Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I had fibroids removed in my early 20's (at least a century ago) well
    before we planned on having a family.  Techniques may have changed
    since then, but basically I underwent abdominal surgery with a
    horizontal "bikini scar" being the only remnant.  I was back to work
    in two weeks with 2 intact ovaries.  When you are of child-bearing age
    they do everything they can to save the ovaries.  I was later
    shown an x-ray of an orange-sized object which had been removed.  I had
    no symptoms and it was found during a routine gynecological exam.
    
    As with any surgery, there is discomfort and since muscles will
    be cut there is a period of time when some support (like a good
    stiff girdle) may be required.  But recovery was quick in my case
    and they have not re-occured.

    Depending on size and location, fibroids can be removed via laser
    during a laparoscopy.  Recovery period would be 2-5 days, and you'll
    have 2 or 3 half-inch scars from it: one in the navel which will not be
    noticeable in a few months, and the other(s) at or below the hairline
    which you probably won't be able to find in another year.  
    
    Good luck!
    Beth

    I also had fibrois removed via laparoscopy -- if they're on the
    outside of the uterus, they can do this.  If they aren't, then other
    things have to be done and a major incision may be required. I'd
    be sure and get a second opinion before opting for the surgery.
     
    There have been successful trials with a drug called Lupron, which
    you self-administer daily, or take a depot shot on once a month
    which reduces fibroids in size by reducing estrogen (simulating
    menopause).  Really isn't that bad once you get beyond the IDEA
    of it.  Actually, I found out a hot flash wasn't so bad and that
    one can feel very happy without estrogen.  Even if they don't use
    the drug a long time, my doctor advised it for two months prior
    to surgery to make it less bloody and do whatever shrinking it could.
     
    He went in with my having signed to let him do the major incision.
    I also had given two pints of blood to be there just in case, since
    it can be a bloody operation.  None of this was needed, he took
    the fibroids out by cutting them with a laser, and then did a vaginal
    incision to bring them out, so add that cut to the  4 on your tummy.
     
    Good luck!

    I had fibroids removed last year, three of them. One was quite large,
    so large that it was recommeded that I take Lupron to shrink it or else
    it could effect the uterus. I didn't like taking it (I took it for four
    months) but it did the job.  The side effects are many: hot flashes
    which get worse as the time goes by, cold flashes, strange itches (like
    being itchy on the inside), fluid retention, weight gain (I must have
    gained 10-15 pounds! Couldn't have been the ice cream I was
    eating...!), emotional swings like you wouldn't believe and headaches.
    I react very strongly to drugs, so perhaps I am not a good example. So
    why take the drug if it causes these side effects? Well, in my case the
    one fibroid that was obvious in the examination (he only felt the one 
    but thought there might be others) was so large that it would have involved
    serious damage to my uterus if it wasn't smaller.  Fibroids can be 
    anywhere; mine were on the outside of my uterus but pushing into it
    to a great degree and growing into the side of it. One was pushing so
    much that it was partially blocking the path down to the cervix...hard
    to get pregnant when that happens! Using the drug to shrink the
    fibroids made the operation much easier, reduced the bleeding greatly, 
    and probably made my recovery easier. I also gave two pints for my 
    operation but it wasn't needed. My fibroids were too large to remove
    by laparoscopy.
    
    I went into the hospital on the morning of the operation, and got
    settled in the room, the nurse prepared me, had the operation, and
    was back in my room by 2:00 in the afternoon.  Let me know if you want
    more details about the operation and the experience in the hospital...
    you might have already gotten info about all that. I was in the
    hospital for 5 days.
    
    I was out of work for 5-6 weeks (not sure actually, it's a blurry 
    memory...), although I took work home with me. But I found I couldn't 
    concentrate for at least 3 weeks. 
    
    Buy a lot of loose clothes - it hurts to wear anything tight for about
    six months! You can use them for pregnacy later!
    
    Cyn
    

    Thanks folks for all the info.   It has been a great help.
    
    Re:04  Yes I would love some information about the operation and
    the stay in hospital.
    
    
    
    Bernie
    
    

Funny things, the mind -

I just scanned through the issue of Consumer Reports that just arrived.  A large
medical section on Hyseterectomies, and the 'causes' included a discussion on
Fibroids - what they are, and procedures for removal.  

If you would like a copy, and don't have access to CR, let me know, and I will
try to get a copy off to you.


Minda (emass::reidy)

    re: .06
    
    As I have no access to CR, I would be very grateful if you could
    forward me a copy of Consumer Reports.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Bernie

    Bernie,
    
    Hi, I know you have probably gotten plenty of information on this
    suject but I thought I'd share my experience with you anyway.  I went
    in for fibroid surgery, (Myomectomy) last November.  During an
    examination, my doctor thought my uterus was reversing itself.  After a
    sonogram, it was determined that I had a fibroid about the size of a
    baseball with 4 smaller ones.  He recommended surgery but did not put
    me on any medication to reduce the size.  Maybe mine were not big
    enough to warrent special concern during the surgery. (I did get a
    second opinion however.)
    
    I scheduled the surgery 2 months out so that I could move into our new
    house and to have sometime to give blood just in case it was needed.  I
    was in surgery for approximately 2 hours.  They found 5 more smaller
    ones on top of the previous 5.  I was in the hosital for 5 days but
    taking showers and moving about without too much difficulity.  I even
    was able to somehow get over on my stomach to sleep 3 days after the
    surgery.  It took about 15 minutes to get over and settled but once I
    was positioned...it was wonderful!!  I'm an avid stomach sleeper.
    
    Once I got home, I could not climb stairs for about 2 weeks.  But I did
    anyway.  And I could not drive for about 3 weeks.  I was out of work
    for 6 weeks.  And as .4 mentioned, it was very difficult to concentrate
    for a while.  After my 6 week checkup, I was given the go ahead to try
    to get pregnant and get back into my exercise routine.
    
    The exercise was not problem.  I began high-impact arobics 6 weeks to
    the day of the surgery and felt sooo good!!  And the pregnancy...well
    I'm going into my 4th month with our first child!!  Can't believe it
    after 12 years of marriage...we finally did it!!!
    
    One thing however, my doctor has highly suggested I have a c-section
    when the baby is due.  He said that due to the number, location and
    size of the fibroids, I will run a high risk of ripping the uterus
    during labor and start to hemorrage.
    
    Please feel free to call me if you'd like to talk.  Just remember, 6
    months after it's all over, you will barely know it ever took
    place...well that is if you don't have a 70 pound dog that likes to
    jump up on you when you get home from work!!  That's still hard to
    handle sometimes depending upon where she "get's" you!!
    
    Take Care,
    Sherryl
           

    Yes, as .8 mentions, my doctor has recommended a C-section, too, for
    the same reasons. 
    
    Second opinions are required by most insurance companies and I think
    they also help to relieve the mind that it is indeed necessary to have
    the operation.
    
    Yes, I was in for five days also. I actually enjoyed my time in the
    hopsital (!), probably because I didn't feel too well and it was very
    comforting to be totally taken care of. But I am an inexperienced 
    hospital go-er, so it was a novelty to me. 
    
    The usual prep is done before the operation, first check in with
    admitting, go up to the room, put on a gown which feels very silly,
    sit around and feel perfectly healthy (for a while!). The nurse will
    shave you, check that you did a emena (ask to do one at home!), give
    you a shot that will relax you and get you ready for your trip to the
    operating room.  That was the hardest part: hanging out outside of the
    operating room, by myself. Then in the operating room everyone is very
    nice, helpful and in two seconds you are asleep. Oh, I forgot to
    mention that the nurse will put in a catheter before the operation.
    YUCK! That is the other hard part!  So then, after the operation, you
    are wheeled into the recovery room (operation is about 2 hours) and 
    you may have some strange memories of this later. They YELL at people
    in the recovery room to get folks alert so it's a bit disturbing.  But
    you won't really be aware of it totally.  From then on you will be
    very sleepy and have a hard time staying away the rest of the day. 
    Not until the next day will you really find you can stay awake for more
    than a 10-20 minutes!  The catheter (YUCK) stays in until you have 
    gotten up and used the facilities yourself so do it as soon as you can!
    Start by pulling yourself up carefully (turn to your side and pull with
    your arms on the bar) and stand for a while. Life will be greatly
    improved when that catheter comes out!!!
    
    The only side effects I had from the operation besides sleepiness and
    difficulty concentrating is that the tape used to hold the incision
    together gave me burns. That was worse that the cut itself!
    
    Another thing I learned is that you shouldn't hesitate to ask for 
    painkillers. That includes when you are hiccuping, since that is a
    sign of nausa! Once I was out and home I found that strong painkillers
    weren't necessary, maybe just for the first day.
    
    Well, that's a bunch of rambling! Let me know if you have some specific
    questions!  I also read that article in CR and it is very good.
    
    Cyn