Myomectomy after 2nd opinion (updated)

I just want to say that I am so grateful to have found this site. I want to thank all of the wonderful women who have taken the time to post there experience, share there stories, courage and hope. This is in part why I sought a second opinion. BEST THING I EVER DID! I will now be getting a myomectomy instead of a hysterectomy.

My first Dr. didn't even consider a myomectomy, and is a reputable Dr. in my area. After living with fibroids for almost 2 years I stared having complications. My uterus is now about 18 weeks pregnant. I have 2 very large fibroids.The first 7.9 x 7.7 x 6.2, second 5.6 x 5.0 x 4.6 and several smaller fibroids. I was ready to schedule a hysterectomy, and may have without the stories of a few brave women. I took charge and found a hospital in Boston, (about 1 1/2 hours from me) that specializes in fibroids. I found out today after meeting with my new Dr. and reviewing my tests I will now have a myomectomy.

Thank you to everyone who has shared your stories. Those of you who are lurking and reading, (as I was) I would encourage you to post your stories as well. It can make a difference.

I will keep you posted as to a date of my surgery and recovery.

((((fabulous&40))))

GREAT NEWS!! Thanks for sharing!

While a hysterectomy can be necessary for some women, there can be other options which might be better! I am so glad you have gotten a second opinion and will be able to try one of them!

Definitely keep us posted as we would love to be able to post your story as an Options and Alternatives Success Story!

I wish you all the best!

Hi Fabu40! Your post caught my eye. I have been to two gynos..both are encouraging me to go full blown hyster...I'm not going to have any procedure until after summer...but I researching option with due diligence. I'm 46 and have a big ole fibroid in the wall of my uterus the size of a baseball 8.23 cm...pushing on my bladder and causing heavy bleeding. I've a small one on one ovary. My doc's said that I'll coming back in for another surgery if I just don't go ahead and get it all out. "I've had countless of women come back in and have it taken out due to new fibroids" thats the mantra I'm getting. Anyhoo...I too am considering the mylo...I found an amazing video of the actual procedure and 18 fibroids being taken out...3 very very large. though not for the faint of heart...it's interesting. Just hope my tummy muscles recover. I used to have great abs!

Be well fabu40! And yes, I concur...this website is the bomb and I am so so so glad I found it too!!!

Hi cgm10sne1,
I also have my largest fibroid in the uterine wall. Like you one of my fibriods is also putting a lot of pressure in my bladder. It has gotten to the point I am restricting my water intake during the day. Like you my periods have become very heavy and painful, debilitating at times. I also become very constipated during my period as the fibriods become engorged and are even larger. I haven't been able to wear any of my pants for months due to the fact I look 18 week pregnant. I feel for you. I will be having a Laparoscopic myomectomy on June 16th. I will be meeting with my 2nd surgeon May 24th, (who has done well over 300 Laparoscopic myomectomys) and will have more information at that time. I have been told there is a possibility they may not be able to remove all of the pebble size fibriods. I have also been told there is a small chance they may have to convert to an abdominal incision, due to the size and location of my fibriods. I am fully excepting of this, as the option of losing my uterus does not appeal to me. Wishing you the best, and a speedy recovery!

If you are not considering pregnancy and want to take care of smaller fibroids I had a procedure that was done cervically. I had an endometrial resection (removal of all of the tissue inside of the uterus) and ablation (cauterization to prevent regrowth). It was virtually painless, no incision, no periods afterwards, but I still kept my uterus.

What was it that made you change your mind, Fab&40? I just found out on Friday that some type of removal was in my future. Initially I thought a partial hyst was the way to go, as the doctor didn't really mention any down side to having the uterus removed, but a couple of hours after hearing this news I snapped to my senses and was immediately opposed to removing anything but the fibroids. Now I'm on the fence again. What did the doc say that made you change your mind? I have not gotten a second opinion yet, but I do intend to do that. I was also looking into HIFU (High intensity focused ultrasound) and possibly doing a myomectomy/HIFU combination of treatment. Has anyone had experience with this therapy? My understanding is that it is non-invasive, heats the fibroid cells to a certain degree killing them and shrinking the tumors slowly. I thought if I removed the biggest fibroids that are causing the problems (with my bladder & intestines) then I could follow-up with the HIFU?

Any comments would be appreciated!

Thanks all!!

There are so many possible adverse side effects of hysterectomy it is mind boggling. Please do a lot of research before you make a decision. There are physical, emotional, and sexual side effects. Studies have also shown that hysterectomy vastly increases the incidence of cardiovascular disease in women. The younger you are, the greater the risk. I wish you the best. See my prior post for an option for smaller fibroids.

Coffee&rain,

My first Dr. only gave me the option of having a hysterectomy. I was in shock and knew she was a good Dr. in my area, so I almost scheduled the surgery. Then I got my wits about me and found this site. It was full of options from the wonderful women sharing there stories. I started doing research and found my specialist in Boston.

I also asked about Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE or UFE) - Procedure in which arteries are blocked, cutting off blood supply to the uterus. We were concerned that with the procedure there is an expectancy of 40% shrinkage, and given the size of my large fibroids they would still be big, and still be a problem. I'm not sure if they would combine this with a myomectomy. This would be something to discuss at your second opinion.

Good luck to you! Keep us posted!

lindale,

I agree whole heartedly with your statements. After do some research and speaking to other women, I found the thought of having a hyserectomy terrifying! There was so much that my first Dr. didn't tell me! If you don't have a choice that's one thing, but I do!

Thank you for sharing!

I have had my appointment with my 2nd surgeon. He does on average about 2 myomectomies per week. Well over 100 per year. This is his specialty. He chooses to use Laparoscopic with Hysterscope as apposed to Davinci, because of time and incisions. The Davinci would require about 3 hours, where as Laparoscopic would take 2 hours. There will also be fewer and smaller incisions.

I read on this site to ask:
What is your conversion rate from Laparoscopy to abdominal incision? A conversion is where the doctor begins a Laparoscopic surgery but decides to change to a more invasive abdominal surgery. The number should be less than 5%.
He has NEVER HAD TO CONVERT TO AN ABDOMINAL INCISION for a myomectomy! The one time he did was with a hysterectomy due to the fact the patient was asthmatic and could not withstand the pressure on her lungs.

I also asked if he would use Lupron to shrink the fibroids before surgery, as they are very large. He assured me this would not be necessary it would infact make the fibroids ‘stickier’. It would be harder to separate them from the uterus. After watching a video on there website I could see that they are easy, (after the incision is made), and almost roll out of the uterus lining.

The largest fibroid he has removed was the size of a basketball about 3,000mm. Keep in mind this is without abdominal incision! My 2 largest ones are about 500mm each he said.

He also said there is about a 50% chance of getting more fibroids and 20% of those will need surgery again. This is a risk I’m willing to take.

I am borrowing a post I read on this site bellow that helped me In my search:
Through connection with other women, I learned that there were about 6 or 7 fibroid "experts" in the U.S. What makes them experts? These gynecologists do about 100-300 successful myomectomies per year with a horizontal incision and without the use of lupron and with minimal blood loss. Their track record over a 30 year career is excellent and they have never had to convert to a hysterectomy or had a failed myomectomy because their technique is that great. They have even removed basketball size fibroids with horizontal incisions and with minimal blood loss. What I learned most was that the success of a myomectomy depends solely on the skill and experience of the surgeon.
I found my “expert”! Thank you! Thank you so much for posting this!!

I’m scheduled for June 17th. I will be going home the same day. My Dr. said it will be about a 10 to 14 day recovery.