Gentlemen, I wonder if we might discuss the surgical renovation of our reproductive systems, i.e., the removal of certain organs that are of no use to most of us.

In other words, can we talk about hysterectomies?  Although Aunt Flo left me about eighteen months ago, I still would like to have my uterus removed, and soon.  So I've come here to ask about the experiences of others.  More specifically:

What was the full cost of your procedure?
Were you able to access indigent care services if you needed them?
Which procedure did you undergo?  [Laparascopic intravaginal, for example?]
How was your recovery?
How long was your recovery?
Did you experience any complications?  [E.g., infections, excessive pain, bleeding, etc]
When were you able to return to full activities?  [E.g., lifting heavy objects, running, jumping, climbing trees, etc]

Thank you in advance to everyone who replies!

I am about 21 months post hysterectomy.  I had my hysterectomy at about 15 months on T.

1 - I had many issues with my organs for 15 years prior to my hysterectomy. For this reason, my procedure was covered by insurance. My cost was approximately 2,000 in coinsurance payments for professional and facility charges.

2 - I didn't look into this. My wife cared for me at home for a couple days and then I managed at home alone during the day while she was at work for the remainder of my recovery.

3 - laparoscopic hysterectomy salpingo-oophorectomy.  I did not have a large open incision, I had 4 small incisions in my abdomen

4 - my recovery went well. I overdid things a bit in week 2 because I was feeling pretty good and had some new bleeding. That cleared up quickly once I stopped doing so much.

5 - I was out of work 3 weeks. I work an office job and my clinician recommended 4-6 weeks. I pushed to return at 3 and was still sore but otherwise managed fine.

6 - other than the aforementioned bleeding in week 2, no. And that was due to me not following orders

7 - I was back to no restrictions at 6 weeks. I have not had any issues since (that includes the pain that was my constant companion for 15 years).

For me, the hysterectomy was really great. I had great care, compassionate clinicians. I didn't anticipate the psychological boost I would get (since the organs aren't visible). It really helped me a lot in my dysphoria and in feeling better physically.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any follow up questions.

1. $3053 USD

2. Don't know what indigent care services are.

3. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

4. Recovery was very minimal

5. 2 weeks

6. No complications

7. 2 weeks


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Full billing price: $38,000
I paid: $1,800

I did not need any kind of financial aid or home health services, not sure which you mean, but I needed no help whatsoever.

I had a total laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy with a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. They made two incisions, one in my belly button and one on my pubic bone. They inserted a camera through my belly button and used the other incision to insert cutting tools. They sliced stuff up and then took it all out through my downstairs. This included removal of my cervix, so they just stitched up the top of the vaginal canal at the end.

Recovery was easy. Surgery was on a Thursday. I took off Thursday and Friday, and had the weekend off. I went back to work on Monday. I wasn't allowed to lift anything over 10lbs for 3 weeks, but other than that had no restrictions.

I had no complications. At my post-op appointment 3 weeks after the procedure I was cleared to return to full activity. I went back to the gym immediately with no issues.

I'm about 1.5 years post op now. .

What was the full cost of your procedure?
No idea. I live in a country where the bill goes straight to my healthinsurance

Were you able to access indigent care services if you needed them?
There was no need for this

Which procedure did you undergo?  [Laparascopic intravaginal, for example?]
I had a laproscopic hysto+oopho+colpectomy in one go

How was your recovery?
Remarkably easy, even though I had a tripple operation whammy. There was barely any pain involved.

How long was your recovery?
In total, about 6 weeks. I was back to running and doing sports then. But after a month I felt more than normal already, and felt like I could have done sports, but wasn't allowed yet.

Did you experience any complications?  [E.g., infections, excessive pain, bleeding, etc]
Nope, none.

When were you able to return to full activities?  [E.g., lifting heavy objects, running, jumping, climbing trees, etc]
That would be 6 weeks, but only because that was the protocol

What was the full cost of your procedure? $8,000

Were you able to access indigent care services if you needed them? Didn't need it.

Which procedure did you undergo? Laparascopic

How was your recovery? Pretty easy. The worst pain was the healing of the two incision holes in the abdomen.

How long was your recovery?  1-2 weeks

Did you experience any complications? I had a spell of excessive bleeding and blood clots but I was told that is a possibility. As the internal cuff heals blood from the surgery site can form and it doesn't always fall right away. For me it pooled into clots the size of a peach before falling out. Although this was not fun to deal with there was absolutely no pain or discomfort with it. A quick trip back to the doc to have a small amount of nitrous oxide applies to the tissue did the trick.

When were you able to return to full activities?  I had to wait 3 weeks.

I just had mine done nearly 3 weeks ago.

Quote from: Amadeus on November 09, 2016, 12:51:50 PMWhat was the full cost of your procedure?

I'm in Australia, not sure where you are.  Breakdown was:

Surgeon's full fee: $1700+ (I only paid $500 out of pocket for his fee, Medicare covered the rest).
Anaesthetist's fee: $400 out of pocket, not sure what his full fee was as Medicare paid the rest.
Hospital fees (overnight stay): Covered by my private insurance, only paid $250 excess upon admission.
Assistant surgeon's fee: $300 (Covered by Medicare)

My total out-of-pocket costs: $1150

Quote from: Amadeus on November 09, 2016, 12:51:50 PMWere you able to access indigent care services if you needed them?

N/A

Quote from: Amadeus on November 09, 2016, 12:51:50 PMWhich procedure did you undergo?  [Laparascopic intravaginal, for example?]

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy (removed uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix).

Quote from: Amadeus on November 09, 2016, 12:51:50 PMHow was your recovery?
How long was your recovery?

The first week I was very, very sore and it was difficult to walk and stand up straight.  I luckily had no issues toileting, etc. like some people have.  The worst part was the catheter and even though it only stayed in overnight, it HURT being in and it HURT coming out.  I'm sure, though, everyone's experience is different.

By week two, I was feeling pretty good - just mostly tired.

Quote from: Amadeus on November 09, 2016, 12:51:50 PMDid you experience any complications?  [E.g., infections, excessive pain, bleeding, etc]

I bled what seemed like a LOT.  As I was catheterised, I didn't have underwear on so all of my bleeding out just went onto a big square pad that was placed underneath me on the bed.  I was honestly shocked when I got up for the first time and saw all the blood, but apparently it was normal.  No other complications.

Quote from: Amadeus on November 09, 2016, 12:51:50 PMWhen were you able to return to full activities?  [E.g., lifting heavy objects, running, jumping, climbing trees, etc]

I've been advised I can return to work on light duties from week 3, but no heavy lifting until at least 6+ weeks, preferably 12 weeks I was told. 

Anecdotally, I am now able to do most things as before (housework, moving around, sleeping on my stomach, etc.).  My doctor did advise me though that this is time when a lot of people injure themselves because they feel recovered when in fact, they aren't.

Thank you all for responding to my queries!  I live in the US, in Atlanta.  Even with the ACA I still can't afford health insurance.  Considering what's coming next year...ugh.  That's why I asked about indigence.  I had to file for indigence back in 2010 before I could have my gallbladder removed, in north Georgia.  Then I was approved for Medicare a few years later along with my disability claim, so I got really great care at Northside Hospital when I had my chest surgery.  Alas, my benefits stopped as well as Medicare back in June 2015, so...yeah.  Not sure how I'm going to get this done.

I had my hysto July 19th of this year.

I believe my full cost was $25,000 but I only paid $8,000 out of pocket for the surgery, a one night stay in the hospital, and my post op appointment included.

My partner took one day off work to stay with me, but other than that I was able to do basic stuff at home. I didn't need much help getting around. Much easier than my top surgery overall.

My procedure was completely laparoscopic.  I had three incisions and everything was done through them. I can't even see the scars anymore. The vaginal canal was stitched up after the cervix was removed and that took the longest to heal.

I took 2 months off. I didn't need the whole time, but I wanted to be safe and I was able to take the time off. My main recovery time was the first two weeks. After that I was able to do most things but I didn't lift anything heavy for the full 8 weeks. I was driving after a week, but I could have gone back to it earlier.

I had to request a refill of my pain meds once since I overdid it around day 8 and ended up really sore. Bleeding stopped after about 2 weeks. I had more pain than my top surgery, but less overall stiffness and soreness.

I went back to my regular activities at week 4 but refrained from anything serious for the full 8 weeks to make my doctor happy.

I had a great experience overall. I feel much better now that I had it done. My hormones are much more stable, I feel better overall and my hormone troughs are much less noticeable.


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Quote from: Amadeus on November 20, 2016, 09:44:36 PM
Thank you all for responding to my queries!  I live in the US, in Atlanta.  Even with the ACA I still can't afford health insurance.  Considering what's coming next year...ugh.  That's why I asked about indigence.  I had to file for indigence back in 2010 before I could have my gallbladder removed, in north Georgia.  Then I was approved for Medicare a few years later along with my disability claim, so I got really great care at Northside Hospital when I had my chest surgery.  Alas, my benefits stopped as well as Medicare back in June 2015, so...yeah.  Not sure how I'm going to get this done.

Move to California? Okay, kidding.