Ovaries or no Ovaries? Scared to DEATH!!

Hello everyone,

I had my pre-op appointment today and Dr. G. said that if my ovaries are diseased he will take them, but if they are not, it is my option to have him take the ovaries and tubes or leave them alone. I am 43 and he said this would put me right into menopause. I don't know what to do.

Did you decide to have your ovaries removed or was there no choice? If you could choose, what would you do? I am worried about weight gain. I had gastric bypass two years ago and definitely do not want to gain weight due to hormone issues. I hate taking pills and excuse the expression, but I am witchy enough without medications for hormones, what will this do to me now? I am so confused on what to do, please help. I am so scared and nervous about next week. I can't sleep and now another decision to make.

Thank you for your help,

Renee

I am two years older and having my hysterectomy on Thursday. At my pre op my doctor pretty much said the same thing. I told him and he heard me loud and clear that I WANT TO KEEP MY OVARIES! They seem to be working fine, so unless he sees something that would warrant taking them, I need them and want them. I am actually taking a list with me to the hospital and I will again be stating that I want to keep my ovaries. Good luck to you!

Thank you for your input. May I ask why your so set on keeping them instead of just getting it all out? Is it the hormones? What made you decide or what were your deciding factors?

if I had a choice, I would've kept my ovaries. They protect our heart health. Good luck w/surgery and your decision.

I am 41 and sceduled for Friday. I want to keep mine and I am telling the dr. And anyone who can hear before surgery again! I don't do well on pills, i get really depressed and gain weight and stuff. If they are healthy, any take them? I'm scared ro death too....not sleeping very well.

I plan on taking a piece of paper with me also that says boldly....I WANT MY OVARIES!~I'm going to say If it looks like I have cancer or something then o.k but anything else I'll deal with for a while longer.The plan is to leave them because of my age 40.

Our ovaries produce hormones even after menopause. From what I have read, the sexual side effects are less if you keep your ovaries (and they work). I don't think organs should be removed unless there is a good reason to remove them (like perhaps, family history of ovarian cancer), heart health, sexual desire....and on and on. I have a good friend who had to have hers removed. She has gained weight, is very tired, tried to go without hormones and said she turned into a raging B**** (she is such a sweetheart it is hard to imagine her so angry). She is better now on hormones, but suggests that if she had been able to keep her ovaries, hormonally she'd be much better off.

BurnedOut, at my pre-op appt I asked for medication to help me sleep until surgery. He did prescribe something and it has been so helpful. Before, I was sleeping just a few hours a night. My mind wouldn't shut off all of this hysterectomy stuff. Funny, I had a tummy tuck years ago and had been excited to get rid of the skin and stretch marks. This is taking an organ and is a REALLY BIG DEAL, and very scary. Thank God I asked for some help for the last week for sleep. I still haven't caught up on my sleep, but am feeling much better. Just something I did, and it might help someone else. I go in Thursday am for mine and without sleeping, I'm sure I'd have a lovely breakdown in the hospital.

flamenredhead

initially i had told my doctor upon consult that she could take out whatever she needed, even if it meant everything. she left me with my right ovary and tube. looking back, im glad she left the one. it took a couple of months for everything to regulate but im really glad i have it to use for hormones. i feel really good, dont have any emotional issues, i have a great sex drive, i really dont feel i have any issues. on the other hand, i dont know if i would of had any had she taken it all. but, i am glad i have the one ovary.
and im the same age as you.
good luck with your decision. i know it isnt easy.

Hi flamnredhead

My preference was to keep my ovaries. Even after menopause, the ovaries continue to produce low levels of hormones throughout life, and I wanted to minimize the long-term impact to my system.

I did give consent for them to be removed if they appeared to have any problems, and I am at low risk for ovarian cancer.

As it turned out, I am one whose ovaries slowed down suddenly after my hysterectomy so I ended up taking HRT after all.

Ironically, my friend who had her ovaries removed but kept her uterus had no menopause symptoms at all--so I don't know that there's really a way to predict how your body will respond.

I guess I figured that I could always go back in and have them removed later if needed, but once they were out they couldn't go back in if I changed my mind.

Ask your doctor about the pros and cons for you, and know that whatever you decide, lots of other women have gone through it and will be here to support you.