Re: In need of support
From: Melissa (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed Jan 20 11:02:31 1999
Angie - read as much as you can. To put things bluntly, I would not have
surgery with someone who was going to just look and see. You need a surgeon
who specializes in endo. If you have surgery with someone who is not
qualified, it can lead to more problems down the road. Look at Dr. Redwine
and Dr. Albee's websties for more information about surgical techniques.
(Endometriosis Care Center and St. Charles Medical Center) Ask your doctor
about them and if you feel like you are getting the runaround, run away as
fast as you can and find a new doctor.
-----Original Message-----
From: Angie Shearer [SMTP:anonymous@obgyn.net
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 1999 9:51 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: In need of support
Holly -
My doctor is a OB/GYN, and is only using the laparascopy to "look and see
what's going on..." He says he may possibly do a laparotomy, but doubts it,
and wants to try hormone injections or pills, which I am not thrilled with.
What sort of things should I know BEFORE my surgery on Thursday (1/28.)
Angie
-----Original Message-----
From: Holly <anonymous@obgyn.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <anonymous@obgyn.net>
Date: Wednesday, January 20, 1999 11:12 AM
Subject: Re: In need of support
>Hi Angie,
>
>Welcome to the group. I joined recently too. I'm 26, married, without
>children. I had my first laparoscopy in Dec. 98. Before that I also had
>other tests (flexible sigmoidoscopy, urology tests, and ultrasounds, and
>pelvic exams) to try to explain my pain. It was a real relief to finally
>have a name for my pain
>once the lap was done. Like you, I'm also worried about fertility. I
>take comfort in knowing that many of the women on this list have had
>children, even after their diagnosis of endo. I hope that makes you feel
>better too. It might be harder to get pregnant, but there is still hope.
>Your doctors will be able to see where the endo is growing, what organs
>it's on, etc.
>Some key things to check on are:
>- is your surgeon experienced with endometriosis?
>- does he/she plan to remove all of the endo during the surgery?
>Apparently some doctors don't remove it, but just look at it and then
>treat it with hormonal therapies, etc. This is not a good plan.
>
>I would suggest that you get the Endometriosis Sourcebook and read the
>chapter on surgical techniques. It discusses the various ways to remove
>endo with excision, laser, current, etc. It also has a great chapter on
>what questions you should ask your prospective surgeon. You can get it
>from the Endometriosis Association, if you are a member. Their web
>address is: http://www.endometriosisassn.org/
>
>If you don't have time to become a member and order the book, you can buy
>it at good bookstores; I got my copy at Barnes and Noble. The Endo Assn.
>has two great books, The Endometriosis Sourcebook and Overcoming
>Endometriosis. I recommend them both.
>
>Best of luck. I hope your surgery goes well. Do you have a supportive
>husband? It will be good if he can pamper you after the surgery.
>
>Holly
>
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