Myomectomy recovery varies significantly by surgical approach. This guide covers what to expect week by week for each type, and the things nobody tells you before you leave hospital.
Three Types, Three Different Recoveries
Hysteroscopic myomectomy: Day surgery in most cases. Return to normal activity within 2–5 days. Light spotting and cramping for 1–2 weeks. No abdominal incisions.
Laparoscopic myomectomy: Return to desk work within 1–2 weeks. Full recovery 3–4 weeks. Lifting restrictions of 5–10kg for 4 weeks.
Open (laparotomy) myomectomy: The most significant recovery. The focus of this guide.
Week 1: Hospital and Immediate Recovery
Most open myomectomy patients spend 2–3 days in hospital. Expect a urinary catheter for the first 24 hours, IV pain relief transitioning to oral analgesia, and gentle walking from day 2. Bloating and gas pain from surgical handling of the bowel are often more bothersome than incision pain. Gentle walking and simethicone help significantly.
Week 2: Home Recovery
Home but still significantly limited. Walking 3–4 times daily is important for preventing clots and reducing bloating. No driving, no lifting over 3kg. Fatigue is often the dominant symptom by week 2 — whole-body exhaustion from the physiological demands of surgery and healing, not just incision pain.
Weeks 3–4: Gradual Return
Energy returns incrementally. Short walks of 20–30 minutes and light household tasks by week 3. Driving typically returns at 3–4 weeks. Common experiences include intermittent low pelvic pain, fatigue that crashes unpredictably, and emotional variability — a normal hormonal response to major surgery.
Weeks 5–8: Return to Normal Life
Return to desk work at 4–6 weeks, physical work at 6–8 weeks. Exercise restriction typically lifted at 6–8 weeks. The first post-operative period may be lighter, heavier, or irregular as the uterus heals.
A Note on Bone Health Post-Surgery
If you had GnRH agonist treatment before your myomectomy — commonly used to shrink fibroids or correct anaemia prior to surgery — you may have some degree of bone density reduction from that treatment. It is worth discussing a DEXA scan with your GP if you had extended GnRH treatment. The Bone Density Solution is a natural programme for protecting and restoring bone health that is particularly relevant in this recovery context. (Affiliate link.)
Red Flags — Contact Your Surgical Team If:
Fever over 38°C, heavy bleeding soaking more than a pad per hour, increasing rather than decreasing pain, wound opening or discharge, severe one-sided calf pain (possible DVT), or inability to urinate. These warrant prompt contact.
For reducing recurrence risk after recovery, see our article on fibroid recurrence after treatment and our fibroid diet guide.
Related reading: Fibroids And Sleep: Why You Wake Up At 3am And How To Break The Cycle · How Chronic Stress Makes Fibroids Worse — And 5 Ways To Break The Cycle · Herbal Remedies For Fibroids: What The Evidence Actually Shows
