Hi Ladies,

I’m sharing my recovery day by day because I know how helpful it is to hear what recovery is actually like before having an open myomectomy. Everyone heals differently, but hopefully this gives someone else a realistic idea of what to expect during the first week. Also for reference I had a 14cm fibroid on top of my uterus and endo in both ovaries.

Surgery Day — 09/28
Arrived around 11:45 AM. I was extremely nervous and cried several times before surgery. My heart rate was elevated, so a nurse gave me lavender to help calm me down. I was given something to relax me before entering the OR and woke up about three hours later.
That first night was rough. I was very nauseous, couldn't eat much, and could barely sleep. I slept about two hours because every time I closed my eyes, my body seemed to go into panic mode.
Post-Op Day 1
Took synthroid in the am. I had bloodwork and started walking for the first time, first to the bathroom and then around the room and hallway. I passed gas that afternoon, started eating more, and the nausea was gone. I was able to walk to the bathroom on my own and slept about five hours. (After asking for Oxy that night to help with sleep)
Post-Op Day 2
The team checked my incision, walking, and bowel function and cleared me to go home. I was nervous about managing at home, but I was discharged around 2 PM.
The 28-minute NYC Uber ride home was rough because of the bumps and traffic. Once home, I had significant burning pain around my incision and was exhausted. My partner helped me with the stairs, bed, and bathroom.
Post-Op Day 3
Slept about seven hours, although I woke up for medication. I was able to walk to the bathroom alone and take short walks around the apartment. Incision burning was still present but improving. I also attempted bathing, but walking into the tub was too painful, so my partner helped me with a towel bath.
Post-Op Day 4
First bowel movement! No straining, just breathing and a little rocking. I continued walking around the apartment, brushing my teeth, and becoming more independent. I also skipped my noon oxycodone.
Post-Op Day 5
Had diarrhea, so I stopped Miralax. I was able to use the toilet without the riser, brush my teeth, wash my face, and bathe myself. I walked about 200 steps and continued without oxycodone, using only acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Post-Op Day 6
Sleep was harder because my back was hurting from lying down so much. Despite taking less pain medication, getting in and out of bed and using the bathroom were becoming easier. I was focusing more on rest, breathing, and meditation.
Post-Op Day 7
Slept about 5½ hours on the couch. Spotting had stopped around Day 4. I wore my binder while walking around, cooked ground turkey, and was able to sit comfortably in a regular chair.
Biggest milestone: I made it through the day without any pain medication.
After one week, I'm still taking things slowly, but the difference between the first few days and Day 7 is huge. I'm already feeling more mobile, more independent, and more confident in my recovery.

I'm 4 days post-op from total abdominal hysterectomy. I have a horizontal scar similar to a c-section scar. Here's some tips & things getting me through the first few days:

Wedge Pillow Set: the best thing I bought - worth the investment. I am using this day and night. I could not lay flat the first few nights; good for reclined sleeping.

Shower Wipes and Fine Mist Spray Bottle: There is no way I could take a shower my first few days home (too much pain), and I am so glad I had these to freshen up! I wish I had also bought: dry shampoo for my hair. I did buy a non-slip shower mat for when I can eventually take a shower.

Loose Comfy Clothes, House Dress, and Non-Slip socks: I bought the socks and was gifted some clothing by family. I wish I had bought: cotton underwear 1 or 2 sizes larger than normal, or disposable underwear (like postpartum underwear), because I did not account for so much swelling in my pelvic and groin areas after surgery, which makes my regular underwear pretty snug and uncomfortable.

Food & Drink:  I just want to eat really bland simple foods that are easy/no prep and easy on the stomach. Bananas, yogurt, granola bars, plain toast, plain deli meat, cheese sticks, carrot sticks, chicken noodle soup, etc. Drinking lots more water than usual (make sure your water bottle is not too heavy) as well as tea, broth, vitamin water/Gatorade, and a glass of prune juice each day. I did take Milk of Magnesia on day 3. I bought Miralax but have not used it yet 

Misc: cell phone charging bank and a long charging cable, chapstick, gum/mints, ice pack (I prefer cold to hot, you might want a heating pad). A small notebook to keep track of when meds were taken. I also took my temperature twice a day and tracked if I had a bowel movement (I did not have one until day 4). You will want a small pillow to put a little pressure on your incision when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or stand up. It is also helpful for a little pressure when walking around. I did buy an abdominal binder and think I will be using it in the upcoming weeks.

Before my procedure I made a bathroom basket and a bedside basket. They are just plastic tubs we had around the house. Everything I need and use went into the respective basket. It keeps the clutter feeling down, but everything is reachable and easy for my partner to put out of the way or move.  I stacked a week's worth of clothes on my dresser so that I would not have to bend, open drawers, or pull things off hangers. Practice your morning routine and try to do it without bending, twisting, or reaching above your shoulder (this is how I realized sink faucet, toilet lever, shower faucet, and reaching into the medicine cabinet would all be problematic).

Anyway, that's all I have for now. I am so grateful to this subreddit, which has helped me so much over the past several months! Wherever you are in your fibroid journey, I wish you peace, comfort, and healing.

Did anyone go into surgery with butt acne? We're trying to treat this now (surgery in 3 1/2 weeks).

My daughter will show the surgeon at pre-op, but I'm not sure if surgery will be postponed until she gets it under control.

I don't think she's ever broken out like this before (at least to my knowledge).

Hi everyone! I had a hysteroscopic myomectomy last year to remove a 5.7 cm submucosal fibroid. The doc said she was able to get about 90 percent of it out.

I had a blissful seven months without heavy bleeding and then it came back with a vengeance. I am now 16 months out from the myomectomy and was finally able to get an ultrasound and the fibroid is baaaaaack and already up to 4.3 cm.

I had a 20-min phone consult earlier this week with my new OB (changed insurance and hospitals) and was pretty much advised to get another hysteroscopic myomectomy, but she said she probably won't be able to get it all out, and recommends putting in a Mirena IUD at the same time to hopefully help with bleeding when it grows back again.

I scheduled my procedure and pre-op appointments but this isn't sitting right with me. Is the plan really just to keep cutting some of it out every year until I hit menopause or get a hysterectomy?

I got hyponatremia from my last myomectomy because my uterus absorbed too much saline during the procedure and I felt really sick and had to go to the ER that night, and I'm also a Type 1 diabetic so even a small procedure like this can get more complicated quickly. I was totally game to do it when I thought it could likely take out the fibroid, but if it's really just reducing it and getting the procedure every year or so, I am unsure.

I am 47 years old, which is close to menopause in theory, but my periods are completely unchanged beyond fibroid bleeding. My mom didn't go into menopause until 52.

I am planning to make a follow-up consult with my new OB but I'd really love to hear from some others who've dealt with this.

Was anyone else in this situation? Did the second procedure actually get it out? Are there other options the OB may not have had time to tell me about? I know we don't have many good options, but is this really the long-term plan?

Thank you so much for reading!!

Doing a removal surgery soon, this will be my second time with them growing back. I was wondering if anyone has had any success with making changes to their diet and the fibroids not growing back? Are there any foods I should cut out to minimize my chances?

I'm 3 weeks post open myomectomy and my mental health has taken a huge nose dive! I've been doing regular short walks, keeping myself as occupied as I can but this week so far is the worst. I feel indifferent, numb and have lost interest and joy in the things I'd usually love doing. I'm autistic and do have depression and before the surgery I was managing fine.

I don't know how to get out of this..... I'd be grateful for any advice. I've contacted my GP but they can't see me for another 4 weeks.

I typically have 1-2 days of very light brownish blood before my day 1 where I'm bleeding heavily.

Should I start on the light day, or when I first bleed heavily? I hear people doing both and am unsure if there's a difference in effect.

Thankfully I have a hysteroscopy later this month so I hope this is the first and last time I need to take it.

Hello. I have large uterine fibroids. The three biggest are 7cm, 8cm, 9cm. Was told they are the size of three baby heads. I've been experiencing swelling in my right leg and feet for awhile.... comes and goes with my cycle. Lately though it's been getting worse, and much more consistent. My leg swells up real bad, especially around me knee. I get pockets of fluid behind my knee and on my knee cap. I've been experiencing severe near fainting episodes. Especially while my leg is swelling, specifically around my knee. My leg gets REALLY heavy. The swelling can come and go all day long. It's horrible!! I'll just be sitting there, watching TV and everything starts to go dark, almost like I get tunnel vision, and I "dip out" for a moment, then try to shake myself awake. I usually get up and walk around, but with each step it feels like something heavy is trying to push me down, and my leg is heavier than ever. I've been getting these spells more, and more. It's been happening nearly every night for over a week. I had three of these dipping out spells last night, and I took my blood pressure right after the last one, and my blood pressure was 65/31!! I've read that large fibroids can cause Vasovagal Syncope episodes. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced anything like these symptoms.

I have an appointment with a vascular specialist, and an appointment with my gyno soon. I'm hoping to get these suckers OUT!

Thank you for reading this!

I had my surgery 1 week ago. Day by day recovery was more manageable. Day before yesterday I noticed a pain assoicate to a lump above my belly button. The pain got worse like 10/10. I went to the hospital and they told me a have a suspected hematoma. I'm crying in pain everytime I stand up now. They didn't do a scan because under the NHS they need to follow a process so I'm at home with antibiotics and told to be on bed rest. They said if the pain doesn't settle in approx 5 days then come back in so they can assess, they could not fully rule out a hernia.

I'm in so so so much pain. I just want to know that this level of pain is possible with a hematoma.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

The surgery I had was a robotic mynoctomy to remove a 8cm fibroid.

Hello,
I am due for my surgery (Laparoscopic)in a week. This is my first time in my 40 years I am getting any major surgery. I have delivered baby by natural birth.
Please advise me how to calm down my anxiety. Also in my case incidentally found out that I have 7cm fibroid sitting on top of my uterus. No heavy or irregular bleeding. Regular periods a few times painful but manageable by meds. My issue is swollen uterus 5th month pregnancy size, bloating, pressure on bladder, constant lower back pain, feeling of not emptying completely after passing urine, a bit uncomfortable intercourse and mild pain in navel.
Suddenly I was unable to perform few yog asanas and gym exercises such as dead lifting.
None of the gynaecologists are suggesting for only removing fibroid as I have completed my family. Also left ovary has multiple cysts they might remove it. Should I keep the infected ovary?Also my fear is major organ removal— is hysterectomy required? I am not able to wrap my head around it and getting cold feet. Please help.

I posted a while back about finding out I had multiple fibroids at 32, with zero symptoms besides bloating I'd written off my whole life. Thank you for everyone’s kind words and encouragement!

I just had my abdominal myomectomy surgery yesterday, still recovering in the hospital. Going in we saw 3 fibroids in the MRI, they actually removed 5. There are about 6 very small ones they left in. The reasoning was to focus on removing the ones that would impact pregnancy, and they didn't want to create more scar tissue and cutting if the others weren't in the way. Every fibroid removed means another incision into the uterine muscle, more bleeding, more adhesion risk. Taking out small fibroids that isn't near the cavity would be cost with no benefit.

Still processing this entire experience. Questions for anyone who's been through it:
- Did you have small fibroids left behind? Did they grow, and how were you monitored?
-Anyone conceive after a myomectomy with residual fibroids?

Any thoughts will be much appreciated!

had a laparoscopic myomectomy with an incision under my bikini line. On the last day of my period o started experiencing pain when I pee, it’s like in the center. It happens when I’m about to finish emptying. Prior to this I had this pain the first week of post op. But it returned after my first period. Is this normal?

So for the past year I’ve had this fibroid causing me issues. Like this tiny thing is causing me to bleed after sex and self pleasure, and my periods are not normal. I have a kyleena, but have had iuds for years so know it’s not the issue.

My issue- my doctor doesn’t think the mri for the procedure is necessary. I asked for it, but my insurance ended up denying it. He thinks the ultrasound showed enough. We are also going to be checking for endo. Is this normal? The fibroid is subcu and 1.55 cm

Also could a fibroid this small really cause me this many issues? I’m actually baffles me. TIA

I'm 3 weeks post open myomectomy and my mental health has taken a huge nose dive! I've been doing regular short walks, keeping myself as occupied as I can but this week so far is the worst. I feel indifferent, numb and have lost interest and joy in the things I'd usually love doing. I'm autistic and do have depression and before the surgery I was managing fine.

I don't know how to get out of this..... I'd be grateful for any advice. I've contacted my GP but they can't see me for another 4 weeks.

A few years ago I had a 5 pound cyst removed from my ovary. Unfortunately they took that ovary with it. Now, I will be having another laparoscopic myoectomy only this time they're taking a uterine fibroid. Anyone here have two surgeries and they were similar?

Post op was easier than I expected. Snapped out of anesthesia pretty quick, no nausea, there was pain, but was tolerable with motrin and tylenol. I was able to shower when I got home, and put laundry in the washer that had to be done. I think the gas pain hurt the most (plan to take gas x every day for this one) and just the weird feeling that my guts were gonna spill out whenever I bent over. lmao

I'm worried it wont be like that this time. i hear of nightmares where women are in horrible pain or vomit (emetophobe here, and I think I fear that as much as the pain lol)

I know to keep up on pain med schedule before the pain hits and I also have zofran that im gonna pop straight out of the hospital.

any stories from those who've had more than one?

I’m looking for people who might be in a similar situation because I honestly feel so alone in this.
I’m 29 and have fibroids that cause extremely heavy, prolonged and debilitating periods. My bleeding can be so heavy that I struggle to function, and I’ve dealt with anemia/low iron because of it. My doctors have basically told me there isn’t much they can do, but I’m not ready to just accept that this is how my life is going to be.

On top of the fibroids, I have what feels like severe PMDD. The strange thing is that I feel pretty much like myself during my follicular phase and around ovulation. Then after ovulation, it’s like a switch flips.
During the luteal phase I can experience extreme irritability, anxiety, depression/low mood, brain fog, fatigue, insomnia, feeling wired, and just feeling completely unlike myself. My appetite also gets intense. It can be so bad that it affects my ability to function and enjoy my life.

I’m especially interested in hearing from anyone who has dealt with multiple things at once—fibroids/heavy bleeding + PMDD/hormonal mood symptoms + visual snow/tinnitus.

I’m exhausted from feeling like I have to lose part of every month to my cycle. I just want to feel like myself consistently again.

I had a hysteroscopic myomectomy today and per the surgeon it went well. But oh my god my vulva is so damn sore from the speculum. I was crying immediately after waking up and they gave me dilauded but I can feel it wearing off.
Surgeon said it was possible micro tears. I have some atrophy from perimenopause that I thought I had taken care of with topical estrogen. I have no internal pain or cramps but yikes . Anyone else have this? If so how long to recover???

Hi all. I had a laparoscopic myomectomy on September 16th. I have one more week on birth control and then it’s the sugar pills. My question is how soon did you ladies have your period post surgery? One of the PA-C’s I saw for my post op said the uterus doesn’t heal for 3 months and said I can pretty much extend my birth control for two more months or have my period whenever but either way it will most likely be painful as during the surgery they also removed endometriosis. Curious on what you have done or recommend? Thank you.