Dr. "Borat" + my impending hysterectomy

Here's my story... thanks for listening and helping in advance!

I am 37 this month. I have 2 kids ages 12 and 3.5 years... my second child "broke the mold." I know I am finished having children.

I have suffered from severe period pain for 2+ years now. Very heavy periods and lots of codeine. The pill only caused me to bleed full time. One small fibroid and suspected endometriosis.

In August of this year I was scheduled to have laparoscopic surgery (endo burning etc.). A very nice doctor. I went all the way to the pre-op center and watched everyone else go to sleep (scary). But then they got my blood work back and it was off the charts... kidney infection and they pulled me out of pre-op. And my doctor retired the very next week. The whole thing was traumatic for me.

My 'nice' doctor's office sent me over to another doctor. Think "Borat," like the movie. He looks like him, talks like him and even acts like him. The guy has no people skills. He quickly signed me up for a hysterectomy. He laughed when I asked about keeping my cervix and never responded. And then preceded to give me an "exam" with the door open facing the waiting room. January 9th is my scheduled hyster date.

Now I am thinking that a hysterectomy is unnecessary for me at this point and that I might be better off with a less invasive surgery (back to laparoscopy) that will last a couple of years (I hope). That would make me 40 and perhaps more ready for a hysterectomy.

My mother tells me I am a chicken for backing out of this. She says that a hysterectomy is "simple" and know many trouble free women with hysterectomies. She laughed when I told her I want to keep my cervix and said I was reading too much crap on the internet... she said I was a "cyberchondriac." <-- Can you believe that term was in my spell checker?

Oh please help...

It is important to note that I scheduled an appointment with a doctor tomorrow... "The Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Center."

This is just my two cents , for what it's worth. I wouldn't let Borat touch me again - ever. If you aren't in an emergency situation, take the time to find another doctor that you're comfortable with. Find someone who you can talk to and someone that will patiently (and fully) answer your questions.

As far a hyster being "simple," I would have to disagree on that one, too. It may be a common surgery, but I don't think the word "simple" applies at all.

In my opinion, having confidence in your doctor is extremely important. This is major surgery and a big decision!

Bye-bye BORAT!

Keep us posted and good luck with everything!!

Hi!
I agree with Ann. Don't go with a doctor you are not comfortable with and cannot ask questions. I had a surgeon who was supposedly very good but had no bedside manner. He tried to leave me on pain meds that were making me so sick I couldn't even drink water. The nurse finally told me not to take any more of the pain shots and she managed to get things switched but I understand it was a hassle.

I had another surgery (thyroidectomy) 6 weeks later and what a difference a good surgeon can make. I could have called him anytime, even on the weekend and he called with the report early Saturday morning to say there was no cancer. I had trouble with pain meds again but it was taken care of quickly.

I would get a second opinion. Maybe Borat doesn't do laparoscopic surgery. Surgeons tend to do what they are most comfortable with. In reality the doctor is supposed to work for your best interests and if he is too busy to answer questions I would replace him.

Just my thoughts. Good luck.
Lizzy

I agree with the previous posters on getting another opinion and not seeing the doctor who treated you that way.

I had many laps prior to my tah/bso. They can be extremely helpful.

Are you seeing an Endo Specialists ? That may be the kind of doctor you are going to see.

You may want to look at some of our Endo Resources

A hysterectomy is major surgery. Not something to jump into because a doctor, or someone important to you wants you to do it, but because you and your doctor agree it is the best treatment for you.

Best of luck to you

I am glad you are seeing someone else. I am a patient advocate when it comes to women's health and I have had many people change OB's two days before their due date. I have had people change hospitals 30 minutes longer and out of their way because I knew that was a better hospital by a million times. When you have a doctor who doesn't seem to put your health and emotional needs at their priority, it is time to move on.

I just changed to my 4th gyn this past year because of various reasons. One never returned my phone calls regarding questions I had over conflicting lab results. The next one was too non conventional for me and wanted me to just buy his supplements. My third couldn't remember me from one patient to the next. He was never consistent with is information. The fourth, returns his own phone calls. He looks you in the eye. Wrote down a thorough history to try to figure out what is going on and confirmed what I was doing right and what still needs to be done. He was highly recommended from "suggest a doctor" found on this site. So when he did all these tests that I didn't get with the other doctors and he says, "You have given this a fair shot doing other methods without success, it is time for surgery. I trust his judgment.

You will know when you have found the right doctor because you won't have any doubts. You are doing the right thing with making another appointment with a new doctor. Hang in there.