RECOVERY!

THE OPERATION

OPEN MYOMECTOMY FOR FIBROIDS FIBROIDS are noncancerous tumours made up of muscle that grow around the womb. Myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove them from the wall of the uterus, carried out under general anaesthetic.

Many women do not have symptoms but others have heavy, painful periods, stomach and lower back pain, a frequent need to urinate, constipation and pain during sex. Depending on their size and position, several small incisions may be made in the abdomen in keyhole surgery, or a single larger incision in open myomectomy.

THE SURGEON SAYS

CLIVE Spence-Jones, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at The London Clinic and the Whittington Hospital in North London, says: ‘Myomectomy is a big operation, and you’ll need four weeks off work.

‘Post-op pain can be controlled with a local nerve block given during the operation and paracetamol, ibuprofen and opiates. After two nights in hospital, you’ll go home and should try to get up and around the house, with rest and sleep after lunch. After a week, start getting out and about gently, using paracetamol and antiinflammatories with occasional opiates near the end of the day.

‘Diet before and after surgery should be high in protein and iron as anaemia after surgery is not uncommon. By four weeks you would hope to be driving and living normally but only lifting a few kilos.

‘Your physiotherapist will give more detailed individualised advice about returning to a normal routine.’

THE PATIENT SAYS

LOUISE Parks, 41, had the operation after suffering symptoms of several large fibroids. She says: ‘I found it hard to imagine being incapacitated for four weeks but in the first week just being up, dressed and on the sofa in time for Homes Under The Hammer was an enormous effort. I was surprised not to make progress each day so had to limit my expectations and not have more than one visitor every couple of days.

‘Before the operation I booked a yoga holiday, ate plenty of protein such as chicken, and took Spatone, a liquid iron formula, to prevent anaemia.

‘I was discharged after 48 hours and found the biggest problem was with the strong painkillers. In order not to feel nauseous and faint after taking them, I had to eat a certain amount, but found it difficult as my appetite had vanished.

‘My mother came to stay for a week. While I could shuffle to the bathroom, I felt extremely weak and did not feel confident taking a shower without knowing she was close.

‘The pain in my abdomen felt tight, as if my stomach muscles were strained, so I walked with a stoop.

‘With plenty of daytime naps and little outings to local shops, I slowly began to feel stronger. By the end of the month I was ready to return to work.

‘I have never felt better and would recommend myomectomy to anyone who is advised they need it.’