WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 1998: Re: Leep Excision/Conization (LONG)

Re: Leep Excision/Conization (LONG)

From: AMANDA (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 11 May 1998 18:40:06 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Jas: "Dr. Kelly Shanahan"
Previous message: tina: "prenancy"
In reply to: Mrs.: "Re: Leep Excision/Conization (LONG)"

At Mon, 11 May 1998, Mrs. wrote: >
>At Thu, 16 Apr 1998, Ann wrote:
>>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I'm scheduled for Leep Excision for severe dysplasia. At the same time
>>of my biopsy (which diagnosed the dysplasia) the doctor did something
>>called an ECC. She told me that the results of this test were fine.
>>
>>I have a few questions.
>>
>>* What is an ECC and what was the doctor looking for? Will this be a
>>test that I will need to have on a regular basis now?
>>* I have also been researching LEEP on the Internet and keep finding
>>info about LEEP conization. Is that the same as LEEP excision. My
>>doctor said the lesion was on the surface and that she was just going to
>>scrape it off. But from what I have been reading, it sounds like
>>sometimes the Leep is used to take off 50% of the Cervix. I'm having a
>>hard time understanding this.
>>
>>Thanks,
>
>>Ann
>>
>Ann,
>
>I had a LEEP done the day you posted your message, and my diagnosis was
>almost identical (i.e. moderate to severe dysplasia, negative ECC). I'm
>not a doctor, but I wanted to reassure you from a patient's perspective
>that the LEEP is not that bad. You may have already had the procedure
>by the time you read this message, but there may be another woman
>reading who is facing the fear and uncertainty of a diagnosis of
>cervical dysplasia, who needs to hear that despite the scary things you
>will read on the Internet about removal of a large piece of your cervix,
>etc., a LEEP is very safe and usually there are no complications.
>
>As far as what you will experience, there is no pain associated with the
>actual excision, which is quick. The only pain I experienced was from
>the injections of anasthetic into the cervix. There was no
>post-operative pain. I was able to walk out of the doc's office.
>
>The worst part of recovery for me was the discharge, not being able to
>make love with my husband, and having to wear pads instead of tampons
>for my period. At three weeks post-op, I saw my GYN for a follow up and
>he said the cervix was healing nicely. I even got to see for myself
>(using a mirror) which was very reassuring.
>
>My greatest concern now is that I have normal PAPs so I can start trying
>to conceive. There is some lingering anxiety about recurrence, but I
>also feel relieved that the abnormal cells are out of my body and are
>not going to turn into cancer. I hope this post helps someone to be
>less afraid.

I read your posts and had to reply to the messages. I too was diagnosed with moderate to severe dysplasia 2 years ago and had the LEEP procedure to remove the abnormal cells. I however, had 3 different areas of abnormal cells on the cervix. Even after the procedure I continued to have abnormal Pap smears. The LEEP procedure is not a cure-it is only a way to manage the abnormal tissue that MAY (or may not) become malignant (cancerous). 4 months ago I gave birth to a healthy baby boy and throughout my pregnancy my Ob/Gyn performed regular pap smears and even another colposcopy. The results of 1 pap came back abnormal with mild dysplasia the next came back normal. The LEEP and dysplasia only slightly affected my ability to have a normal vaginal delivery-my cervix would not dilate due to scar tissue so a medication was given to help it along. Please know that treatment of dysplasia may be something you deal with for many years-excision is not a cure.

Next message: Jas: "Dr. Kelly Shanahan"
Previous message: tina: "prenancy"
In reply to: Mrs.: "Re: Leep Excision/Conization (LONG)"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: