I have a fibroid that has enlarged somewhat(now 3cm) over the last few months. My dr has recommended a subtotal hysterectomy, where only my uterus will be removed. Only the cervix,and ovaries remain. Does that mean the fallopian tubes will be removed also? I am having difficulty emotionally, and am contemplating not having the surgery done because of all the information that is out there. I am 43, and have had infertility issues in the past. I have mild endometriosis on the outside of my uterus which never prevented my last two pregnancies, which I took fertility drugs for. I had one other pregnancy previous, no fertility problems ever, at the time was 19. Somewhere in my twenties I developed infertility problems. I am so emotional as to having this surgery done because of all the side effects. I am going for a second opinion before consulting with my dr again. Has anyone had a myomectomy done prior to having a subtotal/partial hysterectomy done? What about ablation? This has always been a an emotional journey for my husband and myself. We have gone thru a total of five pregnancies, and two of them were miscarriages. The last miscarriage almost killed me, and I hemorrhaged pretty bad. My dr says it was due to the enlarging fibroid. I know with my age it is getting harder and harder to conceive, but having a hysterectomy will definitely change everything. We are not sure about conceiving again, because of the most recent miscarriage, but we always wonder what if they (drs.) were wrong?? My dr seems to be pushing for a the subtotal hysterectomy instead of myomectomy. I am having second thoughts... very difficult choice to make.

Hi all. The hysterectomy Monday went great. He was able to do the whole thing with no incisions -- all through the vagina! Not even any small incision for the laparascope. I don't know how he managed, but he said he just cut away at the uterus and the big fibroid and got them all out. Ovaries look great and stayed in place. I feel pretty darn wonderful. Spent one night in the hospital and came home before lunch Tuesday. I did have trouble in recovery -- apparently my blood oxygen level dropped and they couldn't give me any more pain meds for fear it would drop further, so I did hurt there for about five hours. The floor nurses gave me meds after I got up there and I felt better. Only mild nausea, and they gave me meds for that. No catheter upon waking, so I got to get up and go pee. I really think this is the way to go -- I do already feel "lighter" in the abdomen, not so squishy and heavy. My advice is ask your girlfriends and find a surgeon who's done a good job for someone you trust, and sign on with him/her. That's what I did and I'm not sorry. Then tell your surgeon your concerns, even the ones you think might be asking too much, like "I don't want a catheter when I'm awake." I did have some severe constipation, probably from the Vicodin pain pills. I took only two a day, but I suffered for it. I'm not taking any more and I don't hurt at all, just a little sore and tired. Oh, and don't try pushing the silverware drawer closed -- even that is too much of a push/pull action. They really mean it when they say NO PULLING ANYTHING. NO PUSHING ANYTHING. It will surprise you what muscles you use for that. He took my cervix, so sewed a flap at the end of it and sewed that to the muscles that used to hold up the uterus. Those muscles are attached to the back muscles. The big fibroid was fist-sized and pressing hard on my intestines. Gee, that explains the irritable bowel syndrome, eh? I swear to God, ladies, I feel so much better. Of course, I was really suffering there for about three years, and my body did me the favor of starting one last period last Friday just before the surgery. :) So yeah, bottom line, hysterectomy, regardless of how much it might have been abused in the past by the male-dominated medical profession, is sometimes exactly what a woman wants. Best wishes to all of you as you take good care of yourselves and one another, and research your options. You've been a great comfort and help to me. sincerely, Stony

For me, the only trigger I have been able to figure out is a change in sleep patterns. I used to take Imitrex but it started giving me cold sweats immediately after taking it so now the doctor has prescribed.......it starts with an M but i can't remember what it is called. Oh, yeah Maxalt! As long as I take it AS SOON as the symptoms start it will get rid of a migraine. If I wait too long, I have to lay down in a cold,quiet, dark room with a cold eye compress on.And sleep..The worst thing is when I get sick too. Most times I throw up and get dizzy and once it threw me into a seizure. But, no matter what I feel like a zombie the next day just like Linda said. I have had them since about the age of 10 and they are debilitating for me also. I feel bad for anyone with migraines

Sex drive for many people, women and men, is often emotional than physical after surgery in this area. If you think there will be problems your mind can magnify any little thing. So much of what you ask depends on the technique the surgeon is using.