Want to know if I've made the right decision.....

Hi, everyone. I'm new on the board and in reading through all the posts of everyone's experiences, I was wondering if y'all could offer some opinions.

I've decided (with my dr, of course) to have a TAH. I have very heavy bleeding with clots during my periods, a couple of small fibroids and ovarian cysts. I had surgery three years ago to remove a softball-sized ovarian cyst (along with several of her smaller friends) and excessive endometriosis. Then last February, I had a c-section during which my dr discovered still more endo and cysts, so he cleaned everything out again. This past December, I went back because of the excessive mentrual bleeding and discovered the fibroids and that I was anemic. At a surgical consult in January, he put me on BCP for three months to see if they would help, which they didn't. Instead of a few very heavy days, I bled lightly off and on for three months!

So yesterday at my appt, the dr asked me what I wanted to do and I told him I want the TAH. I'm so very tired of the screwy cycles, the cysts, the endo, the fibroids. I'm afraid that if I do nothing I'll be having to have surgery for fibroids and cysts every couple of years. My DH is very supportive and he thinks I should definitely do the hyst and be done with it (we've got 3 kids and my tubes are tied so procreation is no longer an issue ). But all the posts about complications and long recovery times are making me nervous. Thoughts, anyone?

I think you have made the right decision. This will decrease you chances of having to have more surgeries.

If I am not mistaken, recovery time depends on you. If you take it easy in the begining and then start working yourself up to doing a little at a time, you will be fine. But if you try to do to much at once, thats where the problems come in.

My mom had a TAH with bladder suspension, by the time she was 4 weeks post-op, she was walking the 1/2 mile to town.

I am having a TVH, and was told to increase my activity level a little at a time. To use fatigue as my guide, and rest when I feel tired.

Rest is the key word here, you need to get plenty of it while recovering.

Kedi

Have you considered a second or third opinion? A hysterectomy can be a life altering event for women (for the good or bad). There is no way to predict who may have complications and who may not. You need to be as sure as possible that this is the way you want/need to go. Have the surgery because you are sure in your own heart and mind, not to please someone else.

You may want to check out the Hysterectomy Options and Alternatives Board (click here) at the top there is a great list with links to all kinds of alternatives.

Be sure to check out the PreOp Hints and Articles (click here) PostOp Articles (click here) and Princess Stories (click here) for information and answers to help you get ready for surgery and what to expect after surgery. There is also an awesome resource link directory you can get to by clicking here or click Resources at the top of each page.

Read and research as much as possible to help you, in conjunction with your DR, make the best decisions for you.

Best wishes!