myomectomy??

Has anyone here had a myomectomy? (spl)
My DIL found out yesterday that her sudden onset of severe left side pain is caused by a fibroid. She is 25 and they still hope to have a child. She will see a GYN tomorrow and is scared that he will want to do a hysterectomy.
I have talked to her about what I knew but thought that maybe a sister who had been through the fibroid removal could shed some light on it for her.
Thanks sisters,
Jerri

I haven't had one but considered it after the birth of my first child (I got pregnant without knowing I had large fibroids- my gyn never told me. Of course, I switched docs.)

I doubt any doctor would insist on a hysterectomy in a woman who has not had children yet and still wishes to, and in any case it's always up to the patient. Depending on the size and location of the fibroid she may not even need to do anything. I decided not to, since my first pregnancy went fine. I did nothing at all until I was 43 and then had the hyst- by then the fibroids had doubled in size and were causing lots of problems. Remember that a myomectomy carries its own risks too- uncontrolled bleeding that results in an emergency hysterectomy.

Fibroids almost always grow back after myomectomy, and they can come back rather quickly, so it's best to start a pregnancy sooner rather than later following a myo.

I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you (I had a TAH), but I am bumping this back up, because I would like to know too!

I have a friend who is scheduled for a myomectomy next month, and she asked me about it. I really didn't know what to tell her.

Has anyone had both? What is the difference in recovery times?

A friend of mine had a myomectomy recently. She had as long a recovery as one would for a hysterectomy.

Has she been told she must have a myomectomy to have children? Many people have normal pregnancies with fibroids that aren't severe enough to distort the uterus.

After a myomectomy, the strength of the uterine walls may be compromised, and delivery has to be by C-section.

I'm not sure I had the exact same surgery or not; mine was called a hysteroscopy resection with myomectomy for two fibroids. I also had a lap done at the same time for endo. In my opinion, I felt worse the first few days after that than I did the hyst. Of course, the total recovery time is longer with the hyst. With the myo, I also bled for about a month afterward, which the DR said was normal as long as I wasn't soaking pads.

My DR didn't tell me that the fibroids would come back, but I ultimately had a hyst 3 months later b/c of the endo.

I wish your DIL the best in making her decision. If I were her, I would try the myo first.

The little bit of advice I have is from personal experience.

On 11/20 I went in for a combo of things: laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, D&C, myomectomy and endometrial ablation. When the procedure was over, I learned from the doctor he only performed the first three. He told me the fibroids were so large, the myomectomy and the ablation procedures were not for me. I had a TVH on 12/10 as a result.

It's just going to depend. Unless your doctor really knows what he's up against before going inside to view, anything can happen. My doctor was relying on the laparoscopy to help him really know what he could do for me that first day.

Good luck to you!!

Hi Jerri,

One thing your DIL must have confirmed is that the source of her left side pain really is the fibroid. I hope her doc is checking on the left ovary since that could be part (of all) of the problem. Fibroids can cause severe pain, but it's really sort of unusual. If the fibroid is pedunculated (on a stalk and hanging outside the uterus) it can sometimes become twisted and start to die. I think the medical term is necrosis ...

I had a laparoscopic myomectomy done at age 45 for removal of two fibroids. My uterus was 14 to 16 week size. One fibroid was the size of a golf ball and the other was the size of my doc's fist (his description) and on the back of my uterus putting pressure on my colon. At the time, I really did not want to have a hyst. A lap myomectomy is less invasive than a myomectomy with an abdominal incision. BUT - if your DIL hopes to have children someday and ends up having a myomectomy now, her surgeon will want to be very careful stitching the uterus after removal of the fibroid(s). A lap procedure may not be an option for her - she might need an abdominal incision.

Recovery from my lap myo was short. The surgery was done as an outpatient procedure and I only missed one week of work.

It turns out I had severe endo ... so I ended up having a TAH/BSO about 6 months after the myomectomy. That recovery was much tougher and longer - about 6 weeks off work.

Please encourage your DIL to keep reading and asking questions. I truly hope her doc will find a treatment that works and preserves her fertility. Sending hugs to both of you.

Beth

Beth, opp's, I did not word my post very well. My DIL did have an abdominal/pelvic as well as a transvaginal ultra sound that showed the fibroid(s). She was seen and the tests ordered by her PCP and will be seeing her GYN tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.. Here's hoping that he does everything possible to help her to the right decision.
Also, she has a beautiful 4 year old boy (Grandma's pride) but they were wanting to try again now for another. At least if it comes down to the worst, she has him. My daughter is not so fortunate.
Thanks for the heads up and she will be registering on here hopefully in the next day or two.
Jerri

I had a myomectomy in May 2002 for removal of 3 fibroids, I wanted a hysterectomy but by doctor refused as I was only 34, with 1 child.

I also have severe endo and during the myomectomy my doctor noted possible adenomyosis. Since the operation my pain and bleeding has been worse but this could just indicate that the fibroids weren't actually causing any of my problems!!

The research I have done since the operation indicates that fibroids only have an effect on fertility if they stop the fertilised egg from implanting, and that just depends on where the fibroids are. Most doctors (in Australia anyway) would be very reluctant to do a hysterectomy in someone of her age, who wants more children.

I would just like to point out that after a myomectomy, studies show only 20-30% of women have a regrowth of fibroids(remember, that's at least 70% that DO NOT regrow fibroids).
Of those that do regrow them, only 25% generally have symptoms that would require removal or treatment. The average time for regrowth is 3-5 years.

I am not a doctor, but I have done a considerable amount of research into fibroids and the alternatives to hysterectomy.

Also, women who have never had children are more likely to regrow fibroids. Women who are older (40+) are less likely to regrow following myomectomy.

Of course, in spite of this, a great many doctors still push for a hysterectomy for those of us over the age of 40 and "done" having a family.

If this helps...

Sousette