LEEP Procedure 6 weeks after...

I have read so many comments and stories on this site for months now... ever since I was diagnosed with stage 3 dysplasia roughly 6 months ago. It's my turn to tell my story. Just an FYI for all of you out there - you have every right to request a second or third pap once you are diagnosed with displasia if you don't feel comfortable jumping right into the LEEP procedure. I requested a second pap, it came back even more abnormal than the first one, so I had a colposcopy and biopsy done in the office. It was uncomfortable, but very quick, which is great since I have no tolerance for pain at all. The results came back as stage 3 so I knew I had to move forward with the LEEP procedure asap, which I'm so glad I did.

Since I have no tolerance for pain, I elected to go under general anesthsia in the out-patient ambulatory center, in a hospital my doctor is affiliated with. I must admit, it was an extensive process... I had to avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 12 hours, I had to go through pre-surgical testing, and the day of my procedure, the room that was booked for me had a prior surgery that ran late, so guess to had to wait!! I sat there for 2 hours wearing a cap and gown, watching crappy tv shows with an i.v. hanging out of my right arm. It was annoying, to put it politely.

They finally walked me into the room, which looked a bit scary. It was a very large, bright white room with a bed right in the center. When I laid down they strapped me in and asked me to relax. The staff were so professional, thank goodness my doctor knows how nervous I get so he kept making me laugh. Once they administered the anesthia I was out like a light. When I woke up, my mom and fiance were there with me. I felt FINE!! A little tired and groggy, but they give you food and drink to help you along. I had some cramping and discharge for a few days, but with a little bit of over the counter meds I felt fine. To be honest, getting my wisdom teeth removed was a HECK of a lot worse. If the LEEP procedure is the worst thing anyone ever has to go through, you should consider yourself a VERY lucky woman.

It has been roughly 6 weeks. I went for a check up with my doctor one week after the procedure and he said I'm healing just fine. He also got my results back from the lab pretty quickly, and he said all of the pre-cancerous cells are gone. Obviously there is always a risk it will come back, but what are the alternatives - risking your life? It's not worth thinking that way. And, miscarriages are scary, obviously, but this is a slight risk when dealing with any type of cervical cancer, and anyone avoiding the LEEP procedure for that reason needs to get over that fear. Early pregnancies are ok as long as the baby comes out healthy... Some women have said they worry about not being able to deliver normally due to scar tissue build-up... so, you'll have a c-section. It's not the end of the world.

 All in all I had a fairly good experience, and I feel fortunate that this procedure even exists so that my dysplasia did not turn into full blown cancer. The rest of the risks can and will be dealt with. I hope reading about my experience helped someone get over their fear of having it done. Oh and by the way, I just had sex with my fiance for the first time in 6 weeks 2 nights ago, and it was fine. No pain, no bleeding, everything was perfect. Next pap in 4 months! Cheers to happy vaginas =)

I am so glad it turned out well for you! As an aside, so long as the OB/GYN you see when you're pregnant knows about the LEEP, he or she will make a point of monitoring your cervix. That way, if it becomes too thin, the doctor can do a cervical stitch to prevent preterm delivery. A caring doctor will do everything to make sure you go home with a live baby.

I wish LEEP had gone well for me, but I had six months of complications. I did not look at the lab report, and the doctor did not tell me I had cervicitis. According to the medical guides I have read on LEEP, a doctor is not supposed to do that until cervicitis has been addressed. An already inflammed cervix + a hot metal wire with the highest risk of infection because of the burn wound + a body that heals slowly and is vulnerable to infection = disaster. Knowing what I now know, laser or even cryosurgery would have been better options because I had what is known as LGSIL (CIN I) with focal HGSIL (CIN II) in less than two quadrants. LEEP was wrong for my body.

I had the LEEP done under general anesthesia, which was the best way for me to have anything done to my body. But I wish my doctor had told me the full truth. This is why I always tell women to look at the lab report, get a full explanation of what they have and what all the treatment options are before doing anything.

I'm grateful you're healing so well.

I pray to God my procedure goes as well as yours. Whats troubling me right now is the fact that I was just told I have sever dis, need the leep, but I can't get an appointment just for my surg consultation until the third week in August. I'm thinking get this out of me before it turns to cancer and I have to wait nearly a month just for the consultation. Can you say anxiety? I get to think about it and hope it doesn't turn into cancer before I actually get the LEEp done. Thanx doc.

I had my initial LEEP procedure done when I was 17. I knew nothing about HPV and absolutely nothing about the LEEP procedure. All I knew was my first doctor kept telling me something was wrong but they couldn't figure out what. I went to another doctor after 6 months and he told me that I had mid-grade abnormal cells. I had no options or anything, he told me that I was coming in the following week for a LEEP procedure. It was an in office procedure and I wish I would have been knocked out. I have never freaked out so much in my life, but then again being 17 and having no idea what was going on didn't help. But anways, on my 21st birthday I relapsed. They checked me again 6 months later and it was gone. Well, this year on my 23rd birthday I relapsed again, but it was mid-grade again, not just mild like when I was 21. I am going in for biopsy #2 in a few days and I can only hope for the best. They didn't want to do another LEEP since I have no kids and I'm only 23 but if it has to be done then so be it.

I wish everyone else luck who is going through this too. Things get better, they always do.