Prolapsed Uterus and Hysterectomy

J.,

There is a wonderful website for women going through hysterectomies. The website is called Hyster sisters. They have a lot of information on their message boards.

Deb

I'm not sure why your doctor thinks a hysterectomy is the only solution to a prolapsed uterus. Have you had a second opinion and discussed the possibility of stitching your uterus back into place? A hysterectomy is such a major change in your body's chemistry!

I had surgery last summer for a prolapsed uterus. My doctor was great! (Dr. Leach in Walnut Creek) He said that he would suggest a hysterectomy only if I was sure I was done having children and at 28 I couldn't say that I was. He said there was another option, but it wasn't guarenteed and a hysterectomy would be. I went with the other option...I can't remember what the surgery was called (sorry! technical medical terms!!) But what he did was surically he tied my uterus to where it was supposed to be. The only thing is if I have another child I will have to have a C-section or it will reverse the surgery.

It was a same day surgery, I was hurtiing for a few days, but within a week I was pretty much back to normal. If you have any questions or want to talk to me more about this I would be happy too!

Make sure that you are really sure you are done having kids before you do the hysterectomy and know that that isn't the only option.

I haven't been through this personally, but my sister just had her uterus removed because of fibroids. (A couple of weeks before Christmas). She was able to keep her ovaries (she was only 35, and didn't want to be on hormones for so long), but the actual surgery wasn't that bad at all. She was only down for a few days, then up but not full strength for a couple of weeks. About 3 weeks later, she was even dancing at our niece's wedding, so she recovered very quickly. She was so glad she had the surgery since she was in so much pain before it. I know she was really worried going into it, and her biggest concern was she wasn't sure if she wanted any more kids or not, but the fibroids probably would have prevented her from carrying a baby to full-term anyways (they were softball sized), so she had to grieve that she was done having kids, but she came to terms with that really quickly. They both decided that if they decide they would like another child, they will adopt. Good luck to you and may you have a quick recovery.

My mom had the same thing, plus a prolapsed bladder.She waited 14 years later, but she finally got her hysterectomy done. It was great for her not to worry about it and go about her life normally. She does have to take hormone therapy, but she is extremely happy. she gets a shot every few months. She always had terrible periods, which ended, and since she wasn't having any more kids, it wasn't a big deal for her. I hope this helps.

Dear J.,
About the only thing that wasn't wrong with my uterus was prolapse.
I was born not right, I guess. I was 16 the first time they said I would need a hysterectomy. About a thousand surgeries and two kids later, I eventually had to have one.
I want to say that I am SO thankful for my children and SO thankful that I held out as long as I did so I could have them. But, I'm telling you....if I had known how much the hysterectomy would change my life, I would have done it sooner. I was 33 and it was a year after my son was born. There just was no choice left. I only had a tiny little bit of ovary on one side so how I got pregnant is a miracle because my only tube was on the OTHER side...
Anyway....I had a little trouble at first getting my hormones straightened out, but I was a completely different person. For the better. All those years of bad things just went away and I was completely pain free for the first time.
My hysterectomy was done vaginally. Don't ask me how they do it, but it was SO much easier than the full incisions I had already been through. We made arrangements for my mom to come stay with us since my baby was only a year old. Two days after I got home from the hospital, we went to the grocery store. I didn't drive or carry my son, but I felt fine. I took a nap that afternoon, but I could not believe how good I felt.
So....just make sure you trust your doctor and make sure there is no other option.
I will keep you in my thoughts!

Blessings!

Hi J.,
I work for an OB/Gyn doctor, and my experience is that 90% of the patients always say "I should have done this sooner" You didn't say to what degree your prolapse uterus is, and/or if you were done having children. Are you having any symptoms(lowere back pain, pressure in lower abdominal/vaginal area, urinary problems), if you are I can assure you they will be one after the surgery. Your uterus is only there for childbaring and for nothing else. On the other hand, your ovaries are the ones you need, these produce hormones which our body need. There is a plus with prolapse uterus, the surgery is vaginal and recovery time is much quicker and NO ABDOMINAL scar. I work in Hollister (Dr Tabibian, I don't only work for him (14 years) he is also MY Dr. He has delivered my daughter and I've also needed another surgery which he also did. I TRUST HIM WITH MY LIFE. Well good luck in your decision and take care,
A.

J.,

If you want to keep your uterus, I'd suggest trying herbs and acupuncture. Find a qualified acupuncturist/herbalist who's been practicing for many years and probably someone who's treated this sort of thing before. I'm an acupuncturist myself and we were taught how to treat this in school.

It's important that women keep their uterus rather than automatically consider surgery if there's really nothing pathological about it and it's possible to save it. In your case, it's merely a malposition situation. Is there anything else wrong with it? Herbal therapy and acupuncture can help to lift the uterus from within the body. Try it for a couple of months before you do the surgery. You may find that the surgery will be unnecessary.

Good luck and good health,
J.

It is lucky your uterus is already prolapsed because you should be able to have it removed vaginally. It is a little easier a surgery than when they cut you open. You will be restricted from lifting for several weeks after surgery - you will have to take it easy. Prepare ahead of time -make/freeze main dishes, grocery shop, do laundry,put basic items out on the counter where you can get to them easily etc. Enlist friends/family/others help afterwards if you need it. I'm not sure how old you are or if you are done having children. Removal of the uterus means you will no longer be able to have children and will no longer haver periods. Removal of the uterus is not the same as removal of the uterus AND ovaries. Just removing the uterus is not a big deal except for the childbearing issue - after recovering from surgery you won't feel any different. However removal of the ovaries that make the majority of your hormones IS a big deal. If you are not near menopausal age and have no risk factors for ovarian cancer, most doctors recommend keeping your ovaries. Your hormones help protect you from many health problems (such as osteoporosis)until you hit menopause when they shut down naturally (thus the increase in cases of osteporosis later in life). You also won't suffer the usual side effects of menopause, such as hot flashes, until your ovaries shut down on their own when you hit menopause. Please have another discussion with your doctor about the reasons for the surgery he recommended and any side effects, to be sure you understand it all completely. Then go for it! (or not if you change your mind)

Hi J.-
I have not had this, but my mother did a few summers ago. She waited a long time to treat it (I am 28), but had a very good outcome. What happened was they took everything out and then put this mesh weave fiber inside and tacked her muscles to it to pull everything else inside "up." She was down for 2.5 months. My mother was miserable until she had the procedure done, and now she says she has not felt this good in a long time. She felt like her insides were (in my words) going to the dogs. I have a co-worker who I believe is going through the same thing and looking at options for surgery.
I suggest that you do some searching for a really good doctor. On a personal note, I have not seen my mother this healthy and active in years, and I know it was because she finally had it taken care of.
You sound like an active woman! Your health is important, and if this is causing problems, then do what it takes to maintain a quality state of being.
Prayers and Luck
-E.

Hi J.,
If you didn't see it, there is another post from 5/17/08 called "Surgery for Urinary Dysfunction" and there were lots of responses. To add to my post there, when my surgeon recommended removal of the uterus, he said "only if you are 100% positive you are finished bearing children." It was optional, but removal would make the bladder surgery easier. I kept my ovaries. You'll see in my other post I've had complications, but apparently lots of women have successful surgeries. Something I forgot to mention is I was given a mesh reinforcement in the vaginal wall during my second surgery since the first one didn't hold up, but I don't know yet why I'm still having problems. My second surgeon was Dr. Christopher Payne at Stanford (he's a urogynocologist) -- he has a wonderful reputation. Best of luck to you!

I can share info info about natural, herbal supplementation that can be helpful. First, it is always wise to prepare for any surgery with good nutritional supplementation so your body will have all that it needs to heal quickly. Then, if you need any hormonal support, you can do that with the same high quality, effective herbal products that I have personally used for about 10 years. The two main products from Symmetry Direct for hormones are Female Balance (phyto estrogens) and BioInfinity (pregnenolone). You can check it out at my website at www.symmetrydirect.com/dhendon .

Personally, I had a complete hysterectomy (ovaries too)at age 39. I have been using only these products (no meds) since 1998 and I feel great, and feel confident that I am healthier in all areas as I take many of the other Symmetry products as well to protect to my bones and heart. I figure that if I can do it without ovaries, anyone can do it at whatever their level of need is.

Please feel free to call me if I can be of any help to you.

Victorious Living to you!
D. Hendon
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www.symmetrydirect.com/dhendon

PS ask your doctor about libido/sexual desire changes with surgery. That is the one area that I have struggled with the most. But Symmetry has something for that too (Aphrodisia 136). It, too, is very helpful but I don't think you can ever truly regain what it once was.

Hi J.. I first want to say that I am sorry this has happened. My step mom, a wonderful woman, went through cancer and almost died four years ago. She did go into remission, and is clear of the cancer so far. But as a result she had to have the same surgery you will be undergoing, as well. She also has to have a pace maker installed due to the damage the kemotherapy caused in her heart. So I personally have been there first hand to see the process, and healing of such procedures. All you can do is pray J.. And research about it. It is difficult, I fully know that. And a lot of women who go through it may have never had the chance or opportunity to have children of their own. So you have that on your side:) I think that you will undergo the surgery just fine, and that staying mentally positive is the best thing you can do. I will keep you in my prayers, and your two boys:) God bless you every step of the way. I really hope you come out of it stronger than you already are.

Love

A.

If your not looking to having anymore children, then right on. No more periods. I had my last son 1 1/2 years ago and my MD thought I had the same thing. Turns out it was actually a prolapsed bladder/rectum. She had told me a hysterectomy would be necessary to correct the problem. At first I was bummed because this is what sorta defines us as a women. This is our child rearing womb. But then I got to thinking. I knew I was done (4 children later, 9 yo twin girls, 6 yo daughter and our ever so surprising son 1).Then I got to thinking again, wow no more periods, painful breasts, tampons, etc.
I got to enjoy the thought for about 2 seconds and she told me it wasn't the uterus, but bladder/rectum. Damn I had to go back to reality.
So if your done with children, your won't have to lose your ovaries which will still produce your hormones, just the uterus, I say enjoy the rest of your life period less.

I am jealous....Trish