My Surgery - Endometriosis

Hello everyone,

I hope this post finds you safe and healthy! 

I was never the kid who had a cast or had to have her tonsils removed. Hospitals and surgeries were things that only happened to older people. I never thought I would have surgery...then, I did. This is my endometriosis surgery story.

For those of you who have endometriosis, you know the pain that comes with all that inflammation. I never thought I had it because I did not have the usual symptoms. I did not have painful periods that kept me from doing my daily activities. My bleeding patterns were fairly normal. My cycles looked beautiful. I knew I had a hormonal imbalance, but that being taken care of with supplementation. Yet, conceiving was not happening. I had the physical parts, the cycles and the mucus and yet - nothing. 

When we finally went to see a fertility surgeon, I remember him telling me that he was sure that he would find nothing. I smiled and said: I bet you may find more than you expect! And I delivered! 

Leading up to my surgery, I was not scared. I had purchased all the medication I needed for before and after the surgery. I was prescribed some Xanax to take the night before to relax and sleep well - which I did! I was also prescribed all the pain medication necessary. 

My family knew I was having surgery. We only told my husband's family the day of - I felt I needed as many prayers as I could get. I was surprised at how calm I was - besides, this would finally be the end to my infertility journey - regardless of the outcome! I would finally have an answer and plan on how to, finally, grow our family! I was...excited!

The night before, I took my Xanax and had planned out what to wear and what I wanted to eat after - I had asked for pretzels! I slept well and was refreshed the next morning.

Like anyone who has surgery in the morning, you have to get to the hospital hours before to get checked-in and have them start on any blood work and insert of IV. As I waited in the lobby, I was still so calm... My husband, however, the surgeon, was extremely nervous. Maybe it was the Xanax still roaming around in my body, but I was as calm as a cucumber.

They called me in and I was directed into my room. They made me dress in that gown we all love to hate and started my IV. I also think they gave me something to calm down because I was giddy...very giddy. My husband came in to kiss me and off I went! My last words to him were: Don't take all my jewelry! Yeah, the definitely put me on something...

I remember being taken into the room and entering the operating room. It felt cold and very bright. I was having robotic surgery and made sure I saw the robot - I thought it would have his arms out, but they only do that once the patient is under - bummer! Then, the anesthesiologist started to explain what he was giving me. The last thing I remember before I went out was that I felt my heart racing and I was not liking what I was feeling - then, I was out!

I woke up in another room and I believe it was mid-afternoon (from what I could tell from the clock on the wall). A nurse with very cold hands came to see me and asked me if I felt any pain. I said no until the pain hit me - she gave me something and it was magically gone! They wheeled me back into the room I was first in and I saw my husband. 

The rule when you have outpatient surgery (when you get to go home the same day) is that you have to pee and have no fever. I had no fever but had to pee. I asked to drink water and then went to pee - although, I could not feel anything - this is common after surgery and you do get feeling back). Once I peed, they sent me home.

We got home, I took all my medication and went to sleep. I think I slept until the next day. The next few days, I was in bed to let the healing process begin. The first thing I felt was tight in my abdomen area. If I stretched, I could not stretch all the way - it just felt so tight... hum, I wonder if that is how someone who has plastic surgery feels after they have work done?? Anyways, there was that feeling of tightness and there would also be pain, if I moved or lifted too much. My husband made sure I took walks to prevent blood cloths and help with the healing.

It was only a few days later that I found out that I had Stage IV widespread endometriosis. It was all over and my ovaries were swollen from all the fluid. My surgeon removed all the inflammation together with the fluid in my ovaries. He also checked my Fallopian Tubes and cleared my left one, I believe. All in all, the surgery was a success!

It took me about a month before I felt back to normal. Sleeping was hard and had to be done with pillows being strategically placed to avoid being uncomfortable. Me, the one who loves to sleep on her stomach and side, had to remain on my back - it was not my favorite.

Then, we started being intimate again...and that's when it happened! There was no pain during intercourse. That was odd because I always had pain - often, we had to stop because it was so painful and uncomfortable. I thought it was vaginal dryness and used a fertility-friendly lubricant (Pre-Seed - no, this is NOT sponsored) and sometimes were better than others...but now, there was never any pain! It was unbelievable!! Wow, I never thought that pain was the endometriosis. I had always been asked about periods and bleeding but never about intercourse... it was eye opening! It was only after my surgery that I started to hear about other women who experienced pain during intercourse due to endometriosis - man, I wish I had known this before as I thought it was normal pain due to dryness...oh well, better late than never!

It has been more than three years now since my surgery. No, we never conceived naturally but God blessed us with three beautiful children, through the self-sacrificial love of three birthmoms. I have my normal periods with my usual hormonal imbalances and now, with no pain during intercourse!

Although we never conceived after our surgery, many women are able to. Many perceived my surgery as a failure because we never conceived. I see it differently. It was a huge success! I was finally healthy, I no longer had pain during intercourse and my body was rid of all that inflammation! See, it's all about perspective.

Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis? Will you need surgery? Did you have surgery to remove endometriosis? How was it? How was the healing process? Please share your story and let's build our community!

Until my next post, please remember to do your part in stopping the spread of Covid-19!

SM