Need 2nd opinions/thoughts on fibroid surgery!!

Hi,

My ob/gyn referred me to this wonderful forum. I have read up on past discussions on myomectomy and fibroids and they were very helpful. I feel so much better that I'm not alone and my problem is not 'weird'. I'm already more optimistic.

Details on my background -

Symptoms/Diagnosis
a. I am a 30 yr old woman, with a fibroid of overall size ~9cmm (about the size of a closed small fist).

b. To give you an idea of the position of the fibroid: If I'm standing straight, the fibroid is located in front of my uterus in the uterine wall, pushing against my bladder.

c. I just recently became sexually active because it was very uncomfortable in the past and I had a mental block about it

d. I have been anaemic for the longest time which I discovered might be due to the fibroid.

e. Recently discovered a 2.4 cyst on/in my left ovary but gyn said it's a harmless physiologic cyst - not to worry, can be ignored.

e. I don't have kids yet but I do plan to have kids in the next 2-3 yrs. Therefore, hysterectomy is not an option at the moment. Therefore - a myomectomy is recommended by my gyn.

Recommended Surgery
My gyn recommends that if I do plan to have kids down the road and if sex is uncomfortable, an abdominal myomectomy may be necessary to eliminate both problems. It is not urgent but the sooner, the better.

My qs
a. Does my gyn's diagnosis and recommendation for abdominable myomectomy sound reasonable? (v.s laparoscopy)

b. Is this a complex surgery and is it important to get the right and best surgeon for this surgery? I'm a little concerned when she told me she'd pull the uterus out on my tummy and perform the surgery.

c. She said laporoscopic myomectomy (LM) was not a good option because study shows that LM patients, when pregnant, may have a higher rate of rupture as compared to those undergone abdominal myomectomy. sounds fair?

I know these are a lot of questions in one shot but please bear with me...I'm getting married in Feb next year and I want to undergo surgery asap if necessary- so lots of decisions to be made!

thanks,
KS

Hi Ks23,

I had fibroids...so I can understand some of what you might be going through. Fibroids are not fun!!!!

And you are not alone.

My younger sister had an abdominal myomectomy when she was 30. After her myo, she went on to get married and have my two nieces. Like you...at 30...she still wanted to have children.

I do not have any information to share on a lap myomectomy...so hopefully other ladies will reply. The lap myomectomy was not available when my sister had her abdominal myo.

It is good you are asking your questions. In the end..do what is *best* for you.

Sending best wishes~

Mary

I havent had one my self but here is a great link to help.. myomectomy . good luck and big hugs
lisa

hi Mary,

Thanks for shaing your sister's experience with me. It is encouraging to know her surgery was successful and she had kids!

thank you!

Karishma

hi Lisa,

thank you for the link! I was just going through it and it seems very informative! Some of my fears have been quelled..

-Regards,
Karishma

Can you speak with other women who have undergone myomectomy with your doctor? Can your doctor put you in contact with former myomectomy patients so that you can learn about their experiences with your doctor? I know that might sound like an unusual request for your doctor but it's not an unreasonable request. I spoke with a former patient of my surgeon before my surgery and the information she gave me was very helpful and reassuring. I had confidence in my surgeon before the surgery and had even more confidence in him after I spoke with one of his former patients.

These are some of the questions I would ask my doctor if I were undergoing a myomectomy:

What was the outcome of his/her myomectomies? Under what circumstances, and how often did he/she convert to hysterectomy?
How often were blood transfusions required during the myomectomy?
Does he/she employ tourniquets during the procedure to reduce blood loss?
How many myomectomies has he/she performed?
How many years has he/she been performing myomectomies and how often?
How many of his/her patients went on to successful pregnancies after myomectomy?

These type of questions can help to shed additional light on the doctor's level of skill, experience, and confidence.

I think it's important to research all you can on the topic and familiarize yourself with the surgery and various techniques. It also doesn't hurt to talk with other doctors. Interviewing other doctors can provide additional insight rounding out your understanding of the surgery.

I think it's important to get the very best doctor you can find for your surgery. It's your body and you deserve the best -- we all do.