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Fibroids and myomectomy

9 replies

12daysofpissedoff · 17/12/2014 23:35

Im scheduled for open surgery at the beginning of February to remove 3 large fibroids (15 cm diameter each!) Ive never had surgery before and wonder if anyone has any info or advice gained from their experience. Ive been given a heads up by the surgeon and pre-op nurse, but am just wondering what to expect - from silly things like whether it would be better to wear a nightie rather than pj's in hospital - so Im not having to bend/stretch to pull them up, etc. Im about to go to bed so thanks in advance for any replies! Also, will I no longer look like I've swallowed a football once theyre gone?

OP posts:
Snugglepiggy · 18/12/2014 06:40

Just to say you poor thing with fibroids that size ?I have two small ones and and have just been in for day surgery to remove two polyps that were also causing problems with irregular ,heavy bleeding.Well I hope so - awaiting biopsy results.- and the few years have been hard going with flooding and anaemia etc.So how you must have been feeling ?!As for your nightwear or any other questions don't hesitate to ring and ask your pre-op assessment unit or nurse and ask. Hopefully they're as completely lovely as the lot that took care of me,and as I say fortunately I was in and out in a day.
Just out of interest were you offered the Mirena coil as a solution ? I was over and over again,even before the surgery.But maybe I'm just stubborn I have resolutely said no.I didn't want yet another foreign body in my uterus,just rid of the ones that were there.And as. I'm in my mid 50s I'm hoping my oestrogens naturally waning and no more lumps grow.Hope it goes well.

12daysofpissedoff · 18/12/2014 10:10

Thanks - Re size, I absolutely cant wait to get them out - Im a size 12 hips but currently have a 46 inch waist! Im so uncomfortable and look about 8 months pg! No, a coil was taken out of the equation early on due to everything being squashed in my pelvis. Im also having v heavy periods and significant problems with bladder control. Im told as it will be open surgery, I'll be in at least 2 nights. Also theres a 50/50 chance I'll have a hysterectomy, due to the vascualar issues that may arise.

OP posts:
emanon · 18/12/2014 10:48

I had a myomectomy for a very large fibroid 15 years ago and subsequently had a hysterectomy after it re-grew but that was 13 years later after two healthy pregnancies. I can't actually remember what I wore in hospital, but the whole experience was absolutely fine. You should definitely feel a lot better after the op. If you have any questions, please ask :-)

orangeplum · 19/12/2014 22:59

Hi, I had a hysterectomy to remove fibroids after a failed resection. I wore a nightie which was more comfy. Loose knickers also helpful on wound. You will definitely notice a difference in your tummy/waist and you should find the external scar heals quite quickly. Worst thing I found was the wind afterwards. Lots of peppermint tea helped.

Staff were all lovely and it felt like seconds between the start and end of the op. They will make you get out of bed and showered quite quickly (next morning after a 5pm op) and keep mobile.

Good luck and am sure this will make a big difference to you. It certainly did me.

12daysofpissedoff · 20/12/2014 13:42

Thanks orangeplum, that's very reassuring. Well, apart from the wind bit, that's bad enough already Blush

OP posts:
sunshineandshowers789 · 23/12/2014 03:42

Hi there, I had a myomectomy nearly 8 weeks ago now so am happy to share my experience. I had 5 fibroids removed varying in size weighing about 1kg in total apparently.

Firstly I would recommend a nightie in hospital rather than pyjamas as you will probably have a catheter inserted post surgery that may stay in for 12 - 24 hours so pyjamas may get in the way. I actually wore pyjamas and it was ok but in hindsight would've brought a nightie with me instead! You may also have a drain inserted near the wound site to drain excess blood so again a nightie is easier. After the catheter and drain are removed, either is fine. Big knickers also help - so that they don't rub on the incision, mine was a 20cm horizontal cut on my bikini line although I know sometimes a vertical incision is made depending on the position and size of the fibroids.

I had surgery early morning and was up by the evening - just moving from the bed to a chair. The next morning I had a shower with assistance. I did feel uncomfortable and in pain mostly when moving but morphine helped! The morphine was gradually reduced after 24 hours as it affects bowel movements and as constipation is already a problem post surgery, they try and not exarcebate the problem.

Movement where tummy muscles are engaged do hurt, particularly sitting up/getting up from a lying position. I was discharged after 2 days but needed help getting out of bed once home. A solution I found on the internet was to tie a sheet to the bed to use as a rope to get myself up using my arms rather than my tummy muscles if this makes sense? This was something I hadn't really thought about pre-surgery.

I feel that I recovered quite quickly, yes the first few days were uncomfortable but things gradually got easier. After 2- 3 weeks I was able to get back to my normal routine and could do most things for myself. Gentle daily walking is important to keep moving. I found it important to keep up some level of activity post recovery but also ensuring I got lots of rest - it's a balancing act! Lifting anything vaguely heavy is to be avoided for 6 weeks. If at all possible, try and have someone who can look after you for the first few days at home.

I was quite swollen at first but this has gone down so I think you will gradually notice a difference in your waist size once the swelling goes down.

All in all, I had a positive experience and now nearly 2 months on, my scar has healed well and I feel more or less back to normal. Please feel free to ask if you have more questions!

12daysofpissedoff · 26/12/2014 12:16

Thanks Sunshineandflowers, that's really helpful!

OP posts:
fromparistoberlin73 · 05/01/2015 21:46

Hi there I am on week four of post op recovery so feel for you ! It's a big deal emotionally and physically

I am definitely less swollen but to be honest even at just under four weeks am still swollen and tender .

To be honest having recovery over the Xmas holidays (ie kids off school) has been really hard , I envy people who have surgery recovery and no kids!!

For the hospital they will take great care of you , it's the coming home that is harder. Best thing I did was get a cleaner in .

And it's true that you must must rest afterwards .

I am now impatient to complete healing, get fit again and enjoy a less bloated stomach

Please do pm me if you have any questions xx

Smarterthantheaveragebeaver · 16/02/2015 17:22

Well, Im in hospital recovering from surgery this morning. I can tell you, soreness from the op scar and drain poking inside me aside, how much better I feel already, 4 and a bit hours after coming round! The surgeon took some before and after photos of my innards to show me as well. It looks like he's holding something the size of a rugby ball with both hands in the "before" shot Shock

Cant wait to get home and dig out my tape measure to see what difference that's made Grin

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