Choosing The Right Surgeon: My Journey
I wish I had chosen a better surgeon for my first open myomectomy. Instead, I trusted the OBGYN from my school and missed all the red flags.
Unfortunately, this is what I experienced:
My incision was huge.
My follow-ups were aggressive and uncomfortable, filled with poking, prodding, and a frustrating lack of communication.
I later learned that his daughter (a surgeon in training) performed most of my surgery, and no one informed me about it beforehand.
He left fibroids behind because he didn’t want to give me a “Swiss cheese uterus.”
For my second myomectomy, I was determined to make a better choice, so I consulted three surgeons. Here’s how those experiences went:
The first insisted my only option was a myomectomy because I absolutely MUST have kids—he didn’t even ask what I wanted.
The second rambled on about the aesthetic benefits of an open surgery, suggesting I could hide the incision behind a bikini (seriously, what??).
The third surgeon asked about my preferences, presented my options, and left the final choice to me.
I chose her.
The entire experience was wildly different, and it reinforced an important lesson: We shouldn't have to “surgeon shop.” All surgeons should possess kindness, empathy, and top-notch skills, but sadly, they don’t.
That means it’s up to us to do the work to find the right person for our needs. And to encourage other women in our lives to do the same.
It’s worth it!
If you’re navigating a similar journey, remember you deserve a supportive and skilled surgeon who listens to your need.