What No One Told Me About My Myomectomy Recovery: Cost, Pain, Recovery Time & Support

Written By adriana cicero

When I scheduled my myomectomy, I knew there was a possibility my surgeon would be able to remove my fibroid laparoscopically through the vagina. I also knew there was a chance she wouldn't.

What I didn't know was which surgery I would actually wake up from.

Before surgery, I gave my doctor permission to do whatever was necessary to safely remove the fibroid. If that meant converting to a robotic myomectomy with abdominal incisions, I wanted her to proceed. The last thing I wanted was to wake up, learn it couldn't be completed, and have to go under anesthesia a second time.

Logically, I understood the possibilities.

Mentally? I don't think I prepared myself for the reality of a major surgery.

And that's exactly why I'm writing this.

If you're considering a myomectomy, if you have one scheduled, or if you're sitting on the fence wondering whether you should move forward, I hope sharing my experience helps answer some of the questions I had before surgery.

First: This Surgery Is Expensive

Let's talk about something people don't always discuss openly: cost.

Before insurance, my myomectomy was billed at approximately $98,000.

Thankfully, I have employer-sponsored insurance, so I was only responsible for my deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. That alone was an incredible blessing.

But financial planning is a real part of preparing for surgery.

Before your procedure, ask questions like:

  • What will insurance cover?

  • What is my deductible?

  • What is my out-of-pocket maximum?

  • Will the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and pathology services all be covered?

  • What happens if the procedure becomes more extensive than originally planned?

Whether you have employer-sponsored insurance, private insurance, or are self-employed, getting an estimate beforehand can eliminate a lot of unnecessary stress.

Time Off Work Isn't Optional

One thing I wish more people talked about is recovery time.

If your procedure can be completed laparoscopically, recovery may be significantly shorter.

But if you require a robotic myomectomy or more extensive surgery, you need to plan accordingly.

Personally, I would recommend having at least two weeks available for recovery, if not more depending on your job and your doctor's recommendations.

That means considering:

  • PTO availability

  • Short-term disability benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements

  • Savings to cover unpaid time away from work

I was fortunate to have a new employer that offers unlimited PTO and an incredibly supportive team that stepped in while I recovered.

Not everyone has that luxury, which is why this needs to be part of the conversation before surgery, not after.

The Thing You Need Most: A Support System

Of everything I've learned throughout this process, this may be the biggest lesson.

You need support.

And I don't mean someone checking in with a text message.

I mean real, physical, hands-on support.

The first day I came home, I couldn't walk to the bathroom by myself.

I couldn't sit up in bed without assistance.

I couldn't get comfortable on my own.

Simple movements that normally require no thought suddenly became major tasks.

For someone who hates asking for help, this was one of the hardest parts of recovery.

I needed my husband.

I needed my mom.

I needed my people.

And I needed them far more than I ever expected.

For the first couple of weeks, I needed assistance showering because I was too weak to stand for long periods of time. I couldn't bend over comfortably because of my incisions. Getting dressed, getting in and out of bed, reaching for things, even basic daily routines suddenly required planning and help.

Recovery felt a little like learning how to do everything again.

No one had fully prepared me for that reality.

Please Don't Let Anyone Minimize This Surgery

If there's one message I want every woman reading this to hear, it's this:

A myomectomy is major surgery.

Don't let anyone minimize your pain.

Don't let anyone minimize your recovery.

And don't let anyone make you feel guilty for needing time to heal.

Your body has experienced trauma.

Your muscles, tissues, and organs have been operated on.

Healing takes time.

Rest is productive.

Asking for help is necessary.

And recovery rarely looks as effortless as social media makes it seem.

The Three Things I Would Plan for Before Surgery

If I could go back and prepare again, these would be my top priorities:

1. Understand the Financial Impact

Know what the surgery will cost and exactly what your insurance covers.

2. Create a Recovery Plan

Have enough time off work and realistic expectations about your physical limitations.

3. Build Your Support Team

Identify who can help with meals, transportation, household tasks, childcare, and daily care during those first few weeks.

These three things matter just as much as preparing for the surgery itself.

My Recovery Essentials

There are so many little things that made recovery easier. Things I wish I had purchased before surgery instead of scrambling to order afterward.

I've put together a complete list of my recovery essentials below, including the products that helped me sleep more comfortably, move around more easily, and navigate those first few weeks of healing.

Because if I can make this experience a little easier for the next woman, then sharing my story is worth it SHOP THE BELOW HERE:

I want to leave you with this. . .

Walking into surgery without knowing exactly what procedure I'd wake up from was difficult.

Waking up and realizing I was facing a more intensive recovery than I had mentally prepared for was even harder.

But I would do it again.

Not because recovery was easy, it wasn't.

Not because the process was convenient, it definitely wasn't.

But because my health was worth it.

If you're preparing for a myomectomy, know that it's okay to feel nervous. It's okay to have questions. It's okay to be scared.

Just don't go into it believing you'll be able to do it all alone.

Because healing isn't just about the surgery.

It's about the support, the preparation, the patience, and the grace you give yourself afterward. ❤️

adriana cicero
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