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AIBU?

To not have the surgery?

45 replies

FrasierCranium · 28/01/2016 19:21

NC for this, just in case I'm recognised.

Ok, I had a c section 18 months ago. Since then I have experienced pain on my left hand side, underneath my scar. It's quite like period pain, it gets worse during ovulation but the area is fairly tender. It's sore but it's not awful, tbh. I can live with it.

However I went to get it checked out because I wanted to check it wouldn't have an impact on trying to conceive baby #2, and just generally that everything's ok. I had a scan about six months ago. I got a very vague letter from the GP which said the scan had revealed some ovarian cysts and they were referring me to a gynaecologist. As the appointment was six months away, I wasn't worried and carried on as normal.

So the appointment finally arrived on Tuesday. The gynaecologist basically said the cysts are a red herring and that he doesn't believe they are abnormal, or that they are the cause of my pain.

He thinks the problem may be "adhesions" - things stuck together after my c section, I think is what he meant. Recommended a laroscopy (or something?) basically - a camera going into my abdomen through my navel and through my c section scar, to see what the problem is and hopefully fix it. It is done under general anaesthetic and he thinks I would need 2/3 weeks off work.

I don't want to have the operation. I understand it's minor but I don't want the general anaesthetic, I have a toddler who needs looking after (husband is fab but works long hours and we don't have much in the way of family support) and I can't risk my health. I asked the doctor what would happen if I didn't have it and he seemed to think, not very much!

Issue however might be that they don't do the operation and it's something serious and we don't know because we haven't looked (low chances of this). Also he said I may need an MRI to check my womb lining isn't out of place??

He's going to write a detailed letter and we'll have another appointment to discuss in detail once I've chattered it over with my husband. At the moment I feel quite set on not doing it, living with the pain and hoping the next c section sorts it out.

Husband and my mother think I should do it (or at the very least find out more about it).

I wondered if anyone here had any experience with this. Sorry for the book...

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hartmel · 28/01/2016 19:28

If you are thinking about another child I would also recommend to do the surgery! As you don't know what is going on in there it might trigger later for miscarriages or not conceiving at all!
Might also be something wrong from the c-section they did!

I also have this pain during ovulation. (Had two kids 1.1 years apart both where born naturally) I went for testing as well but nothing could be found.

Good luck

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TheCraicDealer · 28/01/2016 19:35

If they think it could be scar tissue there's no way I'd be trying for no.2 without getting that investigated further.

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TheCatsMeow · 28/01/2016 19:38

General anaesthetics are generally safe.

I'd have it, I've been asking for one for years due to pain but they won't give me one because I didn't have trouble conceiving.

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Elisheva · 28/01/2016 19:39

The womb lining out of place means he wants to check that you don't have endometriosis.

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honeysucklejasmine · 28/01/2016 19:39

I've had that surgery twice. It's not bad at all, recovery is v quick compared to c section (2 weeks Max). I would definitely have it done if I were you.

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ILoveMyMonkey · 28/01/2016 19:41

I can live with it.

Why should you have to live with it?! Having a baby shouldn't result in long term issues and if it can be fixed then do it, short term pain for long term gain as they say.

Issue however might be that they don't do the operation and it's something serious and we don't know because we haven't looked (low chances of this). Also he said I may need an MRI to check my womb lining isn't out of place??

If there is even a slight chance of it being something more serious then you should get it checked and sorted.

2/3 weeks is not long in the grand scheme of things.

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ChickieDuck · 28/01/2016 19:41

Please have it! My mum had adhesions and she only found out when she had to have emergency surgery because they had healed to her bowel, twisting it so much it was entirely blocked. She was in hospital for almost a month, and this happened 5 years after the original surgery. The operation may seem unpleasant but what might happen if you don't go for it is so much worse!

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FrasierCranium · 28/01/2016 19:44

I'm frightened.

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TheCatsMeow · 28/01/2016 19:45

OP of the surgery? I've had 3 surgeries, 2 I was out for. It was fine Smile and I am a pussy!

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FrasierCranium · 28/01/2016 19:47

Yes. I'm frightened of the anaesthetic.tic,

What if I close my eyes and I don't wake up and I leave my baby with no mother? I can't take that risk.

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TheCatsMeow · 28/01/2016 19:47

Oh and my cousin had this done for very painful periods, she had endometriosis. They lasted off the bits and she's been fine ever since. Recovery was 2 days!

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TheCatsMeow · 28/01/2016 19:49

But it's not a rational risk. You're more likely to die crossing the road I think than in an anaesthetic. You can't never do anything out of fear of very small risks. I had a similar fear that I would die on the table while giving birth (c section) - I am here to tell the tale!

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millionsofpeaches · 28/01/2016 19:51

ChickieDuck has written an exact description of what happened to my mum.

Op, I know general anaesthetic can be scary, I've had three in my life and was scared all three times. But I can tell you that a planned investigative operation is going to be a hell of a lot better than an emergency surgery. Please think about it.

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FrasierCranium · 28/01/2016 19:51

It's that too. The birth was so traumatic I just don't think I can face going back in there. I mean I know I'll need to with baby 2 but I'm promised this time it'll be different with an elective section.

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ILoveMyMonkey · 28/01/2016 19:52

Can you not ask them to do the lap under local to see what's going on and then go from there?

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FrasierCranium · 28/01/2016 19:53

I did. He said it's not something they do.

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FrasierCranium · 28/01/2016 19:53

I can't admit this fear in real life. I'm quite stoic and I feel everyone relies on me. It's nice to be honest here.

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HoggleHoggle · 28/01/2016 19:54

I'm sorry but I do think you need to find out what's going on.

Two days ago I had emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. The surgery was much along the lines of what they're suggesting for you. But please believe me that there is nothing more terrifying than being rushed into theatre because you are bleeding internally, and leaving your toddler behind in A&E. If you want another child you can't risk entering pregnancy with uncertainty about the health of your reproductive system.

I'm in a lot of pain now, yes. But surely your dh could get compassionate leave if the surgery is prearranged? You will certainly need help for the first week at least.

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TheCatsMeow · 28/01/2016 19:56

Have you spoken to anyone about the birth? I had a traumatic birth and I've arranged a discussion with the hospital. You might find it helpful.

Best advice I can give you is draw up a table of pros and cons. Then rate how important pros and cons are. Then work out the likelihood of it hapenning

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LaPharisienne · 28/01/2016 19:56

I've had this operation three times. You shouldn't worry at all - the last thing you'll remember is chatting to the anaesthetist and then you'll wake up feeling a bit dopy, but often you can go home the same day or the next. After the first time I didn't think twice about the process - it's really unexciting.

Better to know what's going on and get it sorted.

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LaPharisienne · 28/01/2016 19:58

I should say also you'll hardly know you've had anything done - laps are done by keyhole normally and I'm sure the impact is so much less than something big like a caesarean.

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VoldysGoneMouldy · 28/01/2016 20:01

I had a lapraoscopy where adhesions were burnt away. I was under for about half hour, if that. The pain was gone when I was awake, and recovering from the OP - I had a toddler at the time, it was my second lap. - was absolutely fine.

I have severe anxiety, and was sobbing when they put me under the first time, slightly (only slightly!) calmer the next time, and it was worth it completely.

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mineofuselessinformation · 28/01/2016 20:02

I totally get the fear thing.
To put it into perspective though, I've had over ten general anaesthetics (I've lost count!) and I'm still here to tell the tale. The care before, during and after an operation are now much better than they used to be.
Ultimately, the decision is yours, but knowing there's a potential problem with another pregnancy, but wanting to have another baby, would make the very small risk worth it for me.

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YellowDinosaur · 28/01/2016 20:02

I'm a general surgeon. Sometimes we see patients like chickieduck's mum who have their bowel blocked because of adhesions. In addition, if you are fit and well the risks of a general anaesthetic for a procedure like they're proposing are extremely small.

However, more surgery risks more adhesions so it's not as simple as saying have it to deal with them just in case you're someone who might develop significant problems later. It's not a given that adhesions equals a serious problem later, many people have surgery with no such complications.

I think you need to go back and see your consultant to talk about alternative options and to find out exactly why they want to do the surgery. If it is primarily to rule out something more serious and there isn't another way to do that, and there is the side benefit of being able to deal with adhesions while there, then that's probably sensible.

On the other hand, if they don't think there is anything else going on, and the surgery is just to divide adhesions that are causing symptoms you'd be happy to live with, I think not having the surgery is a reasonable option.

But none of us can tell you what to do. Which is why if you're unsure you need to see your consultant again.

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HaveUpsetHer · 28/01/2016 20:03

Ask to have the surgery done under spinal anaesthetic.

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