3 weeks post myomectomy Update ( Very long)

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I had a myomectomy on 11/19 (3 weeks ago) with Dr.

J. Glassner in Wynnewood, PA. It helped me so

much with my decision to have a myo and what surgeon

to use by reading all of your post myo updates so I

thought that I would share my experience with the

group. I'm happy to answer any specific questions

that anyone has.

I had 5 fibroids removed and one was somewhere between

11-14 cm. (Dr. Glassner told me in my first visit

that it was 14 cm and another Dr. told me it was 11 so

I figured it must be somewhere in between). When he

did the surgery he found 4 small seedlings so he took

them out also. I have a picture of them:)

When I saw Dr. Glassner for the first time on 10/3 he

did an ultrasound in the office and said that I had

this large fibroid hanging off the top of my uterus

and he said it would be simple to remove (easy for him

to say). He said he wouldn't recommend getting

pregnant with the fibroid because of the size of it.

I am 35 years old , married in June of this year, and

had no symptoms except my lower abdomen stuck out.

Because I want to have children I decided that I

better have the myo while he said it was a simple

surgery.

I scheduled the surgery for 11/19 but met with him one

more time with pages of questions just to be sure that

is what I wanted to do. He was very understanding and

assured me that it would be a simple surgery.

I had a pre-op meeting with him a week before the

surgery. I had to sign a form and never was a

hysterectomy mentioned. I almost think he was

laughing at me when I mentioned that as he has only

turned a myo into a hysterectomy once time and said

that the patient knew going into it that was a good

possibly. He assured me that would not happen to me.

He is a very confident doctor and turns out he has

good reason to be. He did an excellent job with me.

I then went to the hospital for blood work, met a

pre-op nurse for instructions, and then an

Anethesiologist. Turns out I ended up with the same

Anethesiologist for my surgery which was nice.

In the remaining week I was a nervous wreck and

finally it was the day of the surgery. I couldn't eat

or drink after midnight and Dr. Glassner does not

order any type of bowel prep nor does he use Lupron.

I had to be at the hospital at 10:45 for a 12:15

surgery. I checked in and waited for about 20

minutes. I even saw Dr. Glassner in the waiting room

as he was talking to another family. He spotted me

and came over to talk for a minute. Again he assured

me that I was his easiest one of the day and that is

why he put me last. He made me feel a little better.

Then they took me in and I got changed. The nurse

started my IV. I was real nervous about that but it

wasn't anything bad at all. I drank a lot of water

the day before (I heard it helps with IVs). Then they

let my husband come in and keep me company until they

took me into the OR. Good thing because Dr.

Glassner's previous surgery was running late. I don't

think they took me in until 2:15.

The Anethesiologist (sp?) wheeled me into the OR and

helped me climb onto the Operating Table. I saw Dr.

Glassner and he asked me if I was nervous and I told

him no because I had heard so many postive outcomes

from him. I took a walkman in with a relaxation tape

and the Anethesiologist put that on for me. Then took

my disposable camera and put it on the side table.

Dr. Glassner said if I wanted a picture of the fibroid

they would take it if I brought a disposable camera

with me.

Dr. Glassner talked to me and held my hand as they

were getting ready. He knew that I was exceptionally

nervous. The last thing that I sort of remember is

seeing a small mask (I'm not even sure). I think it

was headed towards my nose. Then I awoke in the OR as

they were moving me to a guerney. I heard them say it

went very well. It's amazing how they put you out and

then you wake up and it's over.

The only thing was that my pain pump didn't have

batteries when I got to Recovery. That took a while

but they did medicate me orally or through my IV (I

forget). This was the moment that I was so afraid of

-how would I feel? Turns out it wasn't that bad. If

I remember it was just like very bad menstrual cramps.

I think I was waiting for it to get worse but it

really didn't get much worse.

Then they took me to a room. I wanted a private but

they didn't have any available. I did end up with a

loud roommate so I recommend getting a private room if

at all possible. It was hard to sleep with her

moaning all night. My husband stayed with me in the

room.

Dr. Glassner talked to my husband after the surgery

and said everything went very well. It was only 45

minutes. He also said that he didn't have to cut into

my wall or something like that and I would not need to

have a C-section. I was glad to hear that. He

checked out all of my reproductive organs and said

they looked great. I was so relieved to hear that.

He stopped in the next morning very early to see me

and check up on me and said the same thing to me.

I took the pain med through the pump for all of

Tuesday night and most of Wednesday. They they

disconnected everything and gave me oral medications.

Now the problem started. Turns out that my heart rate

(pulse) was still racing and they were concerned so

the next day (Wed.)they moved me to a cardio ward

which scared me to death. I had EKGs and

Echocardiograms done and they didn't find anything.

The cardiologist said everything was fine and it was

in my head. He thought I was stressed and anxious and

afraid of doctors so I was causing this myself. I was

put on beta blockers to lower my heart rate. Since

they didn't find anything they released me on Thursday

- 2 days after my Tuesday surgery. They said to

follow up with my primary care doctor in a week about

the tacchacardia (sp?)/rapid heart beat and see Dr.

Glassner in 2 weeks.

Has anyone ever developed taccahacardia (sp?) or a

rapid heart beat after surgery?

Please let me know if anyone has any experience with

this.

My primary doctor said it was still up there and got

me to wear a 24 hour halter (heart monitor) last week.

I returned it to the hospital and I am waiting to

hear the results. I hope it is nothing serious. I am

still taking Toprol (a beta blocker to lower my heart

rate).

I saw Dr. Glassner last week and he said everything

looked great. He said to do whatever I felt like

doing. He still thought it was safest to wait until 4

weeks to drive but said that I could if I had to.

All in all the surgery part went much better than I

ever expected. As you all said - the anxiety leading

up to it is much worse than the outcome. Dr. Glassner

is truely a gifted surgeon and really knows what he is

doing to control pain, etc. He also give meds through

the IV to prevent adhesions.

At home I slept on the couch for a couple nights and

then made it to my bed. I had some gas pain for a few

days but it wasn't horrible - just a little

uncomfortable. It definitely helps to drink as much

water as you can and try to walk around your house if

you can. I took the Percoset for about a week but

only 1 at a time and usually only at night to help me

sleep better. I have not taken anything for the past

week so I am very lucky that I had a very good

surgerical experience.

At 3 weeks I feel like I could go back to work if I

wanted but I want to figure out what is up with my

rapid heart beat (hopefully nothing).

I went shopping for 3 hours yesterday and went to a

friends party on Saturday night so I am able to get

around pretty well.

Oh - I got my period the week after surgery and it was

very light. Dr. Glassner said it will be

unpredictable after surgery for a couple of months. I

did not have any bleeding after the surgery which

surprised me.

Sorry this got so long but I found it really helpful

to read others and I wanted to include all of the

details that I was curious about when making my

decision to have a myo.

I thank everyone for all of their posts. I don't know

if I would have had a myo so soon without the help of

this wonderful group. I am grateful for this group.

Thank You,

Lori