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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [STFUandRun] [ In reply to ]
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I had a Supracervical Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in January 2008. I was able to bike (on a trainer) within a few days and was jogging within two weeks (slow and on a treadmill wth the elevation jacked up). I was back at work about a week after surgery. My biggest issue was a migraine post surgery which I think was because of no caffeine. I ended up travelling from NH to MD to get the procedure done.

I started to have heavy bleeding and clotting for about 9 months. I had gone to my ob/gyn in NH and told her my symptons after about 6 months. She told me that I had 3 large fibroids, 2 the size of a grapefruit and one the size of an orange. The only options she gave me were an open abdomen hysterectomy or cutting the blood flow to the tumors and letting them die(ewww). Neither of those options were appealing.

After 3 more months, I was getting more bloated, more back pain and very heavy flow. Also, if I had a workout on the first day or two, it was awful. It was like doing a workout after donating a pint of blood. I was fortunate that my adventure race team mate was also a doctor. He sent my ultrasounds along to a surgeon specializing in woman's oncology. He took one look and said that those should really come out sooner rather than later.

Within a week I was scheduled and had the procedure done as an outpatient. Oh, I was 45 and was done having kids. No periods are nice and after 2 years, still no noticable signs of menopause.

It definitely showed me that all doctors are not created equally. My NH ob/gyn looked at me like I had two heads when I asked if it could be done laparoscopically.

Tamela
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [DirtGirl] [ In reply to ]
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This is my specialty, and I do LSH (Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy) several times each week and was one of the first in my area to do these cases.

The robot adds NOTHING to this procedure. Actually, it increases the operating time significantly...I can do this in 45 mins w/o the robot---the robot adds another hr or TWO. The robot requires additional port sites in your abdomen....usually requires 5 holes versus the 3 we normally use ..and now we are doing SSS (single site surgery) where I can do it all through ONE hole...wow!. And don't even mention the additional expense w/ the robot.

I would question your surgeon about why he/she wants to use the DaVinci Robot. The answer will have NOTHING to do with it being a BETTER procedure. Your doc is doing it b/c it is COOL for them to do it...and the hospital gets paid more. We docs get paid the same...and actually LESS for these time consuming cases.

HC

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Holden Cain, ObGyn..."People pulling people out of people"
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [holdencain] [ In reply to ]
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My surgeon didn't use a robot, just normal surgery! I had 3 little bandaids on my abdomen when he was done. I was very happy with the outcome and my quick recovery.
Tamela
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [DirtGirl] [ In reply to ]
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Hey Tamela, good to see/read you again... your symptoms sound a lot like mine. The bloating is also a PITA. Hoping to get it checked shortly. Glad to hear you had a good outcome to this...

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [AndyPants] [ In reply to ]
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I'm always lurking. :-) I have been focused on adventure racing and was bummed I didn't make it to AZ this spring! I know I was very fortunate that I had access to the surgeon that performed my surgery. Ironic that my female ob/gyn totally blew me off and dismissed my symptoms. She actually made me feel like I was being whiny, and I am NOT whiny. :-)
Tamela
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [DirtGirl] [ In reply to ]
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Um, yer the furthest person from whiny I can think of ;-)

Yeah hoping to get to AmZof in '11, but have to see how much IMNZ in March sucks out of me first...

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [AndyPants] [ In reply to ]
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To clarify, my surgeon said that I was a candidate for the robot, and we discussed all options. My surgery was scheduled for Dec and we decided to choose the appropriate procedure at my pre-op appt before the surgery.
Rewind to a few days ago….me feeling lightheaded and passing out. I had been bleeding pretty profusely for a couple of days (which was normal for me), but the dizziness was new. I went in for an exam and since I had seen her last, one of my fibroids had prolapsed and I was severely anemic. Hello blood transfusion and “emergency” surgery!!!
Had a vaginal hyst, with cervix and uterus both removed---no incisions, no robot!!! Procedure was “textbook” (her words). I was home less than 24 hours after the surgery and feel great. A little soreness, but otherwise doing really well!! Have been advised to do no vigorous activity for at least 4 weeks, maybe six. I think I will take advantage of the opportunity to just give myself some downtime, then hit it hard at the turn of the new year!!!
Again, my thanks for the info y’all have provided!!! It certainly made this process easier!!
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [STFUandRun] [ In reply to ]
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Holy crap, glad to hear you made it through and are home now.

Get better! Enjoy your 4 weeks rest ;-)

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [DirtGirl] [ In reply to ]
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In Reply To:

I had a Supracervical Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in January 2008. I was able to bike (on a trainer) within a few days and was jogging within two weeks (slow and on a treadmill wth the elevation jacked up). I was back at work about a week after surgery. My biggest issue was a migraine post surgery which I think was because of no caffeine. I ended up travelling from NH to MD to get the procedure done.

Tamela

Tamela, I live in MD and my OBGYN has discussed the partial hyst/fibroid removal with me, and like many of the others have said, told me I'd probably be out of work 6 weeks, and even longer to resume working out, so I've been planning on postponing as long as possible. Your post makes me wonder if there are alternatives for me, though - do you mind telling me who you used for your surgery?

thanks,
NIK
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [NotInKansas] [ In reply to ]
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NIK,
Dr. Albert Steren performed my surgery. I know he has several offices, but I had mine done at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Springs. Good luck!
Tamela
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [DirtGirl] [ In reply to ]
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One option to look into is a vaginal myomectomy. It relieves symptoms of cramping and heavy bleeding by removing the fibroids that protrude into the uterus. I learned about this procedure by going to a medical school library and reading the literature. My GYN was recommending surgery through the abdominal wall (with the possibility of a hysterectomy if it didn't go well), which I reluctant to do. I showed her the article. She did an imaging procedure putting saline in the uterus to visualize the fibroids, and thought I might be a good candidate based on the research literature.

As with any specialized surgical procedure, the experience of the surgeon makes a difference in terms of outcomes. I insisted on referral to a fertility specialist, even though no kids were in my future, because these docs have the most experience in minimizing scar tissue from surgery.

Although I still have fibroids located outside the uterus, I've been remarkably pain free for nearly ten years now. And the recovery from surgery was almost nothing.

So the bottom line is that not all fibroids are the same. Understanding where they are located (in the uterine wall, outside the uterus, etc.) helps to understand the treatment options. Research this yourself, because your treating practitioner, no matter how well intentioned, may have a set way of solving problems that may or may not be best for you.

No coasting in running and no crying in baseball
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [DirtGirl] [ In reply to ]
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In Reply To:
NIK,
Dr. Albert Steren performed my surgery. I know he has several offices, but I had mine done at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Springs. Good luck!
Tamela

Thanks very much!
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [Tri'dItLikedIt] [ In reply to ]
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Hey Tri'dItLikeIt,
How are you feeling since your surgery. I just had a hystie because of fibriod Dec 7th. Doc thought there were 4-5 but she counted 7 once the utereus was out and one was the size of a baseball. Still hurts to laugh, sneeze or cough but getting better everyday.

Anyway hope you are doing well.

Lisa
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [ljam] [ In reply to ]
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In Reply To:
Hey Tri'dItLikeIt,
How are you feeling since your surgery. I just had a hystie because of fibriod Dec 7th. Doc thought there were 4-5 but she counted 7 once the utereus was out and one was the size of a baseball. Still hurts to laugh, sneeze or cough but getting better everyday.

Anyway hope you are doing well.

Lisa

Hi Lisa--
I'm doing really well, thank you for asking. I was back at the doc this week (4 weeks post-op) and she said everything was healing really well (due in part to the good shape I was in before the surgery). She gave me clearance for activity, but only every other day and at low intensity. So far this week I have run a total of 12 miles (3 runs) about 1min3sec slower than normal pace, and it felt good (slow, but good).

I wish you a speedy recovery and feel free to PM me if you have any questions I can answer for you!!

:)
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [AndyPants] [ In reply to ]
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Update (yes resurrecting this thread): had the camera up the chute today (jeebus that sucked) but it confirmed that I had two decent sized fibroids, one of which was in the wall (half in half out). Will get biopsy results in a few days. Tentatively booked for removal in 6 weeks. Yuckity yuck yuck. But it confirms the suspicions.

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [AndyPants] [ In reply to ]
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You use the most interesting verbs, LOL.

Good luck with the surgery. Keep us updated.

maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [AndyPants] [ In reply to ]
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Believe me, you will feel much better when they are out!

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [trackie clm] [ In reply to ]
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Can't wait. Tired of the excessive bleeding and massive cramping.

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [AndyPants] [ In reply to ]
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Isn't getting old so much fucking fun???

I was severely anemic most of July and August due to non-stop menopausal bleeding. Struggled my way through IMC (I fainted 3 days before the race while riding Mclean Creek on my bike, it was that bad). Had ultrasound (fibroids!) and an endometrial biopsy as we were planning an ablation. No go on that after fibroid discovery and very small uterus size due to never having kids.

Anyhow, 2 days after IMAZ I get to have my uterus yanked out my vajayjay! Whoohoo. Looking forward to being cramp and anemia free like by Thanksgiving.
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [sto] [ In reply to ]
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No shit eh? Yeah I've NEVER had low iron levels until this year. And doing not one but TWO IMs on Day 1 was enough (IMC 09, started on the bike; IMNZ 11, started the morning of, before the swim). Hoping and suspecting the biopsy will be negative. Looking forward to some normalcy again.

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [sto] [ In reply to ]
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Quote:
Anyhow, 2 days after IMAZ I get to have my uterus yanked out my vajayjay! Whoohoo. Looking forward to being cramp and anemia free like by Thanksgiving.

You will wonder why you ever waited so long. Believe me, your life will change for the better!

Kick ass in AZ.

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [AndyPants] [ In reply to ]
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Okay, the bitch is OUT. Tuesday at noon!

Surgery was a snap. Surgeon was in and out through the vajayjay in 45 minutes. No incisions. Some complications with post op pain meds, despite me tellling them I was a lightweight and have a low resting pulse. Apparently I was mumbling about some pain in the recovery bay, and the nurse hit me with 10mg morphine and my pulse dropped into the 20-30's and they were freaking. 3 hours later, they take me up to my room. Where they hit me with something called tramadol, which stops my kidneys from working properly, so no pee is coming out the catheter. Wait, catheter? Yeah, the doc forgot to tell me about that part. WTF. so they have to wait for this tramadol shit to clear my system and the pee to start flowing. definitely some pain here while waiting, all they could give me was motrin. By midnight I am crying in pain. the catheter would not drain properly and they finally gave me some percocet around 1. i spent the whole night buzzing the nurse to come jiggle the cath because I bladder was filling up like a watermelon. shitshow.

anyhow, once the cath was out i needed no pain meds. seriously just a few motrin since Wed afternoon.

however, the doc didn't tell me about the gas. oh holy mother of fuck, the gas. i have been farting since Wed am, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING moved until today. (that's 5 full crapless days people, despite the colace, laxatives, rotorooter, Gasx, walking, water, etc). I spent the past few days unable to eat, doubled over, in abject suffering. i almost had an aneursym pushing for the smallest puff of air. by far and away the worst part.

Otherwise, I feel great. Doc said I could hit the pool and trainer starting Wed, but honestly, I feel so good, I'd hit it today if I could.
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [sto] [ In reply to ]
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Great to hear it's done and that you're doing so well... but you'll pardon me if I don't follow your bubbles in the pool... :-)

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [sto] [ In reply to ]
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Yeah, they don't really play up the gas thing very much- and now you know why. I just went through a laproscopy to remove an ovary and ditto to your rant about the gas. It's horrible- you can't stand up straight, lying down hurts, you can't get it out for a few days so you feel like that girl from the Willy Wonka movie that turns into the blueberry and gets rolled away. That was definitely the worst part. Glad you made it through and you're feeling great.

Kelly
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Re: Recovery from fibroid removal [sto] [ In reply to ]
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Hey Ladies!

I'm going under the knife for removal of a 12cm (!!!) dermoid cyst (google at your own risk) next Wednesday, hopefully laparoscopically. Basically the cyst is endangering the blood flow to my left ovary, and I can't continue to train at a high volume w/o risk of an emergency surgery and loss of an ovary.

What was the recovery like for those that had laparoscopic surgery? How long before you were cleared to swim/bike/run? Did you make any modifications to your usual workouts initially? How did you keep from going stir-crazy?

Things that don't suck: I get a week to convalesce in the Dominican Republic and should lose ~2lbs!

Cheers,

PinkFox
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