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Prolapse Uterus
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08-22-2004, 04:14 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 23
Hysterectomy: October 13th, 2004
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Prolapse Uterus
I am 43 years old (next week), three days ago had my yearly checkup and discussed my prolapsed uterus. It has been getting progressively worse for a couple years, constant urge to urinate, BM problems, etc.. The Dr suggested doing he vaginal hysterectomy, taking only the uterus. After reading everyones wonderful posts, I now have so many questions. I am scheduled to go back to Dr in 2 months to discuss further.
Which is the best surgery for prolapsed uterus, vaginal or abdominal?
One of my concerns is intercourse. Will it feel the same. Cervix or no cervix? I think she mentioned keping the cervix. I do not have history of cancer in my family, I want to keep my cervix.
I am also so very afraid to be put to sleep (control freak) but don't want to hear what's going on in the room at the same time. Is it that bad?
Recovery time, will I need help?
I have a lower back pain as well, any of you have the same problem? Will removing my uterus relieve that too?
I really want to go ahead and do this but am so afraid. Any reassurance would be helpful.
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08-22-2004, 06:10 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 56
Hysterectomy: August 23rd, 2004
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Prolapse Uterus
I'm having a TVH tomorrow. I also don't want to be put under a general so they are doing a spinal. It is my understanding that the cervix has to go with a TVH. I personally won't miss mine it has been way too much trouble in the past.
I also have a prolapse so my doc. said well it is trying to come out this way on it's own so why not just take it out this way. LOL She is great.
Hope this helps.
Be sure to write down all of your questions and ask your doctor.
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08-22-2004, 06:40 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 159
Hysterectomy: September 14th, 2004
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Prolapse Uterus
Curleeq,
I almost feel like I wrote this post since your situation seems to be so much like mine. I am also 43 years old and have been dealing with a prolapsed uterus for years now. I finally got tired of the lower back pain and tired of my uterus being the focus of so many of my days. I've had this for 12 years and have had to wear a sanitary napkin every day, 24/7 for the past 12 years because of urine leakage. I'm tired of being aware that I have a uterus. If I cough, sneeze, laugh, walk, bend, stretch, etc., there it is feeling like it's trying to get out. Not a day goes by that I am not fully aware that I have a uterus. Oh and lets not forget the skills we have to learn when it comes to moving our bowels. Push too hard and the uterus wants to come out. Don't push hard enough and you can't move your bowels. I'm tired of it and I've gotten away with putting it off this long but now my ligaments are tearing and my bladder and rectum are becoming a problem. So it's time. It's become way too uncomfortable now to keep living with it.
I know how you feel about the anesthesia. I am afraid to be put to sleep also but don't think I can handle being awake during the operation if I get a spinal. I've decided on having general anesthesia. I'm also a control freak and I'm not too happy about not being able to drive or do pretty much anything after the surgery. That means I have to accept help from whoever can help me. And I have always had such a hard time asking people for anything. It's going to drive me crazy that I won't be able to do for myself for a while. Oh well, maybe the meds will make me tired enough so I won't care.
But in any event, I'm scheduled for a TVH with AP repair on Sept. 14th and although I'm nervous, I'm kind of looking forward to getting it over with and moving on with my life without my uterus being such a focus of everything I do.
As far as I know, the cervix has to be removed with a vaginal hyster since the cervix is the first thing out since it's below the uterus.
Good luck to you. And Lividrose, I wish you the best tomorrow. I will say a pray for you to have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. I will look for your return and post-op board contribution. Take care!
Karen
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08-22-2004, 08:19 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 10
Hysterectomy: August 5th, 2004
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Prolapse Uterus
I had a vaginal hyst and bladder taping 17 days ago. The cervix was removed too. (I did not want any cancer problems.) My doctor said the vaginal method was very easy for her since the uterus was "right there." I chose the spinal anesth. method - a procedure commonly used for C-section deliveries. Positives - relaxants were added to the IV so I was very comfortable & relaxed, during the surgery, I could not feel anything (not even any movement) from the waist down, a drape prevented me from seeing anything "scary," no nausea or regrets (of wondering what I said) after surgery, I was alert & awake immediately after surgery so I could talk with the nurses & doctors, and numbess wore off within about 2 hours after surgery. I found no negatives with this method. (My doctor checked my ovaries and was able to tell me during surgery that my ovaries looked outstanding and she was going to leave them ... just as we had discussed before surgery. I was pleased to be relaxed, but awake enough to know what was going on during surgery, although I don't recall hearing much. Surgery took about 2.5 hours, but it seemed to go a lot quicker.) My recovery has been quick & easy since my abdominal muscles were not affected.
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08-23-2004, 02:00 AM
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Posts: 30,771
Hysterectomy: February 4th, 2002
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Prolapse Uterus
Hi I had a TVH/BSO and A&P repairs about two and a half years ago for prolapse. It is very unusual to do an abdominal surgery for prolapse, since the uterus is generally conveniently located for vaginal removal. There is a technique for doing a vaginal hysterectomy and keeping the cervix, but it's only done by a couple of DRs in the US, and it's generally not done for prolapse.
No one can tell you whether or not sex will feel the same after surgery. Some women find it's the same, some say it's better (no more pain, if they had constant pain before the surgery), and some say it's worse. My cervix was removed, and things feel about the same in that department as they did before the surgery.
I have a fear of anesthesia too, though in my case it's because I have a genetic predisposition to a serious condition which makes general anesthesia dangerous. Unfortunately, I've had 6 surgeries in the past 3 years and anesthesia has been necessary five of those times. I find that I feel much better about it if I (1) request to speak with the anesthesiologist who's going to be doing my procedure the night before the surgery -- they always call me at home to find out what my concerns are; and (2) ask for a little versed to relax me in the pre op area once the IV is in place, so I'm kind of 'out of it' as they wheel me into the OR.
I didn't have lower back pain attributable to my prolapse, but I've heard from other women who did that it improved after surgery unless there were also other problems.
About recovery time -- standard recovery time is 6 to 8 weeks. Some women take longer to recover, and some feel better sooner, although even if you're feeling great it's best to take it very easy because there is a lot of unseen internal healing that has to go on. You will probably have lifting restrictions after surgery. I could not lift more than 10 pounds for the first six weeks; I have a lifetime lifting restriction of 25 pounds (if I want my repairs to have the best chance of holding).
Yes, you will need help, at least initially. I am a single mom; I had my children stay with their dad for a while, and had my mother stay with me the first several days after I got home from the hospital. After that, I was able to take care of myself with help from various others who stopped by to see me a few times a day and help me with anything that involved lifting.
I hope this helps... good luck with your surgery!
s,
-Linda
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08-24-2004, 07:56 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 23
Hysterectomy: October 13th, 2004
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Prolapse Uterus
Thank you all for your answers. I could almost swear the doc said she would keep the cervix, but now I am doubting our conversation. Do docs always take the cervix? I am concerned that my SO will feel a noticable difference.
I hear that by keeping the cervix it helps keep the bladder and rectum in place. I will need to be sure to ask doc more questions on this one. I don't have a surgery date yet. Doc doesn't seem to think it is too serious yet, which I now I tend to agree after hearing everyone elses stories. I have just known something was going on for a couple years now, the past six months more and more. Bladder and BM problems, and sometimes I can see the uterous (I think) coming out when I shave my legs. Is that severe? I explained to the doc that it doesn't look that bad when I am laying down for my pap.
Am I being silly, is it that bad and do I really need a hyst? I am just thinking my quality of life would be much better if I do. And it's only going to get worse right? I should take care of it now.....who knows what's going to happen 1-2 or three years from now. I may not have insurance!
I will need to make a list of questions that's for sure.
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08-31-2004, 07:31 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 123
Hysterectomy: October 12th, 2004
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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I have a severe prolapsed uterus and JUST found out
that I also have a prolapsed rectum. I am only 30 years old and find that this just *****.
I am scheduled for a VH (keeping ovaries) and LAR to removed part of my colon on Oct. 12th. I'm scared to death!!
I'd say that if you can see part of your uterus then it is an advanced prolapse. Have you tried a pessary?
My prolapse is a definite stage 3 (out of 3) and while bming I can see my cervix and a couple of inches of the uterus. It actually feels like it is going to rip out of me at times.
I was told that I had Colitis several months ago, I backed out of a hyst. in March because I just couldn't deal with it at the time. I just knew something wasn't right. That something was my misdiagnosis of Colitis. I seen a 2nd gastro, had a sigmoidoscopy and then was sent to a colon & rectal specialist. He knew IMMEDIATELY what the problem was! Now I feel much better about the hyst.
I've had life long problems with constipation (since infant) and this is the biggest problem for my prolapsed pelvic floor. TOTALLY SHOT!
I worry about how sex will feel afterwards but I'm tired of seeing my cervix!!! I didn't think the cervix could be kept with a prolapse.
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08-31-2004, 10:58 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 56
Hysterectomy: August 23rd, 2004
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Prolapse Uterus
I'm one week post op now and feeling pretty good. I had the spinal and it was great they give you a drug before hand that makes you forget. I don't really remember the surgery at all, but was awake in recovery and not sick at all. If you are afraid of general this is the way to go. The pain is pretty much gone now just some pressure from swelly belly and a slight pulling now and then. Not nearly as bad as the pressure before. Well that is my . Good Luck to all you LIWs.
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09-01-2004, 01:01 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 13
Hysterectomy: August 10th, 2004
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Prolapse Uterus
Hi girls,
I was diagnosed with a prolapsed uterus. I am 3 weeks post-op. I went through the same issues as you. Having a hysterectomy was the biggest decision I had to face because I had a healthy uterus, ovaries, etc. My doctor and I talked about alternatives concerning my situation. I decided to have a LAVH along with a complete pelvic floor reconstruction, followed by HRT. I have enjoyed reading your posting, but left a bit bewildered. I didn’t realize that one had a choice of having a general anesthetic or a spinal anesthetic. I was under general anesthetic for 5 hours. My surgery went very well with no complications. Where your surgeries as long? Because of my prolapse, I had the exterior muscles surrounding the vagina repaired and tightened. Did you girls have the same?
Just wondering……dblu
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09-01-2004, 06:17 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 467
Hysterectomy: August 26th, 2003
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Prolapse Uterus
To answer your question about back problems - I did have lower back problems and after surgery they went away. My doctor had asked if I had back pain and had told me that the uterus pulling everything else down with it caused the back pain.
I know it's a hard decision - I'm 37 and wasn't married 1 yr when I decided to have surgery. I too had 3rd degree prolapse & could see my cervix. The prolapse caused rectal (BM) problems as well as caused a hernia in that area and caused my bladder to drop. I felt that my quality of life would be so much better after surgery & I was right - no more seeing the cervix, no more peeing all the time and no more back aches. As for sex - it's as good as it was before (although it took about 7 months for it to not feel tight and me not be scared of hurting something inside).
My surgery consisted of the whole enchilada - TVH w/ A&P repairs. Had an epidural with twilight drugs.
Recovery wasn't too bad - the episiotmy for the repairs bothered me more than the TVH (sitting wasn't easy). Took my meds for 6 days and then switched to Aleve.
My husband stayed home for a week to cook, clean & run errands (couldn't drive for 2 wks per doctors orders). Then my mom came to stay for another week. I really didn't need her 24/7 but it was nice to have her cook for me and do laundry. Basically after a week I just needed to fed & watered because I was a couch potato most of the day. After the first week I was walking 1 mile a day -very slow.
At the end of 2 weeks I was driving again so I was self-sufficient pretty much and I went back to work after being home 4 weeks (have a desk job).
All in all it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. I'm now a year post-op and if I had to make this choice again I'd do the same thing.
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