Myomectomy
in Newport Beach
Model
“It’s my personal and professional belief that too many women have had unnecessary hysterectomies. Based on my experience, this is a last resort for me after all other options have been explored.”
-Dr. Steve Yu
Table of Contents:
What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
What Is the Difference Between Myomectomy and Hysterectomy?
What Are My Options for a Minimally Invasive Myomectomy?
What Kind of Anesthesia Is Used for a Myomectomy?
How Long Does a Myomectomy Take?
What Is Recovery From a Myomectomy Like?
What Results Should I Expect After a Myomectomy?
Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus that typically develop during a woman’s childbearing years. They can range in size from microscopic to significantly larger than the uterus, and women may develop one or several of these masses.
In some cases, women show no symptoms of uterine fibroids, and they go undetected. However, many women experience symptoms as a result of their fibroids.
What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroid symptoms include:
- Heavy menstruation
- Painful menstruation
- Frequent urination
- Abdominal bloating
- Pain during intercourse
- Lower back pain
- Infertility
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please speak with your doctor to determine if they are related to uterine fibroids.
What Is the Difference Between Myomectomy and Hysterectomy?
“Hyst-” means uterus, and “-ectomy” means to remove. Hence, hysterectomy means to remove the uterus and does not involve the ovaries at all. Obviously, this is not the desired procedure for women who want to preserve their fertility. Although a hysterectomy is commonly performed to treat fibroids, Dr. Yu firmly believes that MOST hysterectomies are NOT necessary.
“Myoma” is another name for a fibroid, and “-ectomy” means to be removed. Hence, myomectomy means to surgically move the fibroid from the uterus. Candidates for a myomectomy are women experiencing symptoms due to uterine fibroids who do not want their uterus removed. Typically, this is a more desired option for most women with symptomatic uterine fibroids.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Yu to determine if you are a candidate for a myomectomy.
What Are My Options for a Minimally Invasive Myomectomy?
One of the main benefits of a myomectomy is that many options are available, and the right one for you will be based on the location of your fibroid. Myomectomy options include:
Laparoscopic Myomectomy:
Laparoscopic surgery is performed by making several tiny incisions on the abdomen. Further, a fiberoptic scope and camera are used for excellent visualization. The other incisions are used to insert specialized instruments to remove the fibroids from the uterus.
This approach is used when the fibroid is located within the muscle of the uterus. This is an excellent choice for most women with fibroids since most are located within the muscle.
Robotic Myomectomy:
Robotic surgery is a specialized type of laparoscopic surgery. Instead of directly using the surgeon’s hands to perform the myomectomy, the surgeon is on a console next to the patient controlling the robotic arms to perform the surgery. The surgical outcome and recovery time are similar to laparoscopic myomectomy described above.
Hysteroscopic Myomectomy:
During a hysteroscopic myomectomy, fibroids are removed through the vagina. There is no need for incisions. The surgeon inserts a fiberoptic scope into the vagina that reaches the uterus through the cervical canal. A camera is at the end of the scope to allow the surgeon to easily see the fibroids.
The fibroids removed by this method are the ones located inside the uterine cavity (the space where a fetus would potentially grow).
Vaginal Myomectomy:
A vaginal myomectomy also removes fibroids through the vagina and requires no incisions.
This procedure is used when the fibroid protrudes into the vaginal canal, which is not very common.
Is a Myomectomy Procedure right for you?
Contact Us
Call us at (949) 432-4017 or fill out the form below with any questions or schedule your consultation with Dr. Yu
What Kind of Anesthesia Is Used for a Myomectomy?
The type of anesthesia used during a myomectomy varies between patients. However, general anesthesia is typically used for myomectomy surgery.
How Long Does a Myomectomy Take to Perform?
The length of your procedure depends on the amount and size of the fibroids. Generally, a myomectomy takes one to three hours to perform.
What Is Recovery From a Myomectomy Like?
Myomectomy recovery varies between patients depending on which techniques were used during the procedure. Following a laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy, you will experience pain and discomfort in your lower abdomen where the incisions were made. The recovery time from a laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy is typically one to two weeks.
Recovery from a hysteroscopic or vaginal myomectomy is minimal and only requires one to two days of downtime. You may experience some swelling and discomfort. This can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter pain medication.
When Can I Have Sex After Myomectomy?
You may need to wait four weeks to have sex after myomectomy.
How Long Until I Can Have Children After Myomectomy?
If you wish to have children, you will need to wait until the uterus is fully healed before becoming pregnant. This can take up to six months.
What Results Should I Expect After a Myomectomy?
After a myomectomy, you should experience a relief of your uterine fibroid symptoms. Typically, patients feel lighter and less bloated. You should also expect easier menstruation with less bleeding and cramping and relief of urinary frequency. You may also experience an improvement in fertility.
What Is the Cost of a Myomectomy in Newport Beach?
The cost of a myomectomy varies depending on surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, and the type of myomectomy performed. A consultation with Dr. Yu will help you determine a more specific financial estimate.
Insurance often covers fibroid treatments. Please contact your insurance company for specific details regarding your policy.
What Risks Are Associated With a Myomectomy?
Although rare, there are some risks associated with myomectomy surgery. These risks include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to the surrounding organs
- Anesthesia risks
- Future pregnancy complications
If you are concerned regarding the risks associated with myomectomy surgery, please speak with your surgeon.
Interested in Learning More
About Fibroid Removal in Newport Beach?
If you are interested in learning more about how you can benefit from a myomectomy, please contact our Newport Beach office at (949) 432-4017 or by filling out our online contact form.