Hi and welcome to mm
You need the oestrogen as it will protect you from long health problems caused by oestrogen deficiency. Heart, bones, skin, joint, bladder etc will all benefit from having oestrogen throughout your 50s and possible beyond. As you've had a hysterectomy you don't need progesterone which can sometimes give problems and studies show that oestrogen only hrt actually reduces the risk of breast cancer for hysterectomised women!!!!!
The gel or patches are a good choice - perhaps try patches first to see if they suit - Estrodot seem to be the most popular as they are small and stick well. The gel allows greater flexibility for dosage but it has to be applied daily at the same time.
Go for it and get your life back on track. DG x