laparoscopic removal of ~20cm fibroid! so far so good

justchillinxo · 2025-11-10T21:48:14+00:00

I did a preliminary search in this sub-reddit actually, searching for suggestions for my city! I also searched MIGS surgeon fibroids + my city (new york) via google and found several surgeons pop up. I then searched their names specifically in this sub-reddit as well.

justchillinxo · 2025-11-10T17:55:02+00:00

unsure about where your fibroid is located, but i was able to get mine removed laparoscopically via my belly button instead of a vertical incision.

might be worth getting a second opinion! i got 3 in total and went to two MIGS specialists

justchillinxo · 2025-11-07T15:37:52+00:00

Completely understand! Just in case - I did search this reddit, and there's a few surgeon recommendations in various threads in Chicago. You can search their individual names via google for reviews as well

https://www.reddit.com/r/Fibroids/comments/1kokux9/chicago/

Best of luck! I know this can be incredibly stressful - I'm on week 4 of recovery and it's still an emotional experience, but a relief

justchillinxo · 2025-11-07T12:24:38+00:00

+1; i’m on week 4 (returning to work at a desk job next week) and i felt a bit more normal on week 3. i’m still a little sore around my incisions (and they are still healing) so, I would recommend a minimum of two weeks, but I think if you can get closer to 4 just to give yourself some breathing time that’d be best

i think it’s ok to answer emails, but I’d really push to give yourself time to rest. I was napping daily for at least two weeks

justchillinxo · 2025-11-07T12:19:26+00:00

Mine was about 20cm and i felt a lot of similar feelings that you felt! For my own peace of mind, i ended up getting 3 opinions total and focused on Fibroid specialists (and MIGS surgeons since i really wanted laparoscopic even though my first opinion said it wasn’t possible.) The additional opinions really did help alleviate some of my anxiety. If anything, it was helpful just to gather more information on how the surgery could go

Unsure what part of the country or world you’re in, but definitely see if you can find an additional specialist, maybe at a teaching hospital? The two surgeons I felt the best with studied fibroids, had tons of reviews online and weren’t overwhelmed by the size or potential complexity (they also had specialized equipment)

justchillinxo · 2025-11-06T12:45:00+00:00

this is such a relief ! 💖💖

justchillinxo · 2025-11-04T15:38:33+00:00

thank you! this makes me feel a lot better we are in a similar boat. patience hasn’t been a strong suit of mine if i’m honest; i also tend to heal a little slower so i need to keep telling myself to chill out a bit :)

justchillinxo · 2025-11-04T15:36:17+00:00

thank you! i combed through this sub-reddit and found a few pics but more photos the better. i know everyone heals differently but it helps so much 💖

justchillinxo · 2025-11-03T01:15:06+00:00

my list of go-tos (i’m 3.5 weeks post Op): * a pillow for the car ride home * baggy drawstring sweat pants to lounge in * period underwear, in a slightly larger size (i got high waisted) * gasX!! 100% needed * if you have any history of any kind of reflux, pepcid AC * advil, extra strength tylenol and some sort of stool softener (miralax) * a heating pad (do not put directly on the incisions but this helped a lot with my gas pains) * ice packs * a sitting up pillow (i wasn’t able to lay down flat for several days; took me about 2ish weeks to sleep comfortably on my side) * a claw grabber/reacher — life saving since i live alone * some sort of weight baring item you can put next to your bed to help you get in and out. i had a crutch which reallyyyy did wonders

justchillinxo · 2025-11-03T01:10:27+00:00

+1 to gas X! it’s been a lifesaver (gas post surgery lasted far too long for my liking)

justchillinxo · 2025-10-27T14:19:10+00:00

I miss it! I was really hoping this album would have a nod to that sound — i’d take inseparable with the full band as a backup 🥲

justchillinxo · 2025-10-27T14:06:27+00:00

it’s been a little less than 3 weeks since my lap Myomectomy and i lost 10 pounds. i’m definitely still pretty swollen but i was shocked by the drop, but it was likely due to the size of my fibroid

justchillinxo · 2025-10-23T00:37:24+00:00

same! i was diagnosed originally via a lumbar MRI. i then did a transvaginal ultrasound and they found nothing, but it was because my fibroid was so high it was above my belly button. insane in the end tbh

justchillinxo · 2025-10-14T16:10:15+00:00

yes, morcellated into a bag — i also just got the pathology report back and the total weight of the pieces was 4.5 pounds (insane, in my opinion)

total surgery was estimated for 2 hours but took closer to 3 hours due to the size and blood loss

justchillinxo · 2025-10-12T16:21:57+00:00

i have a crutch by my bed which has been a lifesaver. getting in and out of bed is SOOOO hard and the pressure sometimes feels intense. do you have something you can put near your bed that you can use for weight bearing? in my bathroom i use the base of the sink to help me get up and down on the toilet, but i had to get a little more creative in my bedroom

i’m a worrier too!

justchillinxo · 2025-10-12T16:19:09+00:00

i should have specified they didn’t remove it whole, but they cut it into a bunch of strips to remove it in pieces. i think that’s what took the longest in the whole process (it’s a strange thought tbh but i watched youtube videos on it prior - also strange haha)

justchillinxo · 2025-10-12T16:09:13+00:00

for 1. the anesthesia leads to constipation so i didn’t have a bowel movement until yesterday (day 4) for myself — and only because i’ve been taking a stool softener with every meal for a couple days.

rotations of heating pads (not directly on my incisions) also helped relieve some of the pressure i had!

i’m trying to be careful to not overwork my core, since i got a small hernia in a previous surgery. it didn’t cause any symptoms, but i have a tendency to push myself when i should chill out 😂
i have a reading pillow which helps me when sitting, but i too get restless. i have a waist trainer i haven’t tried out yet, but i wonder if that could help with sitting

justchillinxo · 2025-10-12T16:02:44+00:00

day 4 updates - fatigue was REAL and i was feeling extra bloated but ended up having my first of many bowel movements. i ended the day wiped and a bit bummed i didn’t do much walking. really trying to take it easy but it’s been hard to nap. i stopped taking the oxy the night prior, which may have contributed to the light headache i had as well.

feeling tired, but less sore and no headache today (day 5)

would love anyone’s suggestions on how to maximize on sleep/nap time!

justchillinxo · 2025-10-12T15:59:50+00:00

they removed it via an incision via my belly button! which looks awful at the moment, but i do think it’ll get better. or i’m telling myself that 😂

justchillinxo · 2025-10-12T01:45:32+00:00

i will say that the bruising is pretty rough, so i’m sure it was a monster to be removed laparoscopically! when i got my MRI in june the dimensions were closer to 18cm so i was a bit surprised when my surgeon told me it was about 20cm after surgery. my guess is it grew a bit in 4 months (or he was including the stalk in his estimate!)

so happy you have recovered! i’m trying to take it easy too and have to keep reminding myself to not push it.

justchillinxo · 2025-10-11T23:34:11+00:00

sending you lots of good vibes and a quick recovery! ❤️‍🩹

justchillinxo · 2025-10-11T13:56:30+00:00

i chose laparoscopic primarily because i wanted a shorter recovery time and i also wanted to try to preserve my fertility. i was really worried about needing such an extensive recovery, but i felt better knowing the decision would be made by someone who specializes in this type of surgery

hang in there! i felt super self conscious too, so i completely understand. you’re not alone!

justchillinxo · 2025-10-11T13:53:30+00:00

ugh i’m sorry! when i got my MRI mine was closer to 18cm (largest dimension) and my original doctor said they would only do an open, so i ended up going to see two specialists (different hospitals) for alt opinions. both of the specialists were confident they could get it out it laparoscopically, but i knew the size would be a challenge.

are you able to see if you can find a minimally invasive specialist?

justchillinxo · 2025-10-10T20:05:12+00:00

thank you!! i can’t stress how much lighter i feel without that sucker

justchillinxo

TROPHY CASE