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Laparoscopic Myomectomy: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

Laparoscopic myomectomy is surgery to remove one or more fibroids. Your doctor put a lighted tube (scope) and other tools through small cuts (incisions) in your belly. The doctor then removed the fibroids.

After surgery, you may feel some pain in your belly for several days. Your belly may also be swollen. You may have a change in your bowel movements for a few days. And you may have some cramping for the first week.

It's normal to also have some shoulder or back pain. This is caused by the gas your doctor put in your belly to help see your organs better.

Your doctor may prescribe medicines for pain. You may need about 1 to 2 weeks to fully recover. It's important not to lift anything heavy for about 1 week. Your doctor may talk to you about when you can have sex and when it's safe to try to become pregnant.

You may have a brown or reddish brown vaginal discharge or light vaginal bleeding or spotting for a few weeks. This is normal. Expect your first two periods to start early or late. They may be more painful or heavy than usual.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

Rest when you feel tired.
Be active. Walking is a good choice.
Allow your body to heal. Don't move quickly or lift anything heavy until you are feeling better.
Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex or use tampons. Do not douche.
Hold a pillow over your incisions when you cough or take deep breaths. This will support your belly and may help to decrease your pain.
Do breathing exercises at home as instructed by your doctor. This will help prevent pneumonia.

Diet

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
If your bowel movements are not regular right after surgery, try to avoid constipation and straining. Drink plenty of water. Your doctor may suggest fibre, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

Medicines

Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines.
If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

Incision care

If you have strips of tape on the cut (incision) the doctor made, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.
If you have skin adhesive on the incision, leave it on until it falls off. Skin adhesive is also called liquid stitches.
Wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing.
You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes fluid or rubs against clothing.
Change the bandage every day.
Keep the area clean and dry.

Other instructions

Talk to your doctor if you want to try to get pregnant soon. Your doctor can tell you when it's safe to do so. If you don't want to get pregnant, talk with your doctor about birth control.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. For a few weeks, avoid anything that puts pressure on your belly.
You may have some light vaginal bleeding. Wear sanitary pads if needed.
You may want to use a heating pad on your belly to help with pain.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You passed out (lost consciousness).
You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
You cannot pass stools or gas.
You have vaginal discharge that has increased in amount or smells bad.
You are sick to your stomach or cannot drink fluids.
You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over your incision.
You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
You have severe vaginal bleeding. This means that you are soaking through your usual pads every hour for 2 or more hours.
You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in your leg.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if you have any problems.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

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Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.