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Myomectomy / Laparotomy


I am reading about common uterine conditions and the site makes mention of using myomectomy as a way of removing fibroids.  I am not sure how old this information is but there is no mention of laparotomy.  Are the two the same?
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Avatar universal
Sorry, Katie here, just saw this today.  If I may ask, how old are you? When is your procedure scheduled for? How long have they been monitoring your fibroid?  Have you been having ultrasounds? I believe that is not a large size, but it is good to get it out while small :)
What type of abalation are you having? I am guessing you were told the swelling is not from the fibroid as it is small. It is worrisome though. What do they say about your ovaries? What do they theorize the swelling is from? Do you have other symptoms?I would suggest you keep really close track of all your symptoms, such as, is it constant, does it change, it is over the course of the day, is there pain, etc. Then go back SOON (two weeks max) and demand a vaginal ultrasound or a CT scan or MRI.  Ultimately you are the one in charge, it is your right to find out about your health. If it is nothing, then great. Put your mind at ease.
If I get constipated on occasion (blush) I do swell and I find Metamucial helps.   Best of luck
Katie
PS if you see this and write back, start a new up to date post!
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Hi. I'm new to the site. I have a 2.5 cm submucosal fibroid and am waiting for surgery. The doc is going to remove the fibroid vaginally and do an ablation, as well as a laparoscopy. I have suffered with pain and excessive bleeding as well as swelling of my abdomen--I look 5 months pregnant! When I met with the doc who is doing the surgery, he said the fibroid is not causing the swelling. Any ideas as to what it could be? I have read that it can be caused by cysts as well as endo and ovarian cancer. Up until now, I thought the swelling was from the fibroid, but he seemed sure it wasn't. I am a fitness fanatic and extrememly healthy until this, so I know I haven't just gained weight. I would be happy to hear your thoughts on this.
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My surgery was the 24th so just over a week.  They say 4-6 weeks recovery time.  Mine was laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, with removal of remaining ovary, cervix, uterus and tubes.  I am feeling good overall, my husband keeps trying to get me to quit pacing around, but I am so bored! I only take the pain killers at night, more to sleep than anything.  I really miss working out.  Laparoscopic is easier on you, but, I have heard some say "Who cares about an additional week or two recovery time IF they can do a better procedure by opening you up".
Do you have fibroids?  Do you have children?  
What are the doctors telling you to do?
Katie
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You're absolutely right.  It's quite confusing at times eh?  Good for you for educating yourself.  Hope I got it kind of correct, I am still on Tylenol 3 and a bit of Percocet...
Cheers, Katie
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How long has your recovery been?  How many weeks off from work?
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I found another site that speaks of 3 types of mymectomies:
Laparoscopic, Hysteroscopic and Laparotomy.  The technique used seems to be somewhat dependent on the location of the fibroids, size, and number.  So a laparotomy is a type of myomectomy.
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My transvaginal reports says I have multiple fibroids giving the measurements of the 5 largest.  This makes me think there are more than 5.  I don't have children but I would like to have the option to have kids.  At my last appointment my doctor did an endometrial biopsy and reviewed the sonogram report and basically said they (the fibroids and cyst on the left ovary) needed to come out.  She ran down the various procedures and recommended a laparotomy due to the sizes and I am presuming now based on my readings the locations and number of fibroids.  My uterus is also enlarged due to the fibroids.  My doctor also mentioned that since I would like to preserve my chances for pregnancy that would be even more reason to have them removed as they could pose fertility problems.
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Avatar universal
OK, makes sense.  Ask what type of cyst is on that ovary, and the size.  Some cysts on ovaries do come and go, depending on what type they are. They may not know until they get in there what it is exactly. I had one ovary out at 16 and then had three kids. The laparotomy is the correct way to go.  Some doctors do an MRI, which gives a better picture than the US.  I had fibroids while pregnant too, they hurt but were not a problem.  Large fibroids can prevent conception. As you now know, the location and type of fibroid makes a difference in the treatment. Your doctor is right, you need to have these looked at and repaired.  Hang in there Kiddo  :)  You are doing all the right things.
Good luck and Good Night haha!  
Off to get my Oscar nightgown on lol
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Avatar universal
According to that site I posted above, they do laparoscopic myomectomy but obviously I am not educated about them, any of you guys who know about this jump in here.....
Cheers, Katie
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Avatar universal
Myomectomy is done to remove fibroids and preserve the uterus.  It is most commonly done on younger women who still want to have children.  The surgery is long and difficult and may cause problems with bleeding.  (I believe you often bank your blood prior to the surgery.)  Fibroids can return.  Hysterectomy is much faster and cheaper to do, and oh, gosh doctors then have a guaranteed return patient who will need further care and HRT, just what they want. And will probably have further complications such as bladder problems.  

Laprascopic procedures mean they operate via the abdomen, using gas to inflate your tummy and working under the skin with special cameras and tools. You avoid the big external incision and recovery time is reduced.  I don't recall reading that they remove fibroids laprascopically, unless they are taking the uterus out with them.  Also check into the newer methods they are using where they inject into the vein that feeds the fibroids and shrink them.  There has been some recent funding given to research being done into a type of laser (?) blasting.

http://www.myomectomy.net

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