Preparing For Your Myomectomy and Your Post-Op Return to Exercise

Having a uterus is quite the responsibility, and for many, it’s a gift simply because of the unique power it holds. But sometimes, our bodies decide they’re going to take matters into their own hands, and with genetics and hormones at play, you have to be prepared for the unpreparable. While it’s not precisely known what causes fibroids, we know that their impact on the body is substantial enough to require surgery to improve a person's quality of life. 

It’s time to reclaim your uterus, and for many folks, they’ve reached an intersection where surgery is their only option. If you’re here because you’re preparing for your first myomectomy, you’re not alone. So let’s break down the preparation required for a successful recovery.

A glimpse into post-myomectomy life

If you’ve been diagnosed with fibroids, you’re one of 20%-70% of the uterus-owning population. Of those, only one-third will have their fibroids detected by their physicians, so while uterine fibroids are common, you can take off your hospitality hat and send them packing.

Considerations you’ll need to make about your fitness level prior to your surgery

Surgery is hard. Whether you’ve had a minor surgical procedure, or this is your first one, it can take a toll on your emotions, your resilience, and your belief in getting better. But you will get better. And working with a support team that hears you, sees you, and has your best interest in mind as they guide you through the entire process is the only way to recover.

So much of your recovery is going to depend on how you feel in your body and your overall  fitness level and core/pelvic floor health prior to your surgery. If you know you have 5 months before your surgery, this can be a great opportunity to work with a pelvic floor therapist who can coach you through exactly what to focus on to prepare your body for your myomectomy.

Being proactive with your care team about safe strengthening and movement after your myomectomy

Getting ready for surgery is like lining up to pick your team for kickball. You will be working with your OBGYN, your physical therapist, and a whole team of people who are rooting for you- but may offer you varying insights about what is best for your body.

Listening to your body, but not doubting it

After surgery, our bodies are interested in doing one thing: keeping the train running and healing as quickly as possible. While your body is starting its healing processes, it's important to listen to what it’s telling you, but also take the feedback from your physical therapist and begin rebuilding your strength and mobility. Our bodies don’t just return to normal after major surgery. We have to guide them. 

What exercises should you start off with after having a myomectomy?

The modern medical field is inundated with a lot of information about bracing your body instead of using your muscles appropriately to help your body rebuild its strength. In fact, there are plenty of instances of home exercise programs actively working against your body's natural healing processes. Things like braces, belly bands, support wear, and blanket recommendations like “don’t lift anything more than a gallon of water” can hold back your healing.

Stability exercises are an integral part of whole-body healing 

Restoration goes hand in hand with working on your core stability– engaging with stability exercises that focus on keeping your core still while your limbs move is an essential part of myomectomy recovery. When we talk about core functionality in our daily activities, we don’t mean you need to do traditional core exercises like sit-ups, twists, and similar. The first step is regaining stability and range of motion before dynamic core exercises are started.

The wrong core exercises can impact pain in your back, cause urinary leaking, and pain upon impact or with running.

Consistency during preoperative exercises 

One of the biggest complaints from women who are entering their myomectomy recovery process is that they just don’t feel the same anymore. They echo that they’re struggling with incontinence, back pain, incision pain, and trouble running or lifting weights. The average echo chamber in the medical field is simply not loud enough about what his recovery looks like, how to appropriately prepare for it, and building a support system for postoperative care and rehabilitation.

Focusing on the body and listening to its signals 

People will continue living with months of nerve pain only to discover that here’s a relatively easy answer about how to begin building core strength and stability.  It doesn’t matter if you’re in your third trimester, have a uterus ridden with fibroids, or are terrified of what the recovery process is going to look like. 

The right physical therapist will help you learn how to manage your body’s intraabdominal pressure by discovering how to coordinate your core and pelvic floor but this is just the start. They can introduce you to fundamental movement patterns like the squat, hinge, push, pull, carry and lunge in a time frame that you may not have anticipated, post-surgery.

Your physical therapist can offer you resources about how to mitigate leaking, pain, and swelling, and what your body is telling you should you experience any of the above.

Raise Her Bar Coaching is changing the way we approach the strength and resilience all bodies have to heal from a myomectomy  

There’s no doubt that this has been an incredibly arduous experience in more ways than one. And if you’re not connected with a doctor who values your core beliefs about your abilities, honors your connection to your body, and supports your will to move forward and rebuild, Raise Her Bar Coaching can take it from here. 

Click on “Work With Me” in the top right corner anytime to set up a consultation. Healing is closer than it feels!