Robotic Myomectomy - Hystercopic Resections

Hi, I am a new member from NY. I have struggled with fibroids for three years. I was misdiagnosed early in my fibroid battle, thank God for second opinions. I highly encourage second opinions.

I have had four seperate surgeries, all with the intention of preserving my uterus. I am not ready to give up on someday becoming a parent.
I was diagnosed with two submucosal fibroids, one large penduculated and one intramural.

My first procedure was a D&C. THis is where I was misdiagnosed. I had gone the this doctor for 11 months complaining of non stop bleeding, periods, and passing blood clots so bad I would break out in a sweat, and my legs would go week. My birth control pill was blamed, I was switched to 3 differnt pills in the course of 11 months and then D&C was scheduled. The doctor at the time said there was no fibroids. Three months later I passed at my local mall in a pool of blood. The emergency room doctor is the one who told me what was really going on. I was put on medroxyprogesterone, and told I needed to decide how to treat this. It was also suggested to me to get a second opion and perhaps a new doctor.

I found a new doctor (a fertlity doctor) I was tired of being told I should have a hysterectomy. I "interviewed" several doctors before selecting this doctor. My new doctor was upfront and extremely honest, told me things I was not happy to hear, but at least it was the truth. I scheduled my hysteroscopic resection. I was told sometimes you need a second procedure, because submucosals are in the uterine wall and cavity. Sometimes they resect all the way to the wall and as time passes what is left of the fibroid in the wall, will "pop" into the utuers. Sure enough a year later I had to go back for a second one because the bleeding came back. I was also told by the fertility specialist who did these surgeries, that the other fibroids may cause my problems at some point so I should really consider my options and be aware.

Fast-forward 1 year later. I started to have really bad pains bending over, constant consitipation, jumping, at the gym, waking several times a night to urinate, pains with my periods again, etc. Turns out one of the fibroids on the outer wall had grown very fast, they were putting pressure on my colon and bladder. Fearing surgery and being cut open, I went to get an opinion on MRgFUS, I thought maybe just maybe I could escape surgery with ultrasound. Unfortunately, I was not a candidate, they will not do this if your tumor is outside of the uterus and other organs can be damaged. My colon and bladder were at risk with this procedure.

After a ton of reserach on the internet and within this board, I found that Laprascopic Robotic Myomectomy would be the route I was interested in. I was told it has a better suturing procedure than traditional Laprascopic surgery. I can not tell you the fear having this surgery produced for me. The two months I waited, I did not have a single peaceful sleep. I had crying spells, and periods of anxiety that wrecked my day. I waited to scheudle my surgery to conicide with a point of time that would minimally impact my job.

Recovery for me was about 4 week to be almost pain-free. It was the best thing I did, and wish I had done it sooner. I had changed my life around so much to accomodate my fibroids. I had given up dancing, the gym, bike riding, long trips where I didnt have a bathroom on hand. So much stuff. I feel now after having my surgery six months ago, that I am able to live a much more productive life. Yes I have three scars, and I don't really care much about them anymore. You can only see them when I am naked, and it is a small price to pay to have my life back.

Please always get a second opinion.
Feel Free to ask me any questions.
I am very grateful to this board and all the women who share on here, it is truly a blessing.

I'm so glad you eventually found a solution that worked for you! I, too, had doctors not take me seriously and write off all my issues to hormones. Sadly, it's a common theme.

Wow, thank you for sharing your story! I just chickened out of a hysterectomy because I am so afraid of regretting it down the road (am only 29) and just recently found a doctor that said I may be a candidate for a myomectomy. All the other doctors told me I had too many fibroids. I haven't seen a lot of positive myomectomy stories though, thank you for sharing yours! This is something I am going to explore a little further, I'd like to buy myself some time before the inevitable hyst down the road!