Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    
    Jan,
    
    Both my mother and my mother-in-law have had hysterecomies in the
    last 6 months.  My mother-in-law had the operation in late
    December.  She's was back at work part-time in 6 weeks.  My mom
    was also doing pretty well by that point.  My understanding is
    that for my mom, the most pain was from gas.  My mother in law
    learned this from my mom and modified her eating for 2 weeks before
    her operation.  She had little-no gas discomfort.  I guess the gas
    pains come about be cause your intestines are moved a little bit
    so that the doctor can get at the uterus.  My mom found mint tea to
    help, too.
    
    My mom was given an enema before the operation, which horrified her.
    she told my mother-in-law who was then allowed to give herself an
    enema the night before, at home.  My mom was given a cathyter,
    (spelling).  this upset her alot because she'd heard her father
    get on when and it was painful for him.  She found it fine.  The
    fear of the cathyter was much worse than having it done.
    
    My mother-in-law found it helpful to use 2 pillows to support her
    lower back and her stomach.  Since the stomach muscles are cut, I
    guess she felt like her tummy wasn't supportive anymore.  (that's
    why she used pillows.)
    
    My mom was scared of the whole thing and therefore found it quite
    comforting that my father was there when she woke up.  My mother
    in law had been through a gall-bladder operation and therefore
    wasn't scared at all.
    
    I hope this all helps.  Bottom line from what I've seen, is that
    a hysterectomy's bark is worse than its bite.  With proper preparation
    and with adequate information, it's really not too bad.
    
    Rachael Barlow
    

    I thought the gas pain was from the gas they inject into the abdominal
    cavity to create "work room".  If they don't expel all the gas
    afterward, (and they generally don't or can't), it can be painful
    until it's absorbed.  Also, in some women, the gas compresses a nerve 
    in the abdomen that results in referred pain in the left shoulder.
    
    Good luck with your decision and all the best for a speedy recovery.
    FWIW, my sister had 2 major abdominal operations in her lifetime, one
    when she wasn't in shape and one after she'd been working out regularly
    for 2 years.  The difference in recovery was phenomenal.  Her doctors
    were stunned that she was back to work, (on her feet!), within a week.
    They expected the requisite 6 weeks.  I'd get in the best shape
    possible prior to the surgery.
    
    

    I had fibroid tumors removed about 6 years ago now from both inside and
    outside my uterus.  I went to a gyn specialist who worked from Brigham
    and Woman's in Boston who opted to use the scar from my C-section. 
    To make a long story short, I could hardly manage stairs and my
    daughter would come home and find me passed out on the floor.  They
    did me as an outpatient in three sets of surgery, three months apart,
    letting me heal before going in to do the next piece.  But having the
    fibroids out was one the best things I ever did for myself.  I felt
    the best I'd felt in years!  Because of many complications that I had
    before that particular surgery (cardiac arrest and pulmonary embolism
    resulting from the birth of my daughter) many extra precautions 
    had to be taken.  I was fortunate that I had an exceptional doctor 
    whose preparations before surgery made it easy for me to do outpatient.  
    Out of the three operations, the only time I was kept overnight was the 
    last one.  I didn't snap out of the pentathol well, was disoriented and
    in much pain.  I was fortunate that his pre-surgery instructions were
    so good that I didn't have any side effects except the one from the 
    pentathol.  The one thing that my dr. did before the surgery was to 
    get me in the best physical condition that I could be in before the 
    first operation because he really wasn't sure what he'd find, how
    many tumors there were, and if he'd have to do the hysterectomy.  
    The extra effort before surgery paid off for me after surgery.  Good
    luck.
    
    Jane
      
     
    

    
    Before you decide you should read everything you can that is
    available to you on this subject.  There are many books to 
    read that are helpful in your decision.  If you want or if anyone else
    wants I can enter a listing of all the books I read that helped me.  
    I urge you... don't do it just cause' the doctor or any one else said 
    so.....empower your self with knowledge regarding the whole controversial 
    issue of hysterectomy.  Learn all you can about your female organs and 
    their purposes other than for manufacturing babies. 
    
    I too, was faced with a very similer situation about two years ago. I
    was diagnosed as having fibroid tumors....lots of them and the only
    recourse I was given by three doctors (two of which were female) was
    hysterectomy.  Some how, in the face of all the medical evidence
    presented to me as to why I should have this invasive treatment 
    performed on my body, I recoiled and rebelled at the prospect and set out 
    to find alternative solutions to my problem.  AND THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES
    AVAILABLE.  NO WOMAN SHOULD BE CASTRATED FOR LACK OF APPROPRIATE 
    MEDICAL TREATMENT.
    
    Castrated.....harsh word isn't it?  But that is just what hysterectomy
    is whether we want to admit it or not.  Did you know that 99.4% of all
    hysterectomies are unnecessary?
    
    Perhaps it's too long a story to relate here since it does smack of
    medical lies and intrigue but eventually I ended up having 18 tumors 
    removed two of which were the size of grapefruits....the smallest was the 
    size of a BB.  My doctor, who performed the surgery, wrote the 
    controversial book called "NO MORE HYSTERECTOMIES". I urge you again and 
    anyone else with female problems if you read nothing else READ THIS BOOK.
    
    Feel free to call me if you would like more information. I can be
    reached at dtn 242-2217.
    
    Addie
          
    
    In my search for solutions I discovered many truths and heard the lies.
    
     

    I have  a friend who had a hysterectomey (not for fibroids) this summer
    and another who opted not to have the hysterectomy but to have the
    fibroids removed.  All the reading both of them did said that there
    is more pain and a longer recover period with having just the fibroids
    removed.  However, if I were you I'd consider it.  I don't believe
    that the uterus is useless if you don't want children.  For one thing,
    some of the reading that one of my friends has done since her surgery 
    said that the uterus is one of the organs which produces endorphins.
    I'm sure we can all use a good supply of those!
    
    I agree with the reply which said read everything you can get your
    hands on.  I don't know where you live, but my one friend went to the
    medical library at the closest medical school and read everything she
    could find on her condition.  She's now reading everything she can find
    on the best post hysterectomy treatments.  She beleives that it is
    important to participate in the decision making when your health is
    involved.  I agree.
    
    I'd also suggest that you get at least one, preferably two, second 
    opinions before you agree to any surgery.  YOu may have to pay for the
    second one (it cost my friend $74 to get a consult with one of the
    top guys at Lahy) but the peace of mind might be worth it.
    
    As to the gas pain -- the nurses at Brigham's explained that it's from
    the bowels being moved around so they can get to the uterus etc.
    
    Best of luck to you!
    
    Polly
    
    P.S.  I'd also second the get yourself in shape suggestion.  And, if
    you go into the surgery with a positive frame of mind and knowing what
    to expect it will help.  My friend had her hysterectomy on THursday
    p.m. and was out of the hospital on Sunday a.m. 

    Thanks to everyone for the replies.  It's a shame this file was
    down for so long after I posted my note.
    
    I called my doctor on Feb 7th and told him to do the myomectomy.
    There is still some risk that a hysterectomy would have to be done
    in the case of excessive bleeding after fibroid removal or a 
    possibility that they can't restructure the uterus, etc.  I trust
    my doctor!  I honestly don't believe that he would do anything that
    wasn't necessary.  I've been seening him for 12+ years now and feel
    very comfortable with everything he has done in the past to fix
    my many problems.
    
    Guess its time to start working out and getting in shape again before
    this surgery.  Looks like its time for some sit-ups to get those
    lazy stomach muscles in shape.
    
    Has anyone ever been given a video of their laparoscopy before?
    The surgical center I had it done at called to tell me I could pick
    up my copy.  It's quite interesting to watch.  They didn't get a 
    really good shot of the tumor due to its location but there was one 
    brief look at it and that darned thing is big.  It sure is easier 
    to understand what the doctors are talking about when I can refer 
    back to my video.
               
    Jan

    Hi Jan!
    
    Good luck, however it turns out.
    
    I had abdominal surgery 3 times.  The appendectomy when I was 17
    was done by a bunch of butchers in a li'l hospital in a li'l town.
    'Nuff said.  The second time was no problem at all.  The third time
    I had this shoulder pain, that no one bothered to explain to me
    until a friend who was a medical resident stopped by and explained
    it to me.  (It was more a constant dull ache, not a sharp pain,
    by the way.)
    
    I seem to be slow to recover from the anesthesia, so that drained
    my energy for a while.  I was encouraged to drink water, LOTS of
    water, to "flush" my system.  Don't know if it really helped, but
    it certainly didn't do any harm.
    
    Keep us posted,
    
    	Pennie

    Hi Pennie,
    
    I'm home recovering now.  I had the myomectomy.  My doctor
    went in expecting to remove 1 golf ball sized tumor and found
    3 smaller tumors behind it.  All have been removed and the uterus
    was left as in tact as possible.  My doctor says he gave me the
    "Hollywood" close.  I have a loop of blue nylon on one side of
    my abdomen, the buried stitch and then the closing loop on the
    other side of my abdomen.  Basically, that is all there is to
    the incision, no stitch marks, just a very thin line where they
    made the cut.  I came out of anesthesia with no problems, was
    very alert for a while after surgery and settled down to some
    serious sleeping after getting settled into my room.  I stayed
    in the hospital 3-1/2 days and was sent home.  I'm supposed to
    be pretending to be still in the hospital for 2 weeks.  One
    week is over and since I live alone I'm doing alot more than I
    should be.  One more week to go and I'm free to start going out,
    driving, etc.
    
    I've had very few problems and except for an occasional time when
    I've overdone it, the pain hasn't been too bad (except when the
    cats try to walk on my stomach).  The hardest thing is being 
    confined to home and being totally bored.
    
    Jan
    

    
    Hi Jan,
    
    How are you now?  Any regrets on choosing the myomectomy.  The reason I
    ask is that I am in the same boat you were in.  I've had fibroids for a
    couple of years now and when I couldn't get pregnant, was told that I
    had to have this surgery.  I was skeptical about it because of the
    chances of having a hysterectomy.  I have not had any abnormal
    problems, bleeding, or pain, I just couldn't get pregnant.  My uterus
    was the size of a 5 month pregnancy and my doctor suggested I take 
    Lupron-Depot treatment to shrink the tumors for easier removal.  I've
    been on Lupron for 2 months and the only side effects I've had are mood
    swings and hot flashes (oh, and no menstruals either).  I expect to
    have the myomectomy the end of July.  I guess I am a little scared
    having surgery since it is only my second one (1st was the knee) and in
    such a sensitive area.  I guess I want reassurance that this surgery is
    the right thing to do and that you made the right choice in having it.
    Please advise!
    
    TW

    TW,
    
    I'm doing just fine.  Have been back to work since 6 weeks after
    surgery.  I still have some numbness between my naval and surgery
    scar.  There is also a little bit of tenderness in the abdomen area
    when I lean on something or bump into something.  Periods are better
    and lighter than what normal was before the problems developed.  No 
    heavy cramping; just a little discomfort occasionally that is easily 
    handled with Advil or Motrin instead of the pain medication I used to use.
                  
    I put some weight on while recovering and my stomach muscles are sticking
    out a bit more because of the extra weight and the loss of muscle
    tone in that area.  It has taken a while to be able to do the crunches
    and things the 24 Hr. Nautilus person suggested I do and some of
    the stomach things in my jazzercise tapes are still a bit difficult.
    
    I do not regret the myomectomy.  I'm glad I opted for it over the
    hysterectomy.  I just could not bring myself to completely close
    off the possibiliy of having children even though I don't believe I
    want to have them.  I knew the possibility existed that the surgery
    would need to be a hysterectomy instead of the myomectomy if they
    could not restructure the uterus.  I also am aware that if I do
    decide to have a child it will be born by C-section because of the
    restructuring of my uterus.  This actually makes childbirth seem
    like something I could do now.  My biggest concern was the pain 
    associated...I didn't want anything to do with that (plus I didn't 
    really think I wanted to have a child after I was 35).  Since I've 
    already had C-section type surgery and know what it feels like I 
    think I could handle it again, if necessary.
    
    I hope I gave you the information you were looking for.  If you
    have more questions or want to talk, send me mail at SCRUZ::CORDES_JA.
    
    Jan