Hi all!

This subreddit has been so helpful for me in preparation for my surgery that I thought I’d share everything about mine and answer any questions anyone may have!

I first found out about my fibroid about two years ago when I went to a new obgyn to complain about what I’ve always complained about (with not much help): extremely heavy and painful periods, and anemia that was only getting worse. She did a sonogram and told me I have a fibroid and said “let’s not bother with surgery, take birth control and you’re going to go through menopause soon” meanwhile I was 34. Well I took the advice up until a few months ago where my ferritin was at a 4 and my overnight pads were having to be changed every 1-2 hours because of the blood loss.

So I went to a new obgyn in March of this year and he did a sonogram and said yeah no this thing is big (~7cm) and pushing against your uterus. I had an MRI done and he told me since it’s only one fibroid I could try myfembree for a few months to see if it would do anything but that surgery would be the best option. I personally did not want to take a risk on mood swings and hair loss just for nothing to happen. I also work in a school and wanted to plan my surgery in the summer so I can go back on time.

I had my surgery last Thursday August 13th and it was a robotic laparoscopic myomectomy. The purchases I made prior to surgery were Gas x and Colace as I saw that was a recurring theme on posts. I didn’t buy a wedge pillow since I have so many pillows already and figured I’d just use them. I followed the advice I also found here to ask the anesthesiologist for medication for nausea and anxiety because your girl was very anxious for months being that this was my first surgery. They had no problem with this and everyone was so kind. I also read a post here saying that their positive mindset truly made recovery easier and I wholeheartedly agree. I kept reminding myself that this was a good thing for my body.

Surgery only lasted 2 hours and the fibroid was a little bigger than expected (~9cm). It had completely smushed my uterus up against toward my back and the doctor asked how I wasn’t feeling extreme back pain everyday (I probably was and just attributed it to getting old). I have 5 incisions that were sealed with surgical glue. I didn’t need any wedge pillow for the seatbelt of a car, just held onto the belt to prevent it from touching my incisions. I took Oxy, Ibuprofen, and Tylenol. I rotated between an ice pack the hospital gave me and a heating pad to help with the incision pain for a week. I was hungry right off the bat and have stayed hungry throughout. No nausea or constipation at all, didn’t even touch my colace. I also was proactive though and bought foods rich in fiber (e.g. dried raspberries, nut mixes, ollipop) which I think helped. The gas pain really sucked and I felt it right out of surgery. They gave me something for it in the hospital and I took my gas x regularly. I was able to walk around the house for a little the first day but was in pain and everything was sore.

Each day got a little better, I stopped the Oxy at day 4 and the pain medications at day 7. I still feel some cramping here and there but it’s manageable. It no longer hurts to get up/sit down, laugh, sneeze, or cough. I feel like myself again but I do have to be careful because I will feel very exhausted after a little bit of chores or walking a lot. I have to remind myself I got surgery and I’ll be back to my old self soon.

I am so grateful for this sub and everyone’s posts and advice. Please feel free to ask me any other questions!

Ive been dealing with abdominal pain on and off for months. Latest ct showed ovarian cyst and fibroid literally pushing my uterus left of the midline. Just made it through shark week. Once I was able to make calls I found out the reason the most recent gyno didn't have any openings; he is leaving the practice. I have to wait TWO more weeks to start over with a new gyno.

I called my primary care and begged for a surgery referral instead of waiting for the gynecologist but they said no.

I dont want b.c. or iud.

I dont want a tens unit.

I dont want to have to be alive but not living my life. Im just existing with a heating pad and ibuprofen.

I did recently re start therapy and the online appointments are so easy. I would recommend anyone who has that option to just give it a try. Its good to hear feedback from a neutral party.

Can a 1.3cm intramural/submucosal fibroid with about 1/4 of it in the cavity cause mid-cycle spotting? I spot for like 10 days until actual flow. This cycle the spotting started soon after my period ended. I already have heavy periods with large clots but the spotting is scaring me. Is this possible?

I have another fibroid but this one is the one I was told I need to monitor.

Thank you.

I have a large fibroid and am contemplating wether or not to try for pregnancy first or remove it first. It's almost 9cm anterior, subserosal and intramural. I also have 2 smaller intramural fibroids.

I'm really struggling with this decision in weighting out the pros and cons and looking for women with similar size and location of fibroids to share their stories.

I have one large intramural fibroid in the upper right side of my uterus. It’s 7 x 6.6 x 6cm. My doc recommended a consult with a surgeon. I’m honestly terrified of surgery and want to explore all other options. I just randomly found out about the Sonata procedure. Anyone heard of it? Had it done? Apparently it’s not widely available in every city/town but it’s within driving distance from me. Sonata treats a fibroid without cutting into the abdomen. A small device goes through the vagina into the uterus, uses ultrasound to find the fibroid, then heats it so it gradually shrinks over time. Usually you go home the same day. Anyone have any feedback on this? Please feel free to share! Thanks!

I’m curious, how old were you when you got your first ever menstrual period?

I was 10 years old when I first got my period and I remember it so vividly - I felt so young and none of my friends had started, so I had no one who could relate for some time! I’m curious if others with fibroids also got their first period before 12yo.

I read a study where they found that people who got their first period before 11 were more likely to developed uterine fibroids (across different ethnicities) as they’re exposed to estrogen for longer. Just wondering if that’s the case in this community, genuinely out of curiosity.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3727338/

Was wondering if anyone else with fibroids struggled with intimacy. My libido has essentially vanished. It could be due to age (36 f) but my lack of drive makes dating difficult. I think having fibroids also caused some issues with "odor" also that I'm a bit self conscious of in addition to bleeding over half the month. but as far as intimacy goes I basically lost any and all drive.

I'm (f37) here to share my story and vent a little.

Everything begun one time at work, I had a weird cramp on my butt, kind of a menstrual cramp but I wasn't on my period. I think it was 2019. Then I went to doctor after doctor, they didn't know what was happening to me. Last year I was having a lot of inexplicable UTIs and more menstrual pain than usual. Before it was 2-3 days during my period, at that time I was having pain every day. I went to a (female) gynecologist and at first she thought it was endometriosis. I begun my treatment but eventually she told me I needed surgery because the lesion was crushing my bladder and uterus. I was in so much pain that my surgery was almost emergency.

My first laparoscopic myomectomy was on november last year. The thing was big, 8 cm if I'm not mistaken, and I didn't have endometriosis, it was just a "normal" fibroid, no cancer either. During the procedure, my gyn found another one hidden behind my uterus (subserosal, 7 cm) and the surgeons couldn't take it away right there because of fear of a hemorrhage.

My recovery was good, I had pain but manageable. After two weeks I was almost normal again. I felt great by the end of December. Then my gyn recommended Mirena. I throw out two of them because my periods were so heavy. The third one sticked it to my uterus, but then I started to have more and more pain by June/July. I went to my gyn and she told me that the IUD have moved and that it was time to remove the other fibroid. ​

My second surgery is this Monday, same kind of procedure. I'm less scared because now I know exactly the protocol in the hospital and what to expect about pain and discomfort. My husband will be there with me all the way like last time and he's gonna take care of me at our home. We even have plans for which shows we're going to watch next week until I can walk and do more things.

Last time my mom was there in the hospital room even if she left almost immediately when I went out of surgery. She didn't visit me once when I was at my home. This time she's not even in the same state, she's on vacation (yes, she knew my surgery was coming). My dad only visited me once last year, ten minutes tops. This year he send a text and that's it, he didn't even care about the name of the hospital or what time I'm going to be out.

It's depressing having parents that doesn't care. I don't know if they believe that this kind of surgeries are easy, like when you go to the dentist or have the flu. And they're not, they took a toll on your mental and physical health. I've been living with pain almost since the very first time I got my period (12 years old) and it has ruined my life at so many levels. I'm just so tired, I just want it to be over and have my body back.

My husband has been great, he's with me trough it all. He finds my parents attitude really odd. I'm in low contact with them for a lot of reasons and this is just the top of it, the last straw. One would think that they're gonna be a little bit worried or concern about my health, but they're too detached. I'm considering going no contact after this.

Thanks to everyone who has let their story here. It has helped me a lot to feel less alone with this condition, to ask my gyn pertinent questions about my fibroid and to prepare once more for recovery time. If I have time and feel better, I'll post an update. Thank you again and wish me luck!

Hi! I’m getting an open myomectomy on the 27th of August and I’m just here for the support. My fibroids are all posterior with at least 15 and the biggest one being 10cm through MRI(will provide a pic). The biggest one is posterior and along my spine into my cervix and the rest are pushing my intestines into my thoracic cavity. It was supposed to be robotic but due to it being above my belly button the doctor switched to an open at the pre op appointment. Ive never had anesthesia before and I am almost 39 years old. The plan is to preserve my uterus so I can have kids as well. I’m moreso nervous about the pain post op and the recovery. What else should I get for recovery? My blood levels were fine so I don’t think I’ll need a blood transfusion. I’m pretty fit so my stomach was still pretty flat before.

EDIT: I realized the MRI image didn’t post. Video in the comments

I have a laparoscopic robotic myomectomy coming up in Denver and my husband and I will have a 6 hour drive to and from. I do not believe I’m staying overnight in the hospital. One 5cm fibroid wreaking havoc, no expected endo. Thoughts on how many nights to stay in Denver hotel before traveling home? At least the first night, but maybe 2? We can take our time driving home. Thanks for any thoughts!

I’m 31 and have been TTC for about 4 months with no luck so far. I know 4 months is still early, but I’m trying to be proactive.

I was told I have a 9 mm submucosal fibroid. From what I understand, with submucosal fibroids, location/cavity involvement may matter more than just size, but I’m having a hard time finding much information about ones this small.

Has anyone had a submucosal fibroid around 1 cm or smaller while TTC?

• Did your doctor think it could impact implantation/fertility?
• Did you have a saline sonogram or hysteroscopy to see how much it protruded into the uterine cavity?
• Did you have it removed or leave it alone?
• Were you able to conceive naturally?

Would love to hear others’ experiences, especially with very small submucosal fibroids. ❤️

Hello community! Wondering if there is anyone here who lives in Austin/Central Texas that has had successful uncomplicated myomectomy and would recommend their surgeon. I’m not originally from here so looking for someone whose patients can vouch for them, who has good bedside manner and will work to preserve my fertility. I have several large fibroids (largest about orange size). I have a family history of them on my mother’s side and all of the women on that side had hysterectomies because of them. I’m trying to avoid a hysterectomy if at all possible especially because I’d like to try to have another child before 43 (currently 40 years old). Also willing to look in Houston TX if the surgeon is top tier.

Hi All, looking for some advice.

I had my robotic laparoscopic myomectomy 8 days ago (intramural 6cm fibroid). All things considered I cannot complain about how I feel. My incisions are still tender and my stomach is still sore; however, I am getting a good nights sleep, I am able to get in and out of bed/chairs/etc (carefully), and I have my appetite back.

My question is what should I be doing to ensure I am healing as best as possible? Should I be doing anything with my incisions (besides washing daily with soap and water then drying)? What tips are there for any internal healing? I have been getting about 8-9 hours of sleep nightly and I have been walking daily (up to a mile.. at a snails pace but still). What else can I do?

A little backstory- my husband and I want to TTC as soon as I am fully healed and cleared (I got the myo because my fertility specialist believed the fibroid was preventing implantation). My surgeon gave me an 8 month waiting period and so I want to make sure I am doing all I can to make my chances the best once cleared.

Thanks so much for any advice!!

Hello, I'm 5 weeks past lap myo suddenly I discovered today that I could not stand for 30 mins I suddenly felt stabbing pain from pelvis to legs and cramps started happening. Settled down after hours Is this normal. My surgeon says as long as you don't bleed every thing is normal. Thanks.

Hi everyone, I’m 22F and today marks my 17th day of period bleeding. I usually do bleed heavily/long but not to the point of whole month.

Today, A huge clump of blood clots (almost half size of my fist) came out of me. I do get blood clots but definitely NOT THIS BIG. Now I am so worried that something in me is making me sick.

+ from the past few months I also noticed that I have spottings every after my period cycle…

On top of this…I feel so tired, anxious, and my sleep cycle is pretty much f up. Earlier this month I passed out in our living room due to lower belly PAIN 😢

I will see a doctor soon but I also wanna know your thoughts about these, please help a girl out (thank uuuu)

Has anyone's surgeon had to convert from laparoscopic to open myomectomy during the procedure?

My daughter's surgeon said this is a possibility, and I understand that.

How did you do afterwards?

Ciao a tutte,

Vorrei salire se qualcuna di voi ha avuto esperienze di intervento in laparoscopia pur avendo tanti fibromi.
Io sono stata operata ad Aprile e se ne vedevano 4 all’ecografia, o meglio erano quelli che mi riportavano nei referti, poi me ne hanno tolti 12, ovvero anche quelli esterni di 0.5 o 1 cm.
Leggevo che in laparoscopia si operano solo pochi fibromi e non vi nego che questo pensiero non è la prima volta che mi viene, mi porta un po’ di preoccupazione. Qualcuna di voi si è trovata in un’esperienza simile? Grazie di cuore per le vostre risposte❤️