Surgery options

[Crazy4cats]

I've been diagnosed with severe endometriosis, cysts on my ovaries and fybroids. I've been put on the surgery waiting list but what surgery I opt for is my choosing. I'm wondering if anyone can share experiences, as the Web is overwhelming.1. Debris of the endo, removal of cysts and fybroids

2. Partial hysterectomy, leaving the ovaries.

3. Full hysterectomy.

I've read all the risks that come with each option, the surgeon leans more towards opt 3. Less risk of return and being back at the start and possibly more surgeries.

My family is complete, so that's not a factor.

I just want the pain to go away. I know it's not a one and done deal.

Has anyone had complications or can tell me of success stories?

Many thanks

[Pelvic_pain]

I was in a similar position to you with regards to family & am 47 so weren't too worried about surgical menopause either. I went for option 3. I was lucky enough to have robotic laparoscopic surgery, so recovery has been amazing. I will be 4 weeks post op tomorrow. Like you I just wanted the pain to stop & wanted the best possible chance of avoiding recurrence so for me option 3 was the best choice

[Crazy4cats in reply to Pelvic_pain]

Thank you. I hope your recovery is going well. I've only just found this group, it's helpful to hear from others who have gone through it. It's a lot to take on.

[Pelvic_pain in reply to Crazy4cats]

It is indeed a lot to take in when particularly when newly diagnosed. I would say read up as much as you can as it will really help you ask the right questions when visiting doctors and in turn will really help turn things around in your head. Good luck

[Jingles11]

Hi, It's a big decision but one I had to take two years ago.Medically I was in a similar situation to you. I opted for a full hysterectomy and removal of ovaries. Personally, it was the right thing and i’m now in the best of health and don't have any regrets. I had an abdominal incision, so recovery took a bit longer. I went on low dosage hrt patches straight after surgery and haven't looked back since.

Good luck with your decision.x

[Crazy4cats in reply to Jingles11]

Thank you so much

[Bakewey]

Crazy4Cats.

I posted this a couple of days ago to another endo endurer -it may be relevant to you too:

I am 6 weeks post full hysterectomy, bowl shave removal of endo, unsticking of organs etc.

the first 2 weeks after robotic surgery were a walk in the park (although for the first two days gas pain hurt immensely). I could not believe how easy the recovery was compared to how my body responded to a diagnostic lap (3 months after I was still struggling to walk).

The main improvement was on my right when a large endo / cyst was. Prior to surgery, this part of me gave me hell all night and all day. It was such a relief to have it all out. I felt happier/ healthier than I had in years.

Then suddenly, after two weeks, I had multiple set backs which required a return to surgery and two other procedures/ stays in hospital. Very long story short, I needed to have my vaginal vault repaired as I was bleeding/ passing huge clots.

It’s now 4 weeks post the emergency surgery and am still taking it easy. I have been signed off work for another 4 weeks. My mum has moved in to support me and my husband. I was not expecting to need support from my wider family.

No sex for 4 months and no exercise for 3 months. Had to cancel a trip abroad.

The last week I have been struggling with my hormones and have been crying a lot. I’ve started on HRT (after I was advised not to take it for a month) so I am hoping that it will soon kick in as I’m normally an upbeat person.

I’m writing about the negatives before the positives as when I was signing the MDT consent forms and having the conversations with the various doctors, they didn’t appear real - surgery was simply a way for me to get my life back. So what I am trying to explain is, even though this has been an overwhelmingly stressful period of my life, I still know it was the right one for me as I could not keep going without the surgery.

I wrote letters yesterday to the two hospitals involved in my treatment thanking them for giving me a future. Even through the hormone tears, I know deep down that surgery was the right decision for me. But do weigh up the consequences carefully- we are all unique and need to do what is right for us.

Sending you positive vibes 🌺

[Crazy4cats in reply to Bakewey]

Thank you. Sounds like you've been through hell, I'm glad that you're on the mend.I am favouring a full hysterectomy, but I was worrying about dropped bladder, plus I read about issues with trauma to the bowel. It's reassuring to hear people are having full hysterectomies and feeling like it was the right choice.

I hope there are no more issues in your recovery. Wishing you all the best.

[Bakewey]

I was given lots of warnings about the impact surgery may have on my bowel: I really thought I would need a stoma bag, but fortunately this was not the case - I feel that due to law suits, Drs spend hours informing patients about the negatives and a fraction of the time focusing on the positive aspects…

Best wishes 🌺