hysterectomy nerve damage Archives

The Business of Hysterectomy Shatters Lives

Published on November 8, 2017

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In January 2015, I was referred to a gynecologist, having a small fibroid and an irregular menstrual cycle. A young female doctor entered my room asking how my baby was moving for me. After explaining that I was not here for a pregnancy checkup, she excused herself and returned a short time later. I told her about the fibroid and the irregular periods. She asked if I intended to have more children, I did not. She asked what I was currently using for birth control. I told her that I was in a relationship with someone who’d had a vasectomy and so I did not require hormonal birth control. She asked if I’d ever been on birth control. I had, after the birth of my daughter the military offered Depo Provera. I explained that it caused weight gain and possibly some depression. She then said

“if I were you, I’d choose a hysterectomy, and I’d elect the robot. Less down time, little scarring, and less than a 3% complication rate, and not to mention, no more menstrual cycle”.

My appointment was less than 10 minutes, and surgery was scheduled within a couple weeks. I took my doctor’s advice. Not until after the hysterectomy, did I understand the ramifications of that decision.

I received a call night of surgery explaining my original surgeon was no longer with the group, but this alternate one was a group partner, and had more experience and wanted to proceed. I felt a little relief. I assumed being more experienced, he’d surely looked at my medical record and felt this was the best option. Evidently, I was wrong. Both doctors even dictated that they were performing my surgery for two different reasons. I had a complete hysterectomy. The performing doctor stated he was leaving an ovary (not the case). I chose to have the complete hysterectomy. I was sure to ask why one would choose to leave an ovary, that’s one less place to develop cancer in my mind as a woman. I was told the only purpose it would serve is to prevent onset of menopause.

Only later did I find out it that a complete hysterectomy reduces lifespan and is associated with a long list of side effects. I also found out later that robotic hysterectomies have especially high rates of serious complications, many of which I am now dealing with.

Post Hysterectomy Ureter and Bladder Damage

Directly after the hysterectomy, I complained to my doctor and staff of intense pain I was having on my right side. My doctor dismissed it, only to say he had a little difficulty on my left side with my Fallopian tube being embedded in my pelvic wall. He has no concern because I had no complaints on my left. To make me feel better, he ordered a bladder scan before discharge. One was never performed.

I relentlessly called his office and went in, only to be treated as if I was seeking drugs. After suffering more than a week, an ER visit confirmed severe hydronephrosis (kidney swelling because of urine buildup). My ureter had been burned. A dye test is to be performed at the conclusion of surgery. This should have been recognized. I had a renal stent placed the next morning. After three painful renal stent placements, it was decided my ureter needed to be dissected and re-implanted. The procedure was successful, I now have permanent nerve damage in my thigh from having to stretch my bladder in order to re-implant my ureter. I also have continuous bladder spasms. The Urologist couldn’t perform my surgery through normal technique due to all the adhesions from the robotic surgery. He had to “approach from behind and essentially attach by feel”. I’m grateful for the success, and now have function.

In addition to the issues with my ureter and bladder, I have continuously had treatment for other damages caused by my unnecessary hysterectomy. I have injury to my right diaphragm, causing me pain daily and making it extremely difficult to perform in some areas of my schooling in cosmetology. Remember the minor difficulty with my fallopian tube? I’ve had two pressure tests confirming damage to my pelvic wall with loss of muscle function in my colon. I will need a permanent colostomy in my future.

No Legal Representation Available

In my impossible search to secure legal representation, I’m finding even more negligence, not being given less evasive options is the most obvious. My original doctor is suing the group she was employed by while I was under her care, for being pressured to treat an overload of cases and generate revenue in efforts to become a partner.

No attorney/medical professional denies my injuries from negligence. “It boils down to informed consent, and in the state of Iowa, these cases don’t favor the Plaintiff”

To summarize: my case isn’t favorable to profit an attorney enough to their liking, and these medical professionals we blindly put our faith in, not only for our own health, but our loved ones, sleep well at night with no regard of the debilitating impact on my everyday life, and future. I’m thankful to those medical professionals who acknowledge these wrongdoings, and make improving my well-being their focus.

Shame on the doctors who forget their oath to do no harm by doing unnecessary major surgeries for advancement, or to increase revenue.

And shame on the attorneys who choose not to defend obvious victims because they don’t accept challenges, and their pockets aren’t guaranteed to be easily lined.

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Ligament and Skeletal Changes Post Hysterectomy

An intact woman’s figure has space between the rib cage and the hip bones commonly known as the waist. The waist gives her the curve in her lower back, the natural sway in her hips, her “elongated” torso that’s proportionate to her extremities. This all changes after hysterectomy.

Four sets of ligaments hold the uterus in place. These ligaments are the “scaffolding” or support structures for the core (midsection). When the ligaments are severed to remove the uterus, the spine compresses causing the rib cage to gradually fall toward the hip bones and the hip bones to widen. This causes a shortened, thickened midsection, protruding belly, and loss of the curve in the lower back, giving the appearance of a flat derriere. In some women, these changes cause those hated rolls of fat (weight gain or not). In others, it looks more like a pregnant belly. This can be particularly distressing for women whose hysterectomies denied them the chance to have (more) children.

As if an unattractive figure isn’t devastating enough, these skeletal changes lead to chronic back, hip, and rib cage pain as well as tingling and loss of sensation in legs and feet. It also explains why, even absent osteoporosis, hysterectomized women lose height. With all these changes to the skeletal structure, I wonder if hysterectomy can also cause spinal stenosis. It would certainly seem plausible.

Evidence of my spine compressing started 12 to 18 months post-op. A crease started forming about two inches above my navel. It gradually lengthened over the next 6 months to a year until it became visible all across my midsection. I’ve always been thin (underweight) with flat, toned abs and prominent hip bones. And contrary to what most women experience after hysterectomy, I lost weight. As my spine compressed, my flat abs became “fat” and flabby. My hip bones became less prominent in the front (as my belly pooched out) and more prominent in the back since my rib cage had fallen onto my hip bones. And I now have intermittent back, hip, and rib cage pain as well as tingling in feet. My sacrum / tailbone has also looked bruised since not long after my hysterectomy.

Internal Organs Post Hysterectomy

And how does the body change on the inside? Well for one, it affects the bladder and bowel. The uterus separates the bladder and bowel and holds them in their rightful positions. Removal of the uterus causes these organs to fall impeding function. When the bladder or bowel is full, there can be a feeling of discomfort or even outright pain (exactly what I’m feeling at this moment – constant pain that increases by just walking). Complete emptying can be problematic as can incontinence. Bowels may alternate between constipation and diarrhea. Adhesions can further hamper bowel function even to the point of a life threatening obstruction. I’ve had serious bowel problems ever since my surgery 7 years ago. Chances of bladder, bowel, and vaginal prolapse and fistula also increase leading to more loss of quality of life and future risky surgeries. Hysterectomy has even been shown to increase risk of renal cell (kidney) cancer likely caused by damage to ureters. I have to wonder if functions of other organs may also be affected as our organs don’t work in isolation and may be further affected by the anatomical changes.

Nerves and Sex Post Hysterectomy

And what about sensation after all those nerves and blood vessels are severed? What’s it like having a shortened vagina that’s not connected to anything? Well, it’s no wonder sex isn’t the same! How can it be? And if you enjoyed uterine orgasms, those are obviously a pleasure of the past. Even nipple sensation can be lost because nerve endings are found all along the spine. The severing of nerves as well as scar tissue formation can cause a problem worse than loss of sensation – nerve entrapment which can be quite painful.

I’m not sure which is worse – the hormonal adverse effects or the anatomical and skeletal adverse effects. There’s no doubt though that my body has been drastically altered since the unwarranted removal of my vital female organs.

The adverse effects to a woman’s figure, as well as the many other adverse effects of female organ removal, are detailed in the video “Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs.” Priceless!

We Need Your Help

Hormones Matter needs funding now. Our research funding was cut recently and because of our commitment to independent health research and journalism unbiased by commercial interests we allow minimal advertising on the site. That means all funding must come from you, our readers. Don’t let Hormones Matter die.