Vaginal incision?

Ovarian Cancer
#1

I will be having laparoscopic surgery in 10 days to remove my ovaries,
falopian tubes and uterus. The doctor’s nurse has discussed the procedure
and tells me that once everything is cut away surgically, it is all removed
through “an incision in the vagina.” I have searched the internet and cannot
really find anything about this. Where is this incision? She told me is is “deep
within your vagina” I am trying to figure out why the items being removed
cannot just be removed through the vaginal canal like childbirth. Can anyone
explain this to me? Also, if you have a website that explains this, or any links,
that would be great. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

It seems to me that everyone explains this stuff to us (patients) like we are in
3rd grade. I am the type of person who really wants details on how exactly
this procedure is done, step-by-step. I have been unable to find a good
source at this time. Thanks so much for any info.

Yolanda

#2

Yolanda,

I just wrote to you on careplace, and had a tummy incision myself, but wanted
to suggest to you to get a second, third, fourth or how ever many opinions
you need in order to find out as much information as you can about this type of
surgery your doctor suggests. I take it she is a gynocologist? I would
consult with an actual gyno surgeon, one who actually performs the procedure on a
daily basis, if she isn’t one. And if she is and isn’t giving you the
information you need, check with a local hospital about support groups for this kind
of thing to gain information about who you can seek out.

Have you typed out the words ‘vaginal incision hysterectomy’, or something
similar into the search engine?

If I can find something for you, I’ll certainly let you know. Where do you
live?

Jennifer

See what’s new at
http://www.aol.com

#3

This one at least has some illustrations:
http://www.gynecare.com/bgdisplay.jhtml?itemname=hysterectomy_types

And here’s an illustrated medical monograph, basically a how-to ad for using
surgical implements but it does show the incision going around the cervix:
http://www.obgyn.net/hysterectomy-university/vaginal_hysterectomy_monograph.pdf

In my (not personal) experience with vaginal hysterectomies, the area around
the cervix is where the incision is, and the cervix is removed along with
’the rest’ through the vaginal canal.

When I asked my GYN/ONC about doing my surgery this way, she said it is not
appropriate in an investigastion of possible OVCA, one reason being that it
did not allow for adequate/appropriate inspection of the rest of the
abdomen. Nor for dealing with anything that might be found elsewhere. That
was 6 years ago.

And much longer ago than that, when/where I worked in surgery once upon a
time, vaginal hysterectomies were not being done if there were large cysts
or fibroids. I have heard that some surgeons now do that intentionally,
removing them piece by piece.

But my info is not recent.

Ann

I will be having laparoscopic surgery in 10 days to remove my ovaries,
falopian tubes and uterus. The doctor’s nurse has discussed the procedure
and tells me that once everything is cut away surgically, it is all
removed through “an incision in the vagina.” I have searched the internet
and cannot really find anything about this. Where is this incision? She
told me is is “deep
within your vagina” I am trying to figure out why the items being removed
cannot just be removed through the vaginal canal like childbirth. Can
anyone explain this to me? Also, if you have a website that explains
this, or any links,
that would be great. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

It seems to me that everyone explains this stuff to us (patients) like we
are in
3rd grade. I am the type of person who really wants details on how
exactly this procedure is done, step-by-step. I have been unable to find
a good source at this time. Thanks so much for any info.

Yolanda

#4

Yolanda,

Went straight to Google and typed in vaginal incision hysterectomy; it
immediately pulled up a number of sites, the first of which was a site called
MedicineNet.com. They looked to have quite a bit of information on this type of
surgery.

That may have been your issue in trying to find info online, as other search
engines aren’t as sophisticated as is Google.

I wanted to ask what your health habits are, otherwise? Your diet, exercise,
stress control. Absolutely important to make changes if they are lousy; you
will help yourself heal a lot better, and not allow the issues to recur if you
take your health into your hands…I know, I’m a walking advertisement
for it!

Take care,

Jennifer

See what’s new at
http://www.aol.com

#5

Thank you both so much. I will try to do a few more Google searches
this evening. I am getting the impression that my surgeon (who is an
oncological/gynocological surgeon) is sort of telling me about the laparoscopic
surgery, but may already be thinking about the “big incision” surgery. I don’t
know why I am getting this weird feeling… I am just going to do all the
research I can before my surgery date and hope for the best. I guess
another reason I am nervous about the incision is that my stomach is fat
these days from the steroids they give me along with my chemo drugs for my
breast cancer. I wish my stomach was in trim (flat) shape and then possibly
they would take some care in stitching me up. With this fat stomach I am
kind of worried about the stitching… I know it’s dumb but I guess that’s
my nervousness at this point.

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it!

Yolanda

#6

I know it’s sometimes easier said than done, but try not to sweat things
prior to surgery; that will have an effect on how you heal afterwards! What will
be will be with the surgery; if you do have an incision and stitches, please
be sure to roll over on your side prior to getting out of bed, off the couch,
etc.! Don’t overuse your tummy!

See
what’s new at http://www.aol.com

#7

I had the compete hysterectomy etc. with an incision. I can only
speak for myself, but I am glad it was done that way. They were able
to remove the tumors in their entirety, tumores that were NOT
supposed to be cancer. I still had to do the whole chemo route etc,
but all of my prognosis after that are great!! I have a bikini scar,
but I should have had the larger one so that they could biopsy my
omentium. (not spelled right, but also a place where cancer likes to
hide). I would ask your doctor about that too. I don’t remember my
password for care place so I hop[e this gets to you. Kristi
On Sep 19, 2007, at 4:36 PM, Footsox1 wrote:

#8

I’m happy to know that you’re seeing a GYN/Onc specalist.

Are you still on treatment for the breast cancer? Chemo/steroids? If so,
I’m curious how the timing of surgery is planned with the treatments.

Nothing dumb about that stitching up concern. (Or any other!)

I’m far from slim, have an ‘ample’ pad of fat on my lower belly. My
skin closure was with steri-strips, which can minimize scaring; the 'real’
closing of the belly incision is/can be/ought to be IMO below the skin, and
they can do a variety of types of closures down there…something to talk
with your surgeon about, if you want details on his choices & why…the
various layers (periteneum - however it’s spelled, muscles, fascia,
subcutaneous, skin) and stitches (mattress, retaining, interrupted, locked,
etc) and suture materials.

Ann

I guess another reason I am nervous about the incision is that my stomach
is fat these days from the steroids they give me along with my chemo drugs
for my
breast cancer. I wish my stomach was in trim (flat) shape and then
possibly
they would take some care in stitching me up. With this fat stomach I am
kind of worried about the stitching… I know it’s dumb but I guess
that’s my nervousness at this point.