Conference turris::womannotes-v2

532.0. "NO MORE HYSTERECTOMIES" by WFOOFF::ESCARCIDA () Thu Apr 06 1989 09:52

    Has anyone heard of Dr. Vicki Hufnagel, a OB/GYN surgeon in Calif
    who specializes in what she calls Female Reconstructive Surgery.
    
    She is adamantly opposed to hysterectomy and believes in repairing
    the female organs as opposed to amputating them, ie, the uterus,
    ovaries, etc.   She also does work on prolapsed uterus and 
    endometriosis.
    
    Dr. Hufnagel has written a book called "NO MORE HYSTERECTOMIES'
    in which she details her ideas and techniques which employ the use
    of real time ultrasound and lasers to perform her repair work.  
    
    THIS SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING FOR EVERY WOMAN OVER FOURTEEN!
    
    I have been diagnosed as having fibroid tumors and have had several
    recomendations to have a hysterectomy due to the large size of the
    tumors and uterus.  Some how I could never reconcile myself to remove
    my uterus when I felt that the tumors were the only things that
    needed excising.  Instead I did an extensive amount of research
    into the idea of hysterectomy, read an enormous amount of material
    and found that, as most of us know, Hysterectomy is the most widely
    performed surgery in the U.S.  It is easier to remove the uterus
    than fix it.  The rate of hysterectomies in the US is 5 times than
    of Europe.  Dr. Hufnagel claims that 90% of all hysterectomies are
    unnecessary.  The only hysterecomies that are necessary are those
    where cancer is a factor.  She also goes into considerable detail
    regarding the complications arising from either a hysterectomy or
    a myomectomy (removal of the tumors only). Particularly gruesome
    is the vaginal method of removing the uterus.  After learning the
    details on how that is performed I could not understand how any
    woman would allow themselves to have this done to them.
    
    After reading this book in addition to all the others, I contacted
    her office in Los Angeles and will soon be going out there for 
    surgery.  
    
    Her office told me that they had recently operated on a woman from
    DEC out in the New England area.  This is what is prompting this
    note.  If you know of anyone who did see this surgeon would you
    please contact me at WFOOFF::ESCARCIDA.  I would greatly appreciate
    it.      
    
    
    Thanks!
    Addie
    
    
    

I would be interested in hearing what happens.

I have just 1 tumor and it's relatively small (4cm.). I went to a Dr. Mitchel
Rein in Boston (Brigham & Womens).

I was told about this doctor from a friend who has been threw a mymectomy(sp.),
she had 4-5 tumors removed, one of them was 10 cm. She has been told that
others may form and if she intends to have children, have them within the
next couple of years. Her surgery went fine.

    The operation was successful. Addie left the hospital yesterday
    and will be recuperating in CA with her family.
    
    Tin (friend of Addie)

    
     How about a view from the other side. I had a hissy when I was
    23. I am 40 now, have never had a complication from it. I've never
    felt better in my life, no worry about missing my pills, or anything
    else for that matter. Never have THAT time of the month.Never gained
    weight. If I had to do it all over again...I would, gladly.
    
    PKB
    
    PS... My husband doesn't mind it too much either.
    

    Any updates on Addie?  It is now 3 months later.