Brief Answer:
Well it's one less thing to worry about...

Detailed Answer:
I'm so happy that all this turned out to be benign...!!!

I definitely think you should have both ovaries (and tubes) removed as ovarian and Fallopian tube cancers are related. I am sure your doctor will remove your tubes too he just may have not mentioned it specifically. Ovarian cancer is not that common but it is one of the most deadly cancers and it would be awful if there had been a chance to prevent it if something happened later in your life.

If your surgeon can also remove your uterus laparoscopically, your recovery will not really feel any different because of it. So, it is not really medically necessary, but it is one less place to worry about ever getting cancer.

It is really up to you to decide... I think as long as your surgeon can do it laparoscopically having the hysterectomy is ok... but it does have a higher risk of complications than having the ovary out. But the overall chance of having any complication at all is extremely low with laparoscopic hysterectomy by an experienced surgeon.

So I hope this advice helps you decide- on one hand it will eliminate your risk of uterine cancer but slightly increase your chance of having a complication.

I'm glad you have found a surgeon who can properly take care of everything.

Good luck, and happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Brown

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Brief Answer:
There is no ofher real advantage to removing the uterus

Detailed Answer:
Prolapse of the vagina after hysterectomy is really only an issue if you already have some level of uterine or bladder prolapse. And if you don't have incontinemce symptoms now, there is no reason they should develop after the hysterectomy. Typically you see post-hysterectomy incontinence in women who have very enlarged uteri that stretched out the upper vagina and when the large area is removed, the extra skin can prolapse down.

Truthfully, the main complication that you need to be concerned about is injury to your ureter, or uncontrolled bleeding that would need open surgery to correct. These surgical risks are extremely unlikely, but not impossible.

Also if you are sexually active there will be a longer period that you will need to wait before having sex again for your vagina to heal inside.

So I really don't think you need to have the hysterectomy unless you are worried about later cancer risk, but I do not want you to think that the hysterectomy is a particularly dangerous procedure that you should be afraid of. But no one can make that choice except you.

Hope this helps, and take care,

Dr. B

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