I had LLETZ surgery in January 2009, and my midwife and GP keep telling me its nothing to worry about. At my 20 week scan (new years eve) Im going to ask more about it, see if they can look at/measure my cervix and take it from there. Im pretty worried too so Im sending us both positive vibes xx

Hi just got back from scan and have shortened cervix 2.3cm. I have to take progesterone this week then go back nxt week to see if I need a stich put in. I am 16 weeks. I also had the laser treatment in 2005 for abnormal cells and wasn't advised about this at all, plus I've got to chase up my own hospital records and email the consultant what measurement they removed in a biopsy!! Scary time though I'm trying to stay positive.

I can't be of much help but now I know to watch out for this. I had several colposcopy's and a loop procedure when I was young. My midwife and I discussed it and she mentioned that it may cause me to stall in dilation at a couple of places depending on scar tissue.

I read about this connection between the colposcopy's and lasers for precancerous cells, and their effect on pregnancy! This is why in the US at least they are now recommending that young women (in their 20's and early 30's) get fewer pap smears. Apparently those precancerous cells are generally slow growing and often go away on their own, so if you have fewer paps they will still catch serious cancer, but do fewer of these procedures that can cause serious pregnancy complications. It seems counterintuitive to think that fewer tests for cancer is actually better, but seems the ladies in this thread prove it!

LHG, I am pleased they are keeping a close eye on you. I have known a few girls who have had lletz/laser treatments (through a cervical cancer support forum) and gone on to have successful pregnancies (with and without vaginal stitches). Most of the advice that the girls are given is that a single lletz treatment shouldn't cause IC but I've heard of cases where that is simply not the case - or maybe the surgery wasn't the cause.

I had more extensive surgery after being diagnosed with early stages of cc, something called a trachelectomy. It is usual total removal of the cervix, but they left with with between 1-1.5cm depending on who measured it. They thought that I would be fine through my pregnancy (?!) but unfortunately my waters broke at 23 weeks. I think my case is probably quite unusual as I had such extensive surgery but a stitch wasn't placed at the time of the initial op.

I think its good that you are being monitored regularly, a friend of mine had about the same amount of cervix as you and she got to 35 weeks (no stitch) with no problems at all. Its a little early but baby did/doing just fine.

xxxx

i had thisdone a year past November, now im worried im going to ask my midwife at my appointment although i did put in my notes i had a colcoscopy done, it wasnt laser tho it was the loop hole excursion or something dont know if that is less risk?

Ah feck now I'm paranoid too! I had the LLETZ procedure done oct 08, and have let my midwife know, it's in my notes, but noone seems bothered! I wish I'd said at my scan on Tuesday now.....hmmmm. Anyone else had this done and noone has bothered about it???

hi, i had the LLETZ loop treatment only 3 months before i got pregnant so i was really worried - when i had my first scan i saw the midwife at the hospital who had my notes from the procedure and said that i would have a normal pregnancy as the amount taken from my cervix was so small, therefore they wont do any more checks on me. but typically i am still worrying about it! xxxx

Ahhhhh maybe they have my notes from it too, I do remember it was only a small amount they removed. I think it's just so natural to worry about every little thing, and when you see someone else having had the same thing and had problems with it, it send you into panic mode! I found some threads on other sites too where women have had it done and been perfectly fine....xx

Hi girls,

I hope I didn't worry anybody. I think with a single lletz treatment it would be very unlikely for it to cause any problems. I know that it can still be worrying though.

I think it is more if you have had a couple of lletz treatments or a cone biopsy too. I had a lletz, cone biopsy and partial trachelectomy and was left with very little cervix.

K1mberley - Not sure if this helps, my understanding is that the lletz (loop thingy) is that it is the newer procedure for of removing pre-cancerous cells. They used to use lazer treatment. I don't think there is anymore risk with either as the amount of cervix removed is likely to be the same - just my thoughts.

xx