Ok, this is long but I am a nervous wreck and need some advice. I am not so sure it's a rant as much as it is needing advice, but here it goes!
I had to go to a new OB/GYN in March (long story) but anyway, I told him about pain I was having and he did an ultrasound. When he looked at it he said oh, this isn't what I was expecting. He then said that he was going to do a ca-125 test for ovarian cancer and give me 2 months of birth control pills at which point if the cysts were not gone I would need a hysterectomy. So, I went back on May 26 and found out nothing had changed. The cysts on my ovary are not bigger, but they are not smaller either, and he said I needed a hysterectomy. I told him with the BC pills, the pain went away, and I felt better. He said I still needed a hysterectomy, because I still had the cysts. I asked him how the hysterectomy would affect the PCOS, and he said well without the O, there's no longer a problem. I came to terms with that and was ok (espcecially thinking at that point that all the side effects of PCOS would at the very least diminish and some may go away), or so I thought.
Well, I looked up the effects of hysterectomy with PCOS, and found that it does NOT get rid of the side effects (weight, hair growth/loss, etc.). So, of course that made me a little nervous, but nonetheless I thought it could turn to cancer so I had no choice.
Then on Friday, I had an appointment with my Endocrinologist. He was going over all my bloodwork and such, and asked if anything new was going on. I told him I was scheduled for the hysterectomy on July 7th. He said, why? So I told him about the cysts, and that the dr. was concerned about them possible turning into cancer although my ca-125 came back normal. He said, I am so glad you came to me. Unless there is somehting I don't know, I do NOT think you should have a hysterectomy. We obviously know you are going to have cysts, and it is very rare that those fluid filled cysts turn to cancer in PCOS patients. I want you to go to another OB/GYN and get a second opinion.
Here's the problem, my Pre-Op appointment is tomorrow, my surgery is scheduled for July 7th. I have one doctor telling me I need a hysterectomy ASAP, one telling me no, and the second opinion doctor not able to get me in until August 10th!
I don't know what to do! I feel like I am damned if I do the surgery, and damned if I don't do the surgery. Does anyone else have a story like this, or some advice they could give me. Thanks in advance for any advice!
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If you dont want kids and will be comfortable with a hysterectomy; because it would stop "some" pcos problems, and are 100% alright with the decision; then get it.
However if you have 1% of doubt then go see another doctor; their is nothing wrong with getting a second OP; apparently its not life threatening so dont be scared to postpone for a month or two.
I did read that docs perform a large number of hysterectomies that were unnecessary.
I would get the second opinion! You can always have the surgery later. Thats a big surgery and there is no going back. I think surgery should be your last resort.
Postpone the surgery and get a 2nd opinion! I actually sat in on a talk by a GYN last week, and he mentioned how hysterectomies should be the LAST RESORT and not a first, KWIM?
Cancel the pre-op, you'll reschedule later. Go to the GYN your RE wants you to see...
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Did you mention to the other GYN that you had a date, and needed to get in sooner? Did you get this GYN's name from your endo?
Do you have irregular bleeding? The ONLY reason we are considering it with me, is because I am bleeding ALL the time and have hyperplasia, which will and most likely does lead to cancer. That and my hx of endometriosis. But the cysts are fine, unless they are causing you undue pain.
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I definitely think you should have the 2nd opinion. I mean, you are voicing your doubts on here. And a hysterectomy is a totally life changing surgery. If you are not 100% sure you should be having this surgery you should definitely find out if you have other options. Good luck!!!!
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Cancell the pre-op and definitely get a second (possibly 3rd if needed) opinion. Do not go with the first recommendation. This is your body, your life.
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There's many procedures that can take care of the cysts on your ovaries without removing your ovaries, tubes, and/or uterus. Assuming that PCOS is your only issue, a hysterectomy is NOT the ideal treatment, since cystic ovaries is only a symptom of the syndrome, not the cause.
That being said, I had a complete hysterectomy and oopharectomy on June 1 and feel fantastic (I'm better two weeks post-op than I was for ten years prior!). HOWEVER, I underwent such drastic measures for definitive treatment of severe endometriosis that had an unusually fast recurrency rate.
Like the other ladies said, it's a life-changing operation that should only be accepted if you understand every way it can impact your future.
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Thank you so much for all of the comments. I went ahead and went to the pre-op so I could talk to the doctor about my endo's concerns. He acted like my endo was an idiot. (which I don't think he is) So, I went ahead and called back to the 2nd opinion dr's office, and told them if they had any cancellations I would take whatever, whenever. They called this morning and said they had a cancllation for July 14th. So, I called the original OB/GYN's office and told them I needed to reschedule the surgery due to some personal issues. They are suppose to call back with a new date.
Other than that, I don't know much else.
Also, alaskaflygirl: did you have an abdominal, or vaginal hysterectomy? How long did the surgery take? Did you do okay with it?
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Also, alaskaflygirl: did you have an abdominal, or vaginal hysterectomy? How long did the surgery take? Did you do okay with it?
I had a vaginal hysterectomy using the Da Vinci robotic-assisted system. You can read a small post on my experience here.
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I think while it gets rid of the cysts and the pain from it....you wont get rid of the other PCOS side effects in fact it might make those things worse because your ovaries are more than just releasing an egg....you'll be on hormones for the rest of your life...
You should only do it if it's endangering your life.... That's my opinion...
Anyway GL.
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I'm glad you are getting the second opinion. My doctor said he very rarely has to do them anymore. I had one ovary removed because of a cyst, but not a hysterectomy.
The only reason they took my ovary was because my cyst was the kind that only grows bigger so they had to get it, and unfortunately, it was wrapped around my ovary already and they had to take the ovary with it.
Most cysts go away on their own and not necessary for removal -- at least according to my doc. I had a vag. ultrasound to see what type I had. I also had the laproscopic type of surgery. Although I developed a hernia from the surgery and had to have that surgically repaired with mesh. But that is rare, usually laproscopic is best.
man this kind of throw back medical procedures piss me off...
They used to give women hysterectomy for tons of very minor and stupid reasons...and some doctors never got over this. I mean I don't here them loping off penis's/testicles because men get kidney stones, or whatever.
i think it's barbaric.
okay.. you need a 2nd opinion, defiantly.
Cutting out your reproductive organs for cysts is like cutting off your hand because of arthritis. Or removing your stomach because you have ulcers. If you came in already knowing you had pcos why was finding cysts on your ovaries shocking to him? That's like being surprised that the sky is blue. and you were not on birth control, were you on anything else to help with your pcos symptoms? this guy sounds like a goober.
I understand some women have problems like endo so bad there is no alternative, but you're having minor abdominal pain, not constant bleeding, or what have you.
i think you are having anxiety over this for a GOOD reason. trust your instincts, hell get your endo dr to suggest someone for you to go see. (btw the endo is 2nd oppenion so you're really getting a 3rd.)
SO Confused about hysterectomy 
