Endometriosis
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see: endometriosis
and mayo clinicView Thread
feel free to email me directly.
mwhittington85@yahoo.comView Thread
Check it out and let us know what you think of this new reference.
ElizabethView Thread
I like the visual explainations, but do not agree entirely with their theroy of Endo. (Yes I know I can't spell)
Take a look...View Thread
FACT: Women report a loss of physical sexual sensation after hysterectomy.
FACT: A woman's vagina is shortened, scarred and dislocated by hysterectomy.
FACT: Hysterectomy's damage is life-long. Among its most common consequences, in addition to operative injuries are:
- heart disease
- loss of sexual desire, arousal, sensation
- weight gain
- osteoporosis
- bone, joint and muscle pain and immobility
- painful intercourse, vaginal damage
- displacement of bladder, bowel, and other pelvic organs
- urinary tract infections, frequency, incontinence
- chronic constipation and digestive disorders
- debilitating fatigue
- loss of stamina
- altered body odor
- loss of short-term memory
- blunting of emotions, personality changes, despondency, irritability, anger, reclusiveness and suicidal thinking
FACT: The medical term for the removal of the ovaries is castration. 73% of women are castrated during hysterectomy.
FACT: The uterus and ovaries function throughout life in women who have not been hysterectomized or castrated.
FACT: 98% of women HERS has referred to board-certified gynecologists after being told they needed hysterectomies, discovered that, in fact, they did not need hysterectomies.
FACT: Gynecologists, hospitals and drug companies make more than $17B dollars a year from the business of hysterectomy and castration.
I hope you will keep us posted as to how you are doing, and what treatments you choose to do.
Best wishesView Thread
But just a general fyi..being there in the morning is more important than leaving early..don't know why..but as long as you show up ontime, leaving early doesn't seem to bother HR as much.
Questions about Federal and State laws..email me
Ammiller2218@hotmail.comView Thread
Well, first of all, everyone is so different. It really depends on what they find and what they do. My first few surgeries were about 4 hours long and they operated on my ovaries. I had pretty severe pain after from the procedure itself. It took me about a good two weeks to feel better. My last lap last was less invasive and took about an hour. My pain was minimal compared to the first few and I was only under for about an hour and my ovaries were not operated on. I was feeling better in less than one week. Depending on what type of job you have and what your responsibilities are, you may be out of work for less than one week or for a few weeks. Also, be prepared for the fact that if you are a mess inside and your pelvis is frozen, they may have to open you up for a full cut (laparotomy) and that can take six long weeks or more for recovery. Your doc should talk to you about this beforehand and if they don't, you should ask them about it. Please remember, even if they just do a laparoscopy and you only have a few small incisions, your insides just had surgery and you need time to recover. Don't overdo it and listen to your body or you will regret it.
Gas Pain: In order for the surgeon to get a good look inside of you, they will fill your belly with gas. It allows for separation of the organs and a better view. They will relieve some of the gas, but you may see people complaining of gas pain. The gas is trapped inside you and often pushes up to your shoulders. A lot of people will have extreme pain in their shoulders. This is normal. For me, the pain meds don't touch the pain. Some people do better sitting/standing/walking to work it out, but for me, I have to lie flat. As soon as I sit upright, the pain is unbearable. Figure out what works best for you and stick with it. It may not bother you at all or it may bother you for the first few days. For me, it's usually gone by two to three days.
Incisions: Your doctor will tell you how to take care of your incisions and what signs to watch for regarding infection. Listen to them. If you have any questions, no matter how small or what time of day or night, call your surgeon - that is what they are there for. Each surgeon uses a different amount of ports. You will definitely have one in your belly button and then one to three others. They are tiny and usually around your bikini line. Some will use surgical glue and some will use old fashion stiches.
Pain Meds: Your doc will give you some meds for pain. It is important that you keep on top of them and not try to be tough. Once you allow the pain to break through, it's harder to get it back under control - trust me on this. Take your meds as prescribed and if it is not enough, call your doc and let them know. You may not be totally pain free, but you should be comfortable.
Caretaker: If possible, I'd recommend having your hubby or someone there with you 24-7 for the first few days. It may be tough for you to get up and around. It's tiring if you are alone and need a drink or your pain meds - the tiniest movements can be painful and tiring.
I know you had a question about skin endo - I have no idea how to answer that one. Write it down and be sure to ask your doctor about it.
Is your doc an OB/GYN? Sometimes a regular OB/GYN is not adept to treat endo. Typically reproductive endocrinologists, pelvic pain specialists, or uro-gyns are better equipped to deal with endo and proper removal. Check out Liz's post Good Resources if you would like a second opinion before surgery. Also, hopeful has a list of endo specialists (which are few and far between) that I'm sure she'd be willing to provide to you via e-mail.
Good luck to you and let us know when your surgery is scheduled and how you make out after. It's normal to be nervous. Talk to your doc about all of your concerns in your pre-op appt. Take CareView Thread
Depending on your doc, you may have to do a bowel prep before surgery. If they find endo on your bowel that they want to remove you must have a clean bowel or you will need a colostomy bag for weeks after. If they knick your bowel and it's full, you will end up in the same situation. Every doc does a bowel prep differently and they are no fun. Some will give you a course of antibiotics the day before and restrict you to a clear fluid diet. You will then take laxatives and possibly an enema the morning of your procedure. This has led me to vomit on more then one occassion and your bum is quite sore. I felt so bad from it that I didn't care about the surgery and it made me less anxious. If you have to do a bowel prep, let me know and I can give you some tips and a link on how to survive a bowel prep.
You'll arrive at the hospital a few hours before your procedure. They'll ask you a million times who you are, when you were born, and why you are having surgery. They'll get you into a gown, start and IV, and get you ready to go in. If you are nervous, you can let them know and they can give you something to calm you down. I just never allow them to do that until I have had the opportunity to speak with the anesthesiologist and my surgeon. If you have any questions or concerns, write them down and take them with you. It's very easy to forget basic questions with all of the nerves.
You will meet with the anesthesiologist. They will go over your medical history and ask you a bunch of questions. They will explain to you what they will do. If you have ever had surgery in the past and the anesthesia made you nauseous or vomit, it's very important to let them know. They can give you a cocktail in your IV to help ease this post op and have meds ordered for you in pacu (post anesthesia care unit). GYN surgeries are notorious for making you sick after. I worked on a research study regarding post op nausea and vomiting and we used GYN surgeries b/c of the high rate of occurence.
You'll then meet with your surgeon. They'll go through everything they will do and make sure you don't have any questions. Mine have been good at putting my mind at ease. Remember, if you don't want organs removed - ovaries, uterus, appendix, etc please be sure to let them know this and have them document it on your consent form. Women have awakened post op to realize something was removed that they didn't want to. I would not let them remove anything on my first surgery - once it's gone, it's gone. In my opinion, it's a last resort not a first attempt. A hysto won't cure endo. Be very clear of your wishes up front or you may regret it.
They'll wheel you back when you are ready. You'll jump on the table and they will give you a strong sedative to relax you. In my opinion, it's the best 30 or so seconds. Then you are out like a light. You'll wake up in pacu and start on your road to recovery. Once your pain is under control and you can pee, you are free to leave in most cases.
Before my procedures, I have a few bags of ice on hand for recovery. Ice works wonders for pain and helps the recovery process. Depending on who is with you after, I always make a few meals to freeze and some chicken noodle soup to have on hand. You probably won't feel much like eating and you should have light foods on the day or so after. Also, bring a belly pillow for the ride home. It's a life saver. Just a small throw pillow (or smaller if you have it) - I have a bean bag type thing that is wonderful. You put it against your stomach when you are trying to get up or sit down or under the seat belt. It's helps a ton with pain and moving around. Have you hubby fill your pain meds while he is waiting for you so you have them on hand as soon as you leave the hospital. I also have nice clean sheets ready to go and a spot on the couch ready for my return.View Thread
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