TAH Abdominal hysterectomy to remove 10lb + fibroid ridden uterus

A couple of years ago I was told there was a mass on my left ovary and had it rechecked to see if it grew. I was not really told any results, just that the dr would contact me if there was a need for follow up. For the past year I have been going back and forth to various urologists for urgency issues and telling them it felt like something was pushing on my bladder. Finally it was revealed that there was! I had another ultra sound followed by an MRI. MRI showed the mass as 27x12x24cm so I was referred to oncology due to the rapid growth. I wasn't very concerned about cancer, but was by then very aware of how it was pressing on everything and causing my stomach to be rock hard. After seeing the oncologist I was scheduled for TAH 5 days later.

My surgery was supposed to last about 2 hours, but was instead almost 6. There were 2 major complications. the first was that my uterus was much bigger than anticipated from the MRI results. It went up to about 2-3" below my ribcage, but was also very wide. I was told it took multiple hands to lift it out because it was so hard with fibroids it was not at all pliable and caused a lot of problems. Due to the size they also had zero visibility of anything else and my right ureter was accidentally cut requiring 2 hours of surgery with a urologist to make repairs.

I woke up in recovery about 6.5 hours after entering the operating room and immediately asked if I kept my ovaries. Since nothing suggested cancer I did indeed keep both ovaries. That is when I learned the tumor was 10lb 5 oz and about the size of a basketball. I immediately noticed how good it felt to have it gone and how flat my stomach felt. I wasn't allowed to really eat or drink anything for almost 24 hrs and I had a stent, catheter, and drain in as part of the ureter repair. I was initially supposed to keep a catheter until day 5 post op but got it out 1 day early due to the progress I had made.

I know I have a much higher pain tolerance than most people (both a blessing and a curse) but this surgery has not been nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Getting up the first day post op really hurt, but it got better each time. The drs were impressed I was walking so far on my first try, but I really wanted to go home. Getting up was much worse than walking. By the 2nd day I had minimal soreness and could get out of bed pretty easily. However, that night is when I began to bloat and have has build up from my bowels still not working. It wasn't until day 4 that began to resolve itself, and I am still pretty distended. I ditched all pain meds after day 1, but also know if it weren't for the swelling id have very little soreness at all. I know it will be a slow process, but I do feel a little every day. I'm anxious for the swelling and bloat to subside so I can have that roomy feeling I had waking up in recovery. In 6 weeks I go in to remove the ureter stent and everything should be fully repaired with that.

Anyhow, while searching for info before my procedure I saw a few posts from people with similar sized masses worried about cancer. Just thought id post my experience so maybe others won't needlessly worry about something that may be unnecessary to worry about. I'm an example that very fast growth does not equal cancer in every case.

I was the same except the tumor was from my ovary. 22x18x9 cm and 7 lbs. however my surgery was only 2 hours. No complications. it was also benign even though it grew very fast. I can eat now, no getting up during to night to pee 4 times. Yey!!

these were exactly the kinds of stories I would look for Pre hysterectomy!

riveting with details & success comments.

i also had ginormous fibroids taking up space and wreaking havoc. I am now 6 1/2 weeks & feel/look so much better. so glad I did it!

Yipes, and I thought my fibroid was big! You must be so relieved to have that gone -- and as time goes on, you will feel like a million bucks. Definitely keep us posted, and congratulations on being rid of that mega-fibroid! *hug*

gee jeepers I am amazed and I am so glad for you to feel better!

Wow!!! These fibroids and everything that comes with it are Unbelievable!! Glad to know you are already feeling much better! Continued healing! I'm so inspired by the stories on here!!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Iamangee A couple of years ago I was told there was a mass on my left ovary and had it rechecked to see if it grew. I was not really told any results, just that the dr would contact me if there was a need for follow up. For the past year I have been going back and forth to various urologists for urgency issues and telling them it felt like something was pushing on my bladder. Finally it was revealed that there was! I had another ultra sound followed by an MRI. MRI showed the mass as 27x12x24cm so I was referred to oncology due to the rapid growth. I wasn't very concerned about cancer, but was by then very aware of how it was pressing on everything and causing my stomach to be rock hard. After seeing the oncologist I was scheduled for TAH 5 days later. My surgery was supposed to last about 2 hours, but was instead almost 6. There were 2 major complications. the first was that my uterus was much bigger than anticipated from the MRI results. It went up to about 2-3" below my ribcage, but was also very wide. I was told it took multiple hands to lift it out because it was so hard with fibroids it was not at all pliable and caused a lot of problems. Due to the size they also had zero visibility of anything else and my right ureter was accidentally cut requiring 2 hours of surgery with a urologist to make repairs. I woke up in recovery about 6.5 hours after entering the operating room and immediately asked if I kept my ovaries. Since nothing suggested cancer I did indeed keep both ovaries. That is when I learned the tumor was 10lb 5 oz and about the size of a basketball. I immediately noticed how good it felt to have it gone and how flat my stomach felt. I wasn't allowed to really eat or drink anything for almost 24 hrs and I had a stent, catheter, and drain in as part of the ureter repair. I was initially supposed to keep a catheter until day 5 post op but got it out 1 day early due to the progress I had made. I know I have a much higher pain tolerance than most people (both a blessing and a curse) but this surgery has not been nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Getting up the first day post op really hurt, but it got better each time. The drs were impressed I was walking so far on my first try, but I really wanted to go home. Getting up was much worse than walking. By the 2nd day I had minimal soreness and could get out of bed pretty easily. However, that night is when I began to bloat and have has build up from my bowels still not working. It wasn't until day 4 that began to resolve itself, and I am still pretty distended. I ditched all pain meds after day 1, but also know if it weren't for the swelling id have very little soreness at all. I know it will be a slow process, but I do feel a little every day. I'm anxious for the swelling and bloat to subside so I can have that roomy feeling I had waking up in recovery. In 6 weeks I go in to remove the ureter stent and everything should be fully repaired with that. Anyhow, while searching for info before my procedure I saw a few posts from people with similar sized masses worried about cancer. Just thought id post my experience so maybe others won't needlessly worry about something that may be unnecessary to worry about. I'm an example that very fast growth does not equal cancer in every case.

The same thing happened to me, my fibroid was huge and and it was worse than he thought when he went in. Zero visibility and my right ureter was cut too. Had to get a Nephrostomy kept it for 2 months. Worst time of my life! This was back in Sept 2013. I've recovered greatly.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by BornACrone Yipes, and I thought my fibroid was big! You must be so relieved to have that gone -- and as time goes on, you will feel like a million bucks. Definitely keep us posted, and congratulations on being rid of that mega-fibroid! *hug*

I do feel a lot better. Even though I had a tragedy through the process. No more period cramps and bloating, headaches. I don't regret having it removed. My life is much better without it.