 weeks and I got a greenlight for all activities at 6 weeks.

In the end, do what is *best* for you. That is the most important thing.

Mary

hi i had a abdominal hystorectomy on jan 15th...best thing i ever did. i was really scared to be put out too. i had another procedure done in july and was put out for the first time. i thought i would die of heart failure before i got in there. it was fine and so was the second time. it is all mental and you will be fine and waking up before you know it and wondering what happened. it was actually nothing. my dr. left my ovaries and cervix also. nothing big has changed for me except no little visitor every month. i wish you the best. you have to do what you feel is best. whatever you decide will work out fine. keep us all posted. this sight is great for questions when you return home. thank god i found it.
take care......yooper 2