Hysterectomy Support Group
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually done by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total (removing the body and cervix of the uterus) or partial (also called supra-cervical). Although there are conservative alternatives, hysterectomy is performed for uterine fibroids, pelvic pain, pelvic relaxation, heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, and cancer.
I have a sil that is expecting any day now. The whole family is consumed by this. She is younger than me and it will be the first grandchild. I always thought that I would be first because I am the oldest. I find that it is hard for my family to understand what I am going through. One of the things that I have found that helps my family understand what I am going through is to tell them that my infertility is just like a death. I had to through all of the same grieving stages as a death before finally coming to acceptance. I would tell them to imagine that their best friend just lost a child and then ask them what they would say to that person and how would they treat that person. I would then explain to them that I have also been through a loss and that that is the way that I would like to be treated and talked to. I know that this is for some people a difficult association but for me and my family it helps them to understand what I am going through.
Anyway to get to the point. I went to the doc yesterday and he told me that he preferred that I have a hysterectomy. I have two cysts that are causing me pain and pressure. One cyst is the size of a baseball and is located behind my uterus and the other is the size of a golf ball and is on my left ovary. The cysts have been there for two years. I initially put off the surgery because the only way to remove them was
Anyway to get to the point. I went to the doc yesterday and he told me that he preferred that I have a hysterectomy. I have two cysts that are causing me pain and pressure. One cyst is the size of a baseball and is located behind my uterus and the other is the size of a golf ball and is on my left ovary. The cysts have been there for two years. I initially put off the surgery because the only way to remove them was
The adverse health effects and quality of life after hysterectomy can be bad enough without having to deal with the added finality of not being able to bear children. I've read posts on various forums from women who didn't even want children who struggled with this.
It surely seems like a competent surgeon could remove only the cysts. Unfortunately, most gyns will remove the organs because it's easier and more profitable. Hysterectomies take very little time. Cystectomies (removal of cysts) and myomectomies (removal of fibroids from uterus) are more "delicate" surgeries therefore requiring more time. Yet insurance reimbursement rates are generally about the same for organ sparing procedures as for hysterectomies, partially explaining the gross overuse of hysterectomy.
A woman in California had to file an appeal with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) to get them to pay for a cystectomy versus ovary removal because all the in-network doctors wanted to remove the ovary and she refused (good for her!). BCBS lost and had to pay the full out-of-network amount plus a fine.
I had a hysterectomy and ovary removal (castration) for a benign ovarian cyst (that caused just one day of pain) 5 years ago. It changed my life dramatically. You can read my profile for details.
Also, it's important to know that ACOG published a report in 2000 saying that 75% of hysterectomies are inappropriately recommended; Dr. Oz says 83%. Yet U.S. hyst rates have actually increased despite the fact that only about 2% are done for cancer. The only situations that truly warrant a hysterectomy are CONFIRMED cancer and, in very rare cases, after childbirth.
The non-profit HERS Foundation at www.hersfoundation.com has some good info about female conditions and treatment options. They're also available for phone consultations and will even review your medical records with you. Check it out. I wish I'd found them before I was told I needed a hysterectomy and oophorectomy.
Wishing you the best! Post back and let us know what you find out.
Hope you are having a good evening.