I once met with a woman whose stomach was very big, and everyone talked about the cause being a fibroid. When she was advised about surgery, she totally declined because she had strong fears about it.
She said the doctors had given her the option of not having a child again and living with the fibroid without problems, but if she accidentally gets pregnant, then it is a serious risk.
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She chose the option of never having a child again to undergo surgery. According to her, she already has a child, and she would rather take the option of not having more than undergo the surgery.
I thought hard about her story and wondered why she would make such a decision. But, recently, a woman who makes beautiful dresses close to my residence also died after a fibroid surgery.
She successfully carried out the surgery according to close relatives, but there were complications afterwards that made her unable to fart or use the toilet for a long time. She went back to the hospital and carried out several medical procedures until she eventually lost her life.
This was a very sad ending for the mother of one whose child is a sickle cell patient. This made me begin to read on the complications attached to this fibroid thing.
It is important for us to know that surgery is not usually the first option for the treatment of fibroids; doctors often recommend other options like medications, but when they prove ineffective, then doctors recommend surgery.
Fibroids are growths that are made up of connective tissues and muscle cells. They can appear outside or inside the uterus.
It is possible for a person to have one or many fibroids, and they may vary in size too. During the surgical procedure, the surgeon takes out the fibroid but preserves the tissue in the uterus, and this makes future pregnancy a possibility.
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Surgery is usually recommended if there is an experience of any of these signs:
Irregular bleeding or bleeding in between periods.
Heavy menstrual bleeding.
Frequent urination.
Pelvic pain.
Not having the ability to empty your bladder completely.
Fibroid procedures are of two major different types; the one used is dependent on the size and number of fibroids the patient has. In the same vein, it is dependent on the location of the fibroid in the uterus and plans to have children in the future.
Myomectomy takes out the fibroids and relieves bleeding and other symptoms felt. This is a good option for patients who would like to maintain their uterus, either for childbirth or for any other purpose.
With this surgical option, the fibroid won't grow again, but there may be new ones, which may require another surgical operation years down the line.
- Hysteroscopy is for women who have smaller and fewer fibroid cases. In this case, a fibroid that has grown into the inside of your uterus can also be removed.
If hysteroscopy is carried out on a patient, she may be discharged on that same day.
- Abdominal myomectomy, also known as laparotomy, is believed to be a better procedure for large fibroid cases; this one leaves a bigger type of scar than the previous two types of myomectomy.
For this procedure, a cut is made in the lower stomach, and a fibroid is taken out.
- Laparoscopy is used for women whose fibroids are smaller and fewer. Robotic arms are often used by the surgeon to carry out this procedure.
The fibroids may be cut into smaller pieces before they are discharged from the patient's body.
A hysterectomy takes out part or all of the uterus of the patient. This procedure is usually recommended for people with lots of fibroids that are large and probably have no plans to get pregnant in the future.
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- Laparotomy or abdominal hysterectomy will require the surgeon to make a cut in the lower abdomen and remove the fibroid.
Vaginal hysterectomy: the procedure involves the surgeon taking out the fibroid through the vagina. Although this may not work for large fibroid cases.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy has a fibroid removed through a small incision; it can also be removed robotically.
Hysterectomy is the only surgical option that completely cures uterine fibroids and fully relieves all symptoms experienced. But the patient needs to be aware of their future inability to have kids.
There is also an option of endometrial ablation, which isn't a medical procedure but is minimally invasive.
The procedure doesn't remove fibroids, but it helps with the control of heavy bleeding, and it's not for women who plan to have kids in the future.
Now, let's look at the possible complications. I am so curious as to know why a woman would prefer to live with a fibroid than to go for surgery. There have to be some serious side effects she has heard or read about before.
Every surgery has its own risk and possible case of complications. Myomectomy has a low rate of complications but still has its own challenges.
The possible risks of myomectomy include the loss of blood, scar tissue caused by incisions, and pregnancy or childbirth complications.
Even during myomectomy, the surgeon may be left with no other option than to take out the uterus if bleeding becomes uncontrollable or other abnormalities are noticed aside from the fibroid.
Sometimes, a cancerous tumor may be mistaken for a virus, especially when it is broken down into smaller pieces.
Vaginal cuff is also very possible.
For Further Studies
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321679
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15448-myomectomy
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/fibroid-surgery#takeaway
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3348525/
Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people.
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