Briefly, went to family doc for my annual exam in September and he said he thought I had a fibroid about the size of a 12 week fetus, so he sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed the fibroid and some ovarian cysts, so he wanted me to go for another one after my next period. Did that and he said the cysts were still there and he wanted me to go to a OB/GYN. I went Wednesday and she said the fibroid is about the size of a 16 week fetus now and that it sould be removed. I went ahead and scheduled the surgery for Jan. 11, but I just need to get some input from anyone who has been in a similar situation! I asked her if there was another option, and she said that because of the 'impressive' size of the fibroid, surgery was the only option, and that she doesn't schedule unnecessary surgeries. Also, because of the size it cannot be removed vaginally.

The more I read in books and on-line, the more confused I get. Help! Has anyone ever had a large fibroid and NOT had surgery to remove it? What were the results?

On the bright side, at least there's a good reason why my slacks and skirts don't fit around my belly any more. I thought I was just getting fat!

Thanks!!!!!

Liz-

I had an abdominal myomectomy in April of this year. I went to 3 Gyn's before I made the decision to have this type of surgery. My surgery was quite invasive because I had all types of fibroids...deep in wall, outside, and on the wall of my uterus. I also had a couple of cysts. Through it all blood loss was minimal. They entered via "bikini cut". The size of these "monsters" put me at the term of a 4 month pregnancy. First doc only offered hysterectomy. As you gather more info and do extensive research, you will see that there are OTHER alternatives. I went the abdominal myomecty route because I did not want to go directly into meno as my mother and aunt did. I have found out through forums that some people exprience a hormone imbalance. I am experiencing that now. Some women have the procedure and within 4-6 weeks they're bouncing around. I'm not a PRO, but there is so much that I can share with regarding my personal experience with this procedure....if you'd like to IM me. My surgery was very necessary because my largest fibroid was growing on the back of my uterus. I didn't have a heavy menstrual flow because the largest was on the back part. Not only that but it was growing upward and pushing on my intestines. Some people suggested that I wait until I hit meno as they will then shrink, but as my Doc explained it depends on the size and how they are growing. The position and size "x'd" that choice out for me. All the GYN's explained to me that they wouldn't know how many there were until they went in.

I agonized about these things, but I did not let them rush me into surgery. Please explore all of your options!!!! Interestingly, my first GYN was female, and she was the least sensitive of the 3 Wish you all the best-Andrea

Hi Andrea - Thanks for the response. This is good information. My doc also said she would do the 'bikini cut'. For right now I'm going to keep the Jan. 11 surgery date, but I'm still going to do some more research. She said the uterus is supposed to be down around the pubic hair area and mine is moved up to just below my navel. I also asked her if it might go away after menopause, but she didn't feel that it would since it is so big. I want to have it done just because I'm so uncomfortable all the time, but on the other hand, I've never had surgery or had to be in the hospital for anything, so I'm kind of scared about that.

Thanks again. I'll most likely be getting in touch with you about it later. Right now, I'm kind of just in denial!

Liz-

This was a first for me (surgery wise). I was extremely nervous in beginning, but had the wonderful support of family and friends. I had never been hospitalized either. I flew from Virginia to Texas to have my surgery performed. This was so that I could be near family. Wow did this help with the recovery! Family and friends can be the best medicine. Keep us posted!-Andrea

I was diagnosed with one large fibroid back in 2003 and have been told by every gyno since that surgery is imminently necessary. It is still here and I am still here and so I have decided to ride this out without surgery. Many of the symptoms make me miserable some days but they seem to be getting better the older I get. I figure I've lived with it this long so why give up now. Surgery will correct the immediate discomforts but who knows what will be affected down the road. I would recommend that you move your surgery ahead a couple of months and do a lot more research before you do something drastic. Unless of course, you just want to be done with worrying about it. The biggest help for me has been to stop thinking about it all the time.