Hello, I am 30 years old, no kids, but desire some in the future and live in southern California. On 12.12.18 I had my abdominal myomectomy. I had 20 fibroids at various sizes removed through a clean cut bikini line incision. I am very pleased with the incision cut and with the surgery. Here's some info from the experience so far:
The first three days: the first day was the worst ( I had to walk within the first couple of hours of the surgery since I did not have a catheter and the pain was indescribable, I did get up though and eventually use the restroom), day 2 was not as bad but still a challenge (needed lots of assistance getting around, came off the IV/pain pump and switched to Norco and Mortin (hard transition until we found the right dosage), appetite was mostly for soft foods and liquids, various aches and pain on the body), Day 3 I went home (I was able to do a few things by myself and was walking around the hospital by myself, sponge bath myself, and dressed myself, the car ride home was a little uncomfortable). The mesh panties were so comfortable- I wish I would have asked to take a few pairs home.
As of today I can: walk at a slow pace, start to ween off the Norco pain meds and only take Motrin 600 mg, had a few irregular bowel movements (good thing though), range of body motion is improving each day, pain comes in waves, shower by myself, slightly bend over, I use women's depends because I can't wear regular underwear yet due to the incision.
I have to: rest often, I seem to push the limits a little on trying to do things around the house and when I do I am exhausted, stay on top on meds schedule or the pain is like a slap in the face, ask for help often and try not to do things myself.
Things that are still a challenge: getting out of bed or getting up when I've been laying/sitting down for a while, waiting for the first bowel movement was a challenge at first and when I was ready for it I was really sick to my stomach but then it passed and it was such a relief, nausea is a challenge so I'm weening off of Norco.
Doctor's tips: fast recoveries occur in people who get up and walk around and happy people (positive thinking).
My tip: have a support system because this is a major surgery and you can't recover alone. Wear loose dresses and women's depends are actually comfortable.
Overall, I wanted the surgery because I wanted a quality of life right now. I looked 6 months pregnant, lot's of pressure and pain leading up, during, and after my periods, and I wanted to take a chance on having kids soon (getting married 4/14/19). The fact that I was going to have a scar didn't phase me because it's a testimony to this huge hurdle I had to overcome. If you're considering surgery, it's worth it.
Thankyou for sharing! who is your Doctor in California? Could you ask who he recommends in Az for Myomectomy? I have put it off for years because iam scared but iam tired of the heaviness. I know I have 4 large fibroids.
Thankyou for sharing! who is your Doctor in California? Could you ask who he recommends in Az for Myomectomy? I have put it off for years because iam scared but iam tired of the heaviness. I know I have 4 large fibroids.
Wow Eeka3, congratulations! Those pictures look like Parker (San Diego) trademark pictures - from the positioning of the tape to the arrangement of the fibroids. I don’t know what your symptoms were but I tell you the pain of recovery is nothing compared to the joy of not having to deal with the bleeding from these bad buddies. At least you can move on with your wedding knowing that you have this out of the way. Welcome to your new dawn. Recovery of the entire reproductive system does take months. I am still recovering and I had surgery in May. I am sure my body is still wondering where the unwanted hosts are since they were there for well over a decade.
All the best in your journey.
So this has been a long journey and I did actually go and see Dr. Parker in San Diego but my insurance ended up not covering him so he referred to to a doctor in my network at Kaiser West Los Angeles named Dr. Seth Kivnick who he mentored so it makes sense that the pic looks like his. Everyday is a battle with the recovery but you’re right, it’s nothing compared to having to deal with the symptoms. It’s amazing they say that you can start trying to get pregnant 3-6 months after the surgery because it seems my reproductive system needs time to recuperate. Thanks for your encouraging words.
Wow! I just knew it when I saw the picture. Looked like mine and others from him. Dr. Kivnick learned well, LOL.
so exciting to hear that his past trainees listened to him, they will do wonders for women globally for at least 40 years to come. Unless we find away to prevent them of course. Happy healing journey.
wow!!! thats quite a lot. but thank you for your post mine is coming up soon at first i didn’t want the scar and to deal with pain afterwards but your words are encouraging, is better to have this critters removed than to leave with the burden of them.
I"m not going to lie, the pain is a hurdle to get over but as of today 12/22/18, I’ve weened from the Norco 10mg to 2.5 mg (still taking the Motrin), and the pain is not as bad as week 1. It gets better! It really does, even when it feels like it won’t. The other methods of removal were not an option for me either because I didn’t want them or I couldn’t because of the amount and size. Best of luck to you! You will get through it and feel like a better person.
thank you same here no other option was suitable for me either apart from the mymectonmy but yes i have to be brave and face the surgery after all i had my 1st child without painkillers…smiles
hello, can you tell me your symptoms prior to surgery? Were all the fibroids inside or outside your uterous? Did they affect other organs and their function, bladder/bowels and any back and leg pain? At times it seems I can feel a pulsing, living thing inside, and wonder if its fibroids that live off our blood supply. Thanks for any feedback, i have gyno appt next week and hope to get fibroids a d ovarian cyst removed soon. Two weeks a month with periods after having a Mirena IUD inserted to help with that is really bothersome.
I had a lot of pressure and bloated a lot. I felt wiped out all the time. Mine were sitting on my colon and pelvis but didn’t really affect any other organs that I could feel but they were pressing against them. I hope you can get yours removed soon because it’s such a relief now.
Thanks for this and photos. Fighting doctor for myomectomy.
That’s so funny–my myomectomy was exactly one day before yours!!! (I’m on Long Island, New York)
I had at least 23 (I think the doctor stopped counting) and unfortunately, he wasn’t able to do a bikini line cut–he had to cut me vertically.
SHEESH–they didn’t give you a catheter the first day? Ugh! I at least had one, but they removed it at 6:00 AM the following day. I also needed a blood transfusion after my procedure.
I’m pretty much back to normal–I just have to remember not to make sudden movements while turning over and getting out of bed–my body seems to forget that from time to time. I also still can’t lift anything over 4 pounds.
I got extremeely lucky in the bowel moevement department–my stool was really loose for about 6 weeks after the surgery.
My main issue now is that my period is going haywire and I’m on my THIRD week of nonstop bleeding. x____x;
My bleeding was so bad during periods, that my hemoglobin got down to 9. I needed 4 iron infusions prior to my myomectomy as a result.
I had at least 23 fibroids and many of them were quite large. They were taking over my abdomen, mostly in a large mass in front. Aside from the bleeding issue, my uterus was HUGE as a result and my poor bladder was being squihed from all the weight.
I should also mention that I had horrible acid reflux/heartburn prior to getting the fibroids removed. I needed to take Omerprazole every day, or else I’d be coughing constantly and dealing with the awful sensation of acid coming up into my mouth.
Now that it’s been some months, how are feeling?
I’m pretty much back to normal in most areas. I plan on going for a follow up in September.
What was your first period like ?
My first period was very light and little to no symptoms at all that I “normally” felt. Now that I’m back on my normal routine I no longer have the pressure, tightness, or fullness that I had before. I wasn’t a heavy bleeder before so that’s normal for me. I can say that I definitely feel a difference.