nervous about upcoming myomectomy

Hi! i am scheduled for an abdominal myo next week. i'm nervous, but anxious to get these out. My OBGYN said I have two fibroids - one the size of cantelope and one grapefruit. Also possibly some smaller ones. I'm 30, v. healthy, v. thin, and def. want to have children one day so this is why I opted for this surgery, want to make sure I preserve my uterus. Have a great doctor, wonderful hosp. just anxious/nervous in general since I've never had surgery, never been on anesthesia, etc.

If anyone out there has had a myomectomy and can offer insights, tips, what to expect, etc. I'd so appreciate. Thanks!

Hi,

I had an abdominal myomectomy last November. I was 33, no children, and wanted to preserve my fertility, just like you. My uterus was as big as a five month pregnancy, and the doctor removed four fibroids. I had a wonderful doctor, and he really put me at ease and helped me feel confident in my decision. My first doctor just said, you have fibroids, you need a hysterectomy. Ugh!

Anyway, I'd be glad to chat more if you'd like. Off the top of my head, I was surprised how long it truly took me to recover. I was off work for two weeks and really wasn't myself physically for a couple months. And I was shocked at how completely exhausted I was for so long after the surgery.

The only other thing I can think to warn you about may be too graphic, but I remember being VERY uncomfortable for several days because I couldn't have a bowel movement! It just hurt too badly. Finally I took a laxative on probably day four, and I felt SOOO much better! I later read that constipation is a common problem following this procedure. So, be prepared!

Oh, and do make sure you have someone who can look after you, definitely the first couple days I was home, I couldn't bathe myself, cook, etc... Forget doing any laundry, taking care of pets, etc... My mom stayed with me, and I couldn't have made it without her help. You will just need get lots of rest. We really caught up on all the latest DVDs, and I did a lot of reading.

Janet

Janet, thank you so much! It really helps to hear others' experiences...I know women who have had hysterectomies, but none that have had myomectomies, so this helps put me at ease. I have a wonderful doctor too, which I am glad about! I've heard the tiredness is very common - I also have two weeks off but I may need more, I may be working from home for the next one. I've heard the bowel movement stuff so I'm definitely going to take the laxatives as needed!
One question I have: pain after waking up from anesthesia? Was it horrible? I am nervous about that. And also, just waking up from the anesthesia? Again, awful? I hope not, but I do like to hear the truth.
Thanks again for the reply, and I'm glad to hear you are doing well!

Actually, waking up from the anesthesia wasn't bad for me at all. I had expected it to be much worse. I had another surgery years ago, and I remember that just being awful and terrifying! I was freezing, and I had to pee so bad I thought I would die. So I was prepared for the worst, but this time wasn't bad at all. They had a catheter in me, so honestly, it was the first time in years that I did NOT have to pee! ;-) I do remember being very thirsty, and the nurse gave me ice chips, and I remember thinking those ice chips were the BEST thing I had ever tasted in my life! There was some pain, but they had me drugged up pretty good. I was advised that if you have ANY pain, say so, because if you wait until it's bad, then they give you something for it, by the time it takes effect, you'll be in horrible pain! So I spoke up right away, and I was fine. Just tired and weak mainly. Overall I just remember being very happy it was over, and I swear somehow I felt lighter in my tummy just right away. So it was a good feeling, despite whatever there was negative.

I'm 37 and pretty much in the same boat, probably will have surgery either in oct or nov. I have two fibroids one in the front and other towards back, I'm about 95 pounds and these two things are about grapefruit size so mighty unpleseant.
I found a wonderful site about fibroids and there's some great info by a women who had myomectomy and embolization. It's from a funny perspecive also.
http://geekwithfibroi...

and I also found a great site where you can see rating of your doc and add your own ratings, I found my ex bad gyno on there and added my feelings about her and warned others against seeing her.

http://www.ratemds.co...

Good luck, hope you can share your experience afterwards.

I just got home from my myomectomy and I am doing great, just a little sore. My doctor confirmed that I will be able to have children and have them naturally! My doctor went into the surgery thinking that there were only 4 fibroids, however, the doctors removed 15 fibroids and 1 cyst from my left ovary. Two of the fibroids were the size of grapefruits and the rest were the size of golf balls. I was in the hospital for 4 days and i really enjoyed the pampering. I need help getting out of the bed and chairs and also help in the bathroom. PLease make sure you have help!

My surgery was a success and I am looking forward to being a mother.

Stephanie, That's great to hear. I'm scheduled for mine on November 2. My doctor said I'd probably have to have all C-section babies to be safe.

How is your incision scar? Is it really noticable?
How long did your doctor say it would be before you can attempt to have children?
I would appreciate your feedback.

Rosie.

My doctor did not give me any time frame for waiting. He basically said once I'm recovered (6-8 weeks) I could go ahead and try to get pregnant. I haven't done that, but he said I could. I was told in no uncertain terms that I would have to have a C-section. My incision on the uterus itself was top to bottom, so he said there was a good chance it would come apart in a natural birth. My scar on the outside is the "bikini" scar, and it's probably 5 or six inches. It's definitely there, but it's fading more and more, and of course, only one person besides me gets to see it anyway! lol

I was wondering how everything has turned out for everyone here. I am 28 yrs old/healthy and was diagnosed two years ago with multiple uterine fibroids (mom has them too). I was told to just try and conceive when I was ready, and so I did. I got pregnant last year, and lost my baby in my fourth month of pregnancy due to the fibroids. They had grown alot. Now, I am facing an abdominal myomectomy, so I can have a chance to be a mother. I am extremely nervous about the blood loss, scarring, etc. Has anyone here had success with pregnancy after an abdominal myomectomy? I am having nightmares about this, but I know if I want to be happy, I need to go through with this. I just need female support--from women who KNOW what I am feeling and going through.