What Is A Myomectomy?
Myomectomy is the surgical removal of Uterine Fibroids without the removal of the uterus. There are several techniques that may be used and the choice of the technique depends on the location and size of the fibroids as well as the characteristics of the woman. It is sometimes impossible to remove all the fibroids, and new fibroids may grow after a Myomectomy.
Risks
As in any surgery, complications from Myomectomy such as bleeding, infection, or injury to nearby organs, may occur. There is a small chance of having to convert from a laparoscopic Myomectomy to an Abdominal Myomectomy.Recurrent fibroids may follow up to one third of myomectomies.Pregnancy is not recommended during the first 3-6 months after surgery.
PREPARATION FOR SURGERY
Before traveling to Cyprus, as part of your Gynecological surgery preparation you will complete a detailed bariatric specific questionnaire, which will allow our doctors to determine your eligibility for Gynecological surgery.
Ten days prior to your arrival in Cyprus, you will receive all the necessary pre operative instructions, to prepare yourself both physically and mentally for your chosen procedure.
After hospital admission, you will receive psychological advice. This will help you adhere to a healthier lifestyle. Without changing your lifestyle, the surgery will not be a success. You will also receive nutritional counseling before (and after) your surgery, by our specialists.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY RECOVERY
In most cases, immediately after surgery, your heart and lung function will continue to be monitored, and your doctor will prescribe medicines to control pain and nausea.
After surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and walk as soon as the anesthetic wears off. You can use prescription medicines to control pain during the recovery period and will be advised to resume exercise and other activities gradually.
The average hospital stay for Minimally Invasive Surgery at our partner hospitals is about one day.
Before hospital discharge your surgeon and will discuss a program to gradually increase your activity.
LIFE AFTER SURGERY
Following surgery, most patients make a full recovery within one month. You are able to return to work, resume some lifting and less strenuous activity, in most cases, in about two weeks post operatively.
Daily light exercise such as walking should begin about one month after surgery.
Following your recovery diet you will slowly begin to introduce new foods in increasing quantities until about 6 months after surgery when your new bariatric diet will be in full swing.
Assuming you follow the diet and exercise guidelines of our surgical team, all indications are that your health improvement following the Gynaecological surgery may be permanent.
These guidelines give you an overview of what you may expect as part of your care after you leave the hospital. Be sure to follow your doctor’s discharge instructions if they are different from what is listed here.
Post-Surgery Nutrition
After surgery, you will need a new nutrition plan. Our surgeon and/or dietitian can help you learn about and get used to the changes in lifestyle and eating habits you need to make. It is very important to follow the eating and drinking instructions beginning immediately after the operation.
In the first few weeks after your surgery, you will be on a liquid diet since only thin liquids will be tolerated by your stomach at that time. As you heal, you will gradually progress to pureed foods (three to four weeks post-op) and then soft foods (five weeks post-op). Finally, you will be able to eat solid foods.
When you are at the stage to eat solid foods without problems, you will need to pay close attention to your diet.
You will also need to learn to eat slowly and chew your food very thoroughly.
It is recommended that you eat only three small meals a day and make sure that these meals contain adequate nutrients. Foods that have a concentrated supply of calories with little nutritional value, such as milkshakes, syrups, jam, and pastries, should be avoided as much as possible.
Your Activity
It is fairly common to feel weak and tired immediately after discharge from the hospital. The body needs time to recover from the stress of a major operation.
Your bowel habits
You may have different bowel habits after your surgery. Loose stools are common for the first week or two after surgery. If you have watery diarrhea, call your surgeon. This may be a sign of a bowel infection. Severe constipation should be avoided. See the section below on medicines for constipation.
Medications
Your medicines: Take the medicines you were taking before surgery, unless your surgeon has made a change.
Your surgeon will order a prescription pain medicine for you after surgery. As your pain lessens, over the counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used. They can also be used instead of your prescription for mild pain.
Prescription pain medicines can cause constipation. Your doctor may order a stool softener to prevent this. You should be back to your normal bowel routine in about 2 weeks. If the stool softener does not work, take Milk of Magnesia. If you still are not getting relief, call your surgeon.
Call your surgeon right away if you have:
FOLLOW- UP
Follow-up after surgery is extremely important and our surgeons at Salus are committed to providing all the post surgical care you need. In order to identify and treat any complications as they may arise, close, lifetime follow-up is essential.
Following a Myomectomy, cesarean delivery is frequently recommended to prevent the myomectomy scar from breaking open during labor. Types of myomectomies include:
