Image showing incisions for a laparoscopic myomectomy The best way to recover from any gynaecological surgery is to be the fittest you can be before you have surgery.
A good life style will help recovery. Healthy eating, adequate rest, exercise cannot be overemphasized. optimisation of weight for women who are over weight or obese, stabilisation of raised blood pressure and diabetes is also key for those who suffer from these medical illnesses.
A number of women with fibroids will be anaemic prior to surgery, for this group of women it is important that blood level are optimized most often with iron supplements.
For women who have had a laparoscopic myomectomy, recovery will depend on the extent of surgery. but as a general rule most women would be able to do at least 75% of what they are used to within 2-3 weeks of surgery.
Unless there is a contra-indication all women are given Thromboprophylaxis (to prevent blood clots forming on the legs or lungs.. which can be a potentially life threatening condition). This is in the form of special stockings and injections under the skin.
The majority of women who have laparoscopic myomectomy are discharged within a day or two of surgery.
You may feel tired for the first few days after surgery and find yourself napping a lot. This is because your body is concentrating on healing itself
Mobility:
On arrival home complete immobility is not advised as this increases the risk of Pneumonia and thrombosis (blood clots on the legs or lungs). Some women may be advised to continue using their stockings for a week or tow until they are completely mobile. It is OK to “potter” about the house but do not use a kettle or any other such utensil for the first few days.
Painkillers
You will be discharged home with painkillers. After a laparoscopic myomectomy the pain is supposed to get better day-by-day. The advice is to use as prescribed for the first 2-3 days then take them as required. Depending on the strength of this medication they will be advised not to operate machinery and if the medication contains “opiates” strong painkillers they may be advised not to use a hot kettle.
It is OK to climb stairs within a few days as long as accompanied. By the end of the first week following surgery you should be able to do this by yourself.
Wound Care:
The small incisions are usually closed with absorbable sutures, these fall out within a week or two. If you find them uncomfortable you can visit your GP to have them removed. If non-absorbable sutures are used they are usually removed within a week.
On discharge from hospital you may be given some water resistant covers to cover the wounds when you have a shower or if the suture ends rub against your clothing.
After a few days the wounds are best left uncovered except in the shower.
Showers or Baths.
It is OK to have a shower the day after surgery as long as you are supervised. You will need to cover the wounds with water resistant covers until the sutures fall out.
You are best off not sitting in the bath until the sutures fall out, so you are better off taking showers instead.
Lifting:
It is important not to lift heavy objects immediately after major surgery. This includes lifting children as is often tempting. Hovering also works the muscles of the abdomen and pelvic floor it is important not to under take this activity for the first 4 weeks
Driving
May take up to 2 weeks after a laparoscopic hysterectomy; you need to be free from the effects of painkillers. The advice is that if you are able to sit in a car that does an emergency stop without any discomfort. Other things you should be able to do before you drive are:
Be able to sit in the car comfortably and work the controls
Be able to wear the seatbelt comfortably
Be able to make an emergency stop
Be able to comfortably look over your shoulder to manoeuvre.
Bleeding:
After a myomectomy there may be vaginal bleeding for up to 10 days if it lasts longer consult a health care worker
Menstrual periods:
After a myomectomy the first few periods may be different from what the experience was before surgery.
For some women the periods may be heavier and more painful for the first few months but they tend to settle within about 3 months.
Returning to work
When you return to work will depend on the type of work you do. If your work is computer based it is possible to work from home if required within a few days of surgery. The majority of women will be able to return to work within 2-4 weeks for some it may take a little longer.
For the traditional abdominal open Myomectomy, recovery can somewhat be delayed as because as well as internal healing the outside scar also needs time to heal. Hospital stay is longer and can take up to 4-5 days and recovery takes about 6 weeks
A good life style will help recovery. Healthy eating, adequate rest, exercise cannot be overemphasized. optimisation of weight for women who are over weight or obese, stabilisation of raised blood pressure and diabetes is also key for those who suffer from these medical illnesses.
A number of women with fibroids will be anaemic prior to surgery, for this group of women it is important that blood level are optimized most often with iron supplements.
For women who have had a laparoscopic myomectomy, recovery will depend on the extent of surgery. but as a general rule most women would be able to do at least 75% of what they are used to within 2-3 weeks of surgery.
Unless there is a contra-indication all women are given Thromboprophylaxis (to prevent blood clots forming on the legs or lungs.. which can be a potentially life threatening condition). This is in the form of special stockings and injections under the skin.
The majority of women who have laparoscopic myomectomy are discharged within a day or two of surgery.
You may feel tired for the first few days after surgery and find yourself napping a lot. This is because your body is concentrating on healing itself
Mobility:
On arrival home complete immobility is not advised as this increases the risk of Pneumonia and thrombosis (blood clots on the legs or lungs). Some women may be advised to continue using their stockings for a week or tow until they are completely mobile. It is OK to “potter” about the house but do not use a kettle or any other such utensil for the first few days.
Painkillers
You will be discharged home with painkillers. After a laparoscopic myomectomy the pain is supposed to get better day-by-day. The advice is to use as prescribed for the first 2-3 days then take them as required. Depending on the strength of this medication they will be advised not to operate machinery and if the medication contains “opiates” strong painkillers they may be advised not to use a hot kettle.
It is OK to climb stairs within a few days as long as accompanied. By the end of the first week following surgery you should be able to do this by yourself.
Wound Care:
The small incisions are usually closed with absorbable sutures, these fall out within a week or two. If you find them uncomfortable you can visit your GP to have them removed. If non-absorbable sutures are used they are usually removed within a week.
On discharge from hospital you may be given some water resistant covers to cover the wounds when you have a shower or if the suture ends rub against your clothing.
After a few days the wounds are best left uncovered except in the shower.
Showers or Baths.
It is OK to have a shower the day after surgery as long as you are supervised. You will need to cover the wounds with water resistant covers until the sutures fall out.
You are best off not sitting in the bath until the sutures fall out, so you are better off taking showers instead.
Lifting:
It is important not to lift heavy objects immediately after major surgery. This includes lifting children as is often tempting. Hovering also works the muscles of the abdomen and pelvic floor it is important not to under take this activity for the first 4 weeks
Driving
May take up to 2 weeks after a laparoscopic hysterectomy; you need to be free from the effects of painkillers. The advice is that if you are able to sit in a car that does an emergency stop without any discomfort. Other things you should be able to do before you drive are:
Be able to sit in the car comfortably and work the controls
Be able to wear the seatbelt comfortably
Be able to make an emergency stop
Be able to comfortably look over your shoulder to manoeuvre.
Bleeding:
After a myomectomy there may be vaginal bleeding for up to 10 days if it lasts longer consult a health care worker
Menstrual periods:
After a myomectomy the first few periods may be different from what the experience was before surgery.
For some women the periods may be heavier and more painful for the first few months but they tend to settle within about 3 months.
Returning to work
When you return to work will depend on the type of work you do. If your work is computer based it is possible to work from home if required within a few days of surgery. The majority of women will be able to return to work within 2-4 weeks for some it may take a little longer.
For the traditional abdominal open Myomectomy, recovery can somewhat be delayed as because as well as internal healing the outside scar also needs time to heal. Hospital stay is longer and can take up to 4-5 days and recovery takes about 6 weeks
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