Monday, July 12, 2010

Needing Surgery

After 3 IUIs, 2 that took but miscarrying at 5 1/2 weeks, my doc referred me to a surgeon to recommend I get a fibroid removed. That appt was this morning.

Ugh. No fun. Talked a lot with the surgeon about "what are the chances of staying pregnant if I have this surgery done?" And no real answers. They just can't say.

I need more info but apparently my fibroid isn't huge, but it's grown, and grown closer to the uterine lining, making my uterus 'inhospitable' he said. He recommended doing the surgery.

I'm a big baby. I don't take pain well, so I'm not thrilled about this recommendation especially not knowing how much it would increase our chances of staying pregnant. And because of the incision he'd have to do, I'd likely have to have c-sections in the future... if we get pregnant.

Surgery means 1-2 days in the hospital, 3-4 days recovery and 2-4 weeks lifestyle recovery. I just don't feel like dealing with this. I feel like I've been on such a yo-yo in general with inactivity and recovering from stuff - miscarriages...

Will I gain weight as a result of not exercising and then have to work hard to lose again? Getting bigger has had an impact on me psychologically, and just when I feel like I'm making progress on my weight, I'll bet this makes it worse again. I felt that way at Easter, so close to goal weight, feeling so good again, and we did another IUI, throwing a lot of my hard work away as I gained 5 lbs (I'm small so that makes a difference) again...

So, I'd like advice. Anyone out there had fibroids removed and were successful with pregnancies after? Heard of anyone who has? Anyone know statistics on increasing chances once fibroids are removed? I just want to know - if it's 10%, not sure that I want to do this but if it's 60% , then yes.

So, help me out please :)

8 comments:

  1. I would get a second opinion. I have had fibroids removed via same day laparoscopic surgery. Of course it depends on the size of he fibroid etc, but I really wonder if there is a less invasive way to remove yours.

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  2. I agree with fuzz...get a second opinion if you can. But, other than that, I have no real experience to go from on this. I wish you the best!!!

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  3. I'm in the same boat with u wondering if fibroids surgery would make the ultimate difference in outcome of pregnancy. I didn't know that it would be such an investment of time and pain and more. I'll be praying for u in this upcoming decision.

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  4. I am 9 weeks past fibroid surgery and just started to TTC again. I have never been pregnant and the doctors thought that my fibroids were distorting the uterine cavity making it "inhospitable". After surgery the doctor felt certain that I would have had a miscarriage if I managed to get pregnant. I don't know if the surgery was the "cure-all", no one can say for sure. I don't know about the statistics, as they vary but it is much higher than 10%! Our community is filled with women who have had successful pregnancies after surgery.
    I had a robotic myomectomy, a less invasive style of fibroid surgery, it was out-patient and my scars are tiny. If I manage to conceive I will have to have a c-section. At this point, I just want a baby. Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have more specific questions.

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  5. Yes, get a 2nd and maybe 3rd opinion! Some questions might be: How big is your fibroid? Why can't the doctor do it laprascopicly? Also,from my understanding, most fibroids can grow back, but I don't know how long it takes, or percentages or anything. Hope you can get some good answers soon.

    Sorry for all you are going through right now.

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  6. I'll be praying for you too as you make this important decision!
    Hugs!

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  7. I'm completely inept in answering any questions, but wanted to offer some (((hugs))) and support as you contemplate all this.

    Because, YES, damnit, you HAVE been through enough. I don't blame you one bit for not wanting to deal with this.

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  8. My mom had them removed after my brother was born (so she didn't try to get pregnant again), but after getting a 2nd opinion I'd seriously consider getting them removed...by the time hers were removed she was in very intense pain (I guess they can grow/get worse) and bleeding massively. I don't want to scare you at all, but my point is just that it's easier, even if it's scary, to get them removed while they;re still manageable. Ideally (and I'll pray for you) you will get pregnant afterwards but if that doesn't work for whatever reason then it's still important to consider your overall health, etc. Thinking about you!

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