Hysterectomy questions

[Treebee]

Hello,

Well, my surgery is scheduled for Jan. 3rd. I had the option of them just taking my ovaries and tubes or doing a total hysterectomy. One of the Dr's. recommended the total hysterectomy as I have several fibroids. The main Dr. (this is a teaching hospital - I've never had so many people in the room!) said it will extend the surgery by an hour and she didn't really offer an opinion other than to say if it is cancer they will take everything and do staging etc. They did say taking the uterus and cervix wouldn't really extend my recover time. What do you guys think? I went ahead and said do the whole hysterectomy but now I'm doubting myself not to mention a I'm a nervous wreck. These darn cysts.......

[ChrisP2236]

While it's true it makes some difference in intensity, I've found it's not that much different - I still enjoy intimacy as much as ever, and I had everything removed.  Lubrication can be a problem but there are plenty of products to help with that - everyone is different and can only relate their own experiences/opinions. I was assuming the surgery is due to a suspicion of cancer since the question was posted on this site.

Treebee -I had a bikini incision when I had my daughter by C-section and it healed very nicely but it takes time.  You can barely see the scar (of course it's 30 years old!) Granulosa cell tumor is a sex chord tumor and is malignant. It's relatively rare. My Ca 125 was 6, but it's not a marker for granulosa cell.  My inhibin levels were also normal - they are monitored in many gct patients. I agree with NY lady that if you still have concerns you should speak with your dr.  Good luck and let us know how things go.  Chris

[Treebee]

My Dr. is a woman and wasn't the one who recommended taking my uterus and cervix that was the "fellow" I guess you would call him. He's the one who thought taking everything was a good idea as you remove the three major sources of gyn. cancer he's also the one who said it wouldn't make any difference in orgasms. I was worried about that! I may be asking a few more questions while I'm on the gurney too :-) It's so hard to know what the right thing is to do. I do have a fibroid in or very close to my cervix. Urgh.......
Thank you for your good wishes!
Teresa

[nyc lady]

Is the doctor a female?  Does the doctor still have his/her uterus.  Just be prepared orgasms are different, very different without a uterus.  Physically the  uterus contracts during an orgasm without it the feeling is different.  The lubrication is due to lack of estrogen which comes from the removal of the ovaries.  The cervix will support the pelvic floor and possibly help against future bladder issues.

I actually asked to keep my cervix, while I was lying on the gurney outside of the OR.  

I would never suggest that someone should or shouldn't remove their uterus, cervix or even ovaries....I just want to suggest that the discussion happen with the doctor and we as women need to know and understand the changes that will take place in our bodies without our reproductive organs.  No doctor should treat it lightly and act as though a hyterectomy is no big deal...it is a major deal...a major surgery and a major life change for women.

Good luck!!!

[Treebee]

I did ask about sex etc. and the one dr. was of the opinion that it wouldn't make a huge difference with the exception of lubrication. I told my husband gee I've always liked sex and don't want that to change. I was surprised they would take the cervix too - seems like it was just a given. I'm so sorry to hear that things have been lost to you - it is an important part of life. It's not a choice I ever wanted to make.
Thanks and take care,
Teresa

[nyc lady]

This is a decision of choice...I had early stage OvCa and also had two surgeries....I kept my cervix as it medically does serve a purpose, it supports the pelvic wall....and looking back now, knowing that I have had early stage OvCa, I would have opted for keeping my uterus.  I will be brutally honest, your uterus plays a very big part in orgasms.  Sex is not the same and never will be, at 42, I have lost a lot.

Now saying all that, if it is a matter of health, that is a different story.  It is a tough decision to make and a conversation you need to have with your doctor.  

Good luck!!!

[Treebee]

Thanks guys - it makes me feel better to hear your opinions and know I made the right choice. They will be doing a laparotomy. I was hoping for laprascopic but I guess they know best. It is a gyn/onc. It is going to be a low horizontal incision verses midline I think. I kind of zoned out when we had the consult and had to ask my husband about that. So hopefully it will be a little bikini cut - like I need to worry about that LOL! I'm 46 by the way and the cysts are either endometriomas or mucinious according to the ultrasound and my CA125 was a whopping 122 (gulp) but I know that is indicative of endo and a few other things. I too was hoping to save my ovaries but no such luck.

Chris - Is everything okay now? I'm not sure what the granulosa cell tumor means. I've tried to educate myself but have scared myself mostly :-)

Thanks so much and I wish you all a Happy Holiday and a healthy New Year,

Teresa

[ChrisP2236]

I had laproscopic for both procedures and it was more than a few days recovery time, especially from the hysterectomy.  I was out of work for almost 12 weeks though I felt better after about 4.  You might want to check the Hyster Sisters website for info about the procedures and guidelines.  Recovery time varies from person to person and it's good to know others have been through it and come out okay.  Also, there are discussion boards where you can ask questions about the everyday healing process.  NY Princess, you are right to be safe rather than sorry - I wish I had done that!  Happy holidays to you both and good luck with your surgery. Chris

[NY_Princess]

How are they doing it? Laporoscopic or regular surgery. I am scheduled for Jan 16th for full blown but they are doing laporoscopic and the healing time is only a few days, it's an outpatient procedure. I have Endometriosis and Adenomyosis and still not sure if it's OVCA yet, have to do another ca-125 in a few weeks and just had a second ultrasound. I'm going to take everything out just to make sure that if there is anything they get it and so that I don't have problems later on since I am still fairly young (42) and healthy aside from these painful problems. My friend said keep an ovary for the menopause issue, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Just my two cents...good luck. Happy holidays.
Hillary

[ChrisP2236]

I think you're right to do it all at once - I had two surgeries in two months because I didn't see the purpose of taking anything out that didn't need to be taken.  So I just had the cystic ovary removed and then the next month had to go back for a LAV because the ovary showed granulosa cell tumor.  If you have fibroids it's possible at some point they will cause trouble so don't second guess yourself about having a total hysterectomy.  It's normal to be nervous but you'll get through it fine.  Are you having a gyn/onc do the surgery?  I would guess at a teaching hospital you are if there is any possibility of cancer, so you should be in good hands.  Best wishes. Chris