Anyone ever have an endometrial ablation?

[toothwasher4528]

I had the Novasure ablation in 2006. I was very anemic due to my cycles. Haven't had a cycle since nor any pain from endometriosis.(spell?)Procedure has a little cramping and that was it. During procedure they have to put a clamp on your cervix by the time you say oh it is clamped. Hope that helps Goo Luck!

 

[a1tinkfans]

I am interested to hear others comments on this as well. I am going to the doctor next month to have a laproscopy (sp??) for endometreosis diagnosis and I was also curious about down time.

I had that years ago...it was done as an outpatient procedure which for me turned into a three day stay due to some complications with the gas/air they used to expand the area. This is NOT typical...doctor did not remove all air and it was excruciating and so un necessary I learned much later. My recovery was rather bland afterward but I still recall that awful anesthesia smell for so long afterward (as was the dh complaint as well, LOL) I had endometriosis for years, quite severe, impeded pregnancy and other issues and after that did better for a while but it did not just go away. Took longer to come back though.

I am actually getting ready for an oopherectomy (removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes) and a full hysterectomy in several weeks.
I am post breast cancer (dbl mast.)and been on anti cancer medications but unfortunately my gyn issues have worsened to the point that total removal is needed.
I am okay with it but stressed about the surgery and the down time which I understand will be several weeks after a 3-4 day stay at hosp. Being done at Sloan Kettering, so I am confident.
Still saddens me and going back there is never easy.... Had a surgery at beginning of summer which concluded no cancer (THANK YOU JESUS) but also precipitated this upcoming procedure to hopefully move me past all of this...Life is often not easy and can change on a dime.............. so for now....
breathe in........... breathe out, one day at a time!! Sorry about the story...It felt good to "let it out" I try not to talk about it at home......I guess I needed that!
Best of Luck OP, to both of us~! Prayers Gratefully accepted!

 

[Jeafl]

I had mine almost 5 years ago. The only complication I had was that the epidural they gave me only wore off on the left side of my body. The entire right side of my body was numb for about 9 hours! Of course, I am allergic to a lot of anesthesia, so that can't be blamed on the ablation.

I had NO periods for 4 years afterwards. Nothing AT ALL. It was wonderful! Unfortunately, 4 years and 2 months afterwards I got a period which lasted 23 DAYS. It just happened to coincide with a trip to Hawaii with my husband.

In any case, my OB/GYN wants to do another one, and I will probably go through with it sometime this winter. She told me that sometimes once just isn't enough, and it takes a second one for it to really "take".

 

[Sandy321]

I believe I had mine 4 years ago - lots of female TMI (my "i've had enough moment came at WDW - try finding shorts in Oct ) I found the hystersister site invaluable - there was a forum for ablation! (my sil had it down 5 or more years before I did a "water ball" type ablation - she hated it!)

I went in as outpatient - my problem was some over protective anesthesiologist - who decided to "intabate" me my ob/gyn didnt know why he did that! All I know my throat was so darn sore I couldnt talk!! Lucky for me - we can do sign language!!

I still can tell when its "that time" I have minor break outs around my nose! I do use a progesterone cream from the health food store once a month for a few days...

 

[aprilgail2]

I had it done just over 5 years ago. The best thing I ever did. I can't remember exactly the name of the one I had done....but I do know it was the hydrothermal one. I did have it done at the ambulatory center and was in and out the same day. I had very little pain afterwards and was offered pain medication which I took in the recovery room, but did not need any after that. The next day I was up and feeling fine. I never got another period after that which was the best part for me.

I had endometrial ablation done about 6 months ago, it has turned out great for me. No more periods! Although they don't promise that, it's pretty common that you have either very light or no periods.

A!

You were both lucky! Wish I was that lucky!! Procedure itself was fine- no need for pain meds or anything but after 4 months my darn period was right back again!! Not as hard back then but now a few years later its back every few months....darn thing just won't go away for good!

 

[marymouse]

I had a Novasure ablation, a D&C, a tubal ligation and a LEEP procedure done the end of January. I had some problems and ended up spending the night in the hospital because I had so much blood backed up into my abdominal cavity and the D&C wasn't expected. The doctor was concerned about pain management because of the time my abdomen was expanded with gas/air.
I was uncomfortable for a couple of days, had the procedures on Friday and went back to work on Wensday. I could have sucked it up and gone back to work earlier but i had the time and I found out in the past that sometimes you just need the rest.

You really need to make sure they do some sort of permanent sterilization as a pregnancy after ablation while rare, can be very dangerous.

I am VERY happy and have only spotted twice since the post procedure bleeding stopped in mid February. I was spotting/bleeding most of the time before. My quality of life is greatly improved.

Good Luck!

 

[3boymthr]

I had mine almost 5 years ago. The only complication I had was that the epidural they gave me only wore off on the left side of my body. The entire right side of my body was numb for about 9 hours! Of course, I am allergic to a lot of anesthesia, so that can't be blamed on the ablation.

I had NO periods for 4 years afterwards. Nothing AT ALL. It was wonderful! Unfortunately, 4 years and 2 months afterwards I got a period which lasted 23 DAYS. It just happened to coincide with a trip to Hawaii with my husband.

In any case, my OB/GYN wants to do another one, and I will probably go through with it sometime this winter. She told me that sometimes once just isn't enough, and it takes a second one for it to really "take".

Every time I fly I get my period. I was told that the pressurized air in the cabin of an airplane can be really bad for females prone to reproductive problems and to avoid airplanes if possible. It's similar to the theory of storms and the changes in air pressure resulting in labor. Anyway, that might be why it came back.

ETA - so nice to find this thread. I've been told I might have to have this procedure because although I don't have endometriosis I am getting cyclical anemia as a result of blood loss - yeah, it's that heavy.

 

[Luvmy4boys]

I had one in February! Novasure. Best thing I've ever done! No more periods! I had chemo induced menopause which lasted 2 years then my periods came back with a vengence. They made me virtually house-bound. Since the procedure I have been period free!!!!! I do have occassional hot flashes. My Dr. has said if I would end up getting bad periods again the procedure could be repeated. And I would do it in a heart-beat.

 

[jfoofj]

Hi again... just wanted to update that I had my ablation (MEA- microwave endometrial ablation) yesterday at a day surgery center under general anesthesia. Everything went really well, I was at the surgical center for 4 hours total. I was uncomfortable and crampy yesterday and today I am still a little crampy but feel much better. Trying to take it easy, I don't have to work till Monday.

Hopefully this will give me some good relief, I am just relieved that the surgery is over!

 

[dairyou]

I'm so glad you had the procedure done and you are feeling okay

My life has changed since I had mine done. Before I couldn't work. For the first two days I'd be up every 2 hours night or day. It was hard to schedule vacations or any outside activities. I've had it done 3 years ago and I only have spotting now.

Good Luck!

Deb

 

[Luvmy4boys]

Good luck! I hope it works for you as well as it did for me.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I know 3 women who have had them and 2 had to do it twice to work but all were happy with the outcome. Two were elective and one was medically necessary near menopause. I wonder though how these woman know when PMS is about to strike without the Bat Signal KWIM. I would love to do it but if I did I would have no way of gauging when the PMS was going to hit so I can warn my poor DH.

 

[jfoofj]

I know 3 women who have had them and 2 had to do it twice to work but all were happy with the outcome. Two were elective and one was medically necessary near menopause. I wonder though how these woman know when PMS is about to strike without the Bat Signal KWIM. I would love to do it but if I did I would have no way of gauging when the PMS was going to hit so I can warn my poor DH.

I think my DH has my "PMS time zone" programed into the calendar on his blackberry, lol! Somehow he always knows when to steer clear, answer "yes, dear", and offer to take us out to eat so I don't have to cook. Smart man, but hey, it's a matter of survival in my house around that time. Even the dog avoids me!

 

[dairyou]

I only know because I can feel when ovulation is about to happen and then give a week or so and you then better watch out...lol

 

[MaumeeMom]

I had a Novasure ablation, a D&C, a tubal ligation and a LEEP procedure done the end of January. I had some problems and ended up spending the night in the hospital because I had so much blood backed up into my abdominal cavity and the D&C wasn't expected. The doctor was concerned about pain management because of the time my abdomen was expanded with gas/air.
I was uncomfortable for a couple of days, had the procedures on Friday and went back to work on Wensday. I could have sucked it up and gone back to work earlier but i had the time and I found out in the past that sometimes you just need the rest.

You really need to make sure they do some sort of permanent sterilization as a pregnancy after ablation while rare, can be very dangerous.

I am VERY happy and have only spotted twice since the post procedure bleeding stopped in mid February. I was spotting/bleeding most of the time before. My quality of life is greatly improved.

Good Luck!

Hello Ladies!

I'm glad that I saw this thread as I'm having this (Novasure ablation, a D&C & a tubal ligation) done tomorrow. I'm just starting to get nervous. It looks like those if you who have gone through this procedure do not regret it which is very reassuring.

I'll check back when I can & let you all know how it goes.

Thanks! -MM