Lydia’s Abdominal Hysterectomy
Age at Surgery 32
Location: Cincinnati Ohio
My doctor quit practicing, and I was forced to find another. My first appointment – BAM! Surgery was scheduled. Almost a year to the day later back in for issues I hadn’t had in years, and BAM he scheduled my hysterectomy. (Something I wish now I hadn’t done)
Based off all my tests, scans ultrasound ECT prior to surgery, I went in for a routine laparoscopic hysterectomy. However I woke up afterwards to learn that was not the case. He performed an abdominal hysterectomy on me, took everything but my ovaries. I found out from my discharge nurse that this specific doctor tells all his patients he can do this laparoscopic, but being old school, she said she doesn’t believe he knows how to because he always ends up cutting his patients open.
I was kept as inpatient for only 27 hours, when on average you should be kept for at least 72 hours.
My life has yet to be the same.
He left my ovaries because, and I quote ” you have 15-20 good years left with them functioning “. Yet 15 days after surgery I was in for a visit and learned my surgery was too traumatic for my ovaries and they had both shut down.
For nine weeks I seen him weekly, trying to explain the horrific amount of pain I was still in, and he just kept blaming me, I was “overdoing it “. Until that appointment on the 9th week when he took the time to check me and realized that when he sewed my abdominal wall shut he caught a nerve inside the wall.
I under went different procedures and medications for the next 9 months. Seen 4 doctors HE referred me to for additional opinions. Until I took control in my own hands and found a doctor who was willing to see me with the pre existing problems. I learned then that where he entrapped the nerve had also developed a hernia.
My surgeon told me it was the largest hernia he had ever seen. I had a large bulge that you could see with the naked eye, but my doctor and the ones he kept sending me to would never take the time to look when I asked them.. so it just continued to grow.
I am now 9 days post opt from my 2nd hernia repair from the mistakes of my doctor. 1 year and 3 months later, I don’t even know what “pain free” is anymore. I have lived in pain everyday. Something simple like doing dishes some days is unbearable.
I have 4 kids. I’m a stay at home mom who has always been hands on and active with my children. Bike rides, hikes, swimming ECT. Until I had my hysterectomy.
Between the issues it caused and the pain, combined with the emotional ride of being in full blown menopause, there are days I hide from my kids instead.
I’m not sure if it is because I don’t want them to see me cry, or because they make me cry because I miss who I used to be with them. Or maybe it’s both.
I have never regretted anything in my life. Every decision we make helps form who we become. But I regret this. If I could go back, I would not have let that doctor perform a hysterectomy on me.
The best advice I could give, use your voice. Its your body, so speak up and make sure you are heard. Ask your questions, make your doctor answer them. Don’t let them talk down to you, or make you feel inferior. They may have the degree but no one knows your body like you.
