The Two Part Uterine Fibroid Technique
How I found a way to keep my uterus and quickly get back to my daily life 

By: Hope Waltman

Authors’s Note:  Early in November 2008 I came upon a medical case that I felt other women and family members needed to hear about.  To find out why this medical case required two separate treatments I interviewed the patient and Dr. John George (gynecologist that performed the Laparoscopic Myomectomy).  To protect the patient’s identity I will be using the name Susan throughout this article.

Susan’s Experience 

Most women view the yearly trip to the gynecologist as a normal routine visit.  In Susan’s case she ended up seeing it a little differently.

 “My gynecologist told me about five years ago, during a routine exam, that she felt fibroids on my uterus.  She said they were about the size of peas.  I was not aware of them before that particular exam.  They weren't causing me any problems so there was no need to do anything about them at that time.  However, about two years ago, I started to feel a lump on my pelvic area.  The lump continued to grow.  By the time I had the surgeries, I had a huge unsightly bulge the size of an 18-20 week pregnancy,” says Susan.
 

After you were diagnosed with uterine fibroids what was the next step?

“My doctor DID NOT give me any option other than a hysterectomy.  She aggressively pushed this option to me.  She even became angry when I would not go along with her "suggestion".  That was totally unacceptable to me. Of course, I did not go back to her for a very long time.  My fibroids kept growing so I finally went back and told her that I had heard about the UFE option and I wanted a referral.  She finally relented and gave me a referral,” said Susan.     

Many times women think the different body changes are age related.  What symptoms should women recognize as being something that needs to be addressed?

“Heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, severe anemia, and urinary incontinence.  I sought treatment because I couldn't continue to live like that anymore.  The symptoms were continually getting worse,” explains Susan.

At first the diagnosis can be overwhelming.  Since your doctor didn’t give you treatment options information how did you find out about uterine fibroid embolization (UFE)?

“I wanted a treatment that was minimally invasive.  I did the research and UFE seemed like a good option for me,” Susan said.
 

In this particular case Susan also decided on the laparoscopic procedure one week after the UFE.  Is this how a fibroid case is usually handled?

“As you know, not everyone is a suitable candidate for UFE.  The largest fibroid would not have been suitable for UFE because of its location.  I was told that a number of patients were having the two-part procedure.  I wanted to avoid an abdominal myomectomy or a hysterectomy at all costs so I decided to do the two-part procedure.

Hopefully, the fibroids will not return.  I do not want to go through this again anytime soon,” said Susan  

How does a patient prepare mentally and physically for the two separate procedures?

“No special preparation.  Other than the fibroids, I’m pretty healthy overall.  I exercise, eat right, and keep my weight down.  I knew that I had the stamina to withstand both procedures,” Susan says.

Sometimes women can experience a small discomfort after a procedure. What was the pain level like for each of these procedures?

”I did not experience any pain at all immediately after the UFE.  I didn't feel anything.  It was almost like it didn't happen.  I felt a lot of pain and discomfort for about five days after the laparoscopic myomectomy.  The pain decreased each day after the surgery as I gradually regained my strength.  I was having some lower back pain at one time.  I wasn't sure if that was from the UFE or myomectomy,” said Susan.

The two medical procedures were performed in a short timeframe.  How would you describe your recovery period?
 

“Overall, I have recovered quickly I believe.  I'm not 100% back up to speed on everything but I'm getting stronger day by day.  I would say that I'm 85% recovered three weeks after UFE and 2 weeks after laparoscopic myomectomy,” says Susan.

  
Most women learn a lot by sharing their fibroid experiences with each other.  Do you have any comment that you might want to share with women who are holding off from getting medical help because they are afraid or they think hysterectomy is the only treatment?

”I just encourage any woman to research available options on her own.  Take control of your own body and your own health!” Susan said.

Continue to Dr. George's comments and uterine fibroids surgery photos

Return to Top of Page