Endometrial ablation

[MyssAnne]

I get to have this. I am just so excited. Yay.  My neph nurse has already told me I have to have vancomycin beforehand, as well as make sure I am well drained before the procedure. I see the gyno next Tuesday to set this up. My question: what IS the recovery time? I was gonna shoot for Friday morning, so I could have all weekend to recover. Is that practical?  Any suggestions before undergoing this lovely lovely procedure?






EDITED: Moved to proper section - Sluff/Admin

[Romona]

I had this done last May. My doc had told me before hand that I probably wouldn't need pain pills the next day. He was right. I was off of work for a week, but felt great. It isn't bad at all. I have had very little spotting or discharges of any kind since I have had it done. Hopefully you will have similiar sucess. I think you will be pleased. 

[IrishGirl]

MyssAnne,

I had one ! It was the best thing EVER ! It was quick and easy and almost like a D and C. I had some minor cramping later in the evening but I had it on a Friday and felt tired and punky on Saturday but Sunday I felt almost normal again.  It was just a quick minor deal.....now keep in mind my PKD is still in the pending stages so as far as I know, I do not presently have kidney disease so your situation may be a bit different. Its usually a general anesthesia with breathing gas but its fairly brief. The recovery should be pretty easy. You may have minor cramping afterwards and a bit of drainage but nothing major. Enjoy it. I dont know your health history but this is the greatest procedure ever in my opinion !! Now I am just thrilled with it. IrishGirl

[MyssAnne]

That IS reassuring!  I'm on the cycler and my nurse told me to plan on draning myself before hand to make it easier to get in and out, so to speak.  She also told me I would have to be on vancomyacin before hand, but didn't say just how much beforehand. I was thinking of having it on a Friday so I'd have the weekend to recuperate and hopefully get back to work by Monday morning!

[skyedogrocks]

Ok, silly question.  What is this procedure? 

[mysty]

Ok, silly question.  What is this procedure? 

*scratches head too*

[petey]

My friend had to have this procedure about a month ago.  She had it done on a Wednesday (out-patient, a couple of hours and then home) and then took off from work on Thurs. and Fri.  However, she was really able to go back to work on Fri., but she took the extra day off anyway!  She had some cramping, but nothing like what she was having before she had it done.  She got a precription filled for the pain meds, but only took one on Wed. night.  Hope it goes as well for you!

[IrishGirl]

An Endometrial Ablation is the next best thing to a Hysterectomy. Your legs go in stirrups and the surgeon basically charbroils the inner lining of the uterus. They can use a rollerball type instrument they just run back and forth on the lining and it sort of seals over the lining and closes it up a bit, erasing all the blood vessels. Or they can use an instillation of liquid that will do the same thing. Women have it done to avoid going through the monthly cycles in which you can really lose a lot of blood....and its quick and easy, takes about a half hour....and the recovery is swift and essentially nothing much. So, for someone not super healthy, and not wanting major surgery, this is a great way to conserve your system, get rid of that cycle nonsense and really frees up your life that week every month. After and ablation you dont have periods. How cool it is!

[jbeany]

My doc warned that it's not a permanent solution for everyone, so you may eventually start getting the periods back and have to repeat.  That was my next option if the Mirena I've got now didn't work.  (Which it did, thankfully!)

I read in a magazine the other day that they now have a new option - something done with radio waves instead of the heat.  Generally no discomfort at all, and it works even better than the old version. 

[Jill D.]

I had it done about 7 years ago when I had my tubes tied...so I can't say much about recovery but I will say the results were awesome for about 4 years until my kidney function decreased so much that I hardly ever had a period! Since my transplant it's bad again, but I think I am moving into a whole new "phase" of my life! Can you imagine men having to put up with this crap?  

[mysty]

Charbroiled?  Does he call out -- Fire in the..

I think I'm done.. it just basically stopped.. now instead of that.. I got the *Holy Fire pits its hot!*.. and
those sneak up on you just like that. *snaps fingers*.. and I hate them..

[IrishGirl]

Mysty,

Oh that was hilarious. I am still laughing! No, they generally dont yell out "Fire in the ----" but it sure
made me chuckle. Its just our pet way of referring to it, since they are cauterizing it, or using heat or electricity to banish the vessels...they sort of just dissolve. In time you do make new ones. I enjoyed being charbroiled and slept thru the whole thing. Felt great after and got part of my life back. If you do it in your late 30's or ealry 40's it will get you through until your going through the change and you are all set. Perfect solution.

[aharris2]

Charbroiled?  Does he call out -- Fire in the..

      

Alene

[KT0930]

Charbroiled?  Does he call out -- Fire in the..

I was answering a question for my son as I read this and about burst out...he wanted to know what was so funny. 

[mysty]

I'll be honest..I had a small something or other burned off down *there*...
My gyno froze the area and did whatever he does..
As he was.. I looked down and saw smoke coming up from between my legs..
I said.. hey Doc.. hello.. smoke ......Smoke ....Doc......SMOOOKKKKEEE damiit what are you doing?!!..

He peaks up with the mask on, looks at me from between my legs and said.. 

"FIRE IN THE ...."  and I'm there up on my elbows crying out to him WTF!!!! are you doing???

Well the nurse busted out.. he just rolled back in that little rolly chair and couldnt stop laughing..

Me.. ??  I was beet red thinking *Holy Crap he's cutting off something I might need!!!*

So.. yes.. charbroiled kinda brought back some memories..
Glad you all enjoyed..

Obviously there are no    (thank goodness!)

[MiSSis]

Having an endometrial ablation was one of the best things I've ever had done in my life.  I had the balloon procedure where, after insertion, they filled it with a hot liquid solution which in effect, cauterized the area.  I did have to have the procedure done a second time about 2 years later since I had some bleeding reoccur but both times it was so easy.  A little anesthesia so you don't know what's happening and a little pain killer afterwards (I may have only used Tylenol ... I really don't remember it's been so long) and back to work after the weekend.  I've had healthy girlfriends ask how they can get their doctors to do the procedure on them.  After you've had all the kids you want, who needs periods anymore?  They just become a painful nuisance.

[charee]

My doc warned that it's not a permanent solution for everyone, so you may eventually start getting the periods back and have to repeat.  That was my next option if the Mirena I've got now didn't work.  (Which it did, thankfully!)

I read in a magazine the other day that they now have a new option - something done with radio waves instead of the heat.  Generally no discomfort at all, and it works even better than the old version. 

hey jbeany i have just had a mirena put in 2 weeks ago how long did you spot for and has it stopped your periods ? thanks

[jbeany]

check your PM box, charee - I sent you a long message of girl talk about it!

[charee]

thanks

[MyssAnne]

Just got back from the drs office. I go to the hospital to have it done, and to have pellets inserted to block the fallopian tubes. Nice!
That won't be til the 30th, and I can plan to be off work at least 3 days. That's HER estimate!  I'm relieved something's gonna happen.
I won't have the fire though. Darn it. I'll have the electrical energy....whoo!!!!

[NolaGail]

I am reading this thread at work, and I almost started laughing out loud.  Now how would I explain that?!?!?!
 
I hope things go well for you, and the desired outcome is exactly that!

NolaGail

[MyssAnne]

That WOULD be a very difficult question to answer...especially if it's your (male) boss!!!
I sent out an email after I got back with details...he was the ONLY male well, other than my fiancee,
to get this email!!! You KNOW he has to hear some awfully embarassing stuff!! 

But yeah, we have some really nutty ladies here in this forum, I find myself laughing out loud
too!

[Deanne]

Might this be a treatment for endometriosis? I've been on progesterone for several years to stop my periods because they make me so sick every month, but my gyn said I need to consider discontinuing it because a bone scan shows osteoporosis. I'll see my gyn at the end of April and want to talk about other options. Is this one I should ask her about?

[IrishGirl]

Yes, absolutely. If your gyn does not perform this particular procedure, ask for a recommended surgeon who can do it. Its not for everyone, but it certainly can't hurt to check it out! I believe we did perform this on patients with endometriosis. As long as you are done having children.

[MyssAnne]

Deanne, this is for fibroids. I had a really bad bout of bleeding about 2 months ago, I ended up with
a weekend stay in the hospital, and 4 units of blood. Can we say bored to tears?  We decided
this was the safest way to go for me, nothing invassive, that would hurt the peritoneal sac
or get any nicks. She IS gonna put me under though, it's outpatient, and I will be off work for
at least 3 days. My gyno is doing it, I trust her. More importantly, I Like her. And her staff.