On the fence about a total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Hey everyone!
I'm a 32F with a "robotic assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy" next week (ovaries are staying in). I've been wanting to get this surgery for a few years, and now an opportunity has come up since I've met my out-of-pocket maximum due to a previous surgery and my health insurance has approved the hysterectomy.
I'm getting the surgery mostly so I don't have to suffer through periods anymore, but I do not have cancer, endo, fibroids, etc. I do have pretty painful cramping, back pain, and fatigue during my periods, so I take my birth control in such a way that I get my period every 3 months (at the recommendation of my gynecologist). I would say I have above average bleeding, but not insanely heavy either.
The past year or two, my period has started to break through during the 3-months I usually went without it. I get discharge often in between periods too. I'm getting frustrated with my periods not being held off well anymore, and even missing my pill by one day can trigger a period.
As I've been doing more research into the surgery's side effects, recovery, risks, etc., I'm a little on the fence about getting it. I want to be period-free, but also not sure if I want to do a invasive/risky surgery that is technically not "necessary". Although temporary, the recovery sounds like it can be very difficult. I was planning on take 2 weeks off of work (more if needed) to be safe.
So anyway, just looking for some advice I guess? Has anyone had a hysterectomy for similar reasons as me? I definitely never want to have children so that's not the issue. Any type of feedback would be great!
Also I feel like I should add that I do have heart disease and have a pacemaker (the previous surgery mentioned before). I've had another surgery in the past too, and both times I've had bad reactions to what we assume is the anesthesia. I guess I tried to wake up a lot during my pacemaker surgery, so they had to pump me with a lot of it. Not sure if that happened for my first surgery a few years ago, but I did have side effects both times. I get nauseated and vomit multiple times, and usually cannot eat for a while after. So not looking forward to that again, lol!
Thank you!