My doctor said she is not going to remove the Bartholin's glands but that she will transect them, and I'm not entirely sure what that means. She also said that the reason she didn't want to let me sit for 3 hours 2 weeks post-op is because she's not comfortable with me putting that kind of pressure on the site.

I am going to ask my doctor for her pager number, or at least for the pager number of the physician on-call, because I am seriously scared of having some sort of issue after hours and having to either endure pain or worry about whatever issue I'm having. I'm also going to ask her to prescribe a pain medication for "breakthrough pain," though I'm not sure she will. I do not believe in suffering!

I will ask her about the full vestibulectomy, but I have never had pain above the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. She did mention that some women find this procedure gives them relief and then seem to experience the pain again around menopause, so I don't want to be one of those women. She also said having a baby would help, but I can't imagine having a vaginal birth. I am tiny- 100 lbs. It's so hard to find a doctor/surgeon who is an expert in these kinds of disorders, even in Houston which has the biggest medical center in the world.

My doctor is relatively young, but she is sharp and I know she is up to date on all the latest literature. She said that she has only done 15 of these surgeries, which makes me a little bit uneasy, but it is simply cost prohibitive and otherwise not feasible for me to see Dr Goldstein or other doctors. Just buying supplies and medications and paying my insurance deductibles + 20% of all other fees is costing a ton.

One question I have: can someone tell you've had surgery a few months after just by looking down there? I mean, does it look different? My doctor told me it wouldn't look different.

One of my guy friends is going to take me to and pick me up from the surgery. I wish I had a boyfriend/fiance/husband like so many here seem to have, but I've found having VVS precludes those relationships. It's really hard to tell people about my condition- I often feel so alone. I finally broke down and told my mom only yesterday. I feel like I'll be okay physically when I'm back at my apartment by myself, but emotionally is another story.

It all seems so unfair. I know things could be worse, I could have cancer, for example, but I just wonder what it is like to have sex and not worry about pain and not spend a ton of money on failed treatments and also all the time I've spent going from doctor to doctor. All I want is to find a man and start a family but I can't because of this. It has taken me several failed relationships to get to the point where I want surgery.

Did anyone here have trauma to vestibule that preceded the pain? When I was about 5 years old I was in the bathtub with my cousin, who was playing with this mechanical swimming frog... anyway someone the frog injured me around my vulvar area and I required stitches, etc. But I didn't become aware of the pain until I became sexually active in my early twenties. I always wonder if that frog incident is what caused this. Sorry for the tangential story... I appreciate everyone's advice and comments and I will definitely keep posting on my progress/experience after the surgery.

(Note: these are entries that I posted to a vestibulitis forum online.)

I am having my surgery in Houston with Dr Anuja Vyas from the Baylor Clinic. I am most afraid of the post-op pain at this point. She didn't tell me how long I'd need to be on bed rest, though she did say that she wouldn't be comfortable with me sitting for a 3 hour drive two weeks post-procedure. She also didn't mention anything about ice packs or sitz baths or stool softeners so I am thankful for this forum! I have written down a bunch of questions that I will ask her on the day of surgery. I think mine is only a partial vestibulectomy because I only have pain between the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. She says that the wound itself should heal within 4-6 weeks and that mostly I will feel a stretching feeling/pain. I hope I am able to drive home (3 hours away) in time for Thanksgiving.

I'm wondering what I will do when I get my period approx. 3 weeks from now- do I have to use pads? I haven't used pads since middle school ;-/ but I'm guessing so. I might ask her if there is a way we can delay my period, like by having me start oral contraceptives or something, though I am thinking probably not since I am already 7 days in. How long after your surgery was your first follow up appointment? I am told she will use stitches that dissolve.