HysterSisters.com is a massive online community with over 475,000 members and over 5 million posts.
Our community is filled with women who have been through the
Hysterectomy experience providing both advice and support from our active members and moderators.
HysterSisters.com is located at 111 Peter St, Toronto, Canada, M5V2H1 and is part of the VerticalScope network of websites.
With free registration, you can ask and answer questions in our HYSTERECTOMY forum community, get our FREE BOOKLET, access Hysterectomy Checkpoints and more.
You are not alone. The HysterSisters are here for you. Join us today!
|
|
Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
|
04-04-2011, 07:58 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
Hi! I'm new here, and I have a one big fibroid and a lot of questions. The first and main one is, should I get a hysterectomy and be done with it, or play it safe with a myomectomy and risk the fibroids growing back? I'm inclined to go for myomectomy, since my biggest fear is loss of sexual function. Fertility is only a minor issue, as I am probably finished with childbearing. I am 38. My fibroid is in the grapefruit range (why is it always fruit?), and does not cause particularly heavy or prolonged bleeding, but I have constant pressure and a dull ache in my pelvis. Also, I have to urinate all the time! It feels a lot like early pregnancy and it is quite uncomfortable. Am I insane for considering myomectomy? I'm not suffering from unbearable pain or severe bleeding, so part of me feels that I should just tough it out -- except it seems to me that the bigger the fibroid grows, the more likely it is that a myomectomy might turn into an emergency hysterectomy. I have read so many posts from women who have lost their ability to achieve sexual climax after hysterectomy that I am afraid to go that route. UAE seems risky to me, so that option is out. My GP said that if she were in my position, she would probably go for a vaginal hysterectomy. I have not yet talked to the surgeon (and can't for another three months), so I thought I might go fishing for a general opinion here in the meantime.
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
04-04-2011, 08:37 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
Hi,
I had adominal myomectomy March 26, 2011, was originally scheduled for the Da vinci robotic myomectomy, but my fibroids were too large to proceed. I am 46 and too did not want a hysterectomy for the same reasons. I researched all other options as well and figured if I could do it via Davinci, the recovery would be shorter and back to work sooner. As it turns out my recovery will be pretty much the same as hysterctomy. I knew that I had (2) large 9 cm fibroids and small ones, he removed 9 and says that my uterus is back to normal size. I am hopeful that if the fibroids grow back I will then be close to menapause and hopefully they will shrink on their own. I wish I would have had this done 4 years ago instead of letting them get larger and more painful. The 2 biggest ones were 4 and 6 cm 4 years ago. I am only nine days post op, but feel good, the incision is sore and have had painful gas and bowel movements but know that every day will get better.
Do your research and feel comfortable about your decision. I told my doc that I wanted myomectomy and only hysterctomy if he had too.
Good Luck!
|
|
04-04-2011, 12:18 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
Asjay, thanks for replying. I am strongly leaning toward myomectomy, because I know the fibroid is likely to continue to grow steadily, and I can't imagine the dull ache and pressure will do anything but get worse! I'm not the gambling type, so it seems best to go with conservative surgery rather than to leave it in an let it grow, in the hopes that my symptoms don't worsen....because it sounds like there comes a point where the fibroid is so enormous that hysterectomy is the only option. I'm really annoyed that I have to wait three whole months before I can even TALK to an expert about this.
Will you continue to post as your recovery progresses? I would be interested to hear how it goes. I have to say, I kind of wish I were 46 like you....that would put me that much closer to natural menopause, so even if some fibroids did grow back, I could probably wait it out until they shrank back down on their own. First time since I was a teenager that I've wished I were a few years older. :-)
|
Sponsored Links
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
04-06-2011, 09:20 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
Hi,
I will continue to post my recovery progress. I have never had surgery so this is all new to me. I was struggling with the decision to have the myomectomy or the hysterectomy, and chose the myomectomy. Unfortunately, my doctor had to cut me abdominally, bikini cut because my fibroids were too big, I had (2) 9cm and 7 smaller ones in decreasing sizes. I wish I would have done this 4 years ago, but was trying different holistic approaches etc. I have had extremely heavy periods for the last 2 years and I had to make a choice. If I have to have a total hysterectomy in a few years, at least my uterus will be normal size so that it can be done either robotically or laprascopicaly. My incision is still very tender and from what I am reading it will be for a while, the incision that he made to attempt the robotic on the other hand hardly bothers me, so I know the recovery from that one would have been a lot easier. I am hopeful that I will have a full recovery. I am walking everyday, going up and down the stairs, my major issues have been gas pain and painful bowel movements, I am hoping that as time passes this will get better, I have always had somewhat of a sluggish colon.
You will make the right decision and get more than one opinion. I hope that you will be able to speak a specialist soon so that you can determine your options. I too considered the embolization but felt that the risks were too great. I searched and found the Davinci procedure and had to submitt to my insurance 3 times to get an appt with the doctor, he is an oncologist too and I felt that if he did the surgery he would be able to rule out any future issues, as it turns out he told me that he was 99.9 percent sure the fibroids would be benign.
Take Care,
|
|
07-20-2011, 12:21 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
|
Quote: |
|
Originally Posted by asjay
Hi,
I will continue to post my recovery progress. I have never had surgery so this is all new to me. I was struggling with the decision to have the myomectomy or the hysterectomy, and chose the myomectomy. Unfortunately, my doctor had to cut me abdominally, bikini cut because my fibroids were too big, I had (2) 9cm and 7 smaller ones in decreasing sizes. I wish I would have done this 4 years ago, but was trying different holistic approaches etc. I have had extremely heavy periods for the last 2 years and I had to make a choice. If I have to have a total hysterectomy in a few years, at least my uterus will be normal size so that it can be done either robotically or laprascopicaly. My incision is still very tender and from what I am reading it will be for a while, the incision that he made to attempt the robotic on the other hand hardly bothers me, so I know the recovery from that one would have been a lot easier. I am hopeful that I will have a full recovery. I am walking everyday, going up and down the stairs, my major issues have been gas pain and painful bowel movements, I am hoping that as time passes this will get better, I have always had somewhat of a sluggish colon.
You will make the right decision and get more than one opinion. I hope that you will be able to speak a specialist soon so that you can determine your options. I too considered the embolization but felt that the risks were too great. I searched and found the Davinci procedure and had to submitt to my insurance 3 times to get an appt with the doctor, he is an oncologist too and I felt that if he did the surgery he would be able to rule out any future issues, as it turns out he told me that he was 99.9 percent sure the fibroids would be benign.
Take Care,
|
Glad you are on in your way to healthy recovery.
I am going to have myo with in days. I have my uterus enlarged . Did you have the enlarged uterus before surgery & did you notice any difference with your abdomen/uterus after surgery other than doctors words.
Thanks
GL
|
|
07-20-2011, 12:41 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
Hi,
Yes I had an enlareged uterus. It was the size of a 5 month pregnancy. I could feel it above my navel. My doctor had to do a bikini cut because it was too large for Da Vinci incision. I am feeling good now, my last three periods have been 3 days max, what a difference. I do feel a bit bloated at times. It has been 4 months since my surgery and incision still sore, just now goung to begin lifting weights at the gym to get back in shape. My doc says uterus is normal size now, but will need to confirm at my next check up.
Good luck with the surgery, I wish I had my 4 years ago.
Take care
Suzanne
|
|
07-20-2011, 01:09 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
Thanks for quick reply. Your length of the period itself might have brought you some positive energy.
Do you have your abdomen still swollen? My uterus size is almost 6-7 months pregnancy size. I am young & yet to have children. I am afraid to attend a coming wedding with the swollen abdomen/enlarged uterus & people asking me whether I am pregnant, since I cannot tell my story to every one.
|
|
07-20-2011, 10:40 PM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
The doctor said that my uterus was back to a normal size. My abdomen is not as large, but I did gain about 25 pounds in the 4 years that I had the fibroids. My period used to last 14-21 days a month and it was horrible, so yes 3 days is amazing, the whole period is about 1 hour of the other periods. I am feeling a little bloated right now and my stomach is a little sore, so I don't know if something is going on. It has been 4 months since my surgery. I did lose about 10 lbs right after surgery, and i have put back on about 5, so I want to start exercising more. While I was out of work, I walked everyday, but since going back to work it has been hard to exercise because I have long hours. Wish me luck because it is very important to continue exercising.
When are you having your surgery? Let me know how it goes.
|
|
07-21-2011, 09:52 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
You are in right path keeping yourself fit & active. I wish you good luck not only for losing weight but also for keeping your abdomen stronger.
I should have observed my body when ever I see myself in the mirror. I don't have any symptoms except menstrual cramping. I am opting for myomectomy because there is no other way if we want children. Tomorrow is my surgery. Little busy... Hope everything goes well.
Will get back to you once everything is set right.
Thanks
GL
|
|
07-21-2011, 11:05 AM
|
HysterSister
|
|
|
|
Re: Myomectomy, hysterectomy or nothing?
I will keep you in my prayers for a successful surgery and recovery.
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
From This Forum |
From Other Forums |
4 Replies, Last Reply 01-18-2012, Started By Hoosier_honey 1 Reply, Last Reply 11-20-2010, Started By Ume Blossom 2 Replies, Last Reply 07-04-2010, Started By my3rs 11 Replies, Last Reply 08-25-2008, Started By rheqnut 5 Replies, Last Reply 08-01-2008, Started By Slim67 10 Replies, Last Reply 02-19-2008, Started By stillyoung40 8 Replies, Last Reply 01-22-2006, Started By KatherineP 24 Replies, Last Reply 12-30-2005, Started By debibikes 21 Replies, Last Reply 11-17-2005, Started By Penelope flower 3 Replies, Last Reply 05-31-2005, Started By torry 3 Replies, Last Reply 09-15-2004, Started By bernall 9 Replies, Last Reply 01-13-2003, Started By Deb36 15 Replies, Last Reply 04-19-2002, Started By carrolle 7 Replies, Last Reply 03-01-2002, Started By Brandi 4 Replies, Last Reply 08-23-2000, Started By Renee Sheehan |
5 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) 2 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) 7 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) 3 Replies, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) 1 Reply, Preparing for Hysterectomy (pre hysterectomy) |
|
Advertisement
Hysterectomy News
TODAY'S EVENTS
Calendar -
Hysterectomies -
Birthdays
Request Information
I am a HysterSister
Your Hysterectomy Date
$vbulletin->featuredvideos is not an array!
Advertisement
Advertisement
|