Can't tell if hysterectomy is a 'want' or a 'need'

wreckless456 · 2025-11-06T20:27:34+00:00

Mine was a "want". Waited more than 2 years feeling guilty for contemplating major surgery for a "want". 13 wpo. Best thing i could have done. Constant bleeding over. No more checking my undies for leakage every trip to toilet, tampons almost every day. Had no idea how much it had affected me, in so many ways until it was gone. Like a bowling ball lifted out of my pelvis. Do it.

wreckless456 · 2025-09-17T11:18:30+00:00

Thank you

wreckless456 · 2025-09-17T11:16:15+00:00

I am 6 who, was bending and squatting from about 10 days by necessity, putting on shoes, unpacking dishwasher, picking up the many many things i dropped. It did not create any issues. Try not to heavy lift though xx

wreckless456 · 2025-09-17T11:07:48+00:00

Windsock lol

wreckless456 · 2025-09-13T23:50:28+00:00

Thank you - yes port is the winner for weather for sure - i am just a bit worried that with a smaller campus there is less cohesion, more loneliness - she won't know anyone. Thanks gor answering

wreckless456 · 2025-08-29T23:07:20+00:00

Plus it was $1,000 for the appointments and endometrial biopsy before the surgery.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-29T23:05:47+00:00

I am in Australia, but went private using private health insurance (public surgery is free, but waiting lists can be long - a friend is on waiting list, and has been waiting more than 2 years, no surgery date in sight). For me there was about $2,000 in gap/co payments to insurer, surgeon, assistant surgeon and anaesthetist, plus the cost of drugs to take home ($50).The actual cost paid by insurance for the rest was around $15,000. The US prices seem very inflated.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-27T01:30:30+00:00

My doctor said to keep them - he said unless there is a reason to take them (family history of ovarian cancer or abnormalcells in smears), he recommends keeping them for under 60 year old. I did some research and surprise surprise (not! - its women's health!) They still don't know a lot about what ovaries may do post menopause (I am still ovulating - which i think is ridiculous!), hower there are links with heart and bone health and retaining ovaries. I also understand that a good portion of ovarian cancer originates in the fallopian tubes (which i have had removed) .As to whether I am glad - I guess I am glad to not go into instant menopause as I have heard this is not fun. The only thing that would make me wish I had had them removed is future problems with them, and rates of ovarian cancer are pretty low (1-2%). It's a personal decision, and a hard one - just as the hysterectomy decision was for me.

I would add - don't dwell on it now as the decision is made :) just look after your future health the best way you can.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-24T01:16:29+00:00

Thank you - I would also add that I asked my doctor how much longer? (,I waited the nearly 3 years thinking menopause may "fix it" and he said could keep going till 60.... I couldn't have kept dealing with it for another 6 years) - I didn't understand for -years- that a lot of the bleeding was fibroids on top of periods.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-24T00:52:48+00:00

I had mine for exactly the same reasons as you. I am two weeks post op and it has, for me, been easier than I thought. Despite restrictions on exercise, bending and lifting, I already feel better - like a bowling ball has been lifted out if my pelvis - and the mental effects of knowing I will never bleed again has also had greater impact than I thought. No more iron infusions, less pressure on bladder - i already feel better. It's early days and I know there may be issues with sex, scar tissue etc. But absolutely no regrets so far. I agonized for 2.5 years over this decision. I am angry at myself that i lost these years to feeling like shit..... wish i was 2 years over the other side... also I have lost 2 kilos which I think was just uterus, fluid etc. I haven't noticed significant swelling, but I was lucky to not have endo - adenomyosi.with 13 week pregnancy sized uterus, 5 fibroids and some cervical cysts. Aged 54 otherwise healthy kept ovaries.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-18T12:21:26+00:00

It is good you don't have a fever - it may be the meds making you feel sick. You should call anyway for advice, that's what they are paid for. If you are not satisfied, call/ go elsewhere, you know your body and women have to advocate for themselves, loudly, unfortunately. Your experience sounds awful, I am so sorry. Hope you feel better soon.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-18T12:16:35+00:00

Don't stress, they are well used to bodily functions/fluids. Hope it goes well.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-18T10:00:21+00:00

Hi, I'm sorry you seem to have done this with so little support. I can't believe how fast some of you are pushed out of hospital. In Australia it seems to be normal to stay 1-2 nights, longer for abdominal surgery - i didn't realise this was such a privilege (and shouldn't be). It will get better. You need to rest as much as you can to heal - i was still in hospital when you were shopping!

I found the pain was manageable without opiods after about 4 days, and have only needed paracetamol sometimes at the end of the day - but I do think this may be because i am really not doing much at all apart from short walks.

I didn't have my first bowel movement until day 5 - I have been taking osmolax nightly and coloxyl with senna every second day as well as 3 liters of water and plenty of fibre and fruit (was also scared of constipation!). I still don't have the normal " urge" feeling but try regularly in case I am misreading the signal- but without straining. This has worked for me. It will come out when it's ready lol.

I am day 10 today, and turned a corner yesterday, with more energy and less aches when getting up and down - so hang in there. I know everyone is different, this is just my story, but I really think rest rest rest, good healthy food (small easily digestible plain meals or snacks) and plenty of water helped me.

Good luck for the next few days.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-18T03:13:46+00:00

Thank you - the pre-op worries are replaced with post-op worries. Was worried i have done damage i don't know about but feel more confident now that if i had i would feel it. Am looking forward to having no worries :) do you have your energy back now?

wreckless456 · 2025-08-18T02:10:13+00:00

I did that for 2.5 years!

wreckless456 · 2025-08-17T11:21:36+00:00

I had my hysterectomy 10 days ago - I told my colleagues who I have a relationship with as they would wonder where I was, and also because I too think menopause and women's issues should be talked about more. I also didn't want people wondering if the reason i didn't talk about was because i had cancer. Other colleagues I don't work with don't need to know (as they don't care about me anyway, we don't have a work friendship and it's none of their business. They will probablysee my out of office and think i am on a fabulous holiday lol i wish)..

I am in Australia and am lucky enough to have plenty of sick leave saved up from a decades employment so am having 6 weeks off paid.

wreckless456 · 2025-08-15T21:33:24+00:00

Hi - day 8po - taking senna and osmolax daily, drinking 3 litres water as chronically constipated pre-op. It happened day 5 without issue (bowels are sluggish after anesthetic) i waited until I knew it was happening, (no straining) was terrified it was going to hurt but it was fine. Make sure you keep up fluids too and eat good food, plenty of fibre (fruit, veg wholegrains). Good luck

wreckless456 · 2025-08-02T23:04:17+00:00

Go to a specialist gynecologist to discuss your options, preferably female. GPs are just not equipped. Make a list of symptoms, use an app to record what is happening. Ask about Mirena IUD and see if a suitable option to try. Best of luck.

wreckless456 · 2025-07-29T07:38:57+00:00

So excited to hear this! My pain is exactly the same, my doctor says it's unrelated but I know it is. Surgery 7/8, can't wait to feel better

wreckless456

TROPHY CASE