My ob had an early hyst for the same reason I did, and she was great. One query about my feelings on never having (bio) children, to which I replied with a fervent "I am totally fine with that" and it was scheduled right away.

Bennett, I also sail through feminine hygiene aisles with a happy song in my heart. Which I sing whenever I fold my pretty panties that I can wear without fear every day in a month, and wash my non-bloodstained sheets.

Not to mention it's given me time to go from, "Wow, surgery=scary! No more uterus=strange," to "So damn sick of this get it out out OUT."

Have you considered laproscopy? I had fibroids removed that way and my oh so tactful doctor* said "you know, you're 38 and unmarried, it would be easier to just do a hysterectomy". Point being that the fibroid removal was very easy. I felt fine in 3-4 days.

*my regular OB/GYN had warned me that he was a great surgeon, but didn't have a good bedside manner. I called my guy after the appointment and said "I see what you mean"

I had a hysterectomy about 7 years ago for stage IV endometriosis. I should have done it much earlier! So nice to be rid of the pain, blood loss, and headaches.

I had a hysterectomy in February, and while the surgery was no fun, my awesome doctor gave me pictures. And, since I was home for two weeks and had plenty of painkillers, I quit coffee.

I guess that is the first part of my update - Still living just outside of DC, at the same University, but with the top job and all the headaches of budget cuts, etc., but with a Dean who seems to totally appreciate me and the problems. Some days I would love to leave, others NSM. The DH is still trying to rid the world of weapons, so we have been able to travel once or twice a year and our 7 year old has been to 9 countries, which is a very, very different childhood than either of us had. We love our little town, and we started hosting a pot luck on the First Friday of every month for the families with kids at the bus stop that has expanded to many more -- and which people now volunteer to host themselves.

The 7 year old is in 2nd grade, loves math, her horseback riding lessons, having sleepovers, reading, and bugging her cousin hippocampus to put her in a book.

Have you considered laproscopy? I had fibroids removed that way and my oh so tactful doctor* said "you know, you're 38 and unmarried, it would be easier to just do a hysterectomy". Point being that the fibroid removal was very easy. I felt fine in 3-4 days.

We don't think it's just the fibroids. I've always tended to heavy and sometimes painful periods without any apparent underlying cause (and believe me, given my tendency to health paranoia, I made sure to get thoroughly tested), and it's gotten worse the last few years. What it finally came down to is that I'm 45, am completely sure I don't want more biological children even if my blood pressure issues didn't make it hella high risk, and for all we know natural menopause is another 5-10 years away for me, so let's get this done so my life will no longer feel like it's being ruled by unpredictable bleeding spells.

(Though I'm sure if the fibroids were larger and seemed more likely to be the main root cause of my issues, my doctor would've recommended that route. She's been my gyn for about five years now, and I trust her judgment.)

I had a hysterectomy in February, and while the surgery was no fun, my awesome doctor gave me pictures. And, since I was home for two weeks and had plenty of painkillers, I quit coffee.

If you don't mind my asking, how painful was the recovery process? Like, am I being too optimistic when I think, "Two weeks off work where I have to take it easy! Time to catch up on my reading and binge-watch some of the shows I've missed over the past 10 years or so!"

The DH is still trying to rid the world of weapons, so we have been able to travel once or twice a year and our 7 year old has been to 9 countries, which is a very, very different childhood than either of us had. We love our little town, and we started hosting a pot luck on the First Friday of every month for the families with kids at the bus stop that has expanded to many more -- and which people now volunteer to host themselves.

This all sounds so lovely!

how painful was the recovery process?

I had a laproscopic procedure, and it was uncomfortable more than painful. I only took Advil for pain. Certainly, after the first few days were I wasn't walking except around the house, recovery went pretty quickly. After two weeks of being at home (and I did take it easy, watch all the TV, and read all the books) I was still not perfect, but only went home early from work a few days, and sometimes asked to sit while I was standing to talk to someone.

The worst parts for me were the immediate recovery because I don't tolerate anesthesia well, and was pretty sick for 12-24 hours post surgery (but we knew this going in, so I was resigned), and the post-surgery antibiotics didn't go down easy.

You are definitely not being optimistic.

My favorite part was not so much walking by the feminine products, but realizing I never had to have another pap smear.

Nilly!!! Fay!!! And hi bennett!

I am not a member of the HysterSisters, but did get a tubal ligation. My migraines were getting worse and no meds were helping, and I couldn't afford to be out of commission for days, so I did a 6-month long experiment in human subject research and discovered that if I'm not on the pill I don't get migraines, and that I hate condoms.

Life since has been GREAT. I am still thrilled with the lack of migraines. Of course, although I told the nurses et al about my surgical glue allergy, the doc used surgical glue.

I had a laproscopic procedure, and it was uncomfortable more than painful. I only took Advil for pain. Certainly, after the first few days were I wasn't walking except around the house, recovery went pretty quickly. After two weeks of being at home (and I did take it easy, watch all the TV, and read all the books) I was still not perfect, but only went home early from work a few days, and sometimes asked to sit while I was standing to talk to someone.

Thanks!

I am starting to loose track of all the people who have posted. Fay, it is always good to see you, here or on Facebook.

Nilly, Raq, Bennett, Sparky - it's good to hear from you.

Susan, I hope your hystrectomy goes well.