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Post by wantinghope on Aug 31, 2009 14:16:42 GMT -5
Had my appointment on the 27th, we talked about my appendix. I didn't want it taken out unless it was affected by endo or was inflamed or anything like that, but he convinced me to have him take it out regardless, that way if I have pain on that side in the future, appendix problems can be ruled out immediately. Made sense to me!
My surgery should be in about 2 months, I don't know the date yet, waiting for the phone call to find out!
The surgeon doesn't think I have endo, he said my symptoms were not specific enough, and he does many laparoscopies for women complaining of pelvic pain and most of them he doesn't find anything wrong in them. Uhh, not very hopeful! I am still leaning strongly towards endo, though, and my family doctor thinks so, too.
Unfortunately I did not ask him to do a bladder scopy (not sure what it's called) while I am already in surgery, as I am quite certain I have interstitial cystitis, so I'd really like them to check. I am hoping I have a chance before the surgery to ask him yet to do so!
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Post by ouchy on Aug 31, 2009 15:12:26 GMT -5
^Then call his office now and ask if you want the cystoscopy done! Asking right before surgery is not a good idea. He may not have access to the proper equipment if it is right before surgery.
Why didn't you ask him at your appt.? My doctor and I were quite certain I had IC, too; however, upon cystoscopy, it was ruled out. Better to call and ask!
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Post by Karen on Aug 31, 2009 15:38:26 GMT -5
I'm with ouchy on that one - better to call sooner rather than later and make sure they have enough time scheduled/the right equipment to do it during your lap. I had mine while I was wide awake and although it wasn't the worst thing in the world, I certainly would have preferred to have it done when I was out cold...
And as for your surgeon's opinion about it not being endo, don't worry too much about that. I know it's difficult when you're not feeling the best and you don't know what's going on, what it is, etc., but no one will know a thing until they open you up, and since everyone's symptoms/severity are totally different, it's impossible to make a guess just based on your symptoms.
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Post by joannec on Sept 12, 2009 18:17:13 GMT -5
This is a great thread - thank you for all these important thoughts. I was only diagnosed with endo about two years ago when pelvic pain was bringing me to the E.R. I have had two separate incidents since of intense pain...the most recent began in June. I am actually hoping that my OB/GYN will now consider surgery since simple management with a birth control doesn't seem to be working. Is anyone located in Canada? Does anyone have an idea as how long one has to wait for surgery and/or the readiness of doctors to perform it?
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Post by Karen on Sept 13, 2009 7:49:38 GMT -5
If you haven't had a lap yet and you've been suggested it might be endo, get a lap! That's the only true way to diagnose endo, and if it's not endo, your pain could be caused by something else entirely. If BC isn't helping manage the pain and it's impacting your life, and your doc has ruled out tons of other causes for the pain, it's worth a good discussion with your doc about having a lap as one of your next steps. It doesn't hurt to schedule an appointment, have plenty of questions prepared, and see if the two of you can come up with a game plan for what's next.
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Post by wantinghope on Sept 14, 2009 13:01:05 GMT -5
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Post by wantinghope on Sept 14, 2009 13:10:06 GMT -5
joannec -- I live in Canada, too. It took about a month to get an appointment to see my family doctor. She told me to go talk to the surgeon's office (in the same clinic) and tell them I want a diagnostic laparoscopy. It took his office about 2 weeks or so to get back to me to make an appointment. I had the appointment with the surgeon about a month later. He told me the waiting time till surgery is about 2 months (shorter than I expected, actually, since the waiting time for a colonoscopy is 7 - 9 months). That was about 2 and a half weeks ago and I have yet to hear when my surgery will be. The only good thing about health care in Canada is that it is free! I always say by the time you actually get around to seeing a doctor (or specialist or surgeon, etc) you are either dead or cured!
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Post by breen28 on May 10, 2010 20:15:23 GMT -5
I'm so glad I saw this thread before my pre-op. I didn't really need the questions because my doc actually answered them all before I asked.
He even suggested that while I'm under he should look inside my uterus to determine why I'm bleeding so much during AF just in case I don't have endo.
I'm scheduled for the 18th so very soon.
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Post by jhogan on Oct 27, 2010 15:13:36 GMT -5
Lots of great pre-op questions here! Thanks everyone. I have started my list for Nov 23 surgery. Getting very nervous as of today, haven't been before now but reality has hit!
I'm also adding to my list of questions how my surgeon plans to manage my hormone therapy post-operative and if he will prescribe bio identical hormones.
Karen, I will be reading your posts to become more educated on that subject!
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Post by jamisloan on Nov 5, 2010 12:58:16 GMT -5
Had my appointment on the 27th, we talked about my appendix. I didn't want it taken out unless it was affected by endo or was inflamed or anything like that, but he convinced me to have him take it out regardless, that way if I have pain on that side in the future, appendix problems can be ruled out immediately. Made sense to me! My surgery should be in about 2 months, I don't know the date yet, waiting for the phone call to find out! The surgeon doesn't think I have endo, he said my symptoms were not specific enough, and he does many laparoscopies for women complaining of pelvic pain and most of them he doesn't find anything wrong in them. Uhh, not very hopeful! I am still leaning strongly towards endo, though, and my family doctor thinks so, too. Unfortunately I did not ask him to do a bladder scopy (not sure what it's called) while I am already in surgery, as I am quite certain I have interstitial cystitis, so I'd really like them to check. I am hoping I have a chance before the surgery to ask him yet to do so! I have a question regarding this. my obgyn is doing my lap. and obviously she is only going to be looking at ovary's and reproductive parts *since that's what her training/expeirence is in*... but if I think I have it possibly on my appendix and not sure if you can get it on your gallbladder but possibly there too and def possibly on bowel.... So if I'm having an obgyn doing the lap.. she won't be able to get it off (or prob won't even look.. which is cool bc that's not her job and i don't want someone looking unless I know they're way expierenced w that certain area)... So where do I go to get the other stuff looked at? I'm confused about that. I tried looking up an endo specialist but I can't find one in AR. *there's one but he's also a cosmetic surgeon.. so I'm assuming he'd either be out of network or not covered at all by my insurance since it's called "cosmetic surgery center" or something. I guess a GI doc handles the bowel part (but I HIGHLY doubt I'll find one here that knows wtf i'm even talking about...). hm. -if this should be posted somewhere else sorry. I just saw that part and wasn't sure what kind of doc could do all those things at once.
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Post by Karen on Nov 5, 2010 13:18:51 GMT -5
My gyn removed my appendix for me and assured me she'd take care of other areas as well. It really depends on the surgeon. Sounds like it'd be a good question to ask her! Some gyns have other surgeons assist if they feel they are in over their heads.
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Post by jhogan on Nov 5, 2010 14:57:17 GMT -5
Hey Jamis - I had the same questions and I have found that if you find a surgeon that specializes in laparoscopic excision, they have taken it upon themselves to become trained to deal with all of the organs that endo might affect. I am seeing a surgeon at The Center for Endometriosis Care in Atlanta. It's worth checking out the surgeons in your area that specialize in this area. It might answer your questions and make you feel more comfortable allowing one surgeon to address all of your organs as they might be affected by your disease. This has been my personal experience anyhow.
Good luck!
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Post by pretty on Nov 5, 2010 15:50:57 GMT -5
My surgeon took my appendix as well. I think you need to do some more homework sweetie. I always think it's better to get it all sorted while they're already in there. You have valid concerns, have you tried just asking your gyn what her experience is and how she'll deal with certain things if she finds them. Sorry if you already said. I've been asleep all day not too bright
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Post by Heather on Aug 24, 2011 17:01:02 GMT -5
I'm going for consult #1 tomorrow with a doctor in Lebanon, NH. Next week will be consult #2 with a doctor in Brattleboro, VT. This is my list of questions (in no particular order):
Removal of endometriosis with partial hysterectomy and appendectomy Keep one ovary, preferably right. Laparoscopy if possible, laparotomy is okay otherwise. I do not want a vaginal hysterectomy under any circumstances. I would like a copy of the surgery report as well as pictures, lab results, etc.
On average, how many women do you perform pelvic surgery on per month? Per year? How many of those are endometriosis patients?
What percentage of your endometriosis patients need another surgery within a year? Two years? Five years?
Is it possible to avoid the use of any PVC products during my surgery?
Where do you intend to make the incisions for laparoscopy? In the event a laparotomy must be performed, where will this incision be?
How big should I expect my incisions to be and how long for my recovery time? After how long can I start doing chores around the house (washing clothes and dishes, cooking, taking care of my animals)?
I am currently on a few herbal remedies to treat the symptoms of endo. One of these needs to be taken with food. Is it possible for me to have a snack in the morning on the day of surgery so that I can take these?
Are you comfortable removing endo on intestines or possibly doing a bowel resection if necessary? What measures will be taken to keep me from needing an ileostomy/colostomy bag if resection is necessary? I have been having GI symptoms for almost a year.
Are you comfortable removing endo from bladder and other urinary system organs if necessary? My report from the last surgery shows endometriosis on the peritoneum surrounding the bladder.
What can be done about adhesions? Are you comfortable cutting/removing any that are found, even if they adhere to intestines/bladder/reproductive organs/etc?
Will all endometriomas/adhesions/other problem areas (affected by endo) be removed? In what instance would some have to be left in? How much would need to be left in a worst case scenario?
How do you remove endometriomas? Do you remove them whole or do you drain them and then remove the tissue? Complete excision is preferred.
Do you intend to sever any nerves (pelvic or otherwise)? I'd prefer this not be done unless absolutely necessary.
Will any other surgeons be assisting you or otherwise performing surgery on me when I come in for my hysterectomy?
What internal conditions indicate a need for laparotomy vs. laparoscopy? Will you use dissolvable stitches?
What surgical methods do you use (laser, excision)? Can you describe them for me?
What will I have to do to prepare for surgery?
Is there any reason I should just keep my appendix and hope that I never get appendicitis?
After my first laparoscopy, my pain pills ran out and I was still in a lot of pain. What do you prescribe for post-op pain? What types of over the counter pain pills can be taken simultaneously?
Is it possible to check the insides of my instestines and bladder for endometriosis or other abnormalities while I am under anesthesia?
Will my uterus be biopsied for other possible abnormalities, such as adenomyosis?
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Post by Luminosity on Feb 28, 2012 7:46:20 GMT -5
So glad I came across this thread! Now I know what to ask my Dr. Thank you!
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