Second Opinions

[lillibet]

For the third time in recent memory, I have talked to friends whose doctors were very insistent that they needed full hysterectomies, but who were able to find alternatives that were less invasive, less emotionally fraught, and equally successful in treating the problem.

If a hysterectomy is really the solution to the problem, then how wonderful that we have that option. I also know at least a couple of women for whom that was the right answer and I am very pleased for them. But it seems like many doctors have the "take off and nuke 'em from orbit; it's the only way to be sure" approach to many issues with women's bodies and I think the word should be spread that there may be other options and if you don't want a hysterectomy, you should be sure to know the options before you have one.

Comments

[rmd.livejournal.com]

Since the phrase "preventative hysterectomy" disturbed me, I went for a second opinion to a doctor at a different facility, and a doctor who was more recently educated than my gyn. Because I wanted to get a different a background as possible to make sure it wa the right thing to do.

[lillibet.livejournal.com]

Why am I not surprised that you had your bases covered? :)

Have I mentioned lately that I'm really glad you're not dead?

[rmd.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty stoked about it. :)

thanks!

[muffyjo]

I was just commenting this evening...my mother had "precancerous cells" in her cervix so they did a hysterectomy in the late 80's. Now a days they wouldn't even consider that. She said she figured she wasn't using it but I still remember the head games it played with her.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Same goes for veternarians. 'Remove the uterus but leave the ovaries' prevents littering and prevents uterus infections -- but preserves the animals' personality, lets them continue to go in heat and enjoy mating.

[whitebird.livejournal.com]

My sister has so far survived having had breast cancer a few years ago. Because she has an expressed gene which proves to make one thousands of times more susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, she chose to have her other breast and her ovaries (and perhaps other bits in that area? I don't really know) removed as a precautionary measure.

I'm glad other folks have better options available to them, at least.

And I also dislike how women's options are so very constrained in this sort of area of healthcare. :/