Aa
Surgical Consent
Greetings!
I was was diagnosed with a left ovarian cyst in Sept. Was not surprised since I was not symptom free, pain with intercourse and frequent cases of what I call "the trickles" wen urinating. The only constant pain I have is on right side in the back at about waist level and wraps around to the abdomen, especially when sitting. Stange! I have had that pain for well over a year and even went to a urologist for a cat scan a year ago. (Had a urital reimplantation on that side when I was eleven) The Urologist said I had cysts on my kidney but found nothing else unusual. When My GYN found the cyst on my left side in September she pulled the Cat results after my first US and said that I showed two cysts a year ago and that I had three now. So She referred me to the Surgeon (GYN) who told me that based on the US and a normal C125 that it was up to me to decide for surgical removal. I opted for another US, didn't feel I had enough info then. Well I saw her again on Thursday and she was pushing for surgery (open, previous history of scar tissue etc from two previous laparotomies rules out lap, damn!) Apparently the cyst has grown (6x7 centimeters) and she wanted to remove both ovaries even though the right one shows no cysts etc. I told her that if the pathology during surgery was neg for cancer, I would not consent to removal of the right ovary. Do I need to get something in writing to assure my wishes are respeccted? I am 48 and have had my kids but do not want digital memopause for no reasonl. Please advise
I was was diagnosed with a left ovarian cyst in Sept. Was not surprised since I was not symptom free, pain with intercourse and frequent cases of what I call "the trickles" wen urinating. The only constant pain I have is on right side in the back at about waist level and wraps around to the abdomen, especially when sitting. Stange! I have had that pain for well over a year and even went to a urologist for a cat scan a year ago. (Had a urital reimplantation on that side when I was eleven) The Urologist said I had cysts on my kidney but found nothing else unusual. When My GYN found the cyst on my left side in September she pulled the Cat results after my first US and said that I showed two cysts a year ago and that I had three now. So She referred me to the Surgeon (GYN) who told me that based on the US and a normal C125 that it was up to me to decide for surgical removal. I opted for another US, didn't feel I had enough info then. Well I saw her again on Thursday and she was pushing for surgery (open, previous history of scar tissue etc from two previous laparotomies rules out lap, damn!) Apparently the cyst has grown (6x7 centimeters) and she wanted to remove both ovaries even though the right one shows no cysts etc. I told her that if the pathology during surgery was neg for cancer, I would not consent to removal of the right ovary. Do I need to get something in writing to assure my wishes are respeccted? I am 48 and have had my kids but do not want digital memopause for no reasonl. Please advise
Unless you have a cancer or a pre-cancerous condition then I know of no reason to take both ovaries. I always suspect that some doctors simply urge women to take the route which will be easiest for doctors, not the women! For example, I cannot recall how many women have posted on this site over the past year with virtually the same condition as I had - including the size and composition of the cyst - yet while I had laparascopic surgery, these women are told they MUST have laparotomies. As I can discern from the posts that these women are intelligent and fully capable of understanding their diseases, I feel that I have to make the assumption that the doctor is either not telling the patient everything, OR the doctor does not have the skill to do the surgery any other way. Both scenarios are scary, aren't they?!
I kept one ovary, as well as my uterus. My doctor advised it because even one ovary can provide a woman with valuable hormones, and most often allow her to naturally concieve a child if that is her wish. Even after the surgery, my doctor never stated that I should have removed both ovaries to resolve permanently my newly-discovered endometriosis, and she has never indicated that the same thing could happen to the remaining ovary. By the way, my doctor herself had a hysterectomy, and kept both of her ovaries as both ovaries were healthy.
I kept one ovary, as well as my uterus. My doctor advised it because even one ovary can provide a woman with valuable hormones, and most often allow her to naturally concieve a child if that is her wish. Even after the surgery, my doctor never stated that I should have removed both ovaries to resolve permanently my newly-discovered endometriosis, and she has never indicated that the same thing could happen to the remaining ovary. By the way, my doctor herself had a hysterectomy, and kept both of her ovaries as both ovaries were healthy.
Prior to my surgery last year, my doctor produced a form from the front office that had things to check, and sign, as well as blank lines to complete. She and I discussed all of the possible outcomes of my surgery, she checked the lists based on my wishes, filled in the blanks, and I signed or initialed everything.
At surgery, she discovered that I had a bad case of endometriosis, and afterwards told me that in most circumstances she would have moved from the lap procedure to an open surgery to remove as much of the endo as possible. However, in my case, she could not, because I had not consented to the procedure unless cancer was found.
Discuss these issues with your doctor and ask for a consent form, then specify what can and cannot be done.
At surgery, she discovered that I had a bad case of endometriosis, and afterwards told me that in most circumstances she would have moved from the lap procedure to an open surgery to remove as much of the endo as possible. However, in my case, she could not, because I had not consented to the procedure unless cancer was found.
Discuss these issues with your doctor and ask for a consent form, then specify what can and cannot be done.
No. At the time I was shocked to learn that I have it, as I never had symptoms. Given that so many of the women in my family suffered from the condition, I certainly knew the symptoms. Since the removal of my damaged ovary, my monthly cycles are more regular and lighter in flow, so the endometriosis is not a concern.
I know I will spell all of this incorrectly, but it is too late for me to care about spelling!
TAH is total abdominal hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus.
BSO (here's the poor spelling!) is bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or something like that, and means the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, if they remain.
TAH is total abdominal hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus.
BSO (here's the poor spelling!) is bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or something like that, and means the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, if they remain.
If i am correct the only way that they can remove both ovaries is if they were to find cancer and in that case i dont know if they have to ask like next of kin or someone who is there for your surgery and i had to sign consent forms for my TAH AND NOW for my upcoming BSO.. So if you not sure of what is going to happen just talk to your doc so ya can feel more secure and knowledgeable of your surgery...Good luck.
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