The 3 Month Post Surgical Checkup

It's been a bit less than three months since I had an endometrial ablation, but I've had three periods since then, so I'm calling it 3 months.

Yes. I said I've had THREE periods since the surgery that was supposed to decrease or remove all monthly Slaughterhouse Nine references, but If you know ANYTHING at all about me, you'd know that I never do anything the right way.

Easily squeamish? Are you Male? Anyone related to me by birth, death or marriage or anyone that might have trouble looking me square in the face after some intensely personal info that's below this fold - why not go read some Easter Basket ideas, School Lunches don't have to be Junk or how Food can be as addictive as Cocaine. I'll be here tomorrow with a good story that you'll want to read. Pinky promise.

Ok. Now that it's just me and probably one other reader, let's get this party started. I had an endometrial ablation right after the first of the year to try to reign in periods that had gone completely bezerkers. How crazy? Try a super pad an hour, for the first three days. Try sleeping on towels, sitting in cars on towels, showering twice or three times in one day and changing clothes repeatedly for the first three days of each 25 day cycle. And then about 6 days of what would be considered "normal". Try not exercising for those three days, and not leaving the house except to take kids to and from school and carrying extra clothes in your car.

So, maybe just a bit of a problem.

I had the ablation, and was told that it was tougher than anticipated, but that there was a 80% chance that it would work. But it didn't, and I went back today for my yearly checkup combined with my post surgical check up to discuss how things went. (After I got dressed in my clothes, of course, which I'd carefully folded and placed on the chair, with my bra and panties hidden inside the pants. OF COURSE. The doctor is all in my ho-ha, but she would be offended to see my undergarments strewn about the room. I'm so weird.) So, my options. Of which there are five.

1. Repeat the ablation. I'd have to see if my insurance would cover it, and since there was trouble before - I'd taken progesterone to ensure that I didn't begin my period before the surgery - and yet I DID - I'd have to take Birth control Pills for three months before in order to be certain I'd be on track, cyclically speaking.
2. Take the pill until I go into menopause. I'm not in favor of this one, as the hormones have had ugly side effects in the past.
3. Have an IUD inserted. Against this one for the same reason.
4. Keep going the way I'm going until menopause, which is realistically another 12-15 years away.
5. Have a hysterectomy. This would need to be done when I'd have low obligations and much support, for the doctor said it would be a 4 week recovery period, similar to the recovery when I had my inguinal hernia repair.

Growing old SUCKS.

My husband is completely upset with the entire thing, for he feels like the doctor was negligent - since it didn't work, she clearly did her job wrong and just wants to do it again for income purposes. I strongly disagree. I knew going in that it was effective in 80% of the cases - just didn't think I'd be one of that 20%. But I maybe should have known, since I have a history of hemorrhaging after each childbirth. So I'm totally and completely 100% frustrated and would love to know your thoughts - my one reader who remained.

If it was you, or your daughter or sister - what would you do?

Comments

[jennmominva@aol.com]

I hide my undies to.. God forbid the doctor see THOSE! I had a hysterectomy last June. I was initially going in for bladder repair surgery only, and my doctor brought up that I might want to get a partial hysto beings I am done having kids and I bleed so heavily. Best decision I have ever made! The recovery is a small price to pay for not having periods ever again. I was completely healed in 6 weeks, a little longer beings I had the bladder repair. If you do a partial then you will still have your ovaries and not have hormone issues. My doctor was Dr. Elstein here in Virginia Beach, great doctor! I had it done vaginally so there were no gas pains, the only thing that really hurt was my hips from being on my back in the stirrups so long. I am not sure if I would have the Doc that did your ablation do the hysto. Just because you don't know if it didn't work because of you... or because of her.. KWIM? Good luck with whatever you decided!

[MamaCas]

I think I'd go with the hysterectomy, if I were in your position. If all of the baby-making is over AND this "problem" is making your life hell every month, the hysterectomy sounds like a reasonable solution.

Hugs to you...I hope you can get this resolved as soon as possible.

[Jenn]

I just had a hysterectomy 4 weeks ago. I'm 32 years old. I am very happy that I did. My suggestion is to go that route but for more info, I found a website that I LOVVVVEEEE! I don't think I could have done it without this website. www.hystersisters.com...look it up!Oh, I had the daVinci also and I'm not allowed to lift over 10 pounds, workout, do anything too strenuous for 6 weeks and no sex for 8.

[Lise]

I'd get a second opinion and see if there's a doctor who has a greater than 80% success rate and have another ablation if so. And if that didn't work I'd try the birth control pill or IUD route. I've known too many women who had hysterectomies and who then had sexual dysfunction. Your mileage may vary, of course.

[MB Squared]

I think I would take the hysterectomy, I would run away from an IUD...as for recovery time...just ask your friends for help and would be surprised how much you receive...

[Michele]

I do the undies thing too.

I'm a newlywed who's still ttc #1, but my gut reaction is: Are you done having children? Then hysterectomy. The four weeks will suck, but it's gotta be less than the number of 3day spans till menopause.

[Jodi]

Given all your other options I would try the ablation again.

I was watching Dr. Oz and he said that a hysterectomy has become so routine because "we don't need that part" once we are done having kids.

I have the same heavy bleeding so I feel for you but I am not willing to part with my girly parts just yet.

[Jodie]

I have a very good friend who had terrible, debilitating periods that lasted the majority of each month. After lots of consideration she decided on the hysterectomy. She says it is the BEST decision she has ever made. Life is so much better for her now. She was done having kids and still has her ovaries, so no hormone issues.

Oh, and I too, hide my undies. I've always thought it was kind of ridiculus, but there I am folding them up into my pants while standing there with just a tiny little paper dress on.

[amie]

How do YOU feel about hysterectomy? People often tend to have every strong feelings one way or another on those.I think that would prob be the most effective long term solution but u have to consider hormone therapy & stuff like that.The women ZI know whop have had hysterectomies recenly have recovered much more quickly than expected & been pleased with the resolution of symptoms.

[Kait]

Well A, your bleeding issues are not only for those who are "old" (which you are not!). I'm 23 and had the same issues but they refused to do the ablation because of my age. They did a D&C instead and it worked brilliantly. Well, I guess if you consider brilliantly the fact that I only get my period once every ten or so months for about four weeks a go. Oh and the fact that it stopped ovulation completely. So I guess not so brilliant...except I don't bleed as much. It's all a matter of comparison I guess.

My advice would be to see if there are any other options for you other than extremes. As someone who has lived this way, living that way is NOT a viable option. Neither is birth control unless they can get something for you that won't make you crazy (they all make me crazy). Getting the whole shebang taken out doesn't seem like what you want but it might be the only option left.

That being said, if my crazy insane horrible periods came back, I would get the beast taken out in an instant. Having to coordinate life around your uterus is NOT a good way to live, especially when you need to deal with children and spouses and life.

[K]

I too had an ablation about 3 weeks ago and have had some bleeding this week for what I assume is my first period. (I have been having "normal" drainage/discharge since the procedure.) My physician was a bit less emphatic about the 80% statistic and I must admit that I assumed that I would be in the minority. If this is what I get monthly, I will be thrilled --it is far easier than anything I have experienced even as a teenager. Should my situation get worse again and I become more anemic then I feel that a hysterectomy would be the only way to go--even with 4 kids! Good luck to you.

[Donna]

Sorry life is so tough at the moment.
I had endometriosis and went through a lot of surgeries and treatment trying to get pregnant. My son was born after our sixth attempt at IVF. He was our miracle. I would have loved to have had more children but it was not to be. I had a hysterectomy when I was 35. It was the BEST thing I have ever done for my health! My quality of life was improved no end. I was on HRT for about 10 years then went through a 'normal' menopause in my mid 40s. I have survived it all and thrived as well. This is now so much better than the flooding and the excruciating pain that I endured for so long. It was more than worth it for me. Good luck with your decision.
Donna from Australia
PS I fold my undies away too!

[UKCraftySal]

I fold and hide too. From reading the comments, is there anyone who doesn't?!

Advice is tricky to give, as my periods are just starting to "play up" but are nowhere near as bad as yours. I would definitely avoid the pill long term due to the side affects of all sorts.

A second opinion sounds sensible, definitely.

A friend in a similar situation to you says her hysterectomy is the best thing she ever did, but the biggie on that is, have you definitely finished your family?

Don't think I've helped at all, but I couldn't just "lurk" on this one. Good luck with deciding.

[kyooty]

I thnk one of my "younger then you" Highschool friends had this done and she's down to once a month vs once every 9 days. She's had in her life 7 children. She lost 3. She's loving the libation, it worked. I would say either try again or look for the cause of this. Is it hormonal, is it Stress?

[Sandra]

another folder and hider of the undies and bra when getting my hoo hoo looked at as well. LOL

i'm not a huge fan of getting a hysterectomy, but if ever there was a candidate for getting this procedure it would be you. i say schedule it for when the kids get out of school for the summer.

[Jess]

I had your procedure. Lie you, it did not work. I am 40, not going to have children anymore and very tired of staying up all night for 3 nights, bringing changes of clothes, and the fear of leaking always there. I am having a hysterectomy on the 21st of April, I will let you know how it goes. Yea the down time sucks, but all in all I would do anything to give up on what I am doing now every two weeks. UGH!

[BeeBelle]

I can't tell you if you are ready for a hysterectomy or not, but I can direct you to Hyster Sisters (www.hystersisters.com) to get much more information and perhaps join the boards to post a question or two.

I am about 14 months post-hysterectomy myself. Mine was at age 43, for prolapse (I didn't go for it for painful, frequent periods, but the prolapse got me). I asked to have my ovaries left behind, but when they got inside they found severe endometriosis and took them anyway, so I'm on a hormone patch. The first week of recovery was awful, but after that it wasn't bad (just no lifting, which is challenging for groceries, laundry, small children...). The emotional part was mixed, but I'm okay with it now because I am really just realizing how much more freedom I have. White pants! OMG!

[BeeBelle]

P.S. My mother had a partial in her 20's, and then post-menopause they did another surgery to remove the ovaries so they wouldn't be a cancer risk. I still wanted to keep mine, but since I couldn't, I comfort myself knowing I won't have to have an oopherectomy later.

[Pat]

You don't mention if the projected recovery time is for abdominal hysterectomy. If it is, you might want to investigate the possibility of vaginal hysterectomy. It requires less recovery time than the traditional hysterectomy. You may also leave or remove the ovaries; unless they are also diseased, it is optional.

This may be more medical information than you want, but I worked in a hospital for seven years and speak medicalese fluently--sorry!

[Young Wife]

That's so funny. I hide my under garments at the doctor's office, too. I guess I'd try the pill, but it does increase the risk of stroke. There's really not a great option, is there?

[Superwoman Quest]

I would go for the Hysterectomy. I had one about a year after my last child. It has been great. No periods. No complications. My recovery was quite a bit quicker than 4 weeks. But after all four of my kids I was back to work in a week. After the hysterectomy after about 1 week I was able to work but got tired pretty quick. I would say after about 2 1/2 weeks I was feeling pretty good.

[LizP]

I keep kicking myself for not having my uterus removed when my daughter was delivered by c-section two years ago! And my periods are a *cake walk* compared to yours!

Have you checked into a hysterectomy done vaginally? I just read something in either O Magazine or Good Housekeeping that said something like 80% of them are done that way.

As with all advice, it is worth what you pay for it and you need to follow your heart. :-)

[Nicki]

Wait, there are people out there who don't fold and hide the undies? :) Yeah, mine are carefully hidden from view as well.

Honestly, even knowing there are complications associated with hysterectomies and the recovery time and all, I would still opt to go that route if I were in this situation. I have issues with hormones as well, so I can understand the reluctance of spending the next 12 to 15 or so years on them. If genetics are any indicator, my cousins and I will all be filing in for hysterectomies in the next few years much like our mothers/aunts. Fun. I hope you find what will work best for you.

[Carmen Staicer]

Thanks for your story. Its really helpful. FWIW, the doc said Id keep my ovaries, so theres that.

Like I said, FWIW.

Carmen

[wendy]

Ask your doctor about the birth control pill loestrin 24. It's great. No periods. No side effects.