Searching for before and after pictures of fibroid removal is usually the first thing people do once a doctor mentions the word "myomectomy." You want to see the scars. You want to see if that "fibroid belly" actually goes away. It's about visual proof that the heavy bleeding, the constant pelvic pressure, and that weirdly firm protrusion in your lower abdomen will finally be gone. But honestly, the internet is kinda misleading about this. You see these perfectly flat stomachs or tiny, faded lines, and you think, "Okay, that'll be me in two weeks."
Real life is messier.
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths, but they can get massive. We’re talking the size of grapefruits or even watermelons. When a surgeon removes something that big, your body doesn't just "snap back" like a rubber band. There is swelling. There is bruising. There is a whole lot of internal healing that no photograph can truly capture. Understanding the reality of these transformations—what is typical and what is a red flag—is way more important than just scrolling through filtered Instagram posts.
The Physical Reality of the Fibroid Belly
Most people looking for before and after pictures of fibroid removal are dealing with "fibroid belly." This isn't just a little bloating. It’s a hard, localized distention caused by intramural or subserosal fibroids pushing the uterus up out of the pelvis. If you have a 15cm fibroid, your uterus is essentially the size of a five-month pregnancy.
Immediately after surgery, you might actually look more bloated. This is the part people rarely post pictures of. If you have a laparoscopic or robotic-assisted myomectomy, the surgeons pump your abdomen full of carbon dioxide gas so they can see what they’re doing. That gas stays in there for a few days. It migrates up to your shoulders. It makes you look puffy. It’s uncomfortable.
The "after" doesn't happen on day three. It happens around month three or six.
What the scars actually look like
The "after" photos vary wildly depending on the surgical approach. An abdominal myomectomy—the "open" version—usually leaves a horizontal scar along the bikini line, similar to a C-section. It’s typically 4 to 6 inches long. Initially, it’s angry, red, and raised. Over a year, it fades to a thin, silver or white line.
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Then you have the minimally invasive stuff. Laparoscopic before and afters usually show three to four tiny incisions, maybe half an inch long each. One is usually hidden in the belly button. These heal remarkably fast, but if you’re prone to keloids, even these tiny spots can become raised and dark. You’ve gotta factor in your own skin’s history with healing.
Real Patient Experiences vs. Social Media
Take the case of "Sonya," a real patient (name changed for privacy) who had a 12cm pedunculated fibroid removed. Her "before" photo showed a distinct bulge on her left side. Her "after" photo at two weeks post-op showed her stomach was flatter, but she was covered in yellow and purple bruising.
She felt like the surgery failed because she wasn't "flat" yet.
What she didn't realize—and what many don't—is that the uterus itself is an organ made of muscle. It was stretched out for years. It takes weeks for the uterus to involute, or shrink back to its original size, after the "weight" is removed. This isn't liposuction. It's major reconstructive surgery of a reproductive organ.
Why the "After" is more than just skin deep
The most dramatic change in before and after pictures of fibroid removal isn't actually the stomach. It’s the eyes. It sounds cheesy, but if you look at photos of women who were severely anemic from heavy fibroid bleeding, their "before" photos show pale skin and dark circles. Their "after" photos, taken three months later once their iron levels have stabilized, show a completely different level of vitality.
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is a hallmark of fibroids. When you stop losing a cup of blood every month, your skin tone changes. Your hair stops thinning. You don't look exhausted. That is the "after" that actually matters.
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Complications and the "Not-So-Perfect" Results
We need to talk about the stuff people don't like to show. Not every surgery results in a smooth, flat midsection.
- Adhesions: Internal scar tissue can form. Sometimes this causes a "tugging" sensation or even a slight indentation where the incision was.
- Seromas: Sometimes fluid collects under the incision. This can create a temporary lump that looks like the fibroid is still there. It’s frustrating as hell, but usually, the body reabsorbs it.
- Incision Migration: As you lose the "fibroid weight," the skin shifts. A scar that started low might end up looking a bit higher or slightly crooked.
Mayo Clinic and ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) data suggest that while the vast majority of patients are satisfied, the "aesthetic" outcome is highly dependent on the surgeon's skill and the patient's biological response to trauma.
The Recovery Timeline: What to Expect
If you're tracking your own progress, don't compare your Day 7 to someone’s Day 70.
Week one is about survival. You’re dealing with "swelly belly." You’re probably wearing high-waisted compression underwear or a binder. You might feel "empty" inside, which is a weird sensation patients often describe.
By week six, the external incisions are closed. This is usually when people take their "after" photo. But internally? You're still knitting back together. The inflammation is still there.
By month six, the swelling is usually 95% gone. This is the true "after." This is when you can see the actual contour of your new abdomen. If you’ve had a large fibroid removed, you might have some loose skin. It’s basically like the postpartum period. Your skin was stretched for a long time; it might need some time (and collagen) to bounce back.
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Beyond the Aesthetics: Functional "Afters"
The best way to judge a before and after pictures of fibroid removal is by the lifestyle change.
- Bladder capacity: Can you finally sleep through the night without peeing three times?
- Pain levels: Is that dull, aching heaviness in your pelvis gone?
- Exercise: Can you do a plank without feeling like a bowling ball is sitting in your gut?
The Mayo Clinic notes that most women see a significant improvement in quality of life within eight weeks. That is the real metric. If you look at a photo and the person is smiling, it’s usually because they aren't worried about bleeding through their clothes anymore.
Managing Expectations
If you’re looking at these photos to decide if surgery is worth it, remember that your surgeon is not a plastic surgeon. Their primary goal is to remove the pathology and preserve your uterine health. If you have concerns about the cosmetic outcome, you have to bring that up before the anesthesia kicks in. Ask where the incisions will be. Ask about "mini-laparotomy" vs. "robotic" approaches.
Moving Forward With Your Healing
If you are currently looking at your own "before" and wondering if you'll ever get to the "after," take a breath. Healing is not linear. Some days you will be more bloated than others. That’s just how the lymphatic system works after surgery.
Actionable Steps for a Better Recovery:
- Invest in high-waisted compression: Not to look skinny, but to support the abdominal wall while the muscles heal. It helps with the "jiggle" pain when walking.
- Scar management: Once your doctor clears you (usually around week 6), look into silicone scar sheets or Vitamin E oil. Massage the scar to prevent it from sticking to the underlying tissue.
- Walk, don't run: Movement helps move the gas and the fluid out of your system. It’s the best way to reduce the initial post-op "after" bulge.
- Document your own journey: Take your own photos. Not for the internet, but for yourself. When you feel like you aren't progressing, look back at Day 2. You’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come.
- Talk to a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist: This is the "hidden" after. Surgery can mess with your pelvic floor muscles. A PT can help make sure your "after" includes a core that actually works.
The visual change is great, but the freedom from pain is the real transformation. Don't let a "perfect" photo on a forum make you feel like your own healing isn't enough. Every body reacts to a myomectomy differently, and your timeline is the only one that matters.