Intro and what to expect from myomectomy

[Guest guest]

Hello all- I have recently been diagnosed with a large uterine

fibroid that is in the wall of my uterus. It is wonderful to find a

place to discuss this, many people act as if I'm just complaining

about a bad period or something! I have been bleeding for about 2

months now. When my problems started, I was going through 5-6

tampons/pads per hour with large clots, plus heavy cramping. I was

incapacitated for several weeks. I am still bleeding, although not

as much, but the fatigue is catching up with me.

My ultrasound showed a large fibroid and after discussing the

options with two doctors, I have decided to undergo a myomectomy to

remove it (I have not yet had children). It must be done through an

abdominal incision due to its location and size. I am scheduled to

undergo the procedure next Thursday, the 2nd. I am nervous, as I

have never had open surgery. My doctor has discussed the procedure

with me, but I would like to hear some words of encouragement from

others who have had myomectomies. I'd also like to hear about what

I can expect after the surgery, both immediately and longer term.

Any advice and shared experiences are appreciated!

[Guest guest]

Did you have a MRI, Make sure you have an MRI, before the operation.

kristinb_21 wrote:Hello all- I have recently been

diagnosed with a large uterine

fibroid that is in the wall of my uterus. It is wonderful to find a

place to discuss this, many people act as if I'm just complaining

about a bad period or something! I have been bleeding for about 2

months now. When my problems started, I was going through 5-6

tampons/pads per hour with large clots, plus heavy cramping. I was

incapacitated for several weeks. I am still bleeding, although not

as much, but the fatigue is catching up with me.

My ultrasound showed a large fibroid and after discussing the

options with two doctors, I have decided to undergo a myomectomy to

remove it (I have not yet had children). It must be done through an

abdominal incision due to its location and size. I am scheduled to

undergo the procedure next Thursday, the 2nd. I am nervous, as I

have never had open surgery. My doctor has discussed the procedure

with me, but I would like to hear some words of encouragement from

others who have had myomectomies. I'd also like to hear about what

I can expect after the surgery, both immediately and longer term.

Any advice and shared experiences are appreciated!

[Guest guest]

Did you have a MRI, Make sure you have an MRI, before the operation.

kristinb_21 wrote:Hello all- I have recently been

diagnosed with a large uterine

fibroid that is in the wall of my uterus. It is wonderful to find a

place to discuss this, many people act as if I'm just complaining

about a bad period or something! I have been bleeding for about 2

months now. When my problems started, I was going through 5-6

tampons/pads per hour with large clots, plus heavy cramping. I was

incapacitated for several weeks. I am still bleeding, although not

as much, but the fatigue is catching up with me.

My ultrasound showed a large fibroid and after discussing the

options with two doctors, I have decided to undergo a myomectomy to

remove it (I have not yet had children). It must be done through an

abdominal incision due to its location and size. I am scheduled to

undergo the procedure next Thursday, the 2nd. I am nervous, as I

have never had open surgery. My doctor has discussed the procedure

with me, but I would like to hear some words of encouragement from

others who have had myomectomies. I'd also like to hear about what

I can expect after the surgery, both immediately and longer term.

Any advice and shared experiences are appreciated!

[Guest guest]

Hi , yipes, no wonder you're fatigued, that's rough. And I

think we all know that feeling that no one else around us really

gets what we're going through, that it isn't just some " benign "

tumors.

I'm 8 weeks post-myo, and have to say that I'm really glad I went

through the surgery, even though it wasn't easy, it wasn't nearly

as horrible as I thought it would be. I had a lot of help and

support, especially right after the surgery, and I think that this is

probably the one thing you want to set up for yourself, a team of

people who can be there for you. Even though you'll be up and

about, you'll still need help at first, and even if you don't, why not

be nice to yourself? I had to make myself accept help, and I'm

glad I did.

I think everyone is different, but it seems like we've all had a few

things in common with our experiences undergoing myo. I tried

to read the archives to see what advice other women had

through the years. For me, it was a little bit of a shock to look

down at my poor belly and see staples in it, but I was too curious

not to take a peek as soon as no one was looking. Did your

doctor tell you what kind of incision he/she will make? Mine was

a " bikini " cut, very small. 8 weeks later I still have some swelling

in my belly, the feeling is coming back where the incision was,

and the line of the scar is still dark (but this could be because I

have extremely sensitive sking that takes a long time to heal). I

have a lot more energy, my periods seem to be back to normal,

and I am not running to the bathroom every five minutes like I did

pre-myo.

See post # 38960 for my post-myo report if you want, and feel

free to ask any questions you might have, or just to vent a little!

We fibroidians gotta stick together!

B

SF

> Hello all- I have recently been diagnosed with a large uterine

> fibroid that is in the wall of my uterus. It is wonderful to find a

> place to discuss this, many people act as if I'm just

complaining

> about a bad period or something! I have been bleeding for

about 2

> months now. When my problems started, I was going through

5-6

> tampons/pads per hour with large clots, plus heavy cramping.

I was

> incapacitated for several weeks. I am still bleeding, although

not

> as much, but the fatigue is catching up with me.

>

> My ultrasound showed a large fibroid and after discussing the

> options with two doctors, I have decided to undergo a

myomectomy to

> remove it (I have not yet had children). It must be done through

an

> abdominal incision due to its location and size. I am

scheduled to

> undergo the procedure next Thursday, the 2nd. I am nervous,

as I

> have never had open surgery. My doctor has discussed the

procedure

> with me, but I would like to hear some words of

encouragement from

> others who have had myomectomies. I'd also like to hear

about what

> I can expect after the surgery, both immediately and longer

term.

> Any advice and shared experiences are appreciated!

[Guest guest]

Hi , yipes, no wonder you're fatigued, that's rough. And I

think we all know that feeling that no one else around us really

gets what we're going through, that it isn't just some " benign "

tumors.

I'm 8 weeks post-myo, and have to say that I'm really glad I went

through the surgery, even though it wasn't easy, it wasn't nearly

as horrible as I thought it would be. I had a lot of help and

support, especially right after the surgery, and I think that this is

probably the one thing you want to set up for yourself, a team of

people who can be there for you. Even though you'll be up and

about, you'll still need help at first, and even if you don't, why not

be nice to yourself? I had to make myself accept help, and I'm

glad I did.

I think everyone is different, but it seems like we've all had a few

things in common with our experiences undergoing myo. I tried

to read the archives to see what advice other women had

through the years. For me, it was a little bit of a shock to look

down at my poor belly and see staples in it, but I was too curious

not to take a peek as soon as no one was looking. Did your

doctor tell you what kind of incision he/she will make? Mine was

a " bikini " cut, very small. 8 weeks later I still have some swelling

in my belly, the feeling is coming back where the incision was,

and the line of the scar is still dark (but this could be because I

have extremely sensitive sking that takes a long time to heal). I

have a lot more energy, my periods seem to be back to normal,

and I am not running to the bathroom every five minutes like I did

pre-myo.

See post # 38960 for my post-myo report if you want, and feel

free to ask any questions you might have, or just to vent a little!

We fibroidians gotta stick together!

B

SF

> Hello all- I have recently been diagnosed with a large uterine

> fibroid that is in the wall of my uterus. It is wonderful to find a

> place to discuss this, many people act as if I'm just

complaining

> about a bad period or something! I have been bleeding for

about 2

> months now. When my problems started, I was going through

5-6

> tampons/pads per hour with large clots, plus heavy cramping.

I was

> incapacitated for several weeks. I am still bleeding, although

not

> as much, but the fatigue is catching up with me.

>

> My ultrasound showed a large fibroid and after discussing the

> options with two doctors, I have decided to undergo a

myomectomy to

> remove it (I have not yet had children). It must be done through

an

> abdominal incision due to its location and size. I am

scheduled to

> undergo the procedure next Thursday, the 2nd. I am nervous,

as I

> have never had open surgery. My doctor has discussed the

procedure

> with me, but I would like to hear some words of

encouragement from

> others who have had myomectomies. I'd also like to hear

about what

> I can expect after the surgery, both immediately and longer

term.

> Any advice and shared experiences are appreciated!

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I just read your post of your surgery experience, it was very helpful, thank

you. I do have some family and friends lined up to help me take care of things,

I feel lucky to have the support. I just have to keep a positive attitude that

after the surgery, it will only get better with time, so there is light at the

end of the tunnel.

Thanks again,

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I just read your post of your surgery experience, it was very helpful, thank

you. I do have some family and friends lined up to help me take care of things,

I feel lucky to have the support. I just have to keep a positive attitude that

after the surgery, it will only get better with time, so there is light at the

end of the tunnel.

Thanks again,

[Guest guest]

Hi

My thoughts go with you as you approach surgery. I do wish you the best.