What to tell your healthcare provider

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen. It also includes vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. And tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Have had any recent changes in your health, such as an infection or fever

• Are sensitive or allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthesia (local and general)

• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant

• Plan to get pregnant after having this surgery

Tests before your surgery

Before your surgery, a healthcare provider will ask you questions about your health. They will also examine you. This includes checking your heart and lungs. You may need tests such as:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart rhythm

• Ultrasound exam of your pelvis to look at your fibroids

• MRI to get more information about your fibroids

• Blood tests to check your overall health

Getting ready for your surgery

Talk with your healthcare provider about how to get ready for your surgery. You may need to stop taking some medicines before the procedure, such as blood thinners and aspirin. If you smoke, you may need to stop before your surgery. Smoking can delay healing. Talk with your healthcare provider if you need help to stop smoking.

Also make sure to do the following:

• Ask a family member or friend to take you home from the hospital.

• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before surgery.

• Follow all other instructions from your healthcare provider.

You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully. Ask questions if something is not clear.

On the day of your surgery

Your healthcare provider will explain the details of your surgery. Your surgery will be done by an obstetrician/gynecologist (ob-gyn) surgeon. They will work with a team of specialized nurses and technicians. The surgery can be done in several ways. Ask your surgeon about the details of your surgery. The whole procedure may take a couple of hours. In general, you can expect the following:

• You will have general anesthesia, a medicine that allows you to sleep through the surgery. You won’t feel any pain during the surgery.

• A healthcare provider will watch your vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure, during the surgery.

• You may be given antibiotics during and after the surgery. This is to help prevent infection.

• After cleaning your skin, the surgeon will make a few small cuts (incisions) in your abdomen.

• A small tube may be used to send some gas into your abdomen. This helps the surgeon see the area better during surgery.

• The surgeon will pass tools through the small incisions. These include a tiny camera with a light, and several robotic tools. The robotic tools allow the surgeon to make very precise movements.

• The surgeon will use the robotic controller to move the tools and remove the fibroids.

• When the surgery is done, the tools will be removed. The incisions will be closed and bandaged.

After your surgery

After the surgery, a healthcare provider will watch your vital signs. They will also check your incisions. You may be able to go home the same day. Or you may need to stay overnight.

Recovering at home

Make sure you move around as much as possible after your surgery. This helps to prevent problems like blood clots. You may have some pain after the surgery. This includes pain in your shoulder from the gas used during surgery. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to take for pain.

Follow-up care

Make sure you follow all of your healthcare provider’s instructions. Don’t miss any of your follow-up appointments. Your fibroid symptoms should go away after surgery. But fibroids can grow back or new ones can form. Talk with your healthcare provider if your symptoms return. Tell your provider if you get pregnant after having this surgery.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Pain that is getting worse

• Redness or warmth near the incisions

• Vaginal bleeding

• Lots of fluid leaking from your incisions

• Chest pain or shortness of breath that starts suddenly