Preparing for a Myomectomy??

Here's a list that I created for a friend who is preparing for a myomectomy. I thought it would be helpful for her! Maybe it will be helpful for you too!!

Myomectomy Surgery Preparation


I. Week Before Surgery

 Get groceries

i. Foods/Snacks you like

ii. Prune Juice (you may have trouble going to the bathroom after surgery); my troubles lasted about 3 weeks!

iii. Soft foods for post surgery (I couldn't eat solid foods for more than a week!)

1. Jell-O

2. Pudding

3. Chicken Broth

4. Soups

5. Crackers

 Sign up for Netflix/Collect DVDs - you'll get bored at home quickly!

 Buy/Get Magazines and Books

 Buy disposable plates/utensils/cups

i. Makes clean up easier

 Get Husband Pillow (will need it to prop you up in the bed/couch b/c you won’t be able to lay down for weeks)

 Get a tray to put your lunch/dinner/computer on

 Buy Spanx or Binder (you can get a binder at Babies R Us) this is used to hold your stomach in after surgery - this will also help your posture; I walked like a hunchback for 2 weeks until I started wearing the binder, then the spanx

 Buy Vitamin E

i. You can put on the scar to help clear it up faster

 Get prescriptions filled

 Buy granny panties (yes, granny panties)!

i. Will need panties that lay below or above scar (you’ll prefer above)

 Shave your legs

i. Will not be able to bend to shave legs for at least 2 weeks!

 Get a hand held shower head (easier to shower for the 1st few days)

 Pack for hospital

i. Bring a bath robe (it’s cold in the hospital)

ii. Bring socks and slippers/flip flops

iii. Bring cellphone charger

iv. Keep license and insurance card out and separate

v. Bring your pain meds to the hospital (make them give these to you while you’re in hospital to see how your body takes the meds)

 Email people your contact information for visits and designate a family member or friend to be the primary contact for people to check on you

i. You don’t want a million calls right after surgery

 Email key people each other’s contact information

i. For example if a friend comes in from out of town to help you, make sure they have your husband’s phone number

 Set up a schedule for the first 3 weeks for your visitors

i. List who is approved to come to hospital/house

ii. Make sure that you have enough people bringing lunch dinner at least for the first 2 weeks

 Ensure that someone has your insurance information

 Make a few dinners and freeze them



II. Day Before Surgery

 Each lunch by noon

 Do not eat anything after that, unless it’s on the approved list

 Follow pre-surgery prep exactly

 Turn on your out of office message at work



III. While In Hospital – Post Surgery

 RELAX

 Turn your phone off

 Try to stand up the day of surgery

 Begin walking the next day, as soon as they take the catheter out

 Use breathing machine as directed

 Walk every few hours

i. If you are too weak to walk by yourself, MAKE the nurses walk you or walk with a strong family member or friend

ii. Don’t push yourself too hard

 When you leave, make sure you bring at least 3 or 4 pillows from the hospital. You will need it to cover your stomach on the drive home (bumps hurt!)

 Make sure they give you the same pain meds that you will have at home while you’re in the hospital



IV. While Home – Post Surgery

 Walk everyday! Try to walk a little further each day

 You may have a few setbacks b/c you did too much the day before, that’s ok!

 Ask visitors to stay no longer than an hour or two (visitors are exhausting)

 Ask visitors to do stuff for you (wash dishes, sweep floors, etc.)

Intro

Hi! First, I have to say that I am NOT a medical professional, not a doctor, nor a nurse. I am however, as woman that had fibroids. After learning that I had fibroids, I was really concerned about the lack of information about fibroids online. Specially, information that targeted black woman.

After my recent myomectomy (July 15, 2010), I told many of my friends and family about my surgery. After telling them about my surgery, many then shared their own experience with fibroids. Those who had them removed by freezing them, having a myomectomy, or even a hysterectomy. Needless to say I was surprised!! Why is it that my cousin had her fibroids removed, one of my friends had a myomectomy, another friend had fibroids that were growing, and countless other black women that I knew were dealing with this issue in SILENCE!! The more I talked to people about my fibroids and surgery, the more I found out that just about each person I talked to knew at least 2 woman that dealt with this same issue. That's a lot of women!!

So, I've started this blog for three reasons.

• The first is to capture my experience with having fibroids and my recent surgery to remove them.
• The second reason is to have a place for black women to discuss our issues with fibroids.
• And the third reason is to question, why aren't more people talking about how much fibroids affect black women!?!

I hope to start a conversation...share what I learned...and share my experience.

Here's to a healthy uterus!!