Surgical Options for Large Fibroid & Uterus

[ski now work later]

Have any of your Divas or your friends/family members undergone a Uterine Artery Embolization procedure to treat uterine fibroids? If so, what was the experience like and how effective was the procedure in terms of fibroid and uterine size reduction? Have any of your Divas or your friends/family members had a supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy and if so, was there either a large (8cm) fibroid or large (16 week pregnancy) uterus present? Unfortunately I find myself with this condition. After being monitored for a year by my GYN office, I discover that the larger my fibroid and uterus have grown, the less likely that the least invasive type of hysterectomy is a surgical option for me should I ultimately need that surgery. And with ski season approaching, the whole prospect of surgery is a total disaster! :(

 

[ski diva]

I don't know anything about that sort of thing at all, but I do know that I am so sorry to hear you might need surgery :( ! Good to see you're asking around, though -- being educated and informed is crucial. And getting a second opinion might be a good idea, too -- even if it's only to validate what your present doctor says.

Best of luck. And keep us posted, too.

 

[ski now work later]

Thanks. The whole thing has been very depressing and is not very sexy! I will be seeing at least 2 surgeons and 1 Interventional Radiologist. What's amazing is how much more information I learned by researching on line for an hour or two than I received from my GYN. Yay for the Internet, and yuk for my doc.

As you may know, my husband is a physician -- an internist -- who works a hospitalist (a doc who works within the hospital to take care of patients so the specialists don't have to make hospital calls -- instead they pay the hospitalist group to cover their service). I would either have the surgery done at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield where my H worked for 10 years, or at the smaller community hospital where he works now, so at least I will have good medical care wherever I go as he is well loved by the nursing staff wherever he works.

The things that women go through! Oy vay! Will keep you posted.

 

[Ski Spirit]

SNWL,
Also very sorry to hear that you have to go through this. I can't provide direct advice re: your question. I had a small uterine growth (it kept growing, not sure if it was a fibroid) but was able to have it removed in an office procedure (off for day to recover)....now that I think about I may know someone at work who has been through this...I'll PM you later.

I totally agree re: the internet and second opinions..absolutely get as much info as possible!

 

[ski diva]

How long is the recovery for this, generally speaking? Obviously, skiing is the last thing you need to be concerned about. But I imagine it'd take a while to get back on your feet, wouldn't it?

 

[Greeley]

I had uterine fibroids about 6 years ago and had what I called a firbroid abortion (D&C). I don't think they were very large, but were driving me nuts. My doctor told me I could go back to work in 1 day, but I was doubled over with cramps for about 3 days.
I think they started to come back last winter and a friend told me about the book 'What your Doctor May Not Tell you about Pre-Menopause' by Joh R. Lee. I started using the natural Progestrone and my syptoms went away after a few months.
Good Luck...

 

[Gloria]

I have actually known two different women who've had similiar issues. One ended up having the complete hysterectomy and the other the same process you describe. Both women rearranged their lives completely expecting to be down for 6 full weeks. Both kicked their Mom's out and went back to work or life between 2 or 3 weeks. One woman was relatively athletic, the other not athletic at all. Neither were big skiers so, I can't tell you, you will be skiing really soon, but the one gal I know ( the non-athletic one ) had a gall bladder and something else taken out at the same time, so there is hope for bouncing back quickly. Good Luck!

 

[jenxtremeski]

Have any of your Divas or your friends/family members undergone a Uterine Artery Embolization procedure to treat uterine fibroids? If so, what was the experience like and how effective was the procedure in terms of fibroid and uterine size reduction? Have any of your Divas or your friends/family members had a supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy and if so, was there either a large (8cm) fibroid or large (16 week pregnancy) uterus present? Unfortunately I find myself with this condition. After being monitored for a year by my GYN office, I discover that the larger my fibroid and uterus have grown, the less likely that the least invasive type of hysterectomy is a surgical option for me should I ultimately need that surgery. And with ski season approaching, the whole prospect of surgery is a total disaster! :(

Hi, I am a surgical nurse and have also undergone a complete Abdominal Hysterectomy. I have also known women that have had a vaginal hysterectomy, I would say go the vaginal way if that is an option for you. It does depend on the size and the number of fibroids. You should be up and running by 3-4 weeks. Good luck!

 

[ski now work later]

I love this site! Thanks for the support Divas.

I've made a flurry of calls this week and done lots of research on line. I have an appointment in 4 weeks to meet with a specialist in Springfield who has lots of experience with fibroids. His office staff was warm and competent and if he thinks that the UAE procedure will work for me, then he'll help me schedule it with the interventionist radiologist. If I need a hysterectomy, I would really like to do the supracervical vaginal procedure. If he thinks it's manageable despite the size of the fibroid and uterus, then I want to put off that surgery until late Spring after SKI season ends (of course).

If any of you know anyone that's had the UAE procedure, I would be interested in getting feedback. It's a relatively new (8 years old) procedure. Here's a link to a good description of the procedure. https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uterine-fibroids/UF99999/PAGE=UF00021 The lack of long-term studies and the risk of triggering menopause are not appealing, but if effective, it would preserve my uterus and spare me a bigger surgery, always a plus.

Honestly, one of my biggest concerns is my lack of support if I needed a bigger surgery. I have no family in the area and no family that would come to help me, and a lack of friends who would make that kind of time and effort as well. One of the down sides I have experienced living in New England and then getting divorced 6 years ago is that while I have great social relationships and business colleagues, I have no support network when things get tough. I learned that the hard way when my house burned down and I lost everything I owned in April 2003. I'm thinking that if I need assistance, I might hire a doula service (usually providing post-partum care) as those women are very supportive and can help me with the day to day household tasks when my kids are at their Dad's and my husband is at work (his hours are often very long).

Thanks again for all of your support. Now I'm going to put this out of my mind and not focus on my tummy and try to have a great weekend! Back to Southern VT on Sunday to pick up all the skis that were tuned up for us and we'll head to Stratton to ride the gondola and check out the bbq and music event.

 

[SnowHot]

Okay how much do you want to know?
I went through this at the age of 36!

I am a success story like you would not believe and when this is done you'll be wondering why you didn't do it long ago!

I can tell you about the surgery, the recovery and the best way to get back at it in no time.
I had a full abdominal hysterectomy on Dec 11th and was skiing 4 weeks later with some delicate PT!!!
My GF had the ablasion done and had even better results.
Call me if you want to talk!

 

[ski now work later]

Thanks. I don't need the ablasion because bleeding is not an issue with me, especially because of the Mirena IUD that I have. My big question for the specialist on 11/2 will be whether or not the UAE procedure is appropriate and if not, if he can do a vaghyst.

 

[jenxtremeski]

What ever needs to be done, there are so many resources out there for help. Use them! I am sorry you are going through this, good luck with it. Play hard for the winter and in the spring it's time to renew and take care of yourself. You will feel so much better and the menopause thing, it's the best I have ever felt! Think positively.

Jenell

 

[Native Vail Gal]

SNWL....I'm thinking of you! I hope everything goes well! Put it out of your mind for now, and enjoy the beautiful fall colors!

 

[ski now work later]

I just returned from a lovely day in Southern VT with Mr. SNWL and our 12 year old son who is here this weekend (he primarily lives in Cincinnati with his Mom and stepdad). Picked up no less than 6 (!) pair of skis that were release checked (and one pair was tuned), had the stance changed on my daughter's old snowboard as she's now almost my height, went to Stratton to listen to some music and rode the gondola up to the top and walked around and gazed at the colorful trees, and toodled around Jamaica State Park.

November 2 I'll talk to this new doc, explore my options, and make a plan. Hopefully I can have a UAE in mid-December (after ESA Stowe) which is a fairly non-invasive procedure with no more than a week recovery time and any surgery can be postponed until Spring if it's needed at all (hopefully the UAE will work and the fibroid and my uterus will shrink over the next few months following the procedure to the point where surgery is no longer needed).

Thanks for your support Divas!

 

[num]

Sounds like a beautiful day.

Hope the best works out, and will keep you in thoughts and prayers.

 

[dartmoorskier]

Hi - I don't think you need worry about ever having a hysterectomy. Whilst it is major surgery, it is a straightforward operation for competent surgeons. I had this op. due to fibroids when I was 40. I'm now approaching my 45th birthday. I can honestly say that I should have had it done sooner. I struggled with appalling monthly blood loss which left me quite anaemic. I was terrified of having this procedure - I tried every other option available. I kept my ovaries, but unfortunately still had an early menopause. I use a very low dose oestrogen patch and will do until I'm 50. I feel fine, fit and healthy (most of the time anyway )

 

[Quiver Queen]

You might want to check out Hartford Hospital--their Interventional Radiologists are among the best in the nation.

 

[ski now work later]

Thanks QQ, but if you see my more recent posts, I've decided to have a supracervical laparascopic hysterectomy in early April rather than pursue UAE...

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Hi, snwl, I just joined this forum and introduced myself, but when I saw your thread, I wanted to respond asap. I had the surgery in 1992, for a somewhat different ailment, but I just wanted you to know that it was the answer to my prayers!! The recovery was incredibly fast. I was in the hospital for 2 nights, but dressed and ready to hit the stairs (couldn't wait for elevator!) on morning #3. I had the surgery in mid-November, had a normal Thanksgiving and started my ski season shortly thereafter. You will NOT be sorry, and you WILL feel so much better afterward - at least that's my hope for you - coming from someone who went down the same road, with essentially the same options presented prior. BEST OF LUCK!