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45, fibroids, laporotomy, c-section: scars?

Hello,
I am now 45, trying to get pregnant, for the first time. With high FSH levels, it was deemed that I can only use donor eggs. Turns out my partner has some issues as well with his sperm motility, but his sperms can still be hand picked for IVF. I have a 2.5" uteran fibroid, which per the doctors needs to be removed first via laporotomy. Hsyteroscopy was tried 2 weeks ago but it would have destroyed the uteran wall, so we're back to abdominal incision, at the bikini line, 8-12 inches. I (we) want very much to have a baby, of course, but also wondering what the heck I am going to look like afterwards. If I am lucky to get pregnant, I would end up with a c-section as well. Soo, being 45 (by then 46), with a stomach already sagging a bit (I am average weight), I am so scared of what the scars will look like first with the laporotomy, then the pregnancy, then the c-section. I still want to stay attractive after this; let's face it, it is a naive wishful thinking that men still have desire when so much may look unattractive. I also tried to search for after photos on the Internet, but couldn't find any. Are there any real life cases out there to let me know what's in store with all this scarring and bulging? Many thanks.
    
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Avatar universal
I'm curious... is there a reason why that can't do this by laparscopy?

I've had a hysteroscopy back in 1999 when I had a ectopic pregnancy (my 3rd), I was able to try to conceive after I had my next cycle.  I had no clue it could damage the uterine lining???  I did get pregnant 4 months later, with monoamniotic twins (not something to wish for).

I am waiting on results from my ultrasound done Thursday checking for Uterine Fibroids (my uterus is the size of a 10-12 week pregnancy & I'm NOT pregnant).  I'm 37 and have had problems TTC in the past, after losing a twin we won't be trying anymore... we're thankful for the gift we've been given.

I do tend to agree that you need to worry about yourself right now and getting better.  Fibroids during a pregnancy CAN cause complications.  It would be best to get you in the best condition prior to getting pregnant.  Keep in mind too... fibroids can come back.

Best of luck!!
Helpful - 0
173939 tn?1333217850
You probably have not received any comments yet because the first thought is - why not rather worry about the health of a future baby at age 46 or worry about the chances to get pregnant to begin with.
Here are some comments anyway: when you enter the path towards motherhood, you almost have to assume that your body will never absolutely be the same and when you are older, your skin will just not snap back into shape as nicely as at a younger age. But at any age there are great variations of the impact childbirth can have on you and at any age you can do a lot of damage reversal afterwards with exercise and proper nutrition. Never mind the C-section scar if it is a bikini cut. It blends in. The good thing is that after childbirth you will not have any time to stress about these things. Even if you feel unattractive for a while, your perception of yourself changes over time and you may re-invent your appearance. In hindsight however I find that the body around age 40 can already be so depleted of minerals and vitamins that a child can end up with various deficiencies, even if no other evils like chromsomal abnormalities are in play. Your own appearance may really be the last thing on your mind.
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