LEEP procedure

[Anonymous]

I have had 3 or 4 paps since the birth of my baby which showed HPV, but were normal. I have done the follow ups as recommended, and just had my 2nd colposcopy. This one showed CIN 3 cells with severe dysplasia. I am being advised to have the LEEP procedure. It is done in hospital under general anesthesia. I am quite thrown off by this, and have an appointment next week to have a consult with the Dr before having the procedure. Any advice or reassurances would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Op here- also, did you do the LEEP with a GYN or a GYN Oncologist?

[Anonymous]

I had the LEEP procedure done in '97 in my gyno's office. I, too, had CIN 3 with severe dysplasia. It was no big deal and not sure why they would do gen anesthesia more than a decade later?? That seems more dangerous than the procedure. I recall being in a special chair that spread me out more than usual and then getting three numbing shots (barely felt them). Really, it was no big deal. The worse part was being "spread out" (this was pre-baby). I bled a little and had to be driven home, but it was no worse than the colposcopy.

[Anonymous]

I had something like a LEEP (I think it was called laser vaporization - sorry, it's been over a decade) under general anesthesia by a gynecologist oncologist. I got several second opinions after my colposcopy - my original OB wanted to do a cone biopsy! - and determined that, for me at least, it was worth seeing a specialist. The whole thing freaked me out too, at the time, but it was a relatively easy recovery - just heavy and then moderate cramping for a week or so, plus some weird discharge. Not that different from after you have a baby, actually.

Good luck. This is WAY more common than you would think.

[Anonymous]

I had a similar procedure 10 years ago, under general anesthesia (which I think is common for severe displasia). I agree with PPs that it was not a big deal although it seemed that way at the time. Now that I've had a kid via c-section, it seems pretty minor. I was sore for a few days. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I had a LEEP last year at Sibley under general anesthesia and my gyn did it. I was freaked out but it was over quickly and I've had normal paps ever since. I'm glad I was out for it because I know I would have been more nervous had I been awake. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here- thanks for the reassurances. 1105= may I ask who your Gyn at Sibley was? My gyn is on maternity leave and I am feeling a bit lost in their practice and am looking for another Dr.

[Anonymous]

I am another poster. I had LEEP 2 years ago at Sibley as well with Dr. Lewish Townsend who is out of Capital Women's Care (or something) on Fernwood road in Bethesda. He is a great doctor (busy as all GYN are) and my procedure was done under anasetsia and felt little to no pain afterwards. He does these procedures once a month on Saturdays.

[Anonymous]

11:05 here--I had a doc from Reiter Hill

[Anonymous]

Dr. Bonn did my LEEP 5 years ago. I was so nervous but it was really no big deal and I have had regular paps (and two full-term babies) since then. I was under general and it was an outpatient procedure.

[Anonymous]

Another reassurance... my gyn said LEEP does not affect your cervix in the way the cone biopsy does so you are at a significant less risk of deliviery prematurely due to incompetent cervix.