Open Myomectomy - how long until I can go back to desk job?

Hi NaomiLynn,

I too had an open myomectomy vertical incision 5 weeks ago. You will definitely need several weeks to rest and heal yourself. Remember, this is a major surgery and you will most likely not feel up to going to work even if it's sitting at a desk. I'm allowing myself 8 weeks before going back to work and when I do, it'll be light duty . I understand the importance of working however, this time will be for you to heal. 5-6 weeks is the minimum in my opinion. Wish you all the best.

Hey I had a open myo 4.5 weeks ago if it's a desk job I would say you can go to work in 4 weeks time the earliest that's just base on I was feeling a month after

Hi NaomiLynn,

I went back 6 weeks to the day of my op (veritcl incision) and knew that it was just before an Easter bank holiday so it was a kind of a phased return. It was difficult and I needed to adjust my chair to be comfortable. I ached in the evenings - even though it was just a desk job.

I think if you're fit, young and have a horizontal/bikini incision then you're going back (if you have a straightoforward recovery) after 4 weeks might be feasible. Only taking a couple of weeks off might not be the best thing. You may end up taking off more time anyway, later on.

Good luck x

Hello, I am 26 and had an open myomectomy via bikini line incision 5 weeks ago. I had multiple fibroids and the womb wall had to be open, and have been signed off for 8 weeks. When I had my pre assessment appointment the nurse said it was their hospital policy to sign people off for 8 weeks minimum for an open myomectomy. Some people get signed off for a further 4 weeks.

Personally I could not return to work after 4-6 weeks but I suppose it depends on type of fibroid, incision, job etc.

From my personal experience, I'd say it'd be impossible to start work at 4 weeks. I personally think the whole 4-6 week thing is extremely disingenuous. It's a long recovery process and i could barely sit at 4 weeks talkless of work. So give yourself at least 6 weeks if you can. If not, I've heard the human body is extremely resilient... Hope it works out for you.

Naomi,

Instead of an open abdominal incision, they should be able to debulk or morcellate the uterus and or fibroids within a bag right inside of the abdomen laproscopically OR at worse, make the incision in the vagina to remove. Why would they need to open your abdomen? If they are internal, they could remove them hysteroscopically with NO incisions at all (scope goes through cervix into uterus). If outside, they should be able to morcellate in the bag as I mentioned above. 

I refuse to let anyone cut my abdomen open. I don't like the way they have to cut through the muscles, the recovery time and the way that it often heals. Often they won't offer this because it take a longer time but heck you are paying them so who cares when it comes to what is best for you. 

Good luck!

Hi NaomiLynn: I had an abdominal myomectomy on April 12 to remove one 16 cm fibroid. Horizontal incision is healing quite nicely and my stomach is back flat!  I'm feeling better and stronger every day. I can walk, do minor things around the house and drive. However, the incision is occasionally sore, and I have what feels like mild menstrual cramps sometimes. I also become fatigued easily. But I think by 4 weeks I'll be able to go back to work. I have a job that's a mixture of being at a desk and going to events outside the office.

Good luck with everything! You'll be just fine :-)