Hi all, I am currently week 4 post op and wanted to share my experience because when I was looking into having this surgery any little advice I could have from this board and others was amazing. I was diagnosed with 5 submucosal fibroids that were located at the back of my uterus and one at the top. After seeing 2 consultants (1 private and 1 NHS) they both advised me that I would need an open myomectomy due to their sizes (all between 6-4 cm). The private doctor never bothered sending me a quote for the operation and the NHS waiting list I was told would be 6 months. I was horrified by the thought of living with constant lower back pain and heavy periods so I decided to speak to some friends in Germany and I was booked for a myomectomy privately within a week in Berlin. When I got there, the consultant did a new scan and stated that all the fibroids were located in one area therefore I was a candidate for a laparoscopic surgery. I was in shock as this was never mentioned to me previously and the recovery would be of course easier. The consultant told me they would first insert a camera in the womb and if they can’t find any other fibroids they would proceed with the laparoscopy otherwise it would have to be an open myomectomy. I woke up after the surgery in a lot of pain and the consultant confirmed it was done laparoscopically however they found 10 fibroids. The pain was like period pains but more severe but I was given medication straight away. I had 4 incisions, 1 in the belly button, 1 on each side of my abdomen and the largest was at the bikini line, about 3cm. I had 2 drainage bags inserted in the incisions on each side of my abdomen. These were to collect blood left after the operation at the front and at the back of the uterus. I also had a catheter. I lost a lot of blood during the operation so I was been monitored closely and was given a pouch of liquid iron through my IV. The first 2 days were difficult, I didn’t move as I was still very weak and in a lot of pain. I didn’t eat anything for over 24h however as soon as I was able to eat, I had terrible wind I couldn’t release which was extremely painful. I was drinking a lot of peppermint tea and the nurses gave me something to help. My catheter and both drainage bags were removed on the 3rd day and I was able to take my first steps. I felt very weak and dizzy which is due to the blood loss. I was no longer on strong painkillers by day 4 and was able to do number 2, which was very painful. They also removed my bandages on the 4th day as they incisions were closed. I was able to see them and they were very small. I am still in shock on how much he was able to remove through these small holes. Coughing and laughing during the first week was painful. I stayed in hospital for 7 days but this was due to the fact that I don’t live I Germany and the consultant wanted to make sure I was ok before releasing me. I was able to fly back to London 1 week after being released from hospital and was given blood thinner injections from the day after the operation until I flew back. They gave me the ones I could inject myself. I was also given iron tablet to build my iron back. 2 weeks after the operation, I was able to walk for 1h at a time and do basic things around the house, however I was still weak and tired. During the 1st 2 weeks, you will be napping a lot. I got my 1st period 3 weeks post op and OMG it was very painful. I felt like my lower back was on fire. This lasted the first two days. I didn’t have any heavy bleeding despite the pain I was feeling. I am now 4 weeks post op and going back to work on reduced hours for the 1st week. I hope I haven’t forgotten anything. As everyone said, each case is different and the method used for the fibroids’ removal definitely depends on the location of the fibroids and the consultant.
Thankyou so much for sharing your experience. I wished lived in Germany. Where in Germany did you have your myomectomy? I have 4 large fibroids ,one as big as a grapefruit. My uterus is like a 5 month pregnancy, very enlarged. iam considering a hysterectomy because its seems like an easier surgery and iam scared of bleeding out. I live in Gilbert Arizona if anyone has a good suggestion for a doctor here?
So sorry you have to go through all these.
You are strong well done.
I had irregular period and it was coming out in bulk i am due next week to see team.
I rather stay in uk and sort it out hopefully i will get through it.
Wow!!! That’s awful that you would’ve had to wait 6 months, had you not flown to Germany!
My wait time was 6 weeks for the soonest surgery date. The hospital was a convenient, local hospital that has an excellent reputation. HOWEVER, I live in the U.S. Had I not had excellent insurance through my employer, it would’ve been a completely different story.
I have a yearly in-network deductible of $750, after which everything is covered. (I am SO lucky that this particular hospital and all the providers were in-network, otherwise the deductible would’ve been $3,000.) Good thing, because my anethesia bill was $6,000 and my hospital stay (surgery included) totaled $34,000!
I should probably mention that I had an open myomectomy. A laparoscopic one may have been less expensive?
Hi, thanks for sharing this! So if you worked from home you still feel like you couldn’t have worked for 2 weeks? I’m worried about my job and I’m alone with no help. How do you feel now? Are you glad you got the surgery? Is your stomach back to normal?
hi everyone just wanted to share my experience as before I had my surgery these kind of forums really helped. i was diagnosed with a fibroid a few years back. it eventually got big to the point of causing me problems. Towards the end I looked 28 weeks pregnant. I was scared off surgery but kept putting it off. Anyway I finally decided to have it done and it was scheduled for 1st May 2019. I’m now 3 days post op and doing well. A very ksrch fibroid was removed, 18cm and another 5cm. The surgery was a success and the surgeon even said when I get pregnant i would be able to have a vaginal delivery. Anyone who’s scared of the surgery, don’t be. Best thing Ive ever done.
You had laproscopic with a fibroid that large? My OBGYN said when mine was around 11cm she’d have to do open probably. Also did they ever tell you it might be an adenomymoma? Thanks!
congrats on a successful surgery. What type of surgery did you have?
I had an open myomectomy with a vertical cut from above the belly button to the top if the bikini line
open myomectomy
Oh thanks. Yeah I really don’t want open because the recovery time is like 3 times as long.
Thats so great to hear! i have been putting it off because it is scary. Where did you have your surgery? Who is your Doctor?
please where did you had yours which kind of surgery
I’m not sure where you’re based but I’m in England and had it done at Birmingham Women’s hospital. The surgeon was dr Jeve.
Birmingham Women’s hospital and it was an open myomectomy
i am really suffering i started with prostaps injection to help in shrinking since december 2018 and i should not be bleeding because it is an early menopause injection to shrink before surgery.
I have been in utlovan since last oct been in and out of A&E due to bleeding since march.
I have been told they will remove my womb as i have cyst in ovaries which is not a problem and polyp i have refused this as i am 41yrs of age.
I am also using tranexamic acid and cocodamol to stop pain as mefenamic acid has not been helpful.
I am from london but i moved to south wales to study nursing since 2017. They do not have doctors for key hole surgery any more (embolisation).
I have started having spotting as the bleeding would not stop completely but its not heavy but its likely to start if i stop utlovan. I must urged my gyenecologist to refer me to birmingham while i enquire with your surgeon.
Thanks Lisa
iam in Gilbert Az, near Phoenix. i wish i knew if a great Doctor here that could do an open Myomectomy. can anyone recommend one?
6 months later? How are you feeling?
I learned about my fibroids after my annual exam in April. I found the news to be quite shocking considering the fact that I get my annual exam each year like clockwork. After my exam my new doctor (moved from Ga to TN last year) did the pelvic test and said he felt a mass. I, too, had felt it as well and there was pain when he touched it. He immediately ordered an US (abdominal/transvaginal) and I stayed in the office since I could get it the same evening. Results finally came back and he advised me that he saw 2 fibroids. One that looked to be 11cm and one at 2cm. A few days later I was scheduled for my Laparascopic Myomectomy on May 17th. Jesus! I had so many damn questions because it explained so much after looking up the symptoms. Lower back pain, pain during sex, and heavy bleeding (I’m on BC so no heavy bleeding for quite some time). I mean lower back like crazy and I thought it was due to me sitting down at work for crazy hours over the past few years. My mom said surgery took about 5 hours bc the doctor was having issues removing it. A lot of manipulation happened. I only had 2 incisions in the end, belly button and lower stomach. I was released the same day and slept through the evening/night. Thanks to the anesthesia. The first 3 dpo were awful. I was only prescribed Motrin 800mg and I could feel the gas bubbles just moving around every time I rolled over or got out the bed. Hurt to move, breathe, or any think LOL. I’ve literally been sleeping my life away. I make a few runs to the store during the week but other than that I’m in the bed watching tv or reading a book. Most of the time sleep though. I was experiencing sharp pains when breathing/constant coughing last week so I went in the next morning and a MRI was ordered. Results came back clear. Fast forward, 11dpo and my incision or somewhere in that area really makes it uncomfortable and hurts to sit up or in certain positions at time. Breathing is trying to get back to normal. I still feel weird at times and out of breathe. I guess I can tell a difference with my tummy. Kind of hard bc I didn’t look “pregnant” prior. I have another week before I return to work and I’m anxious to see how my comfort level will be for those 8 hours. If I’m not ready I will be calling my doctor and asking them to extend my short term disability. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I return to work since I sleep so much. I go in for my postop on Thursday. I like my doctor. My only complaint is how he’s trying to get me back to work so soon. I know my operation wasn’t invasive but sitting up hurts at times and I don’t think he’s really understanding that part. Not ready to see my medical bills I hadn’t met my 2,000 deductible before the operation. I was required to pay a deposit before they would even perform surgery. My gyn told me to worry about their bills later and to worry about getting through the surgery. So sweet of them!
Hi I have a fibroid around the same size and they are telling me I need to do open vs. laproscopic. How did you convince them to do non invasive?