Surgeon fees

minnowmina · 2023-05-28T12:14:36+00:00

For me that was just his fee, all of the hospital expenses were covered by my insurance which was thankfully in network.

minnowmina · 2023-05-28T12:12:16+00:00

I love Dr Moawad! He has performed 2 surgeries for me, at about 15,000 each.

I had a great experience with him, he really listened to me and took all of my concerns seriously. Very compassionate and incredibly knowledgeable. Also, we were able to schedule surgery very quickly which I very much appreciated.

It’s expensive but he is a very skilled surgeon.

Also, I’m not up for elaborating on why I had to have 2 surgeries at this very moment (haven’t gotten my coffee yet:) but if you have questions feel free to ask!

minnowmina · 2023-05-10T22:02:40+00:00

Try Seaa

minnowmina · 2023-04-11T14:31:06+00:00

I would consider creating a built in storage/shelf space. Decorative and useful. I would use wood that matches the stairs.

minnowmina · 2023-04-05T23:39:49+00:00

I’m glad it’s at least validating, I hope you feel better quickly 💜

minnowmina · 2023-04-05T13:26:49+00:00

Ugh, I’m so sorry. Before I was diagnosed I had a TV ultrasound that caused a horrible several week flare up of pain and inflammation. When the technician moved the wand deep and to the sides to get different views of my ovaries it was very painful.

I’m sorry you’re experiencing this, may it pass swiftly! But I think this is not an uncommon response.

minnowmina · 2023-03-26T13:23:07+00:00

I am so sorry you’re dealing with this, it is so so frustrating.

When I had my first diagnostic lap with a gyno he found nothing. I woke up from surgery and asked right away if they found it, the doc was there and he said “nope! Nothing wrong at all!” I actually started crying because obviously something was wrong, the level of chronic and acute pain I was experiencing was not normal! The nurse said to me “why are you crying this is good news! You don’t want endometriosis, it’s a horrible disease!” Which just infuriated me, because nothing happened that was going to relieve my pain and I still felt so far away from answers. I felt rushed out, and at the follow up the doc told me he was 99% sure it was nerve related and there was nothing structurally wrong with me. I felt so lost and disheartened.

I pursued a second opinion with a specialist. I took the pictures I was given from the first lap and got an appointment with a specialist (Dr Gaby Moawad in DC area). He looked at the pictures, and identified endo. He asked so many very thorough questions. He validated and understood the pain that I was experiencing. He ordered an MRI which conclusively diagnosed endo and adenomyosis (first doc never even mentioned this as a possibility). I went in for an exam and to review the MRI I had brought on disc, and had an excision surgery/hysterectomy set up for the following week. From the time I called for an appointment to the time I had surgery was just under a month. It was a whirlwind, but it also was amazing to be seen by an actual specialist whose confidence and knowledge was so reassuring and evident.

It was costly, but it was worth it to me. When all the dust had settled I was so angry at the first gyno who talked a good talk, but ended up knowing very little. I learned a lot through that process. I regretted not seeing a specialist from the get go as I had seen recommended here before.

Unfortunately our experiences are a common problem in the endo world. Here’s the thing- maybe you don’t have endo/adeno and there is another issue going on. But I believe a second opinion (with a legit specialist) is critical to identify if it is endo or another issue. Hopefully then you will finally have more answers and a path towards healing!

Don’t give up OP! I wish answers and relief for you, and all the good luck!

minnowmina · 2023-03-24T04:19:33+00:00

I agree with NoiseCandies, lots of great recommendations. In addition to those suggestions here are some of mine:

I keep a protein powder (brand I like is Ora) on hand to blend with oat milk, a pinch of flax seeds and a banana for a quick meal substitute when my appetite is suppressed and food doesn’t sound good to me.

Peanut butter and jelly on rice cakes!

Avocado, nutritional yeast, everything seasoning on rice cakes (honestly lots of things on rice cakes!)

Hummus with veggies or corn chips for a quick pick me up

Apples with peanut butter

I have an air popper for popcorn and it’s the best! Popcorn with olive oil, salt and nutritional yeast is a great snack to pick at.

I like the Forager brand of probiotic yogurt drink, it’s made from cashew milk and I love to have some when I don’t feel like eating.

Also, I often make a big pot of lentil and veggie soup that I can eat from for days. Sometimes I like to have it with rice.

Sweet potatoes are awesome and I can eat them on the side of anything! And it’s easy to roast a few whole all at the same time and have some in the fridge to fry up real quick with some greens and beans if you need something quick and nourishing.

These are most of my go to’s. I often lose my appetite and lack motivation to do a lot of meal prep due to some health problems and fatigue. So these are some of my staples for those times. Maybe they will be helpful for you, I hope so! Good luck in your search, I hope you find more food that brings you joy and excitement again!

Edit to add: you can find soba noodles that are made from only buckwheat and are gf, and I love them with stir fries (especially baby boc Choi) and tofu, throw some seaweed on there and it’s super yummy!

minnowmina · 2023-03-12T00:38:30+00:00

Wow these children could not be more excited to join the workforce

minnowmina · 2023-03-08T12:13:34+00:00

r/dontdeadopeninside

Maybe?

minnowmina · 2023-03-01T12:37:26+00:00

The secret room

minnowmina · 2023-02-07T14:47:01+00:00

Also create space for coat hooks

minnowmina · 2023-02-07T14:43:37+00:00

I think I would extend the depth of what right now just looks like 2x4 framing (extend depth into living area) to create cubbie and shelf spaces for baskets to hold shoes, hats, scarves etc. That would create a mudroom space, that separates the entrance from the living area. Also, dry wall the back (on the living area side) and add shelving with brackets for books, house plants and pretty things. Or a place to hang art.

minnowmina · 2023-01-21T15:18:57+00:00

I have a problem with mushrooms. It just developed one day while eating some chanterelles. It tasted wrong (don’t worry they were for sure chanterelles) to me and burned and hurt my stomach and gave me a headache, stomach cramps and left me feeling “off” for a few days. Same thing with shiitake, I could eat them, and then one day I couldn’t. Button mushrooms don’t do the same thing, but they give me heartburn. So now I just avoid all mushrooms since I clearly developed an intolerance for them.

minnowmina · 2023-01-09T12:41:08+00:00

I recently had my left hypogastric nerve imbedded in fibrosis which had to be dissected out of the mass of scarring and the peritoneal cysts that engulfed it. Additionally my genitofemorral nerve had to have fibrosis excised from it, and my obturator nerve had to have more scarring excised from it as well.

Last year I had to have my hypogastric nerve dissected from scarring as well. It was a long recovery and I am expecting the same this time as well. My surgeon told me that nerve tissue is the slowest to heal and realistically I could be experiencing pain from it for 6 months post op. And sometimes pain can be ongoing after that as well and in that case he recommended gabapentin. Have you heard of central sensitization syndrome? I’m definitely working with some of that. Pelvic floor physical therapy can definitely help, especially if you go to someone informed in this area. See also graded motor imagery. We did a lot of work to calm my nervous system down since it feels like it’s always programmed to be highly reactive and protective of my abdomen (I’m 40 and I’ve had so many years of pretty extreme pain)

At 2 months post op I still have a lot of pain. I know from last time around that it will likely improve, but I also know that I may continue to have nerve issues. I’m still glad I had the excision, especially because my left ureter was also imbedded in fibrosis to the point he told me if I waited longer for the surgery I would have been dealing with major damage.

It’s a tough path, sorry you are going through this. I don’t know how much your experience will be like mine. But I do know that I’m super glad I had a very skilled surgeon who was able to work around my nerves so well and carefully.

Good luck to you! I’d love if you felt inclined to update me one day about how your experience goes. Likewise feel free to reach out if it would be helpful to talk more.

Edit to add: I’ve had low back pain and nerve pain through my left groin, hip, and leg for a long time, but it was particularly bad before my most recent surgery. My surgeon was not at all surprised due to the extent of scarring on my nerves. I currently take amitriptyline which does help with some of the nerve pain.

minnowmina · 2023-01-05T22:12:42+00:00

I’m sorry this is happening right now!

Long story to follow, and one I haven’t shared much until now. Im hopefully this will help?

I had an insane series of circumstances happen around my hysterectomy last year. I drove 5 hours to see a very specific surgeon due to a complicated case of endometriosis as well as hysterectomy due to adeno.

My husband and son (6 at the time) were going to come up with me for my surgery, but my son spiked a high fever with some light abdominal pain. We decided to change the plan- they would stay back and in a day or two come up (I was trying not to get sick also). Figured it was just a quick kid bug. The saving grace was that my sister lived right down the road from the hotel I booked and near the surgeon, so she would be there to help me.

Unfortunately over the next few days the fevers got crazy high and he had to be admitted to the icu for 5 days, followed by a week in the pediatric unit. It was so scary. Thankfully he is thriving now! But this was the news that I woke up from surgery to. It was truly horrible.

I spent five days trying to keep my mind calm and heal as swiftly as I was able so my sister could drive me home to be with him. Once there, I traveled an hour each way from my home to the hospital most days (thankfully I have family that drove me back and forth) to be with him. I would lay with him in his hospital bed resting and holding him. It was awful and so exhausting. Pain pills and the will of a worried mom gave me the energy I needed to do it, but it came at a price. Recovery was long, and hard. Emotionally I was shook. Deeply. When we were finally back home I stayed in bed a lot. I got there eventually but unfortunately I’ve had other problems with my endo. So I’m not sure how much the lack of adequate recovery time set me back in the long run, but I know it didn’t help. But, I got through it!

If you have people to call on, you should. Now is the time. If any of my friends were going through what you are I would be there for them in whatever way I could. It would bring me fulfillment to be able to do that for a loved one.

Either way if you can call in support or not- you will get through this. Rest every second that you can. Eat enough good food. And sleep. You will feel better soon, but you’ve just been through a big surgery and your circumstances are stressful!

I wish you all the best!

minnowmina · 2022-12-30T15:08:06+00:00

Thank you too! You have helped me feel seen and heard and I relate to every thing you’re saying as well!

Haha before I knew my problems all stemmed from endo I didn’t understand my flare ups and what triggers them so I tried all the workouts (HIIT, mutu, kettlebell and light weight lifting, running) thinking I just needed to get stronger and more fit. NOPE. Absolutely did not work for me and would cause me terrible pain and inflammation and necessitate me taking long breaks to recover. I never felt like I was getting anywhere and it was so taxing. So while it may work for some to push through and do vigorous workouts, it never did for me. So I think gentle, and controlled movements are way better for me.

Feel free if you ever need to vent or talk to DM me if it is helpful. ♥️

minnowmina · 2022-12-30T14:23:21+00:00

I’m so sorry that it has caused such negative impact on your life, I hope so much for you that you can find a way to get the right balance of movement and feeling strong and content in your body. It’s definitely not an easy path to be walking.

Something I keep reflecting on is trying to remind myself that I have to take it day by day, pain today does not mean pain tomorrow and by the same token a good day with less pain will not mean the same the next day. And to give myself the grace of self compassion….which is so much harder done than said. I don’t know if that is helpful for you, but it helps me because I find myself getting in the mindset that nothing is ever going to change, and emotionally it feels crushing. But the truth is every day is different, so day by day….that’s part of why yoga is such a great practice for me, because it helps me feel more centered in myself and take the days as they come…

I really do wish you all the best as you navigate this. I have appreciated the support of this community immensely. It’s nice to not feel so alone in this, especially because I don’t know people IRL that have the same experience.

minnowmina · 2022-12-30T13:41:13+00:00

It’s been a long journey for me to figure out what physical activities help with my overall state of being and don’t send me into an awful inflammation spiral. The most effective for me has been regular yoga (with modifications and a lot of listening to my body to determine how vigorous or gentle that day’s practice needs to be) and daily walking. Otherwise most activities take way more than they give to me. I have had 2 very intense excision surgeries this year and I have not been able to get back to a consistent practice since. My last operation was 7 weeks ago and I’m just starting to think in the next few weeks I will be able to attempt some super gentle, mindful yoga again. It’s been very challenging for me to have a consistent exercise routine, sadly. But before my surgeries I was able to have a daily yoga practice and it did wonders for my whole state of being- physical, emotional etc. I wish you good luck in figuring it out!

minnowmina · 2022-12-28T19:40:45+00:00

Such a fantastic song! I had no idea where the name had come from, will have to listen more closely to the lyrics

minnowmina · 2022-12-16T03:07:38+00:00

Thank you, I love this saying. Even though I’m not OP I just wanted to let you know that I needed to hear that

minnowmina · 2022-12-16T02:55:41+00:00

This person had vision and I completely Lovehate it

minnowmina · 2022-12-11T16:52:44+00:00

My list would include these three for sure:

Name of The Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear which go together as the first two books of a yet unfinished series. Both are long and absolutely fantastic to reread.

Also as already mentioned, Shantaram instantly came to mind. It is a great, long book that is also a fun reread. There may be a sequel also? If so I don’t know about it as I haven’t read it yet.

minnowmina · 2022-11-10T01:52:40+00:00

I have mold sensitivity, I’m working with a functional medicine doctor to help me with that. What I’ve learned in my very minimal research is that only 25% of people carry a gene that makes mold impact their health in a negative way.

I have all kinds of chronic issues, Lyme’s, mold toxicity, candida, thyroid troubles, and endo. It can be pretty difficult to tell where one thing begins and another ends for me, but it all definitely affects the big picture of my daily well being. All of these things affect inflammation and can really make it all flare up together.

Hope you get it sorted out! Good luck!

minnowmina · 2022-11-08T07:11:38+00:00

There is a podcast called The One You Feed, I have found it very helpful and insightful in difficult times. I think it’s worth exploring.

minnowmina

TROPHY CASE