I had a hysterectomy in Burien, WA St Anne Hospital for abnormal bleeding in July 2021 for 1 fibroid. The surgical consent was vague and used for a variety of procedures on consent listed above. This means your female organs are on the same level as a hernia or a cyst removal on some other part of your body.  I chose to have uterus taken out (reluctantly after 2.5 years), but surgeon never informed me of what else could go on. WA State DOH Patient Rights say, you have right to be informed of unanticipated outcomes, risks, be involved in your care (even if adverse), and the right to refuse. Surgeon never said they could possibly remove an ovary (without my permission).  I verbally told surgeon to never take out an ovary and oophorectomy was not on written consent.  Seems like that would be good to discuss prior to surgery. 

I had ultrasound 2+ months prior that showed 4 cysts on my ovary after Mirena IUD placed <1.5 years. One cyst functional. Surgeon didn’t list cyst on preop diagnosis, H&P, or on postop surgical report that I had cysts. He never discussed. He marked (no) that cysts weren’t there before, but (yes) after operation. When I called in for appointment after asking about cysts, surgeon’s office emailed me saying he’d discuss further at next appointment. None of the pre-op nurses or doctor reviewing risk factors and interviewing me for surgery discussed risk of anything other than uterus (which just had 1 fibroid).  There were no notes talking to me about cysts, even though I paid for 2 appointments. I also asked surgeon 2 months prior to surgery if i could get the cyst tested. He’s the one that looks at images, so I trusted his judgement. He declined to get cysts tested. 

I also wasn’t offered the medication to stop bleeding until 1 month prior to surgery Provera. I had to ask him for the medication. I also directly told surgeon, never remove anything unless it could be cancer. My surgery was not about cancer (just a fibroid).  I had no family history and no cancer markers. He also didn’t test for other cancer tests close to hysterectomy. When I woke after surgery, the nurse said my right ovary was gone. What does an ovary have to do with the type of surgery (a fibroid)?  I immediately got up to call surgeon. He was quiet. I asked why he did that and if he had tested it? Within 1 hour, I found out the cyst was benign. Apparently Ultrasound with 4 cysts was just 1 cyst. The surgeon relied on sight rather than cystectomy or biopsy. If surgeon would have said, there’s no way to know for sure with ovarian cysts, unless you remove the whole thing, I would have easily walked away. I would have, but surgeon informed me after, he could have woken me up to ask what I wanted or done a cystectomy, or sampled the cyst.  Sure wish he had! If you aren’t able to ask necessary vital questions as a surgeon for an elective surgery and aren’t prepared, you could hold off until you get the patients consent. 

The informed consent needs to change. Help make a change to the incompetent consent at St Anne Hospital in Burien, WA and other hospitals, as well as the insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield that said there was no approval needed for 1 fibroid allowing surgeons to do whatever they want. Having a conversation to discuss the methods used for testing, the true disfunction you will have afterward, and adverse outcomes especially when you are going in for a non life threatening elective surgery. You also should have the right to refuse. Women need a voice about their reproductive organs that are important for hormones, heart health, libido, general well being. Had I known of risk for ovary removal or if there was a check box on consent about ovary, I would have opted for a specialist with more experience to look at cyst and do a cystectomy or biopsy if needed. The surgeon knew the outcomes possible when he examined me, but didn’t take the time for an adequate consent. He also had the option to easily refer me out of the hospital when St Anne Hospital didn’t have adequate procedures. St Anne Hospital got my emails after my call and in MyChart gave me a patient complaint line #.  I was told it is the providers problem even though there is a hospital patient bill of rights list they gave me before and after surgery telling me I have the right to be involved in my choices (to refuse certain care) as well as to place a complaint. I called 2 more times but got no response. I wasn’t even given a complaint form. After calling surgeon’s office to call for a manager, got no response. So, I finally walked into front office at hospital and the front desk forwarded a complaint like they should have allowed me originally. I now have complaint in, but the manager of my surgeon who removed benign cyst say it was incidental finding. I forwarded it back to MyChart explaining how can 4 cysts before be an incidental finding. 

Hysterectomies are happening on an international level, without a good consent. This is not the 1950’s. Patient Rights according to the hospital, need to follow WA State consent guidelines.  This is an unnecessary procedure for many women who come in. Unfortunately, surgeons get paid by the surgery. The more hysterectomies, the larger the paycheck. When you are sick with heavy bleeding, you deserve the truth and to not be conned.