hysterectomy

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j916
j916 Member Posts: 141
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I want to have a hysterectomy....i want to have it done with my last reconstruction surgery. Do any of you know a good way to have this covered by your insurance...is it considered "elective"?
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  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #2
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    Hysterectomy is elective ? I
    Hysterectomy is elective ? I had one years ago and it was covered. It was not Cancer or anything like that and I had no problems insurance co.
  • dstrow
    dstrow Member Posts: 2
    #3
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    Kat11 said:

    Hysterectomy is elective ? I
    Hysterectomy is elective ? I had one years ago and it was covered. It was not Cancer or anything like that and I had no problems insurance co.

    hysterectomy
    My oncologist recommended a hysterectomy for me because he thought my ovaries should come out. I am Estrogen positive so it is good way to get my estrogen level down.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #4
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    dstrow said:

    hysterectomy
    My oncologist recommended a hysterectomy for me because he thought my ovaries should come out. I am Estrogen positive so it is good way to get my estrogen level down.

    You want a hysterectomy?
    You want a hysterectomy? wow I, personally, do not want to lose any of my "female organs". This may be a dumb question, but, wouldn't that affect you sexually? Wouldn't it not be the same as if you had everything in there and no estrogen at all? Please don't anyone jump on me..I am just asking some questions that I don't have the answers to. My husband and I are very happy with the way things are. I don't know if that would make them very different. Sorry for my question and bluntness. :(
  • The1percen
    The1percen Member Posts: 135
    #5
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    a man's point of view...
    Hi,
    I don't know old you are or what type of BC you have but... first, no it won't affect you sexually anymore than any of what you are going through right now. My wife has had a hysterectomy and she was glad to be rid of the "problems" that accompanied with premenopausal/ menopausal hormones and having a period followed by another, then a couple of months with out and then the COLD and HOT and moodieness. From the BC side of it. There is the possibility of mastastizing (?) you already have a possibility of another cancer (please understand I don't wish nor want to impede any positive attitude that you might have)my sister had BC when she was in her 20s and later HAD to have "the works" removed because of pre-cancerous growth on one of her ovaries. I don't know if this helps but it's something to chew on. I would believe you would be best to talk to your "team". Take Care and good luck with your battle.
    Mike
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #6
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    The1percen said:

    a man's point of view...
    Hi,
    I don't know old you are or what type of BC you have but... first, no it won't affect you sexually anymore than any of what you are going through right now. My wife has had a hysterectomy and she was glad to be rid of the "problems" that accompanied with premenopausal/ menopausal hormones and having a period followed by another, then a couple of months with out and then the COLD and HOT and moodieness. From the BC side of it. There is the possibility of mastastizing (?) you already have a possibility of another cancer (please understand I don't wish nor want to impede any positive attitude that you might have)my sister had BC when she was in her 20s and later HAD to have "the works" removed because of pre-cancerous growth on one of her ovaries. I don't know if this helps but it's something to chew on. I would believe you would be best to talk to your "team". Take Care and good luck with your battle.
    Mike

    Hey Kylez
    To answer your
    Hey Kylez
    To answer your question, no, a hysterectomy doesn't affect your sexuality, at least it didn't affect mine. I had a complete hysterectomy about 4 years ago and I am still estrogen receptor positive...somehow my body is finding a way to produce estrogen without the benefit of ovaries...
    To the original question, I would think if your Doc. feels you need a hysterectomy, then the insurance will cover it.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #7
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    Sorry, I don't know j916. I
    Sorry, I don't know j916. I haven't had one, nor, do I ever want one. But, good luck to you if you do get one!
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #8
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    Kylez said:

    You want a hysterectomy?
    You want a hysterectomy? wow I, personally, do not want to lose any of my "female organs". This may be a dumb question, but, wouldn't that affect you sexually? Wouldn't it not be the same as if you had everything in there and no estrogen at all? Please don't anyone jump on me..I am just asking some questions that I don't have the answers to. My husband and I are very happy with the way things are. I don't know if that would make them very different. Sorry for my question and bluntness. :(

    hysterectomy and sex...
    I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago and it had no effect on me sexually. However, we did leave my ovaries in, which now I am considering having removed. My Dr did an estrogen level test to see just how much they are functioning and between that and the Medical Oncologists advice I will decide if I will have them removed. I personally think it is a good idea since I don't want anymore estrogen production and they will be stopping it with the Tamoxifen anyway. Why leave them in and risk ovarian cancer? :) Pammy
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #9
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    Akiss4me said:

    hysterectomy and sex...
    I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago and it had no effect on me sexually. However, we did leave my ovaries in, which now I am considering having removed. My Dr did an estrogen level test to see just how much they are functioning and between that and the Medical Oncologists advice I will decide if I will have them removed. I personally think it is a good idea since I don't want anymore estrogen production and they will be stopping it with the Tamoxifen anyway. Why leave them in and risk ovarian cancer? :) Pammy

    My hysterectomy they also
    My hysterectomy they also left the ovaries. Now I wish I did not have them. I asked if they were going to remove them and my onc said no, the Tamoxifen will take care of them.
  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    #10
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    Alexis F said:

    Sorry, I don't know j916. I
    Sorry, I don't know j916. I haven't had one, nor, do I ever want one. But, good luck to you if you do get one!

    I am suppossed to have one
    I am suppossed to have one at the end of my treatment. I am only 42 so its kinda scary for me.
  • j916
    j916 Member Posts: 141
    #11
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    The1percen said:

    a man's point of view...
    Hi,
    I don't know old you are or what type of BC you have but... first, no it won't affect you sexually anymore than any of what you are going through right now. My wife has had a hysterectomy and she was glad to be rid of the "problems" that accompanied with premenopausal/ menopausal hormones and having a period followed by another, then a couple of months with out and then the COLD and HOT and moodieness. From the BC side of it. There is the possibility of mastastizing (?) you already have a possibility of another cancer (please understand I don't wish nor want to impede any positive attitude that you might have)my sister had BC when she was in her 20s and later HAD to have "the works" removed because of pre-cancerous growth on one of her ovaries. I don't know if this helps but it's something to chew on. I would believe you would be best to talk to your "team". Take Care and good luck with your battle.
    Mike

    About Me
    My cancer is Estrogen positive....my onc has said that tamoxafin will "stop" the estrogen problem, but you now what? I want all possiblities out of me. I'm 47, single, kids grown, and i feel if i am looking into all different ways to avoid estrogen producing foods, etc., why wouldn't i want them out?
    If i might ask....for those who it did effect them sexually...in what way? I've been in perimenopausal for awhile now....but even if in menopause, it doesn't stop the risk of ovarian cancer...and i would like to eliminate any and all risks possible. My onc isn't very into "cancer diet" per sey, etc....and i want to be very proactive.
    Thank you all so much for your responses...these really help!
  • JoMama54
    JoMama54 Member Posts: 78
    #12
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    dstrow said:

    hysterectomy
    My oncologist recommended a hysterectomy for me because he thought my ovaries should come out. I am Estrogen positive so it is good way to get my estrogen level down.

    Estrogen positive after hysterectomy
    I had a complete hysterectomy in 1999 and was still dx estrogen positive bc 6/08.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #13
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    Decisions, decisions!
    Not that I have had one, but here are a few "facts" about hysterectomies! 1) They got that name beause MALE Dr's were happy to remove the part of our bodies which was making us HYSTERICAL; just like a tonsil-ectomy removes our tonsils. GRRRRRR!!!!!

    2)As far as ones sexuality is concerned, I also remember a wise person saying that a hysterectomy "Removes the baby-carriage, but keeps the play-pen"...I think that about says it all, doesn't it? LOL

    Sounds like you need to really make an informed decision~ let us know what you decide!

    hugs,
    Claudia
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #14
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    To put my 2 cents worth in,
    To put my 2 cents worth in, my oncologist didn't recommend it. With the tamoxifen or the als you are already inhibiting the body from absorbing estrogen. Your body produces estrogen also, not just the ovaries, and it is stored in body fat, so by removing the ovaries you are not necessarily reducing your risk. It can also bring different problems in the future, such as your bladder dropping, etc. So, before considering it, talk with your oncologist and your gynecologist and list all the pros and cons for each. Hugs, Lili
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #15
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    mmontero38 said:

    To put my 2 cents worth in,
    To put my 2 cents worth in, my oncologist didn't recommend it. With the tamoxifen or the als you are already inhibiting the body from absorbing estrogen. Your body produces estrogen also, not just the ovaries, and it is stored in body fat, so by removing the ovaries you are not necessarily reducing your risk. It can also bring different problems in the future, such as your bladder dropping, etc. So, before considering it, talk with your oncologist and your gynecologist and list all the pros and cons for each. Hugs, Lili

    Test positive for Braca gene....
    I was told however that if I test positive for the Braca gene than I would have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer same as you do with BC. I am on hold for having my test done as we are in the middle of switching Insurances. Chances are that I will see my Oncologist way before I ever get those results back. But since I had a hysterectomy already, test or no test, I can't see leaving them in. Does the tamoxifen destroy them or once you stop taking the tamoxifen then they start working again? Does anyone know? :) Pammy
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #16
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    mmontero38 said:

    To put my 2 cents worth in,
    To put my 2 cents worth in, my oncologist didn't recommend it. With the tamoxifen or the als you are already inhibiting the body from absorbing estrogen. Your body produces estrogen also, not just the ovaries, and it is stored in body fat, so by removing the ovaries you are not necessarily reducing your risk. It can also bring different problems in the future, such as your bladder dropping, etc. So, before considering it, talk with your oncologist and your gynecologist and list all the pros and cons for each. Hugs, Lili

    Yes, Lili, that was what I
    Yes, Lili, that was what I was talking about in my previous post. I have heard and read numerous reports on your bladder dropping after a hysterectomy. It might not at first, but, as you get older. That is why I would not want one unless I had to. Good luck!
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #17
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    Kylez said:

    Yes, Lili, that was what I
    Yes, Lili, that was what I was talking about in my previous post. I have heard and read numerous reports on your bladder dropping after a hysterectomy. It might not at first, but, as you get older. That is why I would not want one unless I had to. Good luck!

    That is an absolute truth.
    That is an absolute truth. My sister had a hysterectomy when she was quite young.. I think it was when she was around 35 years old.. within five years she had to have a nother surgery from her bladder prolapsing. So.. do check out all the pros and cons... best wishes...

    ~T
  • The1percen
    The1percen Member Posts: 135
    #18
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    taleena said:

    That is an absolute truth.
    That is an absolute truth. My sister had a hysterectomy when she was quite young.. I think it was when she was around 35 years old.. within five years she had to have a nother surgery from her bladder prolapsing. So.. do check out all the pros and cons... best wishes...

    ~T

    I have to agree also
    Robin... my wife is looking at having to have surgery because her "whole floor" is drooping because of hers. Plus she also had three childbirths with NO epiesiotomy (?) They were all out in less than 4 hours and there was some muscle tear. But al-in-all the gyno/ob attributes the majority of the damage as from the "open" space.
    Mike
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #19
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    Those are some of the bad
    Those are some of the bad effects of having a hysterectomy. And, like you said Lili too, it doesn't take away all of your estrogen. And, having to have another surgery to tie up a fallen bladder? No thanks! Good luck!
  • j916
    j916 Member Posts: 141
    #20
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    chenheart said:

    Decisions, decisions!
    Not that I have had one, but here are a few "facts" about hysterectomies! 1) They got that name beause MALE Dr's were happy to remove the part of our bodies which was making us HYSTERICAL; just like a tonsil-ectomy removes our tonsils. GRRRRRR!!!!!

    2)As far as ones sexuality is concerned, I also remember a wise person saying that a hysterectomy "Removes the baby-carriage, but keeps the play-pen"...I think that about says it all, doesn't it? LOL

    Sounds like you need to really make an informed decision~ let us know what you decide!

    hugs,
    Claudia

    oh claudia
    that was the best laugh i've had in a long time....keep the play pen...i will be repeating that one!
    thank you!!!
    Jeanne
  • Cher123
    Cher123 Member Posts: 8
    #21
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    Akiss4me said:

    Test positive for Braca gene....
    I was told however that if I test positive for the Braca gene than I would have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer same as you do with BC. I am on hold for having my test done as we are in the middle of switching Insurances. Chances are that I will see my Oncologist way before I ever get those results back. But since I had a hysterectomy already, test or no test, I can't see leaving them in. Does the tamoxifen destroy them or once you stop taking the tamoxifen then they start working again? Does anyone know? :) Pammy

    Tamoxifen does not destroy your ovaries.
    Pammy,
    Tamoxifen blocks the estrogen receptors so it can not feed the cancer. Your ovaries are still working. After 5 years it is no longer effective. If you have already had a hysterectomy you may already have to deal with your bladder dropping, I was told it was the removal of the uterus that causes that problem. Don't know if you are through menopause yet, but if you are I wouldn't think losing your ovaries would bring about any major changes. If you are premenopausal, it will put you into it immeadiately, rather than gradually. This is my understanding of it all.
    Good luck to you,
    Cher

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