Seeking Answers Surgery or No Surgery?

Hi R.. I also had fibroids. I have three children. During my 2nd pregnancy I had a fibroid that was growing right along with my daughter. That explained why I was so HUGE during that pregnancy. Well they went away but came back after my last pregnancy. My periods were extremely heavy and I started having them twice a month. I had surgery where the fibroids were removed and the top layer of my uterus was bascially removed with a hot saline rinse. I don't regret it at all! My cycles are so light now that I only need a pantyliner and it only last 2 days. I'm not one that is quick to go under the knife but this was one procedure I'm glad I had done. Good luck with your decision and Good Bless.

R.,

I 100% agree with Liev.
I struggled with the very issues you describe and was supposed to get a hysterectomy right after my honeymoon.

I decided to try a different route and today I am healthy with all of my body parts in tact and now have two precious children (that I was told I would never have).

If you want to talk about what worked for me send me an email with your phone# I'll be happy to share.

Blessings,
A.

I'm just going to tell you about my experience, but no one can make the decision but you. I had a complete hysterectomy and ovaries removed (for endometriosis), with a bladder surgery and rectocele repair. It was supposed to be vaginal w/ laparoscopy assisted ONLY. It turned out to be that, plus abdominal incision because my ovaries were glued to my abdominal wall and she couldn't get them out without cutting. I am also diabetic (type 2). It took 12 weeks for my incision to heal, but I had to go back to work in 3 weeks.

BUT, I ran out of my diabetes medicine after the first 2 weeks, and my dr. office wouldn't refill unless I came in, so I didn't have it for about 3 weeks. I think that is why I didn't heal. My incision opened up at about 6 weeks post-op. I had other problems that I won't even get into. Really, I dropped the ball. If I had insisted to my other doc about refilling my medicine, I'm sure I would have healed faster, plus, going back to work so early prob. contributed to my not healing. I now wish that I would have waited, or not even had the surgery. But everyone I have talked to that has had one is very happy with it.

I have other health problems too. I'm about 80 lbs overweight, have chronic neck pain, plantar fasciitis, and a bad knee. If you are in decent shape physically, I would say do it, especially if the fibroids are causing you pain. I was in a lot of pain from the endo, that's why I did it. Since I had everything removed, I went into menopause at 41 yrs. old. I'm on HRT, which works, but still have insomnia, so I have to take Ambien.

I hope this doesn't scare you, but it's my story. If you are keeping your ovaries, it won't be as bad. If your surgery is just laparoscopic, it won't be bad. Just be sure to take your diabetes meds and stay home for 6 weeks, if you work. Most people don't have the problems I have had after having it done. But I did want you to know the negative of having it. I have had other surgeries before and had no problems, so this was a shock. Good luck!

if you have that you need to have the surgery....i personally wouldn't even be second guessing that....fibroids is nothing to play with as it can cause lots more damage in the long run if left un treated

just my .02..let us know what you decide

also i have been told by several people who have had a hysterectomy that they didn't realize how bad they felt all the time until all that was taken out.

Don't be discouraged by someone else's "bad" experience...everyone is different and i think you will make out just fine.

I believe fibroids might be related to hormone imbalance, usually from hormone mimickers in the environment (plastics; chemicals like household cleaners, especially bleaches, for example, and hidden sources of bleach such as bleached coffee filters; and styrofoam cups) and in the diet (meats contain high amounts of natural hormones and artificial ones such as recombinant bovine growth hormone).

You can resolve hormone imbalance by shifting away from animal products such as eggs and dairy, and by shifting away from the use of bleach and bleached products, plastics, and chemicals, especially those found in chemical cleaners. Oh, another source of hormone disruptors is pesticides such as insecticides and herbicides. There are great alternatives that are easy to use - you can even make your own.

That's the first step. You will need to speak with a naturpath about how to help your body return to hormone balance, and a good start is consulting with an acupuncturist. Acupuncture is painless and very effective for many purposes. A naturpath will also be able to recommend supplements for restoring hormone balance.

I don't think you should have to go through such a trauma, having a major organ removed, to resolve the fibroids. Usually surgery is an extreme approach to a problem that can be fixed through much gentler methods, and surgery often leads to lifelong problems, and there is truly no going back. It's really barbaric. Consider it an absolute last resort if these other suggestions don't work.

Good luck.

L.

I have several fibroids which cause extremely heavy bleeding, and my ob/gyn put me on a stronger birth control to help control the bleeding which is probably why yours recommended the iud, not as a form of protection, but to balance your hormones. I would try the iud first, and if it doesn't help, then opt for the surgery.

I would try the IUD if you don't want surgery. If it doesn't work then at least you know you tried all your options. The procedure for an IUD is fairly quick and simple and for most people requires little down time.

I had fibroids and endometriosis so I know what you are going through. My periods were horrible (when and if I had one.) I bled so heavily that I couldn't even leave my house and most times, they were so painful that all I could do was curl up on the couch and cry. I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago (they left my ovaries) and I have never regretted it. Deciding to have a hysterectomy is one of the best things I could have ever done!
I wasn't able to have it done vaginally because of all the scar tissue on my uterus so I had to be cut and I had a little trouble with my incision. I got infection and it opened but I had that taken care of and was back at work 7 weeks post op.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

I had fibroids and endometriosis myself. I had my hysterectomy a year ago and have not been sorry. My periods were never regular and were either very light or flowing like a faucet or not at all. You should talk to you doctor about you concerns regarding healing and how soon you will be up and around. You should also find out if a vaginal is possible. From what I understand the down time is minimal and very little cutting. I had to have the abdominal because of the size of my fibroids. I did come back to work a week later, but I do no heavy lifting or anything that would impede the healing process so please keep that in mind.
Best of Luck
G. C.

R., I am sorry to hear about your problem. In 2007 I also had to have a complete histerectomy due to cysts and fibroids. I to am a diabetic. When I went into surgery my surger levels were high due to the anxiety that I felt. The nurses and doctors knew what to do and everything went well I even was able to go home the next day. They did the surgery through 3 small incisions in my stomach arond my belly button. I have had no problems my back and side pains have stopped along with the heavy periods. I would recomned the surgery. If you need to get a second opinion. It was the wisest chioce for me and I had all the trust in my doctors to know what they were doing. My suger levels are great now to.
Hope you do all right and hope that this helps.

An iud - and other various forms of birth control - are sometime used to help regulate hormone levels. But if you're diabetic, and your hormone levels are off, it sounds like your problems could be diet related. Try cutting out all processed and fast foods for awhile - this means anything in a bag, box, or can. Make all your foods from scratch so that you know what goes into them. Also, really increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. I'll bet that within 3 weeks you find that these problems subside. If you need some help with the diet change (it'll be hard, but its worth it) just let me know.

http://women.webmd.com/uterine-fibroids/uterine-fibroids

copy this to ur browser and take a look at this information. it does suggest a new technique of getting the fibroids destroyed, so i would suggest talking it over with your ob/gyn. but i had a grapefruit sized tumor on my ovary, so i went with a hysterectomy. i don't have diabetes, but i was still concerned. you will have to be the one that lives with the decision. but also think about whether or not you want more kids. i only had one child, also while i was pregnant, i had alot of health problems too, and that's why i didn't want anymore children, so i went with the surgery. i wish you good luck in whatever you decide to do.
L.

Oh no. There are some things you need to think about. You do not want to have a historectomy unless it is absolutly necessary. I was 37 when i had mine just because i had a little pain and some cyst on my ovaries. I probably could have waited longer and had the new laser done that goes through your belly button, but i didnt because i had insurance at my job and my husbands job. New later i would only have 1 insurance, what a reason.
Let me tell you, i wish i had waited. You do not produce the normal amount of hormones you should, even with hormone pills. You can gain wait, you can still have some hot flashes, it does mess with your sex life. You may not want sex very much, if you do, you will one day notice the dryness. Who wants to use lubricant. Oh, the opening can become bigger and to me it just does not feel the same. Your stuff also kind of sinks in because there is no more stuff to hold it in its place. Your face skin becomes different, its not as flawless. You can become very cranky and sometimes depressed. Theres other things too.
I wish i had not done it. You being diabetic also, no. I would look into other things first.
Good luck on your decision.

I'm not sure about the fibroid issue, but I had a procedure called endometrial ablation for extremely heavy periods and cramps. You may want to discuss this with your dr. This procedure does affect people differently, but I had a very positive experience with mine. I had basically no pain afterwards-just a little bit of cramping the day of and the next day. I have not had a period since-I think this is the biggest variable b/t individuals. Some people don't have periods afterwards, but I've been told that the ones that do are much lighter. I am also diabetic and I didn't have any problems healing after this.

Good luck!
R.

Ask your doctor about the da Vinci hysterectomy. Minimally invasive Robotic assisted surgery, normally no hospital stay required, 2-4 tiny incisions compared to a large incision when abdominal is done, minimal pain, most women back to normal activities in 2-4 weeks.

I have some oral survey coming up myself , I have also had back survey since I was give the word that I have the big D. Both Dr want to make sure my sugar was under control at a A1C of below 7. My back Dr put in a added thing to help my back heal better I do not know if that is possible in your case. I know I heal a little slowing that people without the big D but I heal very well and except to with my oral survey.I would had a good talk not only with my opgyn but also with my diabetes Dr about your fears. I can only say I would not fear having the work down if your sugar is under control you will be just fine. The nurse in the hospital will watch your sugar very carefully.