Uterine Ablation?

[zakatak]

Hi there...

Has anyone here had a Uterine Ablation done? If so, did it work to stop the bleeding? How long did it take to recover? How was the surgery?

PM me if you would like to discuss in private or would like more information from me.

 

[aprilgail2]

Surgery was no worse than a D&C- bled for a few days afterward but nothing terrible and I was up and out at the store the following day. They made me wait an hour after coming back to after the surgery before I could go home-ther is a little cramping that first day but nothing I needed pain meds for or anything. I did have to wait 2 weeks before going back to work though due to the fact I climb and lift heavy things but if I had an office job I could have gone back right away.

 

[hollieplus2]

I had it done 4 months ago. I bleed about 1/3 of what I used to but still cramp. They say it takes 6 months to really see the final results. I was put to sleep and when I woke up my cramps were REALLY bad. It was a long car ride home. Once I got home, got my pain meds and went to sleep I was ok. Woke up the next morning and continued my normal routine. I did leak for about 3-4 weeks though. That was not fun. I had the NovaSure. There is a forum about this but I can't post the link here. I'll PM you with it.

 

[jellymoon]

delete

 

[Skatermom23]

I had mine done 17 months ago! Wow, has it really been that long? I still see improved results, even this many months later. I am down to virtually no bleeding at all at this point. But, it took awhile to get here. The surgery was a piece of cake. I went home a few hours later and slept the rest of that day. I would suggest allowing yourself at least 2-3 days afterwards to just rest. You will be tired. I had no cramping or any other pains. Best thing I have ever done for myself. I have my life back! Oh and I had the Novasure procedure.

 

[hydster]

I had one in 2003 and I liken it to a D&C as well and I was tired for a few days, had some pretty good cramps, bled for 3 weeks and just felt mildly crummy.

It failed and I ended up with a hysterectomy which I wish I had done in the beginning anyway! I feel so much better after having it done and the recovery wasn't much worse than having the ablation.

 

[Christine]

Is there any particular reason this procedures (which is supposed to be very quick) would cause such tiredness for so many days? Just curious as I am considering this.

 

[Cherta]

I had uterine hydrablation surgery in March, so it's been about 5 months. The first month I had no bleeding. The bleeding returned for the next two months, but it was much lighter than pre-surgery. This past month, the bleeding was even lighter than the month prior, so I hope I'm on my way to no more bleeding at all!
The surgery was quick and I experienced light cramping ; however, the one thing I did notice is that I was fatigued for about a week afterwards (I had the procedure on a Friday and returned to my office job on Monday, but I was tired and "out of sorts" until the following Monday). If you can, plan to take it easy for a few days afterwards.
One last thing I'd like to mention is that the ablation does nothing to ease premenstral symptoms so if you're prone to PMS, unfortunately you will still need to cope with that (but it's much more tolerable without the heavy bleeding and anemia!).

 

[Cherta]

Is there any particular reason this procedures (which is supposed to be very quick) would cause such tiredness for so many days? Just curious as I am considering this.

In my case, the doctor said that my body was trying to "recover" from a severe third degree burn, so I should expect to be tired while my body tried to heal itself.

 

[Christine]

In my case, the doctor said that my body was trying to "recover" from a severe third degree burn, so I should expect to be tired while my body tried to heal itself.

Gotcha! I think you just talked me out of this.

 

[offwegotoneverland]

Christine you asked about fatigue..this is a procedure done (most times) under general anthestic and often due to issues with Aneimia which causes fatigue in the first place (a chicken and egg thing if you will).

Personally I also found I was sleepy but had an office job and went back on the monday from a friday. (however I was in the middle of a transfer and drove 9 hours back to the new location on the sunday which was pretty dumb frankly). I had light bleeding for about 3 weeks and no bleeding afterwards so would call it a complete sucess. Not too bad cramping directly afterward..in fact I had dh stop at a starbucks on the way back so I could get a latte so I couldn't have been that bad!

as to pms issues the only thing that I find is I still get the odd salt/sweet craving but perhaps that's just my imagination!

 

[CathrynRose]

Hi there...

Has anyone here had a Uterine Ablation done? If so, did it work to stop the bleeding? How long did it take to recover? How was the surgery?

PM me if you would like to discuss in private or would like more information from me.

I had it done 4 months ago. I bleed about 1/3 of what I used to but still cramp. They say it takes 6 months to really see the final results. I was put to sleep and when I woke up my cramps were REALLY bad. It was a long car ride home. Once I got home, got my pain meds and went to sleep I was ok. Woke up the next morning and continued my normal routine. I did leak for about 3-4 weeks though. That was not fun. I had the NovaSure. There is a forum about this but I can't post the link here. I'll PM you with it.

A lot of people might think this a TMI'er - but whatever....

I had a horrible time pre-NovaSure. From the very beginning of January until March 16th, I was bleeding. And not spotting....bleeding.

March 16th I had the Novasure....woke up fine, but within 20 minutes the cramps were something else. OWIE! I should have taken the IV meds when they offered them...instead I took one Vicodin...then another - and by that time, I could HAVE IV pain meds, cuz I had taken the Vicodin, and I was HURTING.

Threw up in the car on my way home. Got home, took a super hot shower, just to have hot water running on my belly. Got in bed. Fell asleep but kept waking up in an awful lot of cramps... I would get up, take more pills, eat a handfull of butter cookies (and I never eat sweets...my mom died from diabetes, NO SWEETS for me...so I was obviously quite drugged but still in a lot of pain)

By next day - pain was under control with meds, but couldnt skip them or it would get rough. The next few weeks were not constantly cramping, but uncomfortable, for sure - and odd, twingey pains. I talked to my DR about it - said it's super normal as the "Novasure burns VERY hot"

Weeks passed, still bleeding. Nothing new to me.... I just kept doing my thing, and it finally stopped (quite frankly, I wish I would have blogged this whole thing....and wanted to to help people out, like you...cuz I searched the internet for stuff like this...anyways.....)

It stopped and Period #1 came about 3 weeks later. It was AS heavy - MAYBE lighter then before, but certainly nothing to write home about.

Period # 2 - same as above. I began to think it didnt work for me, as I had fibroids and your odds go down with success if you have fibroids.

Period #2 - Still as heavy - but shorter.... hmph.

Period #3 - Lighter and shorter.... heeeeey!!!

Period #4 - I cant beleive I waited this long to do this. A couple days long and lighter then I even imagined it would be. EVER!!!

Do it. I hemmed and hawwed and now wish I had done this back when my DR first mentioned it MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS ago!!

Each one keeps getting better. Im going to WDW in 18!!!!! !DAYS!!!! and Im JUST beginning a cycle and dont need to worry Ill have it then, like I used to. I would 'still be going' in 18 days, previous to this surgery.

I HTH.

 

[Poohnatic]

Had one in March '06, a Novasure. My Gyn would only perform this under general. Post op was fine, I filled my script for Vicodin, but I only took one (high pain threshold.)

The next day, I had a vein stripping, otherwise, I would have been right back to work.

According to the Novasure paperwork, 80% of women experience no more periods. I'm in the 20%, but I now experience spotting every couple of months. Only one real period to speak of, and it was nothing like what I'd experienced prior. I'm not a candidate for a hysterectomy because of clots. This was a great alternative.

PM if you've got any questions.

Suzanne

 

[CathrynRose]

According to the Novasure paperwork, 80% of women experience no more periods. .

Suzanne

You know - mine continually to taper off each month. ..... I wonder if Ill get down to none or something like you have?

How long before you got 'results' - like it finally was the same? Does that make sense? Like - how long before it was the best it was getting?

 

[Cherta]

Gotcha! I think you just talked me out of this.

That wasn't my intention, but I can see how you would feel that way after the description I gave you!

It seems to me after reading the other post that I'm the only one that had a hydroablation (simply put, the doctor literally burns off the outer layer of the uterus with scalding hot water-sorry if that was a TMI moment). I'm not sure what the Novasure procedure is, so you might have a completely different experience than I had. Talk to your doctor and ask what procedure he/she would use and what side effects you might experience. I will tell you that it was the second best thing I've ever done for myself (behind my lasik surgery) and I wouldn't hesistate doing it again or recommending the procedure (which ever one your doctor uses) to any one else!

 

[Christine]

That wasn't my intention, but I can see how you would feel that way after the description I gave you!

It seems to me after reading the other post that I'm the only one that had a hydroablation (simply put, the doctor literally burns off the outer layer of the uterus with scalding hot water-sorry if that was a TMI moment). I'm not sure what the Novasure procedure is, so you might have a completely different experience than I had. Talk to your doctor and ask what procedure he/she would use and what side effects you might experience. I will tell you that it was the second best thing I've ever done for myself (behind my lasik surgery) and I wouldn't hesistate doing it again or recommending the procedure (which ever one your doctor uses) to any one else!

My doctor uses the NovaSure procedures which uses an electric current (for about 90 seconds) to burn off the lining. Doesn't sound a lot better.

 

[CathrynRose]

That wasn't my intention, but I can see how you would feel that way after the description I gave you!

It seems to me after reading the other post that I'm the only one that had a hydroablation (simply put, the doctor literally burns off the outer layer of the uterus with scalding hot water-sorry if that was a TMI moment). I'm not sure what the Novasure procedure is, so you might have a completely different experience than I had.

The Novasure website will send you a DVD and lots of information on the procedure. So that might help a LOT - check it out.

I would be lying if I said it was a cakewalk - FOR ME - those first few days realllllly had me questioning my decision. BUT...

Looking back, I wouldnt change it AT ALL. I am AMAZED at the results, truly amazed. Bleeding during you-know-what, was a constant occurence. Having a daily or 20 days-or-so out of the month period became 'normal' for me. Do you know I would actually get concerned when I WASNT bleeding?!? Can you imagine?!?

You should really look into it a whole lot and consider it. My life is SO much easier. It's a TMI'er - but you know all those uncomfortable moments when it unexpectedly comes, or gets heavier or you have to HIGH TAIL it to the washroom....those days are gone! And its wonderful!!! And Im saving a LOT of money on feminine hygeine!

 

[Christine]

CathyrnRose,

Given you experiences, I'd be running to my GYN for this. The tough decision for me is that I have NONE of these problems. I have my period for the usual 6 days, it's very regular, no in-between bleeding, NOTHING. I have about 2 days of heaviness and clots. My issue is that I have iron deficiency anemia and they think that my period must be the cause as nothing else can be found. I'm not so sure. So, since I'm not really suffering, it's kind of hard to subject myself to the procedure.

 

[Cherta]

You should really look into it a whole lot and consider it. My life is SO much easier. It's a TMI'er - but you know all those uncomfortable moments when it unexpectedly comes, or gets heavier or you have to HIGH TAIL it to the washroom....those days are gone! And its wonderful!!! And Im saving a LOT of money on feminine hygeine!

 

[Poohnatic]

You know - mine continually to taper off each month. ..... I wonder if Ill get down to none or something like you have?

How long before you got 'results' - like it finally was the same? Does that make sense? Like - how long before it was the best it was getting?

Actually, I got just a tiniest speck of spotting the second month, which put me in heaven (I thought I'd be in that 80%). About three months later, a little more spotting, this time a bit more. Then in December, something resembling a real period-but it was three days of what used to be my lightest day before having kids.

I'll take that over having to run to the bathroom every hour or two and using double and triple protection!

there is an EZ board about ablation, but I found it after having my procedure.
It might provide the answers you're looking for. PM me if you want a link to it.


Suzanne