Age: 43 years old
Resides: New York
I consulted a total of fifteen different gynecologists in New York and Florida to treat my fibroid tumors. All of them said the same thing. “Get a hysterectomy,” or “Wait for the change and your fibroids will shrink.” All of them had the same attitude; Why would I need my uterus any longer, if I’m not having any more children? None of them were aware (or admitted to being aware) of a procedure that would remove the fibroids and leave the female organs intact. They also tried to instill in me the fear of getting cancer if I did not undergo a radical hysterectomy. None of them really listened to me and dismissed my concerns about surgical change of life and all the accompanying negative aspects, i.e. loss of interest in sex, becoming matronly in appearance, possible osteoporosis, heart problems, etc. What was really disturbing to me was that none of these doctors were even willing to learn or avail themselves of the education and technology that exists about a surgery that would preserve my female organs. They preferred to stay in the same, old mindset and practice the same, old antiquated procedure of radical hysterectomy; as they had been taught in medical school as the only solution for fibroids for the last ninety years. Nothing has changed!
I refused to believe their arguments for hysterectomy as the only way to correct the problem. It became obvious that all of these Gyn’s had the same agenda: perform a hysterectomy for a variety of problems – “when in doubt, take everything out,” seemed to be their battle cry. I found that their indifference to the importance of a woman retaining her organs, to be callous, insensitive and ignorant. It is the macho mentality of “I know what’s best for you, I’m the male medical establishment ultimately controlling castrating, butchering, medical thug, and that will be $35,000. Thank you very much.”
Then I found Dr. del Junco Jr. He had a totally different attitude! He believed how very important it was to preserve the female organs, for the sake of sexual, hormonal, emotional and physical balance and well-being. Dr. del Junco Jr. was so easy to talk to and maintained a genuine respect for the preservation of the female organs. Finding Dr. del Junco Jr. was like finding an oasis in a vast desert of ignorance! Dr. del Junco Jr. is the only surgeon in the United States who is practicing female reconstructive surgery. Otherwise, the way the medical establishment treats fibroid tumors and excessive bleeding has not changed in almost a century.
My mother had a hysterectomy at the age of 31 and as a result, suffered depression, no interest in sex, became overweight and matronly, and eventually developed osteoporosis and heart problems which led to a quadruple bi-pass. At the time that my mother had her surgery, hormone treatment was not offered post-operatively. The body has hormones one day and none the next, causing the body to go into shock, manifested by emotional distress.
I recovered quickly after my surgery and was up and walking after two and a half days. Because I’m an avid walker, I walked 60 blocks my first day after leaving the hospital. I don’t recommend that for everyone, but I do recommend getting active right away after surgery. My big, bloated stomach was gone, my back pain was gone and my energy level immediately increased – I was no longer always tired.
Men have gone to the moon, but very little progress has been made with respect to the preservation of a woman’s body by keeping her organs intact. If men developed fibroids on their testicles, they would search the face of the earth for a remedy before relinquishing one, precious testicle. I am sure that modern science would look into every resource for a solution and there would be funding for a huge research project. “Save Our Balls,” would be echoed around the world in every conceivable language. Yet women, as young as 18, have succumbed to the physical, emotional and sexual devastation of a hysterectomy.
I see a distinct parallel between the 4,000 year old traditional genital mutilation practiced in the Middle East and Africa and the mass radical hysterectomies done in the United States. No one seems bothered by the woman’s traumatizing experience which renders her unable to enjoy sex. No one thinks that a woman’s female organs are important enough to preserve after having children. The unwillingness of the medical community in the United States to change their attitude and medical practice of hysterectomies is as primitive as the ideology of the Middle East and Africa.
Hysterectomies are the number one most unnecessary surgery for women in this country, closely followed by cesareans. But due to politics, and the thousands of dollars made from these procedures by the doctors and hospitals, they continue. The woman is the loser. Gone is her money, her organs, her sex life, her youthful appearance, her emotional well-being and her ability to reproduce. Dr. del Junco Jr. is the lone dissenting voice in the medical world.
D.