5 Days Post Surgery...My Fibroid Journey
Hi ladies, I'm currently 5 days post-op and I writing hoping my experience can help someone else along the way.
About Me: I'm a 35 year old African American woman, 5'2 and roughly 102 lbs. In March 2024, while laying down I could feel a large mass in my lower abdomen, scared it was cancer I made an appointment with my doctor who then sent me for an ultrasound. In May of 2024 I had an ultrasound that confirmed 3 fibroids ranging from 4cm to 8cm. My uterus was the size of a 20 week pregnancy. Other symptoms I had were very frequent urges to pee, lots of fatigue and very heavy periods where I was soaking through overnight super pads in a couple hours. At the time my pcp was also in charge of my annual women's exam but with the severity of the fibroids, she recommended I make an appointment with an actual gyno. I searched the internet high and low for the best fibroid doctor in my state (Ohio) and I found Dr. Meenal Misal. She wasn't taking new patients but I did find her email and sent a message on a whim asking for her help. (Find creative ways to advocate for your health) A few days later I got a call from her office to make an appointment. Fast forward to August, I had an MRI to get more clarity on the fibroids, here's what the doctor saw:
The uterus is enlarged measuring 16.3 x 10.9 x 10.0 cm
Multiple nondegenerated intramural, submucosal, and subserosal fibroids. The largest 3 fibroids are measured as follows: * Anterior body intramural fibroid measures 9.5 x 9.5 x 9.6 cm (my grapefruit) * Right fundal subserosal fibroid measures 5.9 x 6.1 x 4.7 cm (my lemon) * Right fundal subserosal fibroid measures 4.6 x 3.3 x 3.4 cm (my lime)
I started to refer to my fibroids as my "fruit basket".
In October me and my doctor scheduled my open myomectomy for December 10th, 2024. Prior to surgery I had been taking iron pills twice a week to keep my hemoglobin at 12 (less than 10 and you'll need a blood transfusion).
Post Op:
Morning of surgery I checked at 5am and was in the operating room by 8am. The surgery took a couple of hours and I lost roughly 500ml of blood. I was released from the hospital on day three (I had to be able to walk, pee without the catheter and pass gas before they would release me. The hospital did provide a belly binder for me and pain medication for at home. My belly is significantly flatter and the constant need to pee is gone.
Things I bought to make life easier: Different belly binder Wedge pillow Belly pillow for the drive home Maternity pillow Loose cotton night gowns Disposable underwear Bed rail
Tips: Drink warm fluids and stay hydrated to avoid constipation. Sleeping on you back is tough but the sides are even worse especially without support pillows. Disposable underwear will be your best friend. Stay on top of your medicine schedule.
Feel free to ask me anything and good luck to anyone battling those damn fibroids. I'm also including photos for anyone curious. The first is how distended my belly was pre surgery, next 2 MRI images showing my largest fibroid smushing my bladder and then my fruits aka fibroids (the most graphic image is last, in case you don't want to see).
Hi ladies, I'm currently 5 days post-op and I writing hoping my experience can help someone else along the way.
About Me: I'm a 35 year old African American woman, 5'2 and roughly 102 lbs. In March 2024, while laying down I could feel a large mass in my lower abdomen, scared it was cancer I made an appointment with my doctor who then sent me for an ultrasound. In May of 2024 I had an ultrasound that confirmed 3 fibroids ranging from 4cm to 8cm. My uterus was the size of a 20 week pregnancy. Other symptoms I had were very frequent urges to pee, lots of fatigue and very heavy periods where I was soaking through overnight super pads in a couple hours. At the time my pcp was also in charge of my annual women's exam but with the severity of the fibroids, she recommended I make an appointment with an actual gyno. I searched the internet high and low for the best fibroid doctor in my state (Ohio) and I found Dr. Meenal Misal. She wasn't taking new patients but I did find her email and sent a message on a whim asking for her help. (Find creative ways to advocate for your health) A few days later I got a call from her office to make an appointment. Fast forward to August, I had an MRI to get more clarity on the fibroids, here's what the doctor saw:
The uterus is enlarged measuring 16.3 x 10.9 x 10.0 cm
Multiple nondegenerated intramural, submucosal, and subserosal fibroids. The largest 3 fibroids are measured as follows: * Anterior body intramural fibroid measures 9.5 x 9.5 x 9.6 cm (my grapefruit) * Right fundal subserosal fibroid measures 5.9 x 6.1 x 4.7 cm (my lemon) * Right fundal subserosal fibroid measures 4.6 x 3.3 x 3.4 cm (my lime)
I started to refer to my fibroids as my "fruit basket".
In October me and my doctor scheduled my open myomectomy for December 10th, 2024. Prior to surgery I had been taking iron pills twice a week to keep my hemoglobin at 12 (less than 10 and you'll need a blood transfusion).
Post Op:
Morning of surgery I checked at 5am and was in the operating room by 8am. The surgery took a couple of hours and I lost roughly 500ml of blood. I was released from the hospital on day three (I had to be able to walk, pee without the catheter and pass gas before they would release me. The hospital did provide a belly binder for me and pain medication for at home. My belly is significantly flatter and the constant need to pee is gone.
Things I bought to make life easier: Different belly binder Wedge pillow Belly pillow for the drive home Maternity pillow Loose cotton night gowns Disposable underwear Bed rail
Tips: Drink warm fluids and stay hydrated to avoid constipation. Sleeping on you back is tough but the sides are even worse especially without support pillows. Disposable underwear will be your best friend. Stay on top of your medicine schedule.
Feel free to ask me anything and good luck to anyone battling those damn fibroids. I'm also including photos for anyone curious. The first is how distended my belly was pre surgery, next 2 MRI images showing my largest fibroid smushing my bladder and then my fruits aka fibroids (the most graphic image is last, in case you don't want to see).