Fibroids can appear in women for no reason. I suppose they leave many women wondering, What are they? Why have they grown? How do you remove them? Will my shape change? Will My Stomach Be Flat After Fibroid Removal? There are no real benefits to keeping a fibroid but surgery can be a scary reality so read further to find out the answers to all these questions!
Will My Stomach Be Flat After Fibroid Removal?
Your stomach might get flat after forbid removal depending on various facts, and it won’t happen all on a sudden.
Many women are wondering will my stomach be flat after fibroid removal and the truth is you may find that you can actually lose weight. Of Course it doesn’t happen overnight so if it is a flat stomach that you are after then you could be in for a longer wait than you anticipated. Your shape may change for the better but it would depend on many variables such as fibroid size and location.
Will My Stomach Go Down After Fibroid Removal?
So, you have just been told that you have fibroids. Finally you have an answer to why your periods have been so painful. Now you have a reason, it is time to think about whether you should remove the mass that has been causing so much havoc and chaos to your monthly period.
What is a Fibroid?
Fibroids are known to be noncancerous masses that can grow on the inside or outside of the uterus. Whilst the cause of fibroids is still unknown it is believed that the Oestrogen hormone produced in the Ovaries has a lot to do with their existence.
Typically many women do not suffer when they have fibroids and some would never know they had them unless found on an ultrasound during investigations or pregnancy.
Fibroid Removal
Before discussing removal we need to be sure you know what you’re dealing with. Having fibroids is not life threatening but you may find that you are one of the unlucky ones who could experience
- Painful and heavy bleeding.
- Lower back and stomach cramping.
- Pain during sex.
- The urge to wee and or constipation
If this sounds like something you are dealing with then removal may be the only thing on your mind.
When a woman has fibroids then weight can be an issue. Depending on where the fibroid is growing, and how many you have will affect your stomach before and after fibroid removal.
Whilst going under the knife may sound like a great quick fix unless your fibroids are causing discomfort many women opt to leave them alone.
What Type of Fibroid do I Have?
Fibroids as we know are masses made from cells and other tissues. There are three types of fibroid that you may come across.
‣ Intramural
- Submucosal
- Subserosal
- Intramural
These are known to be the most common. They appear in the muscular wall of the womb. These fibroids have no known negative impact on fertility or birth.
‣ Submucosal
Fibroids of this nature grow in the muscle inside the lining of the womb. If they grow then they can protrude into the womb cavity. They can be known to grow and block the fallopian tubes making conception harder.
‣ Subserosal
These can be the most noticeable and grow on the outer layer of the womb. This type can grow big enough blocking the cervix leading to difficulties getting pregnant.
Although thought to be harmless in pregnancy, if big enough, they can block the cervix leading to a c section birth.
Removal of any type of fibroid is generally the last cause of action, if you are suffering with any symptoms then seek medical advice as there are medications that can help ease pain and heavy bleeding.
What Is the Recovery Process Like After Surgery?
Most patients report excellent recoveries after surgery. You will likely stay in the hospital for one to two nights. During this time, you will be monitored closely by your surgical team. Once you are discharged from the hospital, you will need to take it easy at home for a week or so. This means no lifting, bending, or straining. You will also need to avoid sexual activity for four to six weeks.
After you have recovered from surgery, if you build good habits (we’ll discuss soon), you will likely see a significant improvement in your abdominal appearance. Additionally, the scarring from the surgery will usually be very minimal and will fade over time.
If you are considering having fibroid removal surgery, then be sure to speak with your doctor about all of the risks and benefits. This will help you to make an informed decision about whether or not this surgery is right for you. Fibroid removal can have a positive impact on your abdominal appearance, but it is important to understand all of the risks and potential side effects before moving forward.
Will My Stomach Shrink After Fibroid Removal?
Removal of fibroids can be completed in various ways but what way is best for you?
This would depend on your age, weight, severity of symptoms and complexity of fibroids.
‣ Myomectomy
This is the most desirable of surgeries as it leaves the womb intact. To be a contender for this style of surgery your fibroids have to be a certain size and in an accessible position. After this surgery you will still be able to carry a successful pregnancy as it only requires several small incisions or one larger incision.
The only downside to this style of surgery is that the fibroids could grow back.
‣ Hysterectomy
This is by far the most invasive surgery but it does prevent the fibroids from ever returning by taking your entire womb away. If you no longer wish to conceive and your fibroids are fairly large then this could be an option for you.
Recovery after a hysterectomy is quite long and you can expect to have to take it easy for a few months. Many women can experience changes to their menstrual cycle along with the onset of early menopause.
Depending on your fibroids your stomach can change in appearance and you can sometimes expect weight loss but due to the nature of the surgery your abdomen muscles can heal yet become lazy and lose their elasticity and form making your stomach look a bit more floppy than before.
Hysteroscopic Resection of Fibroids
This form of removal does not require any cuts or incisions through the abdomen but it removes the fibroids through insertion of a tiny medical telescope.
After this surgery you can expect some bleeding, cramping and wind pain usually felt in the shoulder. Overall the recovery is a little two to three days.
Will I Have A Flat Stomach After Fibroid Removal?
The overall appearance of your stomach will totally depend on how large your fibroids were. After removal you should give yourself enough time to heal and after that you can expect a very different appearance.
If you focus on a healthy post surgery diet with small amounts of light exercise you can find that your belly looks slicker and smaller than before. It is important to note that this type of procedure does not have a weight loss and tummy tuck guarantee. Many factors can depict what way your body reacts to the removal of fibroids.
There are many times where women can find instead of weight loss they can actually find a gain in weight. After surgery it is clear that you need to rest in order to heal but resting can sometimes lead to boredom eating.
Binge eating whilst recuperating is dangerous territory and can lead to weight gain and causing your new found shape to fill out in areas you didn’t have before!
As you are only allowed to do little exercise post surgery it is essential you maintain a healthy diet and keep to a good walking regime to keep the momentum and prevent laziness.
How to Get a Flat Stomach After Myomectomy
You can get yourself a flat stomach after myomectomy with your regular gentle exercises, diets.
I wish to highlight the Myomectomy as it is the most common procedure that women with fibroids undertake.
Many women can feel empowered as after their fibroid removal they have more energy, feel more comfortable, and they actually look better. Getting a flat stomach after a myomectomy is not something you should expect immediately.
1. Take It Slow
Recovery can take anything from 4 weeks and you can endure a fair amount of swelling before this. I know many women will be excited to see the results post surgery but it is important you take things at a slow and steady pace.
This means not overdoing the abdominal exercises and taking time out for your body to heal. If you want to start working for a flat stomach, give yourself at least 2 months before resuming abdominal exercises.
2. Gentle Exercise
Here is the list of Gentle Exercises After a Myomectomy:
• Walking: You can start walking as soon as it is comfortable for you after the surgery. Walking is a low-impact activity that will help increase your circulation and reduce swelling.
• Elliptical trainer: The elliptical trainer is another low-impact activity that is perfect for post-myomectomy recovery.
• Cycling on a stationary bike: Like the elliptical trainer, cycling on a stationary bike is a low-impact activity that will help increase your circulation and reduce swelling.
• Yoga: Yoga is a great activity after a myomectomy. There are many yoga poses that are perfect for post-myomectomy recovery.
Walking is the best & easiest exercise and you should avoid any heavy lifting, this includes things around your home such as children, laundry, groceries etc. These are all excellent exercises to start with, but be sure to listen to your body. If any of these exercises cause pain, stop immediately and consult your doctor.
Whilst you may be eager to get back in the gym it is not advised to do any type of strenuous exercise until at least 4 weeks post op. The flat stomach will come with hard work but you need to heal first.
3. Diet
Diet plays a big part in your shape and appearance. After having fibroids removed you can eat a normal diet but if you find you have a sensitive tummy then stick to bland foods that are easy to digest.
Including plenty of water, fresh fruits, and vegetables in your diet will help with the healing process.
• Foods to eat: Bland foods such as rice, oatmeal, toast, crackers, chicken, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Drink enough water. These foods are easy on your stomach and will not aggravate any post-operative symptoms.
• Foods to avoid: Spicy foods, fried foods, fatty foods, and processed foods. These foods can irritate your stomach. Not only that, but they can also slow down your goal.
If you are struggling with your weight post op seek advice from a gym consultant, dietician or even your doctor.
4. Get adequate sleep every night
A good night’s sleep is important for many aspects of your health, including your waistline. Inadequate sleep can lead to weight gain and increased abdominal fat. Sleep at least 7-8 hours per night to keep your body healthy.
5. Address any stress in your life
Sounds weird, but stress can be a major contributor to weight gain and abdominal fat. Womenhealth Magazine says, women who reported high levels of stress had a greater increase in abdominal fat over a 5-year period than women who reported low levels of stress. If you’re feeling stressed, take steps to reduce your stress levels.
Potential Risks to Keep In Mind About Fibroid Removal Surgery
As with any surgery, there are potential risks and side effects that you should be aware of before moving forward.
- General risks of any surgery (infection, bleeding, reactions to anesthesia, etc.): While these risks are always present with any surgery, they are relatively rare.
- Damage to surrounding organs: There is a small risk of damage to the bowel, bladder, or blood vessels during surgery.
- Blood clots: There is also a small risk of developing blood clots after surgery. These can be dangerous if they travel to the lungs, so you will be closely monitored for them during your hospital stay.
- Scarring: There is a risk of scarring after surgery, but this is usually minimal.
- Hernias: There is also a small risk of developing a hernia at the incision site.
- Recurrence of fibroids: In some cases, the fibroids can grow back after surgery. In the next section I will show how you can minimize that risk.
While the risks of fibroid removal surgery are relatively low, it is important to be aware of them before making a decision about whether or not to have the surgery. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
How Can I Prevent Fibroids From Developing in the Future?
There are some things that you can do to lower your risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a risk factor for developing fibroids. Maintaining a healthy weight can help to lower your risk. An overweight or obese BMI puts you at a 20-50% greater risk of developing fibroids.
- Eat a healthy diet: A diet high in processed foods and red meat has been linked to an increased risk of fibroids. Not only is it important to eat a healthy diet for your overall health, but it can also help to lower your risk of developing fibroids. I could go on and on about the benefits of a healthy diet, but we’ll save that for another day.
- Avoid birth control pills: Birth control pills can increase your risk of developing fibroids. If you are on birth control, speak with your doctor about alternative options.
- Get regular exercise: Exercise has been shown to lower the risk of developing fibroids. You don’t have to visit the gym every day or run a marathon, but regular exercise is important. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise (walking, biking, swimming, etc.) five days per week can help to lower your risk. There are many smart, portable home gym systems that will allow you to exercise in the comfort of your own home with very little equipment.
A NCBI report says if you have a family history of fibroids, you may be at a 20% higher chance of developing them. If this is the case, be sure to speak with your doctor about ways to lower your risk.
Wrapping Up
To pull this article to a close it is important that we don’t become too strung up on how we will look after surgery. You will not be the first person to ask the question, Will My Stomach Be Flat After Fibroid Removal? And you certainly won’t be the last!
Of Course we all want to have that gorgeous body, toned, flat stomach but getting fibroids removed won’t give you the body you crave.
Whilst we have identified your shape will change and many women have felt that it has changed for the better but and this is a big but…. You cannot maintain a healthy body without working on your exercise and diet. In fact exercise is known to decrease fibroid growth without going under the knife.
Your doctor may also suggest that medication will suit you better than jumping straight down the removal route.
So whatever the outcome, be true to yourself and if it is a flatter stomach you want then determination, hard work and a healthy balanced diet is paramount.
