2 1/2 days Post-myo

[Guest guest]

I've been a lurker here for a while and was able to use the

collective advice compiled here to make my myo and post-op

experience as easy as possible. Thank you for all of your wisdom!

I had my surgery at 7:30a Monday May 3 at UCLA. My doctor, Dr.

Heaps, was wonderful. My uterus had reached the size of a 20-week

pregnancy (to my belly button) so I was rather pleased that I still

had a horiz incision that was smaller than even my first doctor had

recommended when my uterus was only 16-weeks. The surgery went

smoothly, no need for the blood I donated. Using 2 incisions the

doctor removed one intramural fibroid the size of a baseball (8-9

cm) that was obstructing my bowel and hitting my cervix, 2

subserosal on the top of my uterus both slightly smaller (6-7 cm)

and 6 fingernail size fibroids that hadn't shown up on the original

MRI I had before I went to see Dr. Heaps. To his credit, he

identified them on the ultrasound he did for me.

I woke up a little early as they were cleaning up in the OR because

I am sensitive to anesthesia and they wanted to use as little as

possible (my choice). I was not in pain, though I could tell they

had done something to me. I was groggy and tired all Monday. They

started me on Dialudad and switched me to Morphine. I tried to use

as little as possible. My throat was ultrasore so I drank as much

liquid as soon as I could. By tuesday i was feeling immeasurably

better and began eating solid food by lunch. I was walking to the

bathroom and peeing on my own first thing in the morning. The nurse

encouraged me to sit in a chair and walk as much possible which I

credit for helping quicken my recovery.

The doctor said he typically keeps his patients in the hospital

until Thurs and only lets about 10% go home on Weds. (he does all of

his myos on Mon.) As soon I heard that on Mon. I decided I had to be

one of the 10% - that's me, a goal-oriented, overachiever. By

breakfast today I was eating my normal breakfast (eggs and yogurt)

and had salmon for lunch. Because I had passed gas, had had no pain

medication other than some liquid Motrin since Mon. night, and was

growing bored, they decided to release me. They sent me home with

Motrin and Vicodin but I haven't had the need to use either yet. I

figure it was better for my morale to be at home than to stay in the

hospital. I would highly recommend Dr. Heaps for any of you ladies

in the Los Angeles area considering myos. Everyone I've talked to

who has used him has high regard for him and the staff at UCLA was

top drawer. If anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer them.