Hysterectomy

[runningchick]

I would be grateful if there is anyone who can tell me how it has been if they have had a hysterectomy following cyst investigation.  I have two children, and am preparing myself for the possibilities of what may happen during the op.  I am going to go for the laprascopic investigation and give consent for the consultant to operate on me if he thinks it is necessary.  But I will only do this if I feel that the information on life after a hysterectomy appears to be bearable.  I have two young children, and don't plan to have anymore, so it is probably more from a hormonal/exercise point of view.

[Mary 53]

I was just browsing this site when I came upon this discussion. I wanted to respond because I had a surgical menopause at age 47 due to a complete, or radical, hysterectomy in September 2000 and it has been quite a journey for me. The good news is that I have come through it all, but I have learned so much along the way. I am going to refer you to a post on this site that explains everything...just about! I have posted on another website regarding the surgical adhesions for which I found help through a special massage called "body rolling." But for now, please check more than halfway down this page, or site...it is titled "Sex and hormones after Hysterectomy, is there any???" The first post for it was dated October 14, 2005. I apologize again for the "double post"....made a little mistake while posting, and my original post was long enough!

If I can be of any help please let me know. I am saddened to see how much conflict, pain, and confusion women go through trying to get information. Take care, Mary

[theladyinblue]

Runningchick, I saw your post today. I almost had a myomectomy done (partial removal of uterus), I did not want hysterectomy because I still wanted children, but found a doctor who specialized in uterine artery embolization. It's an outpatient procedure. Have you looked into this for your situation? I also had a lap done last week to remove a dermoid cyst.

[runningchick]

This is a really sensible discussion, and is giving me some good facts.  I haven't had any of these discussions yet.  I am also majorly concerned about the pain I still have in my right diaphragm and side.  I had started to put this down to pressure on my muscles, but I now understand that there is a link between ovarian cancer and diaphragm cancer.  For me, I think even if this turns out to be nothing more than endometriosis of both, the worry of having anything remaining that may cause concern may be too much.  I also understand the risk of hormone replacements.  It's going to be a tough one.

[Debdsk8gld]

I had a hemmoragic cyst this past summer.  I didn't go away on it's own, so after 3 months I had a laposcopy.  My doctor says if I have anymore problems he will take it out, through the incision he used for my hysterctomy.

[xrayu2]

I am scheduled to  have my left ovary, tube and uterus removed on January 13th.  My right ovary is going to be dissected and reshaped barring the fact that there is no gross abnormality there.  He will also take it all if frozen  sections reveal malignancy(as he suspects) in the left ovary.  I Will be 31 next month.  I plan on taking hormone therapy for all the benfits they have.  My mother had breast ca at age 44(stage 0) and had to have hysterectomy at the age of 50.  She has had no problems with the HRTs and has taken them now for 5 years.  HRTS hae been sensationalized  for all the bad mainly because of malpractice.  If a doctor does not pose the warnings if you happen to get disease from them then you sue him for malpractice.  Most docs will tell you that their own mothers or wives are on HRTs.. This is my opinion for what it is worth.  Hs anyone had surgical menopause without any side efects? Iwould be interested in hearing from you.

[Debdsk8gld]

I kept my right ovary because I did not want to go into surgical menopause.  I was only 40, and my doctor did not want me to take harmones.  Estrogen has been linked to breast cancer.  I have never had any children, any apparently that can also raise your risk factor for breast cancer.

[runningchick]

Debs, thanks for your advice.  Why did you keep one ovary?  I think my concern is that I don't want these back.  With one ovary, do you not stand the chance of them returning?

[Debdsk8gld]

I had a hysterctomy 2 years ago, due to a complex cyst on my left ovary, and a dozen or so fibroids in my uterus. My surgeon also found a massive amount of adhesions covering my right ovary.
Fortunately for me the mass on my left ovary was benign, so I was able to keep my right ovary.  I only had to take harmones for about 2 months, since my remaining ovary was in shock.  If you are able to keep an ovary, you probably won't have to take anything, since your remaining ovary will produce enough estrogen.  I can tell you that I took the Climara once a week patch, and had no side effects.  I took the smallest does and it was enough.  As far as the surgery itself.  It was a piece of cake.  After I came home from the hospital, I layed out at my pool, and shopped everyday.  Let's just say after a month my husband was ready for me to go back to work, and I still had 2 more weeks off.