Should I put off seeking surgery for now?

[Guest guest]

The yeast/fungal post got me thinking...

I'm trying to either have my ovaries removed OR have my uterus removed, but leave part of my ovaries so that I can still produce hormones. (This is due to dysmenhorea and bleeding about 20 out of the 30 days of the month. I can't take any form of birth control.) My doctor is partly on board with me, but I haven't seen an ob-gyn about it yet. I'm pretty sure they will do this, because I have so many problems, have no plans on having children, and had been wanting a tubal ligation anyway. (This would obviously cure that issue.)

This is serious surgery, and takes a lot of time to heal. Even if I can't have this done, I am still seeking a tubal ligation.

So, my question is:

If I have gyno surgery done BEFORE explanting, will the hormonal changes and the stress it will put on my body cause me problems for an upcoming explant? I've heard it takes months to heal from this, and years to adjust to the hormonal changes. (My sister had it done at my age... years later, she's still not right.)

The problem with waiting is that I have no idea when I'll ever be able to explant, and it would be put off indefinitely. So, if one wouldn't affect the other I'd prefer to go ahead and take care of the gyno surgery; however, if it will affect my explant ---I'll wait.

Which should be done first? Any thoughts on the matter? Any suggestions are appreciated, as always.

Thanks.

Brig

[Guest guest]

Rogene,

Thanks for the info about women's periods regulating after explanting. That is my main problem. I have extremely painful ordeals on a regular basis, and so much extra bleeding that I've gone to the ER several times due to blood loss. (Sorry to be so graphic.) Since I can't take birth control pills due to PTC, removal is the only corrective option.

This helps me make my decision, though! I will wait until after explant (whenever that may be) and see if it helps first. Although, I may still go ahead with a tubal ligation route. I've wanted to for many years, but my doctor told me to wait until I was in my 30's.

My sister had cervical cancer (which runs in my family), and it had spread into her bladder and intestines. She had surgery a few years ago to remove it all.

As for a general surgeon to remove the implants, insurance won't cover it regardless so I've not sought out one. (In the past, I scoped out PS's, but I wasn't aware it wasn't covered by insurance to removed them yet. The insurance I have now is even worse, and specifies they won't cover 'any complication of cosmetic surgery.' I've called them and they've said this falls under that category.) I will call a few who take Medicare and see if they know anything on how that could pan out using Medicare, but I have little hope. Most places I call and ask about this say "WHAT?" They're clueless.

Once again, thanks for your wisdom.

Brigite

PS: I am awaiting a phone call from Dr. Schnarrs' office (that used in VA). He's 7 hours from me. I might go in for a consultation if he's cheaper than everyone else. Then I'll go from there. Jeff is trying to sell his work truck, although it will put a damper on his job. If he can sell it, we're hoping to fetch at least 1/2 to 3/4 of what I'm guestimating the cost to be. With luck (and prayers) ---100%!

In a message dated 7/25/2006 9:42:56 AM Eastern Standard Time, saxony01@... writes:

Brigite,

Is it possible that you can find a surgeon there who can remove you implants properly - it doesn't have to be a plastic surgeon? . . .

What kind of problems is your sister having?

I took a estrogen suppressor drug to reduce my chances of a recurrence of breast cancer recently . . . I felt as though some had punched the Fast-Forward button on my aging process. After that experience, I'd caution any woman to be very sure that removing any female organs is absolutely necessary. . . Some of the things that go with no estrogen are . . . osteoporosis, thinning hair, whiskers, irritability, depression, muscle and bone aching, fatigue, weight gain, drying skin, etc. . .

They are recommending hormone replacement for women who have female organs removed as compared with discouraging hormone replacement for women during menopause. . .

I can't tell you what to do . . . but I'd check it out very carefully before making a decision. Make sure you don't have any alternatives! . . .

One thing worth noting is that some of our women have had their periods straighten out after explant.

Hugs and prayers,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Brigite, Is it possible that you can find a surgeon there who can remove you implants properly - it doesn't have to be a plastic surgeon? . . . What kind of problems is your sister having? I took a estrogen suppressor drug to reduce my chances of a recurrence of breast cancer recently . . . I felt as though some had punched the Fast-Forward button on my aging process. After that experience, I'd caution any woman to be very sure that removing any female organs is absolutely necessary. . . Some of the things that go with no estrogen are . . . osteoporosis, thinning hair, whiskers, irritability, depression, muscle and bone aching, fatigue, weight gain, drying skin, etc. . . They are recommending hormone replacement for women who have female organs removed as compared with discouraging hormone replacement for women during menopause. . . I can't tell you what to do . . . but I'd check it out very carefully before making a decision. Make sure you don't have any alternatives! . . . One thing worth noting is that some of our women have had their periods straighten out after explant. Hugs and prayers, Rogene

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/25/2006 12:57:29 PM Eastern Standard Time, saxony01@... writes:

A tubal ligation is not the same as removing your uterus or ovaries . . . I don't think a tubal ligation would make any difference though.

Rogene,

The tubal ligation is souly to avoid pregnancy for me... I didn't meant to indicate it would help any of the other problems, but I see how it looked that way. It was just included because I was saying that I'd been wanting a tubal ligation anyway, and a hysterectomy would take care of that, as well as the period issues.

I can't take birth control because of the PTC, and I've feared pregnancy ever since getting sick. PTC can be caused by pregnancy, so if you already have it and get pregnant -you can expect hell. Not to mention that I can't take care of a child. My doctor never would let me have a tubal ligation because of my age, but now I think she would.

As for finding a doc to fight my insurance... The only doctor who really believes my implants are a problem is my general practitioner, and she doesn't know the science behind it and isn't solid about it. She's sent me to every doctor she knows personally, and then I've gone to many on my own. A few may tell me they can't say implants are NOT making me sick, yet no one is willing to say "Yes, they are" to the point of fighting my insurance and putting it on paper. The one doctor I had found who'd heard of it (a few years ago) has since left the state.

Since I haven't seen my rheumatologist in a few years, I am going to try him again. I see him in November. (That's the soonest he can get me in ---we only have 2! lol) He had just told me before that poisoning doesn't happen in high enough numbers of women for thorough studies to be done---so he didn't rule it out. Kacy had sent me something from the "Journal of Rheumatology" mentioning it, so I'm going to see if that's a route to take towards someone putting it on paper.

The area I'm from (ton area) is the central part of our state where we have the nucleus of our medical system -so there's no more shopping around. My insurance (MAMSI) doesn't cover me out of state, so if I go outside of WV I have to depend on Medicare. I've called PS's in surrounding areas and not found any who are friendly to this who accept it.

As for selling the work truck... I know selling it isn't a good idea, but neither was getting breast implants!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!

I'm not giving up...and I appreciate the enthusiastic suggestions!

Brigite

[Guest guest]

Brig...what type symptoms are you having ?

[Guest guest]

Brigite . . . I wouldn't give up on your insurance, regardless of what they say. . . It's costing them every day you stay sick. If removing your implants could cut your long term medical costs, it would be a good investment for them. . . I wouldn't argue with them personally though. I'd find a doctor who believes your implants are making you sick and let him/her to make the case. When you consider that insurance pays for complications caused by smoking, drinking, drugs and poor diet . . . one has to wonder how they can exclude complications from breast implants! Keep persevering! . . . It only takes one approval before you're in! It doesn't sound like selling your husband's work truck would be a good move! A tubal ligation is not the same as removing your uterus or ovaries . . . I don't think a tubal ligation would make any difference

though. Hugs, Rogene

[Guest guest]

Brigite . . . It sounds like you're trapped in a medical nightmare! . . . There has to be a way out! . . . I hope you'll call the FDA tomorrow . . . Have you submitted MedWatch reports? . .. You can send in one for every diagnosis that may be related to implants. There are hundreds of thousands of reports already . . . maybe one of these days they'll take notice. How do you spell insanity? FDA? Is there any chance your congressman/woman is sympathic to the implant problem? (We're gaining more all support all the time). . . They might be able to move the doctor/insurance company to help you. I wish there was some way I could reach accross this computer and give you a great big hug! . . . You have such spirit, despite your health problems. . . Where there's a will, there's a way! Faith can move mountains! Hugs and prayers, Rogene