Aa
had appt with surgeon today--confused
I met with my surgeon today to discuss my very large ovarian cyst (26") and got two bits of news that shocked me. One, he is taking the cyst out laproscopically (I assumed it was too big and was prepared for a laparotomy) and two, I also have two uterine fibroids. So....I have to decide whether to also have my uterus taken out during the surgery. He presented me with only two options: leave it in and watch the fibroids (they may never grow and may only cause mild symptoms) or take it out and never have to worry about the fibroids and decrease my risk for several types of cancer.
On the one hand, if I'm already having surgery I feel like I should get it done (I'm not planning to have kids) but on the other hand, I'm not sure it's necessary. I now it's an easy solution for a surgeon. But, what if I go through the surgery for the cyst only to find out I still have symptoms due to the fibroids??? So confused. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
On the one hand, if I'm already having surgery I feel like I should get it done (I'm not planning to have kids) but on the other hand, I'm not sure it's necessary. I now it's an easy solution for a surgeon. But, what if I go through the surgery for the cyst only to find out I still have symptoms due to the fibroids??? So confused. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your replies (to several of my posts), fungirl. My surgery is Thursday. I appreciate your support and will let you know how it goes.
I am so glad that you were able to make the decision that is right for you. You seem very at ease with your decision and that is awesome. I agree that healthy organs should stay in. In my case, I ended up having endometriosis, thus the really bad and painful periods. When is your surgery again? I think that it is wise to expect a larger incision, but if you wake up to just 3 little ones, it will be a very nice surprise. Good luck. We're here if you need us.
I sure appreciate the different opinions and points of view. It was a very hard decision to make, but after a very good discussion with my PCP I have decided not to have the hysterectomy. She feels pretty strongly about leaving in healthy organs and feels that my fibroids are not a very big deal. I realize that if we are wrong, I will be in for another surgery in a year or two (or five), adn I think I'm okay with that.
As for the fact that the surgeon is going laproscopically, I'm shocked, too. He says he will drain the cyst and remove it through my belly button. I happen to have a hernia right at my belly button (due to the pressure from the cyst, I am sure) and he says that will actually make it easier. But he said he would have opted to do it that way even without the hernia. Although he did not say laparotomy could be a possibility if he has trouble, I am fully anticipating that I may wake up with a bigger scar than expected. If it makes any difference, the cyst is a simple one so it's probably pretty malleable.
As for the fact that the surgeon is going laproscopically, I'm shocked, too. He says he will drain the cyst and remove it through my belly button. I happen to have a hernia right at my belly button (due to the pressure from the cyst, I am sure) and he says that will actually make it easier. But he said he would have opted to do it that way even without the hernia. Although he did not say laparotomy could be a possibility if he has trouble, I am fully anticipating that I may wake up with a bigger scar than expected. If it makes any difference, the cyst is a simple one so it's probably pretty malleable.
I am so sorry that you have such a difficult decision to make. I am SHOCKED that he is doing the surgery laprascopically as I was told that at 12cm my cyst was too big to take out that way (that was about 5 years ago) and my ovary was attached to other organs. If he is able to do it this way, it will be so much easier on you.
Unfortunately, we can only give you our opinions, but you have to be the one to decide on to take out the uterus or not. Unlike springyes I would recommend taking the uterus out if you are 100% positive that you do not want children. I had my uterus removed when I was 25 and it was the best decision I could have made!! I had terrible period and cramps. I had very heavy bleeding (went through 2 overnight pads, through my jeans, sweatshirt and coat and got on my car seat) and it was just a miserable 3-7 days every month. To me taking away the risks of getting cancer is worth it. If he is leaving one ovary, you will not have to worry about taking hormones. Whatever you decide will be just the right thing for you. Please let us know how you appointment goes today. Sending prayers and hugs your way.
Unfortunately, we can only give you our opinions, but you have to be the one to decide on to take out the uterus or not. Unlike springyes I would recommend taking the uterus out if you are 100% positive that you do not want children. I had my uterus removed when I was 25 and it was the best decision I could have made!! I had terrible period and cramps. I had very heavy bleeding (went through 2 overnight pads, through my jeans, sweatshirt and coat and got on my car seat) and it was just a miserable 3-7 days every month. To me taking away the risks of getting cancer is worth it. If he is leaving one ovary, you will not have to worry about taking hormones. Whatever you decide will be just the right thing for you. Please let us know how you appointment goes today. Sending prayers and hugs your way.
He seems to think one ovary will need to come out for sure. He'll try not to take the other ovary out but it depends what he finds. I am meeting with my PCP today to discuss what he said. She's not a gyno but has years of experience in women's health. The surgeon is a gyno/oncologist. Although he told me he could go either way with regards to taking out the uterus, I think he's leaning towards taking it out because, one he's a surgeon and that's what surgeon's do and two, he's an oncologist so he sees so many people with cancer that he sees it as preventative. But I'm at pretty low risk for cancer. The larger fibroid is 3.6 cm x 3.5 cm which I'm told is not that big.
I would have your cysts taken out but I would leave the uterus just in case you decide to have children. He is not taking the ovaries out is he? Just the cyst? You said you talked with the surgeon did you talk with your gyno?
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