Myomectomy and Hysterectomy as Treatment Options for Fibroids
If the symptoms of fibroids, such as prolonged or unusually
heavy menstrual periods, abdominal pains, anemia, bladder
or bowel issues, become too difficult to ignore, surgical
treatment of your fibroids can offer you relief.
Myomectomy
Myomectomy is the removal, through surgery, of uterine fibroids.
These fibroids, which are very rarely cancerous, can appear
either in or on the uterus. While they can often be left untreated,
but watched by you and your gynecologist, myomectomy is the
term that describes their removal.
There are various forms of myomectomies performed by the
gynecologists at FTG:LA, and you and your doctor will
decide which one is right for you. A laparoscopic myomectomy
is only minimally invasive, but is more suitable for a small
number of fibroids that are on the outside of the uterus or
that are attached to it by stalks. If your fibroids are within
your uterus, a hysteroscopic myomectomy might be considered,
and this procedure requires no incisions since it is performed
through the cervix.
If a hysterectomy is necessary, it may be possible to have
it done through the laparoscope. Those who have had a laparoscopic
hysterectomy can sometimes return home the same day and need
only a couple weeks to recover.
A more invasive procedure, an abdominal myomectomy, is done
through a larger incision in the patient's belly. This larger
opening means a longer recovery time, but it may be the best
choice to remove your fibroids.
Myomectomies only involve removal of the fibroids. Since
the uterus and other reproductive organs are left intact,
pregnancies are possible following the operation.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is the complete removal of the uterus and
should be understood as a major operation. Because the uterus
is entirely removed, there is no chance that fibroids will
reappear or for future pregnancies, but, as with any operation,
there are possibilities for complications. The new techniques
we practice may reduce your recovery time to as few as four
to six weeks, nearly half the time that was once needed.
We have removed many women's uterine fibroids using all these
treatment options and are fully experienced in performing
them all. We will always discuss all your options and only
recommend the treatment plan that is best for you and your
life. The doctors at FTG:LA consider hysterectomies
only as the absolute last resort because of these and other
life-affirming reasons.
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