Some Good News, Some Not-So-Good News

NewSho · May 9, 2006

Well, Bad News First:

I just found out that I must have surgery for (benign) uterine fibroids. I'm devastated.

The surgery is in a few days. It's called a myomectomy - DON'T look it up online, I promise you the pictures alone will make you faint. :faint:It's scary.

First of all, I've never had any gynecological-related issue or procedure. Never an abnormal pap, no symptoms or irregular periods, nothing. When I go to my OB/Gyn, I just pop in for my well-woman exam and annual pap and go about my way. I'm on a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" basis with my uterus - I don't bother it, it doesn't bother me. :phanvan

So this is a HUGE deal for me. I've never been pregnant or had any gynecology procedures, so the thought of an OB/Gyn during surgery on me is hellish. The incision alone is horrible to think about - as if I don't have enough scars from my LapBand and surgeries. Most young, childless people don't quite have the incisions and scars that I do. My body is going to be so scarred up. Plus unlike my LapBand surgery or Abdominoplasty, this is the first surgery I will ever have had - where I won't LOOK or FEEL better - after having it done.

Second, and more importantly, I'm depressed because for the surgery, they are going to 'open up' the abdominal muscles that I just had repaired during my abdominoplasty. I've only had a (flatter) stomach for a short time (not even 4 months) and now I'm in danger of going back to having a distended, pot belly. Even after surgery I was hardly six-packed but I had no "hang over" which thrilled me. I'm so afraid I'm going back to the bloating, swelling, and flabby look I had after surgery. After finally getting to wear some more contoured fashions this season, this seems REALLY unfair.

Now, I'm inconsolable. One of the first questions they ask you before an Abdominoplasty is "are you planning to have kids anytime soon" and I was like "HECK NO!" They ask because pregnancies, C-Sections, etc - can 'undo' the benefits of an abdominoplasty. Now I have to get my newly healed stomach muscles torn again, and I'll be back to not being to move around, drive or lift anything for months again. As a single person, being debilitated seems insurmountable.

I was so careful to schedule my abdominoplasty in the winter so I could enjoy my spring and summer. I dreamed of spending this summer in cute little outfits and enjoying travel and fun. Instead I'm facing surgery, slow recovery, and again wearing a freaking 'surgical binder' all summer. All this for a(n) uterus? Pffft.

_______________________________

The Good News:

My new band doctor says he does NOT think I have to get an unfill before this surgery. After having to start over with a new surgeon, I'm just getting up to what I think is decent restriction (which for me as a 5-yr Bandster is just under 3.0 in my 4 cc band.) So I'm at like 2.7 or 2.8 now, and I've lost abnout 4.5# in the last month which is the first big loss I've had in SOOOO long. So I'm chipping away getting towards my goal weight, though I fear another surgery and recovery (and not being able to get around) will mean I'll gain this small loss back. Will I ever get it off?

Thanks for letting me vent.

Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

Jammin & Losin · May 9, 2006

Sorry you are going through all this. I really hope in the end things work out for you !!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!! ((HUGS)))

Yoda · May 9, 2006

I thought they had ways of removing uterine fibroids now that didn't involve cutting etc....does the uterine albasion not take care of fibroids???

NewSho · May 9, 2006

Thank you, Jamie. I'm going to try to keep my spirits up.

Yoda: Uterine Ablation works for some cases for endemetriosis (which I haven't been diagnosed with) and sometimes also for fibroids, if the fibroids are external and relatively small. Mine is either one biggie that has been nestled deep inside or a 'brick' of little ones. See they were previously were under nearly 60# of abdominal flab, which helped kept them hidden) which is why they went undetected for so long. Due to the size, it/they have to be removed surgically, unfortunately.

My plastic surgeon found mine after he couldn't flatten my lower abdomen out as much as he wanted during my abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). I am (slowly) losing weight but my abdomen wasn't getting smaller. My surgeon felt my uterus was enlarged, so I went and got some diagnostic tests from my OB/Gyn. Turns out, the fibroid is quite sizeable. Apparently being obese can make for well-nourished fibroids - they live well and thrive silently especially in larger women. What a wake-up call this is.

I was dieting, exercising and all this time, it wasn't *just* a pot belly - I'm housing a big fibroid. Well, I tolerate no free-loaders however so it's got to go! :rolleyes

But I really need encouragement, as I've never had second thoughts before any surgery. Yet this procedure is apparently quite unpleasant. It's going to be hard to get myself ready to walk into that hospital in 5 days.

Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

Trip2bme · May 9, 2006

That is a really hard card to be handed. I don't know what this will mean to you on your journey, but know there will be many of us praying for you through this.

Women's issues...one thing is for sure, they're found in women.

Good luck to you...good thoughts are being sent your way.

coyotegirl · May 9, 2006

I am so sorry you are going through all of this. Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))

You really have me thinking now! I am having a very hard time losing anything around my belly. Maybe I should call my dr.? I'm due for a pap anyways. I have a very bad pot belly. I am losing everywhere but there.

Thanks for the info.

MarcyD · May 9, 2006

Rachael, I am sorry to hear this news. I can imagine how frustrated you must be. I wonder if this surgery can be postponed if you have no symptoms, the fibroids are benign and you don't plan on having children soon. May be time to ask around or get a 2nd opinion.

Hope things work out well for you!

NewSho · May 10, 2006

Rachael, I am sorry to hear this news. I can imagine how frustrated you must be. I wonder if this surgery can be postponed if you have no symptoms, the fibroids are benign and you don't plan on having children soon. May be time to ask around or get a 2nd opinion.
Hope things work out well for you!

Hey, Marcy.

I do sometimes wish I could claim to be Rachael in terms of her weight loss success - but she's actually a Banded pal of mine who's lost over 150# with her LapBand. So I quote her to end each post on a band-positive note.

I definitely don't ever want kids due to my lifelong weight problem - pregnancy just shouldn't even be an option. As for postponing, I thought about putting if off since I was asymptomatic (except for the abdominal mini-bulge) but from all indications, the sucker will only get bigger over time. I was over here half-starving myself to lose weight and all the time I was feeding This Thing! So it will keep growing otherwise.

I did consults to see about Laser Treatments or Non-Surgical fibroid procedures but once the doctors see the Ultrasound tests - they think it's too big for anything but surgery. The only good news is that my cosmetic surgeon is going to pop in during the procedure. He'll scrub in so he can watch out for my newly repaired abdominal muscles. I'd like him to 'open & close' me up also: his incisions are much, much tinier and thinner than any OB/Gyn's scars that I've seen. Hey, maybe he can tighten me up a bit while I'm there? :nervous

Happy Band (and Life) Journeys To All.

the best me · May 10, 2006

NewSho, my sister had a huge fibroid removed about 5 years ago. It was nested in with about 10 little brothers and sister (I have a picture, do you want to see it?) but the doc got it out with a C-section incision. The fibroids came back, she had a hysterectomy a few months ago and couldn't be happier. She has no children (1 step-son) and at 38, was fine with the hysterectomy. Her hormones have leveled out alot, and she is able to take off weight a little better now. Apparently, fibroids are estrogen-fed so your hormones are whacked out when you have them. Would you consider a hysterectomy? If you know you don't want children by a pregnancy, it might be a better option, especially if the fibroids return? Whatever you do, it will be a well-researched decision, I know! Hang in there. Let me know if you want me to ask my sister anything.

vinesqueen · May 10, 2006

Oh Sho, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know no-one wants this, and I'm so sorry you have to go through this. So very sorry.

Do they have to do this "open" or can they do this vaginally or lap? ((((hugs))))

Alexandra · May 10, 2006

Good luck with everything, NewSho! Try to get your mind around the goal of better health, that's really all that matters in the long run. Your belly will be there (or not) next year and you can take whatever steps you need/want to in the future. This is more important.

(IMO, though, don't rule out having kids because of your weight! My lifelong weight problem had me worried big-time about children, but I had two totally normal pregnancies and now have two healthy, slender children. Statistics mean nothing.)

mrycrltn · May 10, 2006

Best of luck to you, I hope all goes well.

HarleyNana · May 10, 2006

Hugs your way, I wish you a speedy recovery, mentally as well as physically.

Yoda · May 10, 2006

Yoda: Uterine Ablation works for some cases for endemetriosis (which I haven't been diagnosed with) and sometimes also for fibroids, if the fibroids are external and relatively small. Mine is either one biggie that has been nestled deep inside or a 'brick' of little ones. See they were previously were under nearly 60# of abdominal flab, which helped kept them hidden) which is why they went undetected for so long. Due to the size, it/they have to be removed surgically, unfortunately.
.

Thanks for explaining NewSho...I'm sorry to hear that. Be strong...it will go alright and in the long run you will be better off for it. I also have a fibroid issue but I don't yet know the extent of it or the treatment involved in my case (if any)....I figured I'd take one problem at a time. This is my next one to tackle. I dearly hope that if anything needs to be done, it is merely the ablasion. Good luck and I wish you the best as you undergo the treatment.

TheWomanWithin · May 10, 2006

So sorry to hear this, it's especially scarey if you haven't had any other surgeries other than the band.

In March 05 I had something very similar to what you are having done and even had to sign for a hysterectomy if needed when my Gyn did the surgery.

I found out a week later, my BCBS insurance requires 1 surgery to diagnose the problem, 3 - 6 months of medicine to "try and correct" the problem and then another surgery to decide IF they want to approve me to have a hysterectomy due to all the unecessary hysterectomies done each year.

I was diagnosed with Adenomyosis (causes the uterus to be like you're pregnant - mine was 6mths!) Endometrosis, Uterine Polyps and fibroids.

I had all but a very small portion of my uterus removed, all the fibroids, scarring and over 100 polyps. I have 3 very small scars from this surgery and had no problems with the surgery.

I came home the next morning and other than feeling woozy and weak, had no problems. At that time, my children were 2 & 4 and I took care of them because my husband had to go back to work. I was not allowed any lifting, vacuuming or major housework for 4 or 5 weeks.

Good luck and have a speedy recovery.