Question:
Hysterectomy or not?
I had WLS about 5 years ago. I had many bad complications with it including, Leak, Infection, Septic, Blood Clot. I did Finlay over come all that after almost loosing my life. I am healthy now. But, I am considering a hysterectomy because of heavy periods and fibroids. But, I am so very scared of another surgery. Wonder if there is much risk with a hysterectomy especially with my past complications? Or should I just live with my heavy periods? I'm 43. — [Deactivated Member] (posted on November 14, 2006)
November 14, 2006
I would live with the heavy periods. I am 28 and was 258 when I had surgery
I am now 3 months post op and down to 198 but I also had many
complications. I had surgery 8/9/06 they couldn't see my lower intestines
because of scar tissue from a surgery on my ovaries 5 years prior so they
went in blind. Then I was bleeding internally so surgery again on 8/11/06.
Then I was in massive pain so I had surgery again 8/13/06 they had to cut
out all my scar tissue and completly redo my surgery. I had a kinked bowel
which led to intense pressure that blew out everything. They never woke me
from that surgery I was in a coma for 12 days and in Critical care until
9/01/06. I just returned back to work on 11/06/06 and am doing MUCH
better. The moral of my story is personally I am deathly afraid of any
type of surgery now uless it is truly life threatening. But good luck in
whatever you choose!!
— Shannon J.
November 14, 2006
Hi Marsha I had very irregular very heavy periods!! I had an in office
procedure called a thermal uterine ablation that cauterizes the lining of
your uterus. Most of the time your period completely stops, mine however
didn't' completely, however, I only wear panty shields for maybe 3 days and
very regular. My sisters friend had it as well, and she hasn't had one in
5 years. I hope this helps some, it was an option given to me opposed to
the hysterectomy, which would have been a lot more risky and obtrusive.
Some surgeons do it under general anethsetic, but mine did it in office
with freezing first and pain meds. It was uncomfortable, but not as bad as
going under.
Dawnya
— Dawn1
November 14, 2006
Hi Marsha,
iam sorry to hear all the complications that you have had. I haven't had
WLS yet. But I wanted to let you know that a hystorectomy can be done
vaginally too. You can also have a procedure an ablatation of the uterine
wall. I don't know if that can be done with fibroids tho. My friend had it
done a few months ago. The best bet to do is talk to a GYn that is also
experienced with WLS patients.
Best wishes to you.
Cira
— Cira S.
November 14, 2006
Hi, first of all there are options to hysterectomy you can consider. Which
one will be best for you depends on your medical risks and the reason for
the heavy bleeding. From what you have written it sounds most like
fibroids. Successful treatments often depend on how many fibroids you had,
where they are located and how big they are. (sonogram will help with
defining this). For fiborids less than 2 cms (one inch roughly), uterine
ablation is a reasonable choice. Basically, this is a procedure that burns
off the inner lining of the uterus and thus reduces the amount of bleeding
with the periods, There are a few differtent ways to do this but the end
result is to decrease bleeding. Of course the bigger the fibroids, the
less successful the procedure will be.
Another opition is unterine artery embolization. this is most successful
if you have one or two large fiborids which are giving you trouble.
Usually done by a radiologist, the blood supply to the specific fibroids
are blocked off and they slowly shrink, reducing symptoms of pain, pressure
and bleeding. Most of the time the uterus only shrinks by about 50% but
this is often enough to provide the relief that is needed.
Yest another option would be using the MIrena IUD. This IUD does reduce
the amount of flow in most women during the menses. Low dose birth control
pills or patches can also reduce flow with time (and you can even space out
period to every 3 months or so if you want) but you would have to discuss
with your doctor whether you have any contraindications to taking these
since they both contain hormones. (especially risk of blood clot).
Vaginal hysterectomy would be an option but when you consent for that you
have to remember that it cannot be guaranteed that the uterus can be
removed vaginally and there is always a chance that an abdominal approach
might be needed. Much of the risk of the hystereectomy depends on how much
scar tissue is likely from the complicatons that occured after the bypass.
Sometimes there are more adhesions that expected and some times ther are
less so one never knows how hard or easy the surgery will be until you
acutally get there. It may be helpful for the gynecologist to review the
operative report from the bypass and then discuss possible complications
with you.
— gnusjka
November 14, 2006
Hi Marsha! First off, you should have a D & C to see if there are any
underlying problems. I too suffered with heavy periods and my gyn. wanted
to do a D & C and I just put it off for a year...finally it was so bad
that I went back and the gyn said I could no longer put it off...I thought
it was going to end the bleeding problem, and then I find out that I have
hyperplasia, a pre-cancerous condition! I researched and discovered I
could have the surgery lap and found an oncologist who was trained that
way...I had a very successful vaginally assisted lap hyst. I recovered
quickly and never have to suffer from periods again! I strongly recommend
the website: www.hystersisters.com! Tons of great info and sharing, just
like OH! Email me if you need more info! I can help you find a surgeon
too. I refused to be cut open!
— Sheri A.
November 14, 2006
Marsha, you have to really consider what you went through. If you don't
have anything but heavy periods (no fibroids), then you could be a
candidate for an obliation rather than a removal, check into that if you
like, it is where their affectively "sear" the lining of the
uterus, and it should help with period flow. I had a hyst a few years
before my gastric bypass, and I had adnomiosis. My uterus was about the
size of a 4 month pregnancy for about 10 years. They did a vaginal
extraction and I left my ovaries and was very happy with the result.
Please consider keeping your ovaries. They tried and tried to convince me
to remove them, but I really didn't want artficial harmones if I didn't
have to. If there is no disease or infection or impairment to the ovaries,
I didn't see any reason to have them removed. It was a great decision for
me. I don't know why you got septis or infection or leak, but those should
be a lower risk for this type of surgery (infection is always a risk). The
blood clot is a real consideration they they need to be on top of. Get a
2nd opinion, do research for yourself, don't just take someones word for
answers. This is your body, do the research, start with webmd.com and see
what works best for you. It is your body, and your body is expecting you
to be in charge of it. For me it was a matter of prayer and research. But
it was a good decision for me. Take care, Patty P
— Patricia P
November 15, 2006
I was 31 when I had a full hystie. My mother & grandmother had both
had 2 in 5 yrs. REmove uterous, 5 yrs later go back for ovaries. I asked
the doc if we could skip surgery #2 and just get it all at once. Good that
we did as both ovaries were diseased, cervix showed trouble brewing. After
my WLS, that hystie was the best thing I've done for myself. I suffered
for 20 long years, managed to get 2 babies out of that sad equipement
before it broke down entirely. Now I've been free of it for 25 and regret
not one SECOND of that time.
— vitalady
November 15, 2006
I would try to fine something else other than another surgery, such as the
pill or other medications. Or live with the heavy periods.
— ccstann
November 15, 2006
A couple thoughts for you.... the first thought is if you haven't gotten a
second opinion, you ought to.
I don't know your history or the severity of your bleeding and fibroids so
it is hard to say if you ought to just live with it. I imagine you
wouldn't be contemplating this surgery if "living with it" was
something you could easily do.
One thing that I think would work in your favor about surgery is that you
do have a history of complications. Because they know you've had a blood
clot, infection, and gone septic, they will be more on top of things. For
example, you'll probably get more preventative treatment for blood clots
than the average person.
I think the most important thing to do is having a conversation with your
surgeon and go over your past history and any concerns you are having. He
or she could probably put you at ease regarding this surgery and maybe tell
you specifically what can be done to minimize your risks.
— mrsidknee
November 15, 2006
I am not sure where you live. But I would check out something like this in
your area. www.stopflo.com
— AnneRie
November 15, 2006
Hello, my name is paula and my daughter is having very heavy periods and
very irregular and bad crapping, so i took her to the dr last week and she
(dr) put her on a medication called Proverampa,what it does is lesson the
periods, put her back on track and also her cramps so far are not existant.
She was also very anemic from all the blood loss. It is up to you as far as
what you want to do, but if i could take a pill for 10days a month to get
rid of all the problems as apposed to having major surgery i would do that.
I also have endometreosis so my duaghter may have that to, so this medicine
will help her with that to.
God bless you and i'll keep you in my prayers
Paula
— japaad
November 17, 2006
I had a full hystorectomy at 30 year old due to hevy bleeding for months at
a time and cysts. I feel 13 years later it was the best surgery for me.
Getting rid of the pain, heavy bleeding and embarassment of bleeding on my
clothes or my shoes. I feel happy joyus and free. I have had no problems
and now I have chose not to take hermones, I feel great. My mom had a
vaginal hystroctomy laposcopic and I had the open stoamch which resulted in
16 staples after surgery. But at 43, I know it was the best decision for
me.
— BrendaBoo
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