Hysterectomy “Hot Sheet”

Although getting rid of a benigh uterine polyp is a good idea, having the entire uterus removed (by undergoing hysterectomy) could be an “overreaction,” according to an article by Dr. Bobbie Gostout of the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Gostout says:

The preferred means for removing uterine polyps is through the outpatient procedures of hysteroscopy, curettage (often referred to as “D&C,” for dilation and curettage), or, increasingly, the two methods in combination.

In a hysteroscopy, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible, lighted scope (hysteroscope) through the vagina into the uterus. This technology not only allows the doctor to examine the uterus for the presence of polyps but also makes it possible to remove them at the same time, as long as they’re not too large. He or she does the excising with tiny cutting instruments inserted through the hysteroscope.

The time-honored D&C is still the method of choice, especially for larger polyps.

Here’s the Q&A on uterine polyps and here’s a more comprehensive article.

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Are uterine fibroids the reason you’re considering a hysterectomy? If so, you’ll want to learn more about a relatively new treatment that uses soundwaves to destory the fibroids.

The technique — called “focused ultrasound ablation” — combines two well-established medical technologies, ultrasound and MRI.

Recovery time is minimal. Think two days, compared to 6-8 weks with a total abdominal hysterectomy.

Because the technique is so new, side effects are still unknown, and one-third of the women who undergo the procedure come back for a second session later.

For more info:

• See this article by Chicago’s ABC7
• Browse the system developer’s site

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Readers of my eBook on Fibromyalgia know that I am a big fan of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), for both emotional and physical problems.

Think of EFT as acupuncture without needles: While thinking about a negative emotion or situation, you stimulate energy meridian points on your body by tapping on them with your fingertips.

When I first learned of EFT about seven years ago, I tried it briefly, then dismissed it as goofy and useless. Why I changed my mind is a story for another day.  

What is so intriguing about the EFT phenomenon is how many thousands of ordinary people are reporting success with this simple technique, for problems large and small.

Anyway, back to your pre-surgery fears. Here are the links to three stories at the EFT site:

Relief through EFT on the day before surgery

Surgery Anxiety and EFT

Tapping for Someone Else Who is Anxious About Surgery

And here’s now EFT founder Gary Craig introduces the first anecdote:

Early this morning I phoned Eric Robins, MD, a surgeon with a Kaiser Hospital in Southern California, to ask about the anxieties people face before going into surgery. In Dr. Robins’ experience, 80-90% of all surgery patients have noticeable anxiety before the operation–some of it quite severe. If this anxiety could be reduced or eliminated, he thinks that the amount of anesthetic required would be substantially decreased. Patient comfort, of course, would be enhanced as well.

… Someday, maybe hospitals and surgeons will consider tapping prior to every surgery.

In the meantime, you can either look for an EFT practioner near you, or learn the simple technique yourself and begin practicing it in your time before surgery.

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