What is an abdominal myomectomy?

A myomectomy is surgery to remove fibroids from the uterus. Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumours of the uterine wall or muscle.

The surgery is done through a cut (incision) the doctor makes in your lower belly. In many cases, the doctor makes the incision just above the pubic hairline. In other cases, the incision runs from the belly button to the pubic hairline. Either incision leaves a scar, which usually fades with time.

You may stay in the hospital for 1 to 4 days. You can expect to feel better each day. But you may need about 4 to 6 weeks to recover.

This surgery should decrease the pain and heavy bleeding that are caused by fibroids. You will still have your uterus after the surgery. Having a myomectomy, unlike many other treatments for fibroids, means you probably will be able to have children. But some surgeries for large fibroids may damage the uterus. This can make a future pregnancy more difficult or risky. Talk to your doctor about this as you prepare for your surgery.

How do you prepare for surgery?

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines and natural health products you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan. If you don't have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It's a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

What happens on the day of surgery?

• 
  Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be cancelled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
• Take a bath or shower before you come in for your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
• Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
• Take off all jewellery and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery centre

• 
  Bring a picture ID.
• The area for surgery is often marked to make sure there are no errors.
• You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. The anesthesia may make you sleep. Or it may just numb the area being worked on.
• The surgery will take about 2 hours.