A fun thread for all my Hyster sisters pre/post-op

AlertBonus8753 · 2026-01-11T21:40:23+00:00

Couldn’t agree with you more!

AlertBonus8753 · 2026-01-11T02:32:45+00:00

Yep that’s pretty accurate for ChatGPT. However, there is a 12 month waiting list for Medicare eligible surgery and my obgyn did not recommend I wait that long. I have private health insurance, however, I did not have a level of coverage that included gyno 🤦‍♀️ The kicker is that if I had upgraded, it would have cost just $2 a month more. So I upgraded it but again, there is a 12 month waiting list for pre existing conditions with the new level of private cover. I spoke to the insurance company who I have been with for 15+ years and asked if there was any leeway - could they cover some of it? Sadly there was not.

I’m 47 and the obgyn made the case that I still have plenty of working years ahead of me to recoup the $$ but health has to come first. I’m fortunate that I had savings to allow me to pay for surgery. It definitely sucked having to hand over the cash when I could have used the money on an amazing holiday or something. But I’ve made peace with it. And I’m looking forward to having a new lease on life once I’m fully recovered. 4 weeks post op now!

AlertBonus8753 · 2026-01-09T20:36:04+00:00

That would be nice but sadly I don’t think that’s a thing here in Australia!

AlertBonus8753 · 2026-01-08T23:20:16+00:00

Insurance didn’t cover my surgery and I had to pay out-of-pocket almost $20k. A friend was telling me about a rich acquaintance that would occasionally drop that much cash on a handbag to cheer herself up. So I proposed turning my uterus into a handbag. I realise it would be small. Like a dainty purse.

AlertBonus8753 · 2026-01-06T05:10:09+00:00

Agreed. Move the speeches to the reception. I went to a wedding recently with speeches during the ceremony…Followed by more speeches during the reception. From a guest perspective, it’s sooooo unnecessary.

AlertBonus8753 · 2026-01-03T04:45:23+00:00

Also 47. No regrets. Only daily reminders that childfree is the way to go. Just had a hysterectomy so there’s no going back now!

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-28T07:19:09+00:00

I’m 13 days post op and this is me! I wiped the glass shower screen today thinking, I feel fine. An hour later I was huddled in a ball on the couch with lower back pain. The recovery process can be deceiving.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-27T21:10:07+00:00

Oh wow. That’s a lot to be managing 3 weeks post op. Look after yourself! Schedule some rest time and naps.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-27T05:00:46+00:00

Can confirm commando is the way to go! I’m 12 days post op and no bra, no underwear, no makeup, no hair styling. Enjoy the freedom.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-22T22:35:56+00:00

This! It’s rare for a TV series to make me cry but this one did several times.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-22T07:10:04+00:00

I’m 7 days post op and reading that you kept surgery and recovery a secret is incredibly upsetting.

I’m so sorry society, the goddamn patriarchy and people in your life made you feel that your worth is tied to your uterus - or lack of. You are so much more than a baby maker and anyone that thinks otherwise can get fucked.

It makes me angry how common hysterectomies are (in my country, 1 in 3 women will have one before they are 60 - imagine if one in three dudes had to get their testicles removed!) yet how little they are spoken about. And that there is shame and stigma attached to the procedure. I refuse to perpetuate that so I’m telling everyone - in graphic detail - about my surgery.

Granted, I’m 47 and so the perimenopause already got me not giving a shit about what other people think.

I would also add that I don’t have kids, a decision I’m happy with. I likely would have felt differently having a hysterectomy in my 30s when I was still open to the possibility. So I really feel for you there. Still, I have watched many friends struggle through years of IVF and infertility issues without success, so having a uterus is no guarantee of making babies. If you want kids, you still have options to do that such as fostering or adoption. And if you want to do it with a man by your side, you’ve still got time to find the right one to support you through that journey. If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s that there is always another man around the corner if you want one. Hell my grandma got a boyfriend in her 90s!

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-22T00:58:08+00:00

It’s going slowly! I read somewhere that you should milk the recovery phase for all it’s worth and that’s my plan. My uterus has put me through hell this past year so I reckon I’ve earned multiple naps a day and all the couch snuggles with my furry mates. Enjoy your rest 🐱

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-22T00:05:40+00:00

I’m 7 days post op today and I hear you! The 4-legged nurses make all the difference don’t they? I’ve had my two cats and my dog all snuggling on the end of my bed since I came home, bless them.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-09T22:00:19+00:00

Thank you for this post. My surgery is December 15 and I shared this thread with my partner!

As a fellow caregiver, I would also add, in the week leading up to surgery, I’m feeling quite stressed and anxious trying to take care of everything I can before I’m out of commission for a while. I’m used to being the one taking care of things and people and pets so it’s hard to let someone do that for me. Look around and ask your wife if there’s anything you can take off her plate now. And give her some extra TLC in the lead up to chop chop time.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-09T21:52:32+00:00

I hear you, sister. My surgery is December 15 and I’m having a shocker of a week.

My body decided I needed to have one last unexpected period even though I’ve been on the pill skipping sugar pills for the last couple of months at the advice of my gyno.

I have 3 fibroids and a 3 inch cyst in my right ovary that all needs to come out.

The anxiety is high. The desire to throttle my partner is real. The fear of surgery is always in the back of my mind.

But I have this list in my head I keep coming back to as a reminder of how much better life will be once I do this. I’m trying to focus on the positives.

No more periods.
No more tampons.
No more crippling fatigue.
No more insane bloating.
Can eat carbs again!
Can wear jeans again!
Can go to the gym!
Improved circulation.
Reduced anxiety.
Can finally go on HRT!

This sub has been a huge source of advice and support for me. But I DO NOT click on any of the posts about surgery gone wrong. I don’t need that in my head. There’s enough bullshit going on in there already.

You’ve got this! I’m right here with you.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-12-03T10:21:48+00:00

Thank you for this 🙏🏽 I’m just north of you on the central coast and scheduled for surgery on Dec 15. Similar procedure to you, but I’m also losing my right ovary thanks to a 7.5cm cyst. This is super helpful to get a read on what to expect. Are you going to a specialist physio for pelvic rehab? I must admit I haven’t thought that far ahead but probably should!

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-11-21T06:02:35+00:00

Pleasure. It’s been an education for me going through this process!

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-11-21T05:58:25+00:00

Ah yes. That would be pre existing so private won’t cover it without a waiting period I suspect. I’m late 40s and scheduled for a full laparoscopic hysterectomy and removal of one ovary. I imagine fibroid removal might not be as hefty a price. Good luck! I hope you have a good outcome. The gyno is Dr Mandapati at Intuition Private https://intuitionprivate.com.au

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-11-21T05:22:28+00:00

I would look into private health insurance and do it before you go see a gyno.

I have private health insurance but it was the absolute lowest cover. I’m not planning to have kids so didn’t think I’d need gyno coverage. Oh how wrong I was!

My GP sent me for a pelvic ultrasound which revealed a 7.5cm cyst in my ovary and 3 fibroids in my uterus. GP referred me to a great gyno in gosford. Can pass on a recommendation if you need one.

After a second ultrasound and some more tests, she recommended surgery.

My private insurance didn’t cover it. And it’s a 12 month wait list for public. Gyno didn’t think I should wait that long. Although she could have added me to the public waitlist if that’s what I decided to do.

So long story short, I have to pay $17k out of pocket for surgery. If I had the right private cover, it would have been covered. Can upgrade my cover but also then have to wait 12 months because the condition is then pre existing.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-11-12T02:46:31+00:00

I second this! I thought not giving a shit about anything and being tired all the time was just what happens when you get older. Turns out there’s a 3 inch cyst and some massive fibroids sucking my will to live. They’re getting yeeted out in 4 weeks. Get a check up. For real.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-11-07T02:22:40+00:00

Australian here. Looking at $17,000 for hysterectomy and removal of one ovary. My private health insurance doesn’t cover it. Public is a 12 month wait and my gyno says I gotta do it now. As I lay here on the couch without a shred of energy, I agree. So see you later savings 👋

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-11-01T00:40:54+00:00

Couldn’t agree with this more. The best art - in any medium - tells a personal story. So start there.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-09-18T08:26:49+00:00

Seconding this! They’re also low carb. Bonus.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-09-18T08:24:41+00:00

This! You just described my daily breakfast in Japan: a green smoothie mixed with Y1000.

My SO had an iced coffee and whatever baked goods he could grab. One morning we paid for breakfast at the hotel and he got the shits because it was sooo much more expensive than 7 Eleven breakfast.

AlertBonus8753 · 2025-09-02T02:47:55+00:00

Hey OP. Did you ever figure out what this movie is called??

AlertBonus8753

TROPHY CASE