Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths common during childbearing years. While often no treatment is necessary for fibroids, sometimes they become troublesome enough to warrant surgical removal. Surgery to remove the growths, but leave reproductive organs intact, is called myomectomy.
Function
A myomectomy is performed under general anesthesia. It may be done as an abdominal, laparoscopic (through tiny incisions and with specialized equipment) or hysteroscopic (through the vagina) myomectomy.
Considerations
For an open surgery or abdominal myomectomy, expect to stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days. For a laparoscopic procedure, a patient may go home the same day or possibly stay overnight. A hysteroscopic procedure is simpler, so a patient can expect to go home a few hours after surgery.
Time Frame
Full recovery from an open surgery takes 4 to 6 weeks, while for a laparoscopic myomectomy for uterine fibroids, recovery time is typically about 2 to 4 weeks. Hysteroscopic surgery requires no stitches, and takes less than a week for recovery.
Effects
After surgery, use sanitary pads, not tampons, for bleeding, get moving as soon as possible to prevent blood clots and take pain medication as directed by your physician. Don't drive for several days, and avoid strenuous exercise for a couple weeks after laparoscopic surgery and several weeks for open surgery. Do not have sex until you get a doctor's approval.
Warning
Call your doctor if you experience fever, chills, redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, discharge from the incision, excessive vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, headaches, muscle pain, painful or frequent urination or a general unwell feeling.
Tags: open surgery
