LEEP

Hello everyone! I am 27 years old and proud mother of four boys. I am scheduled for a leep today at 1:00 and i am very nervous. My story started in Oct 2007 when I went in for my pap. My pap came out abnormal and my doc failed to notify me. Then I went in the first week of Nov 2009 for another pap and this doc told me it was abnormal again and she was very upset that the first doc did not notify. So she said she'd rather not wait so she sent me to an OBGYN. I had a colpo done Jan. 2009. I was basically in shock that I didnt understand what the doc was saying. The only thing I heard was LEEP and  CIN II. I am an only woman in my house out of six men one being my husband I have no female family members that i can talk to. My husband has been very helpful but men dont understand like women. Now my question is what can i expect after the LEEP and can i please get some advise any advise would be helpful. THANKYOU AND GOD BLESS!!!!!!

Your doctor was required to tell you what to expect, afterward. I don't know where you are located, so you may have already had the surgery. But I strongly recommend you get a new doctor for your follow-up care.

Per regulations, your doctor was required to thoroughly educate you about what you had and the risks and benefits of all your treatment options, before a recommendation. I am becoming more and more disgusted by the number of doctors who don't.

When you exit the current clinic, get copies of all your lab reports. This will tell you exactly what you had. Check to see where the biopsie were taken and if there was any dysplasia in the endocervical canal and endocervical glands. That way you'll know if you even had the correct surgery.

It's not that I want to upset you because I realize how upset you are, right now. But getting the lab reports will get you actively involved with your healthcare, going forward. This is very empowering! It also takes away a lot of the fear and keeps you eduated so that your decisions are always informed.

After the LEEP, you'll probably have cramping. If it is severe, as opposed to mild, it needs to be checked. In addition, if the bleeding is heavy, that also needs to be checked. In a week, you'll find coffee grounds on the pad. This is just the monsel's paste being shed. The paste is revolting, but it works.

But please get a different doctor.

Thankyou very much for your advice. I had my LEEP done yesterday I am feeling a bit sore but not much, as for the procedure um I really wouldnt want to do that again just because i was a bit uncomfortable. I think I read somewhere that the doctor was supposed to wait 5 min after putting the numbing injections. well mine didnt, so I felt just a bit of pain not much but a bit. I also heard another doc tell her to do a EEC or ECC something like that do you know what it is? She did tell me what to expect the funny thing they give you a handout that says I can continue to take baths and I can go swimming even. Dark discharge for up to 7 days which I dont have right now. And no painkillers. Oh and to watch out for sighns for infection. I wonder if all low income clinics are like this? The doctors treat it as if it were nothing. I walked into the clinic and there were about 20 to 30 women in there me being the first case to be treated for the day. It sad that because i have medicaid this is the only doctor/clinic I can go to because the other cilinics are so full. Well I guess now I have to wait and see what happens. Oh I asked for copies of my record but I have to wait untill they have time to do it.   

Is there another clinic for low-income women in your area? I honestly don't think you should go back there. What you just described is horrible and dehumanizing. I'm equally appalled they were herding so many women in and out of there, like so much cattle. I am so sorry they did that to you. Your body is too precious and should be treated with utmost respect.

An ECC is an edocervical cuterage. Tissue is scraped from inside the canal to make sure there are no abnormalities there. I'm shocked this wasn't done before the surgery.

I hope your loved ones are spoiling you rotten. After this ordeal, you deserve to be coddled and pampered.

Tired and Waiting: I think the other woman's suggestions are great.  I realize that you may only be able to go to one clinic so I would do massive research, get a copy of ALL your records, ask for suggestions online from docs/nurses.  You're going to have to be your own advocate and pester these people for the answers you deserve.  After all I have read, you SHOULD NOT take a bath, etc.  I have been to many sites online and never have I read you can do this.  I'm sorry you are in this situation where you do not get the care you deserve.

 Myself:

I have always had normal Paps until this March.  Mine was abnormal and HPV Positive.  I went in for another exam.. I forget what it was called.. used a microscope/light.  Anyway.. I had abnormal cells.  My doc did a biopsy.  It was uncomfortable.  My results came back as CIN3.  This is the worst case before cells turn into cancer.  My doc did not expect to see this.  She thought it would be CIN1 as she did not see anything badat my exam.  She had my labs retested.  She also took the slides to the hospital and had another pathologist look.  She looked at them herself.  All agreed that it was severe (CIN3).  I am scheduled for a LEEP in a few weeks.  I am, of course, very scared and nervous about all of the negative things that may result.  I have a consult tomorrow and to get all the paperwork, etc that I need and questions answered.  I like my doc and she seems very thorough.  Also, I am 29 with no kids.  I'll let you know what happens.