Pictures of Stomach After Myomectomy Surgery

Myomectomies can be divided into four categories based on how the fibroids are accessed: hysteroscopic, vaginal, laparoscopic, and abdominal (open). Each of these approaches requires different myomectomy incisions, leaving scars in unique locations when the incisions heal. See the below pictures of myomectomy surgery and how the different techniques are performed.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy is probably the least invasive myomectomy technique. A hysteroscope is inserted into the uterus through the vaginal canal, allowing the surgeon to visualize any fibroids on the inner surface of the uterus (submucosal fibroids). The surgeon will then proceed to cut away any fibroid tissue using specialized surgical tools. This is typically done under local anesthesia, but general anesthesia is also an option.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy is typically an outpatient procedure and therefore does not require an overnight hospital stay. Post-procedural recovery is a brief 1-2 days before returning to normal activities, and complications are quite rare (less than 1%).

Because there are no external incisions, hysteroscopic myomectomy leaves no scars. However, hysteroscopic myomectomy can only treat submucosal fibroids, which is why it’s less common than some other myomectomy methods.

As with hysteroscopic myomectomy, there are no external incisions required for vaginal myomectomy, and no scars after the surgery. However, it has been noted in the medical literature that conversion to another type of myomectomy technique (laparoscopic or open / abdominal) may be more likely during vaginal myomectomy.

Laparoscopic myomectomy is the most common myomectomy technique. Under general anesthesia, multiple small incisions are made at various points around the abdominal wall. Through these small incisions, surgical tools are inserted into the abdomen, including a camera and long cutting tools to remove fibroid tissue. Laparoscopic myomectomy can also be performed with the Da-Vinci robot, sometimes called robotic myomectomy, but the technique is approximately the same.

A brief hospital stay is often required after a laparoscopic myomectomy surgery, though some patients are able to go home on the same day of the procedure. Women can expect a 2-4 week recovery period before fully returning to their normal activities.

Laparoscopic myomectomy scars are visible after the surgery. Usually 3 small abdominal incisions, 1-2 inches in length, are required, but there are alternative laparoscopic techniques that can involve more or less incisions.

Abdominal myomectomy, sometimes called open myomectomy, is certainly the most invasive myomectomy technique. Under general anesthesia, a single large incision is made across the lower abdominal wall to expose the uterus. Fibroids are removed before the incision is closed.

An abdominal myomectomy can require up to 7 days of recovery in the hospital, and 4-6 weeks before returning to normal activities. Because the procedure is more invasive, there is a higher risk of blood loss, post-operative pain, and intra-abdominal adhesions.

After an abdominal myomectomy, a sizable scar will develop that is significantly larger than laparoscopic scarring.

Below you will find stomach pictures after myomectomy surgery. We have included both laparoscopic myomectomy scar pictures and abdominal myomectomy scar pictures.

Abdominal myomectomy typically leaves one large scar around the “bikini line”, about halfway between the belly button and the pubic bone. An open myomectomy scar will span several inches, often creating a visible crease across the abdomen even after the incision is fully healed. Below are 4 stomach pictures after abdominal myomectomy surgery.

Myomectomy continues to be one of the most common treatment options for symptomatic fibroids, but major surgery is a major decision. Scarring is just one of many factors to consider when deciding between fibroid treatments, and you should be fully informed on all of your options. Check out our guide on Questions to Ask Before Fibroid Surgery to learn more.