Hi my name is Samntha I am 23 years old and I have 2 children.. I have a few question and would like your opinion. I was seeing my reg. doc for 11 years in those 11 years I complained of bad menstral cramps, that would make me vomit and pass out from the pain. After i had my daughter in febuary of 99 my cramps went to starting the week before i started after a few months of that they went to a week before and a week after and during…and so on and so.. now i am in pain 24/7. I have been on every B/C pill there is except for depo. My doc mentioned lupron and the other one…but i will not take them,I have read to much!! So anyway in march I had a lap to check for endo because they said I was text book for the disease well an hr later and i was in recovery and they said everything look great all my organs were normal and that there wasnt any endo… So i was put on yet some more b/c pills and told to try them now!!! Ok so they didnt work so i went back to they gyn and she said to try hypno(which makes it easier to deal with and less stressed but still alot of pain) and reiki. well when that didnt “work” she told me that there was nothing more that they could do and she wanted me to try PROZAC because she thinks I am depressed and I am venting it through my uterus and ovaries. I told her yes maybe I am depressed but it is because i am in pain all the time and not very happy with my drs.. Well needless to say I am now switching drs and I see my new MD tomorrow(8/2/00) and I hope she will help me if not i am at a lost where next. I had a dr from PA call and said that he thinks it sounded like adneomyosis….I was wondering what you thought this has been getting worse for months and all that take away the pain is vicodin or percocet!! But i hate to take them at all!! Please let me know..I thank you from the bottom of my heart!! Samantha

Dear Samantha-
This sounds like the classic signs of adenomyosis. This is not a visible disease upon laparoscopy-you must have a tissue biopsy done of the uterine muscle to have a definitive diagnosis. This disease should be treated asap-the longer it is allowed to spread the more debilitating it can become. Most gyns will recommend a hysterectomy-you are far too young to consider this option. We do perform a laser treatment to the uterus that has had great success in treating the spread of the disease and the symptoms. It will render you infertile but will reduce the symptoms and allow you to keep your uterus for hormone regulation and sexual functioning. Please call my office if you think we can help you. Do not wait any further for treatment. Good Luck

Samantha,

You CAN be treated and keep your uterus! I had a large fibroid tumor, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and a hernia. Dr. delJunco treated all of those problems. I understand your dilemma. Probably all of Dr. del Junco’s patients have been there. Don’t give up. He CAN help you. God Bless! Dixie

Hello to my fellow women and Dr.delJunco Jr:
This is to let you know that I am feeling so great! I can’t believe that one year has gone by!
I would urge all women that are thinking about this surgery should go ahead and have it if they can.You will not be sorry that you did. I have not have any problems,only good times in doing what I used to do before I have my female woes.
I have my life back again and it feels great! Thank you again Dr.delJunco,Paticia and all the staff. I remain your friend and supporter,
always,
LaVieta

LaVieta,
I am 8 weeks post FAS and I echo your results. I am doing really well from the surgery and it is amazing how my body had compensated for the fibroids and how much better I feel physically. It’s great to continue to hear wonderful stories. Dr. Deljunco Jr , Patricia, the staff at Temple Community Hospital and the staff at Dr. DJ’s office have been and continue to be a Godsend in my life.

Cledra

Hello
I would like some help with making a descicion that will affect the rest of my life. I am 46 and have had 2 children. I had a tubal in 1986. For the past 6 years I have had a period every 21 days for 7 to 11 days. 3 days light, 3 days very heavy, 3-4 days light. I recentyly had a D & C and hysteroscope inserted. I have no cancer, but one small fibroid tumor. My uterus has dropped. My Dr. wants to do a hysterectomy. I don’t want one. I would like any information on waht would be the best procedure for me. Would any alternate female procudure be right for me? Marige

Dear Margie-
Our Institute believes in the philosophy of organ preservation-I would not recommend a hysterectomy for someone as young as yourself, or with such a small fibroid tumor. Your fibroid may need to be removed, but it can be done effectively without removing the uterus.
I would recommend that you have your hormone levels evaluated in order to attempt to diagnose the reason for the lengthy, frequent cycles.

Hello Dr. DJ,
Hello LaVieta, Cledra,
Hello to all the ladies I talked to so far –

Well, it’s been swell! Just received my 18 month report from my gyn – all normal on my front. No signs of fibroids, cysts, swelling, pain, bad periods, no other metabolic disturbances. In fact my doc is ever amazed how I escaped hysterectomy. So, naturally, I have to repeat my thanks to Dr. DJ and his team for offering this surgery.

I know there is much discussion nowadays about various alternatives to hysterectomy, and this is commendable, but even with today’s knowledge I would still opt for FAS. I keep trying to figure out why, and the answer keeps coming back to me the same every time – common sense, then skill, then dedication. It’s like an olympic torch: once lit, it should never be allowed to die. So, ladies, pass it on!

And, Dr. DJ – please let us all know if and when you will be available for more talk shows, PR events, possible interviews, etc, as I know from your website you engage in occasionally. These types of activities make us all proud and remind us of our own successes. If we don’t pass on the torch, then who will??

Good Health to All,

Mica

Hello Mica!
It was so good to read your post and to hear from you-as always! I go for my second look October 6th with Dr. DJ, but I must say I can report the same results as you to date-3months post FAS. I think the most remarkable change is how I feel on a daily basis. I didn’t realize how much my body had adjusted to the fibroids and how different my energy level is now compared to pre-FAS. I wish you all the best and I’m with you. Let’s pass it on! I talk about FAS everytime the opportunity presents itself.

Good Health back to you!

Cledra

Hello Mica,and Cledra,
I also am happy to report good news as well.Just feeling great as the both of you are. Isn’t it great not to have the female problems that we all shared. For all women that are in the confusion of what to do,If you have the means to correct your problems with FAS, do it! And join us in enjoying your lives again! You won’t be sorry.I can’t believe that it has been 14 months since I had FAS. I again thank Dr. DJ and all his supporting people,for all their help.
Good health, LaVieta

In your testimonial from L.W. in Colorado, she mentions that she went “back for follow up surgery, which is necessary.” I see no reference to this in the procedures part of the website; perhaps I missed something? Does everyone need to come back in three months for follow up surgery and what is the surgery for? This would greatly increase the total cost of the FAS wouldn’t it — another stay, more hospital and hotel bills, etc.? Please clarify. Thanks.

Dear Rapoli-
The second look laparoscopy is mentioned on the website, but is not recommended for ALL patients.
Depending on what is found during surgery, we suggest some patients return for followup treatment. Many women have endometriosis in the pelvis-this disease has a much better outcome when back to back treatments can be performed. We do a laser re-treatment of the abdomen in these patients within 4 months of the intial FAS. Also, patients especially concerned with fertility are recommended so that they can visualize that all is healing well,and that their fertility option is still viable. Many patients also require treatment for adhesions, when extensive work has been performed ie:multiple tumors.
This procedure is based on insurance as payment in full. Patients must pay to find their way back to see us, but most feel it is worth the travel costs for peace of mind.

I had a complete hysterectomy in December 1998. There were “chocolate” cysts, fibroid tumors and a great deal of endometriosis and adhesions. I had never been pregnant and was 53 and had been on HRT for about 5 years from start of peri-menopausal symptoms. The operation was long, but uneventful. It was done lapriscoply and vaginaly until the “complications” (endometriosis and cysts) were found and then a small bikini-line incision was made. I had draining (spotting) for about 3 months. Now, about 1 year later I started to develop urinary “leaking” when lifting heavy objects, coughing, sneezing or laughing hard. A co-worker has suggested that these symptoms could be related to the hysterectomy and that my bladder may need to be reattached. Does this sound logical? Should I refer my problem to my OB/GYN or a urologist?

Dear Anonymous-
Chances are your hysterectomy is too recent to produce your symptoms. You probably have primary urinary incontinence. I would consult a urologist for the problem.

Dear Dr. Junco Jr: I am finding myself between a Rock & a Hard Place. I am 42 years of age, I have no plans on having any more kids, but for the last 3 years, I have episodes of ‘bleeding problems’…& I have had several visits to different OB/Gyn’s, & I have been told that I have ‘several Cysts’ that are ‘Entangled’ (so to speak), on both of my ovaries, more so on the right side, than the left, & I also have a large fibroid tumor within/or/on my uterous, & my doctor says that it measures ???? as if I am 12-13 weeks pregnant….hummm. At times I have Heavy Bleeding, but for the last 4 months, I have Not has any Menses, until he performed a procedure on me,’sonogram’ (vaginally),that showed upon that small screen…..an Ugly Tumor, & Plenty of cysts on my ovaries. How can All,these Cysts be removed, that are really engulfed,entangled,like the picture you see, if you were to ‘OPEN’ the inside of a Golf Ball? I really would like to ‘Save my Uterous’ & my Ovaries, but what if; They (the surgeons),tell me that, there was ‘No Way’ they could Save either, After they saw ‘The Full Picture,’ once they got inside?

Dear MSB-
You are the classic patient that needs FAS!!
We have never had to remove the ovaries or uterus once in surgery. The severity and complexity of your disease will determine the outcome of the surgical procedure with many surgeons: if they do not feel comfortable only excising the disease they will remove the entire organ. This is often times for your safety.
We have had many many women come to us for polycystic ovary disease and multiple fibroid tumors-so far our outcomes have been 100% successful. I advise you to get several opinions and do NOT consent for any organ removal. Good Luck