hysterectomy

[lessismoreorless]

Hi Ladies,
I am considering a hysterectomy surgery due to sever pelvic pain each month following an ablation that caused more problems...following other period-related problems.. long history. I was recommended to remove the uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes but not the ovaries due to my age (few years to menopause).

I am seeing one consultant which was recommended by another Dr and he seems perfectly nice and knowledgeable but as I am quite scared and generally find it hard to trust random people I want to be 100% sure I am choosing the right Dr for my surgery before I go ahead.

I would be grateful if you can share your experience if you had this surgery and if you would recommend your surgeon and why (in central London)

Also, can anyone point me in the right direction to a trustworthy go-to website for Drs reviews that would be very much appreciated. Many thanks in advance!

[emmathedilemma]

Are you going NHS or Private? I'd be surprised if they let you chose who you see on the NHS, getting an appointment with anyone is usually the equivalent of winning the lottery! Even if you're not going private a lot of Consultants work in both sectors and you can find their private consulting profiles online. Just google their name and gynecology and something will probably come up.
These days they tend to only recommend hysterectomy as a last resort, whereas in the past it was seen as the answer to all women's problems!

[ChickenCluckWaddle]

If you have a long history, have they got to the bottom of it?
I ask because it's one thing to have a hysterectomy when you know it's likely to have the desired result. Unfortunately there are still some surgeons performing the procedure for endometriosis in circumstances where it isn't indicated. Endometriosis can continue after hysterectomy in some circumstances - this is why it's no longer recommended, because you can have the surgery with all its attendant downsides and risks, and then find your problem doesn't resolve.

If you're clear that it really will help, that's another thing.

[lessismoreorless]

Thank you both for replying.

@emmathedilemma - yes I can go private.

@ChickenCluckWaddle - it is not endometriosis although there was a suspension at some point. It was originally fibroids, then ablation with the hope to stop periods all together but apparently you cannot remove the lining fully in ablation, in particular around the entry points to the fallopian tubes or other nooks and crannies, and when the bits of lining left starts to bleed every month, blood gets trapped in the tube and cause severe pain.

The ablation was the turning point for me and the consultant which did it then (which I am not going back to) was down playing the risks a bit, in fact he was so convincing that there are no real risks that I didn’t feel the need to self-research a bit more myself, which I would normally do, and gone into it without much thoughts. I know it was done in good faith but he was just a bit overly confident and I slightly regret it now.

After obtaining a second opinion from the consultant I am seeing now we have concluded that hysterectomy will be the only way to get rid of the pain. This or taking tones of painkillers for 3 days every month and being bed bound

[ChickenCluckWaddle]

Ah, in that case it sounds like it's being properly treated. (Sorry to be so suspicious). I can't recommend anyone in your area but I hope you get the treatment you need as quickly as possible.

[Imboredinthehouse]

hysterectomy as a last resort, whereas in the past it was seen as the answer to all women's problems!

It was the answer to my problems! (Fibroids & Endo) My only problem was having to wait 3 years -trying everything they insisted I try first- before finally agreeing to let me have one. I refused ablation as I had read it wasn’t successful for a lot of women.

I suppose you could google actual clinics/hospitals in your area for their individual reviews.
There are a few reviews here but tbh it might not be the sort of procedure a lot of women leave a review for.

www.topdoctors.co.uk/doctor/hysterectomy/london/central-london/

[lessismoreorless]

Thanks everyone. It would be great if anyone can share a little more about thier experience, what to expect really. Recovery and pain, how bad is it likely to be? There are rumours it can kill libido...any impact on bladder function? .. just want to prepare mentally.

[emmathedilemma]

I'm sure there's been a recent thread on hysterectomy recovery (probably on the women's health page) and i seem to recall one asking for recommendations for consultants in the London area (possibly around the start of this year), so use the search function and I'm sure they'll come up.

[DuckyMcDuck]

I can recommend Dr Sharma who works out of Blackheath. I know it's not a central London but she might work up in town too.

She was fantastic when I had my hysterectomy, went over and above for me (complicated medical history).

This is her femalegynaecologistlondon.net/contacts/

Let me know if you have any questions and good luck

[lessismoreorless]

@DuckyMcDuck many thanks! i'll take a look.

[lessismoreorless]

Ok, back again and better informed but little confused still..

Following further discussions with my dr. it is now between HRT and surgery.
I am scares of surgery but equally very concerned with HRT and the possible side effects (I would hate weight gain if this is on the cards!). My understanding is that there will be an injection first which switch-off the ovaries, then at the same time a mixture of estrogen and progesterone will be given once a month or every 3 months?

When asked my consultant about the risks he said surgery is a higher risk as it is a major operations. Sure there is some risk with HRT, but not as high 🤔..

Has anyone had/have this at late 40s? I am concerned that switching off the ovaries first is irreversible, so if I didn't like the HRT or it didn't work (stop the pain) and then went on to have a hysterectomy, I will still need the HRT anyway, while if I do the surgery now my consultant is going to leave the ovaries in so no sudden menopause after surgery, at least for a few years hopefully.

Help! Would really appreciate to hear from your experiences...is HRT worth a go or a waist of time? 🥺

[shuttheblinds]

I was in the exact same position recently at 45. I tried the injection and HRT route but it wasn’t good for me. In the end after dreading making the decision I went ahead with a hysterectomy and kept an ovary. I had read lots of horror stories about how big the surgery is, how hard recovery was which put me off. But honestly recovery and pain was easier than I thought and it was the best decision I have ever made. Feel free to pm me if you want to.