Abdominal hysterectomy / total hysterectomy?

i just found today that i have fibroid tumors in my uterus and i have an enlarged uterus because of them . the doctor said that my uterus is the size of a 12 week preg. and that i need a hysterectomy ! are there any women out there who has had this done ? im just trying to get info and see other womens advice ! i am a 30 y/o woman and im sorta scared too . ! i know its not life threatinging but just the thought of my whole reproductive being removed is a lil scary !

i also had a tubal done back in 97 so the use of my baby making is no longer avalible , so maybe a hysterrectomy is the best option for me ?

there are other procedures for fibroids that arent as invasive as a hsyerectomy. uterine artery embolization is a procedure where they injectsmall sand-like particles into the uterine atreries that are feeding the fibroids. uterine ablation is another procedure. they sear the lining of the uterus with hot fluid. i have had both procedures done. the embolization kept the fibroids small for a few years but they grew back. the ablation didnt help at all. i had a hysterectomy last year by laproscope. 3 small incisions, 6 weeks healing time. i'm sorry i didn't have it done sooner. i was having horrible symptoms from the fibroids...heavy bleeding, cramps. the hysterectomy took care of the problem. i was able to keep my ovaries so i didn't go into immediate menopause. it's a major decision to make but there are alternatives. good luck to you. if you would like to talk feel free to email me.

i am 48 when i was 39 i had a total ( ovaries removed) hysterectomy because of fibroids, the fibroids caused a lot of abnormal bleeding i couldnt stand it ,the dr said he could remove the fibroids but they probably would just come back. i had an abdominal hysterectomy because my uterus was too high up if your uterus is low you may be able to have a hysterectomy vaginally and the recovery time is so much less vs. 6 weeks the other way. i got an empty feeling afterwards because i couldnt have more children but i was ok with it in the end when i realized no more expense or mess each month

Stop, take a deep breath and get a second opinion.
Vaginal hysterectomy is easiest to recover from but your case may need to be open. Ask if you can keep at least part of one of your ovaries so you can have your own hormones.
Being a woman comes from your soul not your uterus.
I have had the big CA scare too it will be okay.

Definitely get a 2nd opinion. Like the other person said, there are other choices. My doctor tried everything before I let her remove my insides. I didn't do the embolization though, because at that point, I was just tired of doctoring. As far as the hysterectomy though, I was glad to have it done. I felt great after a day or so, although my stomach did hurt when I tried to get up, but other than that, it was fine. I did keep my ovaries too, in order to prevent early menopause. I was 48 when I had mine.

My uterus was also enlarged, and I had cramps and heavy bleeding as well. Turns out it wasn't fibroid tumors, it was Menorrhagia. I had also become dangerously anemic.

My doctor and I discussed my options, and we both agreed that a hysterectomy was best in my case (my mother was battling uterine cancer at the time).

I also had the choice of a "complete" (removing ovaries) versus "partial" (leaving ovaries), and I chose the complete. My decision was based on the fact that my mother had uterine cancer, and what truly causes cancer isn't known for sure. I didn't want to take chances with genetics, and as I told my doctor, "Why did my mother's cancer grow on her uterus rather than her ovaries? Who's to say if she hadn't had her uterus, it wouldn't have grown on her ovaries?" I decided not to risk it.

I do take a very low-dose estrogen pill each day, and will slowly wean off of them over the next few years. My GYN said she didn't want me to go through menopause yet, and would regulate the estrogen so I would go through it gradually.

My surgery was in January this year; I'm 42. Mine was abdominal, bikini incision. I healed very well; was out of bed the second day (after anesthesia wore off), and was getting around fine before leaving the hospital. The incision area was sore, of course, and there was swelling in the area, but it was tolerable. Six weeks later I was back at work, doing well, and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.

My step-mom had a complete hysterectomy about 6 yrs ago, and hers WAS due to fibroid tumors. She did very well also, took a low dose estrogen pill for a few years, and she also says it's the best thing she's ever done.

However, hysterectomy isn't for everyone. It's a very personal choice, and one that should not be made lightly. Definitely talk to your doctor about the options, results other women have had with each, problems and issues with each, etc. and make a decision that is right for YOU. If you are still concerned, see a second doctor for another opinion.

It's your body, and your decision. Don't let anyone (not even us!) push you into a decision that may not be right for you.

Best wishes!