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Hi avey and ru93,
I can completely understand your worrying, second-guessing and obsessing. I went through the same experience. I ended up not seeing Dr. Ascher-Walsh for a second opinion. I had a second opinion with Dr. Stein from Roosevelt (a fertility specialist), who confirmed my ob's recommendation for a myo. He assured me that my ob was highly skilled and qualified, so I decided to use her as my surgeon. I am undergoing Lupron therapy and will have my myo in Jan. 07. For me, having made a decision and chosen a doctor, has been a huge stress lifted. I am in a much calmer place as a result. I think everyone goes through that process in an individual way and it really depends on each person's unique circumstances. My fibroid wasn't causing me any major symptoms, but my
ob recommended having it removed before getting pregnant because of the high risk of possible miscarriage or pre-term labor. Dr. Stein totally agreed with her. What was reassuring about meeting with Dr. Stein was that he told me he was super conservative when it comes to surgery, but in my case, it was the only option. He also said that once the fibroid was removed, there was no reason why I wouldn't have a successful pregnancy without complications. Having the second opinion really solidified my decision to have the myo. Anyway, good luck to you both. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Take Care! Juliane

Hi Juilane

I have large several ones on the outside and I also don't want to chance it and have it cause trouble with a baby. The reason I saw ascher-walsh is because he is one of the few around that performs a robotics assisted laparoscopic myo where they make small incisions and the recovery is only supposed to be a couple of weeks and the stitching is supposed to be stronger than a regular Lap. Any one had one done? would love to hear about some first hand experiences.

My friend had 2 lupron shots before her hys myo and she experienced no side effects.
Take care. Good luck with your myo in Jan.!

Avey-Pls, contact Dr Ernst Bartsich. He is a founder of one of the myomectomy techniques. He is excellent, compassionate and caring. He is NY. Look him up on line.

Neenka:
I am also considering the Robot procedure, here's a video of it. Mt Sinai also does it. Good luck.
Ms. Monet: Thanks, I think I will give him all call.

Neenka: I forgot the link http://www.or-live.com/unive
rsityofmichiganmedical/1443/

Thank you Avey for the info regarding Dr Ascher-Walsh's certification. I couldn't find it online and even called the clinic but was transfered around and I never got a return call. I called again on Friday to schedule an appointmt but I was on hold forever so I will try again tomorrow. Re: Robotic Myo. I have an appointmt tomorrow w/Dr. Pitter at Newark Beth Israel Hospital. I found 2 articles on his performing robotic myo and he even took my first call (between patients) to answer some questions. I am seeing him tomorrow and will be more than happy to provide you info. Hope you are good! :-)

Hi Juliane, Thank you for your kind word. I too hope that once I select a doctor and have an myo date that I will be much more at ease. My obgyn was extremely unhelpful- she gave me names of "infirtility" (that was how it was spelt on a photocopied sheet of paper) drs, none of which were in my network and one having a # that was no longer in service. I searched high and low and felt more empowered doing so but overwhelmed. Then I experience ALL the nonsence that is the insurance industry- that alone gave me a headache on friday that almost brought me to tears. But I'm glad to hear that you have found peace.
Like Avey, I have 2 large fibroids (one 6cm, one 10cm) and a conglomeration of smaller fibroids throughout. I need the surgery bc I am experiencing pain and pressure in my stomach which has compromised my uterus size and pressured other organs, like my bladder. I'm stressed, scared, overwhelmed and quite emotional but I know the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching. Thank you for listening to my craziness. Good luck to you and keep in touch. :-)

To those who have not yet had a myo and have insurance beware of this and call your insurance carrier to verify: I read Pryncss1013 Oct 21 email re insurance coverage for her dr. I found out via many, many calls to my insurance that if a network dr has a private office, whether in the hospital or a separate location, my insurance will cover it (if he and his office are listed in my plan). If the doctor's office is in the hospital but part of a clinic, the fees associated w/the dr are covered b/c he (the provider) is in network, but the clinic (facility) is not covered. My insurance will only cover provider, hospital and private office fees but not fees associated with a clinic. So please find out how the office bills (as a private office vs clinic) and call your insurance compy. This was part of the big headache I had on friday. It is extremely tricky the way the insurance companies work so call, call, call them bc last thing you need is the additional stress of unexpected med bills. Hope this helps!!

Hi Ru93

They must be swamped, it wasn't that bad when I made my appointment. The appointment # is 212-241-7952. His assistant's number is 212-241-7952.
Would love to hear about your appointment with Dr. Pitter, since I am in a very similar situation to yours. Major discomfort this week with these two damn things pressing on bladder etc.
Good luck, I find taking a couple of deep breaths and relaxing helps alot. good luck!

Hi Avey. You're right- they must have been swamped. The # you provided was the # I called, but thx for the info. Am going to try again tomorrow. I know how bad that bladder pain is. Sometimes when I wake up, my stomach is as hard as a rock, pertruding and painful. I'm painfree today but I empathize w/you. I will definitely let you know about Dr. Pitter and the robotic myo. Am excited about it- especially b/c I feel that I am finally making some progress forward. My appmt is late tomorrow so I will email you on Tuesday and let you know how it went. Hope your stomach feels better.

Ru93: Same here. I can feel the one in the front when I lie down, feels like a mango! I found a website with a good list of questions you may want to ask your potential fibroid surgeon, such as how many robotics myo have you done, potential complications, how many turned into hysterectomies etc. it also has a lot of good info on fibroids and people recovering from ab myo.
http://geekwithfibroids.wordpress
.com/2006/10/20/what-questions-shou
ld-i-ask-my-fibroid-doctor/
(there
are only dashes in the text "what-questions-should-i
-ask-my-fibroid-doctor/"
take out the other dashes this site might add in.
Take care. Good luck with the appointment.

Ru93: I just noticed I gave the wrong number for ascher-walsh's assistant. it should be (212)241-7809. you can find out if a doc is board certified from the abms.org website.

Hi Avey. Thx for the website info. My appmt yest went good. Dr explained robotic lap surgery, pros/cons, duration, recovery time. He did an exam & immediately felt several fibroids- he was appalled that I hadn't been tested sooner. He said this was a good procedure for someone who still wants to have children. Surgery is 2-3 hrs depending on # and location of fib. Recovery is 2-4 weeks. Outpatient surgery. Minimal blood loss, less tissue scarring, less pain. He said that he does several thgs in during the surgery to restrict blood, prevent blood clots and injury to organs. He stated that w/robotic myo, the imaging is magnified so he can see even the smallest of fibroids. His goal is to take all the fibroids out so he made copies of all my reports and wants to keep my films to study the location/size/amt of fibroids. Surgery wouldn't be scheduled until Jan. I felt very comfortable with him. We spoke for about 45 mins before he did an exam. Very personable, patient & knowledgable. I liked him. How are you today? Hope well!

Congrats, ru!

Thanks Ms. Monet. I can't tell you how this forum has helped me so much in getting info, dr names and emotional support. I felt like a freak when the dr told me what I had & her lack of compassion and distant personality didn't help much. But since then, I've felt better in doing my own research and speaking to understanding women like you. Thanks again! How are you doing? How are you feeling?

Ru-My second period since my surgery has arrived. The first one kinda scared me because it was just as bad as it was before the surgery but I heard this is all normal. So, this one was so so so so much better... No sharp pains on my side wks before and no heavy cramps and blood flow. Feels good. I pray that we get preg before the new yr. I feel your energy, ru. You sound so much more confident and alittle more relaxed... You will do fine. Keep me informed and feel free to ask anything. Here is my email address, also. samonaburleson@hotmail.com