If you had a choice-

Thank you ladies, your replies are very much appreciated. I know I don't want to have to deal with hrt. Reading up on everything I can get my hands on.

I spk w/ my drs nurse & was told that she'll only take them if they look suspicious (sorry, can't spell this am) or if I had fam hist of ovarian ca. I'm still researching just in case I wake up without them.

thanks again.

In all honesty, considering all of the trouble I have had within the past 7 years, NO ... I want them removed.

They will be taken along with my cervix ... which is fine with me

Best of luck to ya'll

I had one of my ovaries removed shortly after having my son, I've had endo and LOTS of cysts since the age of 16. After my first cyst was reoved I felt 100 times better, but that was short lived, I had my other ovary removed 1 year later. I had already been through menopause at 19, thanks to the Awful therapy of Depo-Lupron, which by the way- you can't take any HRT while on. So- I knew what to expect, and this time I can take HRT. My point is, if you have ovarian probs, I'd take them out. I just turned 25 and have felt better than I have for years. Just thankful for my husband stuck with me through it all. One other thing, if both are removed, you are supposed to have high dose estrogen injection immediatly after sx to prevent "shock" to your body once there is no more estrogen, you'd be suprised at how many people didnt and had to suffer after sx. By the way, menopause isn't all that bad.

I wanted to keep my ovaries, even though they were getting small complex cysts that caused a bit of an achey feeling. The doctor recommended they be removed, but said he would leave them if they looked healthy. When I had one of those cysts burst about two weeks before my hyster I decided they were going. I'm on Vivelle-dot for HRT and have been having wonderful luck with it.

Good luck with whatever choice you make.
s
Cat

My Ovaries have got to go (I'm 44) they are both covered in Endo, so for me there is not much of a choice.
If Endo was not my problem I would keep them, but I have been told (due to family history) I would prob not reach Menopause untill I was in my late 50's (my maternal Gran didn't finish untill she was 61 y.o.!)
I do think it depends on what your Dr's advise or the condition/s you have, even if it might mean surgery at a later date.

It is your choice after all.

From the moment I was informed that I had to have the hysterectomy, my gut reaction was "TAKE IT ALL!" This, however, was mainly because a)there is a lot of family history of various difficulties, especially cervical abnormalities and b)general anesthesia is extremely risky for me because of lung problems. I did not want to leave ANYTHING that might go bad and need to come out later.

However, I also was diagnosed with PCOS as a teenager and have had problems ever since related to hormonal weirdness, and getting rid of my ovaries meant getting rid of the single largest unstable hormonal factor in my system.

Thus far I feel a LOT better without them, but it's only been three weeks. We shall see how it goes down the road *grin*

I'm having surgery tomorrow, too- and my doctor has strict orders from me- keep the ovaries- the only way he would take them is if they were cancerous-
Did you know you can still function and not be thrown into surgical menopause if you keep one ovary? My friend did this a few weeks ago, and she is doing great- no hot flashes, etc.

It is a gamble to keep them, but, if need be, they can be taken later. Surgery is never fun, and who wants a second go round- but erring on the side of caution makes sense- once they are gone- that's it.

Good luck and good wishes for your surgery tomorrow!

Lisa

Cookie is right--you shouldn't get cramps after a hysterectomy. Yeaaaaahh! Cramps come from the uterus contracting, and once it's gone so are the cramps. You may still feel that sharp twinge when you ovulate each month. I have now been through more than a complete cycle and I did experience breast tenderness a few days before what would have been the time of my period, but didn't notice any other cyclical symptoms. No cramps--None!

The decision to have the ovaries removed is very personal and a decision you will make with your dr. Mine recommended leaving mine IF they were healthy (which they were) since I have about 10 years left before "average" natural menopause. I am happy with this.

HEY!!!!! A question I can answer!! Wen I had my first ovary removed, my second one (which was perfect,never a problem) took on the role of my first with cysts and endometerosis and had to be removed a year later. Wierd huh? But, before my first sx I did a lot of research and found out that once one is removed, the other seems to "pick up the pace" for the one that is gone. I didn't have any hot flashes or menopausal symptoms until the second was removed. One word of advice, after sx when you're feeling good, don't over do it. You'd think I'd learn the first time around, but didn't. Both times I prolonged my healing time by doing too much a few days after sx. Of course I had a toddler to take care of. Just take this time to read a LONG book or get a blanket,pillow, and the remote and REALAX!! Good Luck!!!