It's almost exactly a year since I was banded, and while I thought I'd be under 170 pounds by now -- we all have our fantasies -- it's been a rewarding year, except for some "female trouble." I've been going for lots of gyne tests and biopsies over the past two months, and (on the advice of two specialists) will be having a hysterectomy on Oct. 3. After a quick search on LBT I realized that several women here have undergone this surgery either before or after banding. Anything I should know that hasn't been posted elsewhere (e.g., on Vera's thread)?

I'm not as freaked out as I was when I had an enormous cyst along with a tube and ovary removed years ago, probably because I'm 48 and menopause is on the horizon. I'm definitely not interested in getting pregnant! The doc said I could keep my remaining ovary, which relieved me. It's done yeoman's service over the years and I'd hate to kick out such a reliable old friend.

BTW, sick soul that I am, after the doc gave me the dimensions of my biggest fibroid this afternoon, I came home and took a bunch of hamburger out of the freezer to estimate how much the thing weighs. Looks like I'll lose about 3-4 pounds! There are some things only other bandsters understand. . .

good luck on your surgery... I here that when they leave the one ovary it save a lot of hormone loss. let us know how you are feeling.

Good luck Zoe with your surgery. I had my surgery several years ago and will have to say I would not have those parts back if they were lined with gold. I feel so much better now and have never regretted it. I choose to have my ovaries removed because it seemed a lot of people had trouble when they had one left and had to have it removed later. I know things have changed a lot over the years and maybe very few have problems now. I think you will find you feel 100% better after the surgery is over.

Good Luck with your surgery...i hope it all goes well for you!!

Good luck Zoe!

I've only had time to check a few PMs lately, but when I see Zoe, I jump. My girl parts are in working order (and so are hubby's) but Mother Nature and the Powers that Be would not allow us to conceive. Over the years many of my hysterecotomied (I might have made that word up) friends have urged me to get one. Everyone says life without periods is Heaven, so I sure hope it clears up your problems. I'll be thinking of you. You always make me smile because we're always on the same page. Every time I've seen a post with someone worried about some surgical removal, my response always mentions that mass has weight and to consider the pound or two as a loss in the bucket!

Let me know when your surgery is.

Good luck, Zoe!! The thought of a hysterectomy must be daunting, but if it gives you a life without these health problems it's SO going to be worth it.

That is a honker fibroid! My little sister may very well be facing what you are. She's only 37 and has a history of fibroids and general period problems. She has no children, her SO had a vasectomy about a year ago so no kids are on the horizon. I think she would be thrilled to do what you are doing, although right now she isn't even in the planning stages. I suppose I simply see her future.

It isn't a bleak one. I hope you are happy and healthy and feel just fabulous when this is all behind you!!! Keep us posted!

Good Morning Miss Zoe

That is a huge fibroid!!! Over a year ago when I went to my doc complaining the first word she said was hysterectomy. I was no way, I felt like my womanhood would be taken away.

Then there was Billy’s famous line “your ganna bleed to death” and oh the cramps.

I only had my Uterus removed. Kept my cervix and ovaries. I believe in if theirs nothing wrong with them why cut them out. It’s been six weeks, just yesterday my doctor released me back to work. For the record you can still get PMS symptoms every month but I haven’t had a drop of blood or a cramp!

Oct 3rd is a while to wait, I hope your not in pain. Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

If that is the solution to no more cramps from Hell I want mine out too. Every month is getting worse than the month before it.. Today I feel like I am in labor.. hate it

That is one big fibroid..

Hi, Zoe, I had a hysterectomy in Nov. 03. I was 48 when I had it, but for a different reason than yours...I found a website that helped answer a lot of my questions called Hystersisters.com There are lots of versions of hysterectomies, and different methods, too. Mine was vaginal, left the ovaries, plus a bladder sling and assorted other procedures not to fun to talk about. I was off work for 6 weeks, but I felt lots better after 3. Try to find the Hystersister website; nice people there. Cindy

Thank you, thank you, everyone. Mousecrazy, I've already checked out hystersisters.com; it's great. Vera, how are you feeling now? My fibroid is 13 x 10 x 9 cm -- "the size of a baby's head" according to the doc. My big old belly will be flatter once this thing is gone; it's sticking way into my abdomen. Surgery date: October 3. (I tried to get in earlier, but between the surgeon's schedule and the hospital's, no way.)

This is such a wonderful support site. I knew I could count on my LBT friends! Now if only I could find a way to go to Vegas next month. . .

I kissed my doc when he told me I needed a hysterectomy. I was hemorrhaging from the fibroids almost constantly. I had my last baby and never stopped bleeding for 8 months. Passed out at work and rushed to the ER. I had a hysterectomy a month later. Doc told me mine was about the same size Zoe. They had to take everything out cervix and all because everything was covered in endometriosis and looked pre-cancerous. I was 27 years old at the time.

I have NEVER regretted the decision one day. I feel great and don't take hormone replacement therapy. I just take extra calcium.

Where are you having the surgery?

I have NEVER regretted the decision one day.

Well, Miss Penni, if you can say that about having the operation while you were in your 20s, that's mighty encouraging to an old broad like me. I'm going to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, maybe the best in the city, so no worries on that score. I just wish I could have the operation right NOW!

Zoe, my sister's was about that size. It was bigger before she started taking the medication that put her into menopause and shrank (is that a word?) the tumor. When they removed it, it was a small cantaloupe and it had 10 other little brothers and sisters clumped along with it. The doc carefully removed each one and saved her uterus. But, alas, no kids, so at this point in her life, should she end up with more, she will likely opt for the hysterectomy. We named the tumor "Fred". Somewhere there is a picture of it...if I can dig it up I'll post it.

I don't think you will regret this at all.

Zoe, I hope that this makes you feel better! Maybe you could get on the cancellation list and have the surgery sooner?