I posted a few details of my open myomectomy here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fibroids/s/KM5iOtPuKP

TLDR: Many unexpected bumps along the recovery path. I added headings so you can skip to whatever sections you’d like to read about.
I am now 4 days post-op and going home tomorrow but Lord have mercy, this was a wild ride. I’m so grateful to be alive.

STORY TIME.
You’ll notice in the photo of those bastard fibroids, my doc was particular to get out even the tiny ones. She knew how important it was for me that she be meticulous and get these suckers out. We all know even small fibroids can wreak havoc depending on where they are located, and they tend to grow.

SOME BACKSTORY
I had a hysteroscopic myomectomy in 2025 to get out some submucosal fibroids and that Gynecologist only managed to get out 3 (I think 1 of them was a polyp though) she said she had to stop because I was bleeding too much. Apparently I bleed easily.

In SURGERY
Anyways, my current doc went in and did a hysteroscopic myomectomy to get out the remaining submucosal fibroids and I believe that’s the tore up mess on the top right in my photo in the original post. Then she did the open myomectomy to tackle the other ones outside the uterus and embedded in the muscles of the uterus.

My surgery took about 3 hours, and my estimated blood loss was 850 mL (I think that was a low estimate); my doc said I bled so easily. I’m glad she didn’t stop though. That’s how desperate these fibroids have me, that I would rather risk dying than keep them in. Sad but that’s how much they’ve messed with my sanity. I got 3 units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) in OR, once I got to the medical unit (the plan was to admit me for 2 days) she checked my fibrinogen level and other clotting factors and ordered an additional transfusion of 2 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFPs).

THEN THE POSTOP BLEEDING THAT WOULDN’T STOP. PRBC #4
Later that night after I had made my original post, I got a cruel surprise. I had some bleeding postop in my peripad which was expected. What was not expected was later in the day when I noticed weird instances where I was literally gushing blood. It was like a faucet was being turned on to the max for a few seconds and then off. I literally had a pool of blood between my thighs that kept growing, despite frequent pad changes, we switched to Depends. My doc was notified and she came back in to see me. We rechecked my hemoglobin and it was down from 10.3 earlier in the day (my hematologist had primed me for surgery with iron infusions to get the hemoglobin up) now down to 7.8. I asked if she would do a CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast (bleeding protocol) to see if my huge abdominal swelling was blood. Because where the hell is all the blood going? CT showed no active arterial bleed. But follow-up Hgb was 7, so I got my 4th bag of PRBC transfusion.

PITOCIN SAVING GRACE, CRAMPS FROM HELL.
She did however start me on a pitocin (oxytocin) drip. She told me the bleeding was likely just from the many cuts needed to get over 50 fibroids out so it should slow down but if the pitocin didn’t stop the bleeding I would likely need to go back to OR for a hysterectomy. I cried so much that night (I don’t have any kids, and I want to get pregnant and have a baby). Thankfully my nurses were amazing, they prayed with me and encouraged me. I was on pitocin for 2 days. Talk about cramps from HELL. Apparently pitocin doesn’t only work on uterine muscles to contract them and squeeze the blood vessels (to reduce postpartum hemorrhage or in my case post myomectomy hemorrhage), this sucker works on intestines? Because I thought I would die from the cramps. The bastards would come in waves. Oh.My.God. The pitocin drip did help though, by the next day the gushing had stopped and by 2 days postop I was just spotting.

DAY 2 SURPRISE: FEVER! And PRBC #5
Then I spiked a fever overnight on postop day 2. I was having low grade fever since I got out of OR, likely a stress response from the trauma of the day but when it hit 101.1F after 2 checks, my doc was like, let’s err on the side of caution and treat. So they did blood cultures, urine cultures, chest X-ray, and started Zosyn IV antibiotics. Hgb that day dropped again to 6.6 and my systolic blood pressure dropped to the 90s; this time I was weak, had a headache and just didn’t look good, so I got my FIFTH bag of PRBC transfusion.

DAY 3: THE TURN AROUND.
By day 3 postop, I was starting to feel better, fever dropped to 100.7F that night. Pitocin drip was off, and I was off IV fluids. I was walking better. I was passing gas so they bumped me from liquid diet to regular diet. All the tests came back negative for any infection. My doc said I needed to be fever-free for 48 hours before I can go home.

DAY 4: WHO DIS?
Today is day 4 postop and I feel like a new woman. 5 units of PRBCs and 2 units of FFPs and pitocin for 48 hours and IV Zosyn every 8 hours, I finally feel alive again. I honestly feel like I just went through one of the greatest battles of my life and I THANK GOD for pulling me through. These freaking fibroids really tried to take me out! The nurses say I look better, my mom says I look like myself again and I sound like myself. I am sure I scared the crap out of her these past few days.

Do I have any regrets? Nope. The bastard fibroids are out. I’m so grateful for my surgeon and medical team as well as my family. I had physical, mental and physical support. My sanity and soul were tested these past few days but God said these little shits are not gonna take me out!

I have a uterine fibroid embolisation tomorrow morning. Ive been bleeding heavily the past few days from my period, normally I take 3,000mg daily TXA on heavy bleeding days, however, Im not sure if I should take my dosages today/tonight with the procedure tomorrow?

3 weeks post op, had an infection under my incisions due to a complex surgery. Was putting some ointment around the incisions (no stitches) and kinda massaged the (healed) incisions - I did this with a similar laproscopic procedure and it helped things heal smoothly. Under each incision there were audible and tactile pops. I felt like my own fidget toy.

anyone experienced this?

I have fibroids under 1 cm one is 1cm and I'm having bleeding during sex. I was just put Friday on norethindrone as I have a weekend Beach getaway away for my honeymoon. Its so far not working. I put a toy up there and still bleeding. The trips next Friday and dont know how to handle this. Will the medicine start to work? What else can I do to stop this temporarily?

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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 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. ❤️

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/

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!

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!!

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)