Knowing the Difference Between a Myomectomy and a Hysterectomy

Hearing you have fibroids may be unsettling, and hearing you need surgery may be downright scary, but the more information you have, the more relaxed you’ll be about your health and your future. 

The first thing you need to know is that fibroids aren’t cancerous. They are benign lumps of tissue that grow in and around your uterus. You may have only one, or you may have many, and they may be as small as a seed or as large as a melon. In many cases, women can live with fibroids and never know they have them. But in other cases, the fibroids cause heavy bleeding and chronic pelvic pain.

If you fall into the latter category, it’s best to have them removed. And in that case, you have some choices.

Dr. Khashayar Shakiba at Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey helps women in Hackensack and throughout New Jersey understand their options when it comes to treating their fibroids. He expertly and compassionately guides you through the diagnosis process and talks with you about the least-invasive, most-effective ways to ease your symptoms so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.

If you and Dr. Shakiba decide that surgery is the best solution, you may be faced with a choice between a myomectomy and a hysterectomy. Here’s how the two procedures compare.

Goal of the procedures

While both a myomectomy and a hysterectomy can solve your fibroid problem, they are very different procedures with different goals.

Fibroids are also called myomas, which explains why the surgery designed to remove them is called a myomectomy. This procedure has one purpose and one purpose only: fibroid removal. 

Although myomectomies are highly successful in their goal of removing fibroids and stopping the associated symptoms, there’s no guarantee the fibroids won’t grow back in the future.

A hysterectomy is the removal of your uterus. Since fibroids grow in, on, and around your uterus, this can be a very effective way to get rid of them for good. But hysterectomies also address other reproductive health issues, such as cancer, a prolapsed uterus, and endometriosis.

A hysterectomy can be partial, where only your uterus and cervix are removed, or complete, which involves the removal of your uterus, cervix, tubes, and ovaries. 

Fertility issues

One of the primary considerations when you’re deciding between a myomectomy and a hysterectomy, is whether you wish to remain fertile. If you’re in the childbearing stage of life and want to have children, then you need to keep your uterus. In this case, we recommend a myomectomy to remove the fibroids but leave your uterus.

If you don’t plan on becoming pregnant, then a hysterectomy may be the better choice.

Does it matter who performs my surgery?

Doctors choose specialties for a reason. They focus on the areas where they have a talent and a passion. And that translates into the success of the procedures they perform. While many OB/GYNs may be permitted to perform your myomectomy or hysterectomy, that doesn’t mean they should.

When you choose Dr. Shakiba to perform your procedure, you’ve chosen a board-certified surgeon who specializes in pelvic reconstructive surgery. 

Many OB/GYNs might recommend a hysterectomy simply because that’s the most straightforward procedure, but it might not be in your best interest. Many also perform the procedure abdominally, which requires a larger incision and more tissue damage. Although this is occasionally necessary, it’s performed more frequently than it should by those who lack the qualifications to perform more-advanced, less-invasive procedures.

About 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the United States every year, and about a third of them are to get rid of fibroids. While there are times we also recommend a hysterectomy to treat fibroids, we believe this national number is way too high. 

We listen to your story, your symptoms, and your hopes for the future, and we answer all your questions along the way. This is your decision. Either way, you can rest assured that the procedure we perform will be the least invasive possible.

Types of surgical procedures

At Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey, we use the latest technology in our state-of-the-art facilities. That means you reap the benefits of cutting-edge surgical procedures, such as:

• Robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci System
• Advanced laparoscopic surgery involving tiny incisions
• Vaginal surgeries, which leave no visible scars

Dr. Shakiba offers the most-advanced techniques so you experience the least amount of pain and the fastest recovery possible.

If you have fibroids and need surgery, make sure you get the expert care you deserve, by calling us at 201-301-2772 or requesting an appointment online today.