Hi
First of all...I love your screen name !!! Now for the real reason you're here ...
I too am postmenopausal and I had a cyst removed last January.. If yours hasn't grown except for a little bit, that is a really good sign. Now for the surgery.. If he's suggesting a laparoscopy, it is usually done on an outpatient basis . Only takes about 5 hours walk -in to leaving. They usually tell you not to drive or lift anything heavy for about 2 weeks. But, I felt pretty good even the next day.They sent me home with pain pills which gave me a raging headache !! So I only used x strength Tylenol. I had 3 small incisions in a little line down the center. What kind of work do you do? Of course, everyone is different, and Dr's are different, but I'm thinking if it's just a "sit down" job and you can catch a ride, you may be able to work after a week ??? But, I sure wouldn't encourage doing more than you should because the internal "parts" heal slower. I only had one ovary taken out .
I'm not familiar with the book you're speaking of but it sounds right interesting. Usually they do like to monitor these cysts for awhile, but since you're postmenopausal, I doubt waiting , it would change too much if it hasn't already.. Someone else may come along regarding the HRT.. I've been off hormones for a few years now..
Please keep us posted and try not to worry. I'm sorry about the financial aspect also. Is your Dr. willing to work something out with you?
Take care,
Sandy
Thank you for your input. Grateful that I found this forum. I am in the Los Angeles area where medical costs are sky high. My doctor doesn't even take insurance. My guess is that total cost of everything involved with getting this surgery plus the surgery will set me back about $6,000, maybe more. Gee, am I just focused on the money part and not my health? Unfortunately, my job entails some lifting, climbing stairs several times a day, driving, computer, etc. and no one else is trained to do my job and yada yada. Anyway, just trying to think of ways to get out of having surgery.
Oh... That is a challenging job to be having after surgery.. I so wish I had some suggestions for you... Well, as you said,you could always just continue to monitor this cyst. Did you mention this to your Dr.? If so, was he totally against it? I know what you mean about the $$$. My Dr. doesn't take Medicare .. She will file for me.. but she sent the bill and when Medicare sent me the $$ , I just signed it over to her. It's awful but in SW Florida where I had the procedure, her bill was under $1000.00. The hospital charges were criminal.. I won't even tell you what they were !! But we have so many uninsured, the hospitals have to make it up somewhere I guess.
Please don't give up and feel free to come on here anytime .. and do ask your Dr. how he feels about the monitoring this for awhile ,
Take care,
Sandy