Trouble with OB/GYN planned hysterectomy
I weigh 315. I was scheduled for a Davinci robotic hysterectomy for August 23, 2013. At my OB/GYN appointment Tuesday it became apparent that the surgeons are uneasy, perhaps unfamiliar with handling morbidly obese patients. My faith in them quickly plummeted. Now what do I do?
I'm signed up for a WLS program that begins in July. I know it takes time to qualify for surgery and depends on insurance and many other factors. It could take 6 months or more. I think I would do better with the hysterectomy AFTER losing weight but obviously it isn't going to be instant. OB/GYN thinks I need the surgery sooner. Do I seek other Doc? How can you tell when a Doc can't relate to Obesity or has little background with obese patients? I've been with this one 2 years and it never came up till now. I was very happy with the other treatment he gave me. I'm actually pretty crushed by some of what was said. I'm now leaning towards postponing for at least a year while I search for the right solution.
Can anyone offer help/advice?
MystiqueQ
My OB said that it would be best for me to wait till I dropped weight before she tried to do a hysterectomy on me. I was 377 at the time. She tried doing Nova Sure which is an ablation, but it didn't work, if anything it made things worse. So she wants to see me when I am 6 months out after my surgery to see how much I have lost and to see if we can proceed with the hysterectomy. I tell you what though, if your periods are very bad right now, you might want to go ahead and do it. I had mine last month and it was awful and where I can't take any NSAIDs or Liquid Pain Meds or any big pills my OB told me I just had to tough it out. Those were the worst 5 days of my life, I would have rather had RYN surgery again, it was easier.
I know the ASMBS recommends against NSAIDS for RNY patients. but why can't you take liquid pain meds or pills?
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I have tried to swallow bigger pills, like my calcium or Tylenol and they end up getting stuck in my throat, making me very uncomfortable for quite a while after I take them. I can handle the tiny pills like my biotin just fine, just not the bigger ones. As for the liquid pain meds, I am allergic to sweet n low and equal to the point where it will swell my throat shut. Most of the liquid pain meds are made with one of these two types of sweetener so I can't have them.
Hm. Can you cut larger pills in half? Or crush them and put them in applesauce or pudding or something?
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I use to work at a nursing home and I think Tylenol can be broken or crushed and mixed into a tablespoon of sugar free applesauce. I know a lot of our patients couldn't swallow pills easily. I do know some pills can't be crushed, divided or broken because they have time release elements, etc. I'm pretty sure Tylenol is OK. Ask your Doc. My problem with Tylenol is that it has no effect on me whatever. I could take the whole bottle and still hurt. I take 2 hydrocodone a day for severe arthritis. This is enough to take the edge off so I can move around. You might want to look into it even though I know it is narcotic. I've taken it for years with no ill effect. It does work for the cramps and backache associated with heavy female bleeding.
MystiqueQ
After RNY I think all you can take is Tylenol over the counter. Anything else for pain post RNY would have to be narcotic and prescription. Even liquid NSAIDS would affect the way the stomach pouch works by remaining in your bloodstream. Those who have defied the advice have ended up with life-threatening ulcers, so It is very important. I'm planning to have the Gastric Sleeve which is a bit more forgiving with NSAIDS. I understand you can take a few in small doses.
If you are RNY see your Doc on what you can do for pain meds.
MystiqueQ
I understand NSAIDS are not safe for RNY patients in liquid form or any other form (including injections or IV). I just didn't understand why the poster could not take narcotics in liquid or pill form.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Thanks Melissa, Right now I'm doing OK. I had a D&C in May and am on Provera and no bleeding right now. I hope the Provera will hold though it hasn't always worked in the past. I guess if I go back to the heavy bleeding I will have to do something about the hysterectomy or maybe another D&C. A friend of mine was determined NOT to have a hysterectomy. For years she had about 3 D&C's a year and was on hormones. I had heard really bad things about Nova Sure. I may have to start over with a new OB/GYN office? Think I'll call my overweight gal pals and ask where they have had success.
MystiqueQ
