Leep Procedure

I just had my LEEP done a week ago. I felt the exact same way as most everyone on here, and everyone I have talked to has about being diagnosed with HPV. My cells on my cervix were severely abnormal (CIN3) Which is the last severity before cancer. I am 22 years old. I just can believe that I have HPV, even though my Doctor told me that 85% of us have HPV, but some just arent clinically affected by it. (theres doesnt show up on pap smears.) I felt really dirty too, even though we shouldnt. Anyways, I am still really paranoid and depressed about getting cancer in the future, and not being able to have any more children. I know that the chances are very slim that I wont be able to get pregnant, or stay pregnant -- but there is always that "what if" factor. Well, Doc says to go back in six months for a PAP . Hope everything goes well with everyone else. PS....I know it sounds really gross, but does anyone have foul smelling odor after the LEEP? I am paranoid about that too.

I had the LEEP procedure done last week. Like you I had alot of questions. During the procedure you are awake but they do numb your cervix. Although the did I still felt somewhat uncomfortable. After I didnt bleed much , but have alot of nasty discharge. The doctor said this was normal though. As far as pain its made me hurt in my lower back (left side) and ovary area on the same side. The question about giving birth, the doctor said said yes you can. Its a very small percent that you cant. Just let your doctor know you have had this procedure because it can thin the cervix causing premature delivery.

Hi all!  I had the LEEP procedure done last Friday 6/27/08 in my Dr's office under a local anesthetic.  The procedure was over in 20 mins or so and was far less scary than what I had imagined in the days preceding the procedure.  Sure it was a bit uncomfortable and my legs were shaking, but overall it went well and I'm glad to have this procedure done and hopefully all abnormal cells have been removed. 

Currently my issue is the discharge, but after reading some of your posts I'm a little more at ease that this is a common side effect and I shouldn't worry too much.  My periods were very irregular and I hadn't had a cycle for 7 weeks prior to the LEEP so I'm not sure if that factors into what I'm experiencing, but if it gets worse or a fever develops I'll be sure to call my Dr.  I should be getting my results within the next few days so I'll mention it to my Dr at that time.

Thank you to all that have posted, its so nice to see what others are experiencing and see that we are not alone.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery and years of good health to all!! 

Hi Everyone-

 I'm new to this board and I'm extremely grateful for finding it. I've been diagnosed with severe dysplasia and will be meeting with the dr. next week to discuss the LEEP procedure. I'm a wreck, I guess that's the best way to put it. I was diagnosed with HPV about 7 years ago and it has never progressed to anything beyond ASCUS cells. I've even had 3 normal paps in the past two years (2 in one year and then the third came back normal so they told me I could go back to annual tests); now, I'm 'severe'.

 I've read all of your stories and experiences and I truly value being able to read them. It's great to know that I'm really not alone in this. My thoughts are so everywhere, I don't even know where to start/what to say. I just don't know how to handle this. I'm on the verge of tears all the time and I'm terrified.

 I've started to create a list of questions for the dr. ranging from recovery time to if I can be put to sleep to how many LEEPS has he performed. Are there any questions that you wish you had asked ahead of time that I can add to my list? Fire away, please!

I also am having a hard time dealing with this emotionally. I'm not one to talk about things, so no one knows about this. I haven't told my Mom (she knows about the hpv and that I had to go back for a colp, but she doesn't know the results or that I'm going to meet the dr. next week), nor any of my girlfriends (2 of whom also have hpv). I'm honestly trying to figure out if I can either drive or walk home after the procedure (I only live about 2 blocks from the office) so that I don't have to tell anyone. Am I being crazy and unnecessarily holding it in? 

 Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 Thank you.

Jessica,
my appt is in 2 weeks and then i get to go, the one thing i was wondering cause i forgot to ask (the one that scheduled me was in a hurry) r u allowed ot drive after u have this procedure done. I can get my mom to take me home if not but was just wondering if they said anything to u about that

Pat- From New Jersey

Subject Having Leep done

After reading letters about the Leep Therepy, I was petrified.  I was going to cancel the procedure.  I had to call my doctor, who told me to trust him and not listen to letters on the internet.  Well,  I am glad I listened to my Doctor.  I absolutley no tolerance for pain.  I can honestly tell you the only thing I felt was pressure.  My Doctor gave me a local into the cervix and I did not even know.  Afterwards I had no complications,  some cramping, bleeding like a menstral period.  I highly sugest anyone having the procedure to go to Dr. Robert Mayson, located in Freehold NJ. He is a very compasonate and patient Doctor, whom I trust and respect.

This is for all the ladies who cringe at the site of LEEP (like me) and are looking for some hope.  I just had the LEEP done last week and I feel great about it.  I was diagnosed with HPV about 9 months ago and two months ago I had abnormal cells from a PAP that were CIN II after a colposcopy in July 2008.  My LEEP was done in an outpatient day hospital setting.  I came into the hospital at 6am, got an IV which felt like a quick pinch at 7am, talked to the OBGYN and Anesthesiologist at 715, was in the OR suite at 730 and out in the holding area, alert and awake at 815, and was d/c'd at 9am.  I was given Versed, Propofol, Toradol, and Fentanyl and I was painless for hours after the procedure.  I thought I was just going to have local anesthesia but the day before the surgery my doctor told me General b/c it gives patients better pain control.  Of course I freaked out and started crying as this was my first surgery, ever, and I am not on any medications or known to take meds.  But let me say, this is the way to go girls.  I didn't feel anything when i woke up and only experienced minor cramping about 4 hours after the procedure.  The doctor did prescribe Tylenol #3 (with codeine) and I took one at the hospital before leaving but only took Motrin at home and I am doing great.  This procedure is quite common, especially for the those in our 20s, but is necessary if you do have high-risk HPV with mod-severe dysplasia.  Cervical cancer is almost 100% curable if properly screened and treated for with routine PAP smears, colposcopies, LEEPs, etc.  I know from first hand the horror when you hear you have HPV and cells that could lead to cancer.  Knowing this is an STD that is incurable does bring tears but it doesn't mean you are promiscuous or for that matter, a hopeless case.  Good luck to everyone and think positively.  You are definitely not alone, in fact, you are one of millions.

Hi,

I am glad to hear everything went well for you. I am a recent colon cancer survivor, was told I need a LEEP procedure because I have HPV and moderate pre-cancer cells. I am very upset and scared being I don't know much about this. As I read about the procedure I am feeling more at ease. I have been through major surgery, chemo and radiation so I think this will be a breeze. I would like to hear any information about the procedure and the recovery. Can you go to work the next day? my doc says yes. When can I have intercourse once the procedure is done? Do I have to be put out? Should I have someone take me?

Thanks, Lucky One

Although I'm grateful there's this community to talk about things, I think I'm even more scared than I was prior to reading!  I am scheduled to have the LEEP procedure done next month and I'm very scared.  I have high grade displasia and my doctor isn't concerned that it's cancer.. right now anyway.  My doctor said I had the choice to either have it done now or wait until after I have my first child - I am hoping to get pregnant in the next year.  I am also a smoker (I know, stupid).. I want to quit soon and I've heard smoking increases your risk of cervical cancer.  Does anybody have thoughts on 1.) Should I get the procedure done now or wait until post-baby? and/or 2.) Smoking stinks.. has anybody else had this procedure done and is a smoker?

 Thanks.. I'm really scared!

On 9/13/2008 msu930 wrote:

Although I'm grateful there's this community to talk about things, I think I'm even more scared than I was prior to reading!  I am scheduled to have the LEEP procedure done next month and I'm very scared.  I have high grade displasia and my doctor isn't concerned that it's cancer.. right now anyway.  My doctor said I had the choice to either have it done now or wait until after I have my first child - I am hoping to get pregnant in the next year.  I am also a smoker (I know, stupid).. I want to quit soon and I've heard smoking increases your risk of cervical cancer.  Does anybody have thoughts on 1.) Should I get the procedure done now or wait until post-baby? and/or 2.) Smoking stinks.. has anybody else had this procedure done and is a smoker?

 Thanks.. I'm really scared!

Hi. While I'm older than you and not planning on having more children, I am a smoker. My LEEP had to do with having a bad pap smear and being diagnosed with the HPV virus. Of course, smoking does not contribute to HPV. I had my LEEP procedure last Friday (9/19/08) and like you, I was terrified before hand. Mostly I was worried about the shot as I hate needles. I called my doctor who knew from a colposcopy in July that I was high stress in these situations. He prescribed Xanax for the day of the procedure. Before I go further, there was nothing....NOTHING, that was bad about it. And I believe it would have been true without the Xanax, which was .5 mg, a low dose. After explaining my prior biopsies and reasons for being there, the doctor began the LEEP which lasted less than 10 minutes for two areas. I could only feel a tiny twinge on the first shot, then nothing further. My heart raced some after the local and my legs shook a little, which I understand is normal. After that I dressed, went home and slept the rest of the day (gotta love Xanax). I've had some discharge of the medicated packing, which wasn't bad but can stain, and some spotting the past few days. There has been no pain and really no after affects. I wish you the very best with your LEEP and the start of your family.