Endometrial Ablation

[barbszy]

My GYN is ready to schedule me for an endometrial ablation. I've done some reading about it, but would love to hear some real-life opinions about this procedure. Was it helpful? What's the recovery like?

[ajrsmom]

I've never heard of this procedure but I wanted to let you know that I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[trainlady]

Barbszy,
It's not quite the same, but since I had my hysterectomy two years ago I am not hurting at ALL anymore. I do not miss Ms. Mabel one single bit.
I was in pain every single month (from misdiagnosed endometriosis) for way, way, too many years.
I was in bed every month a minimum of one day, sometimes 2 with cramps and the backache and headache lasted all week.

I can plan activities now without having to look at my calendar. THAT is a blessing!

Whatever your doctor decides to do, I pray your pain will be gone, too.

Love ya, train

[Coll]

I had a thermal ablation, probably the same thing. Although I still get a period, it is much lighter and lasts only a dy or two.
Recovery was easy. No pain at all.

[barbszy]

Coll, the doctor said that this procedure is the one they do in 70% of cases and I am a good candidate for it.

I am scheduled for surgery Nov. 10. I will have a D&C first and then the ablation immediately following. So there will be a bit of extra recovery from the D&C, but I know what to expect with that since I had one last winter.

He told me that with the NovaSure, there is a 40% chance that I will never have any bleeding again, and a 90% chance that I will see improvement. Improvement is all I really need!

[Coll]

Did they ask you if you are done having children? you can't get pregnant as it wouldn't be good for the baby, something to do with the placenta not being able to attach properly.
I went about 6 months b/4 I had a period after mine.

[barbszy]

Coll, yes, I know that I will need to be very careful to avoid pregnancy as it can be dangerous after this procedure.

[Debbie F.]

Hey Barb! I was facing this same issue just several months ago. My doctor said I was a very good candidate for the ablation surgery as well. Now please remember, I am only sharing my decision~~not what I think you should, or should not do, ok?

I was going to have the D&C first, also. Then, he was going to do the cryo-ablation surgery. He said he believed it is better tolerated than the thermal ablation. The cryo (freezing) method is kinda new, so if you do go this route, I would definately ask about it.

Then I started talking to friends that had the ablation surgery. Out of 5 girlfriends that I talked to that had the ablation done, 4 had to have hysterectomies. Why? Because after ablation, if anything develops, hysterectomy is the only option. Because I am not an MD, I can only explain how they explained it. I used their same words to my MD. I asked him "what if things start backing up" like into my ovaries, etc. He said a hysterectomy would be the only option to resolve it.

I had to make the decision of whether I could live with a hyst or not. But DH and I decided that we have our children, and don't have plans for more...so I pulled the plug and went for the hyst so my body wouldn't have to go thru surgeries that might ultimately end up in more before I got to the total end result.

I hope this makes sense. And, I hope it isn't too much info! I just did a TON of research before I made my decision! My hyst was May 28th, and I haven't regretted it once!

I will keep you in my prayers, and please keep us posted!

[megrayau]

All the best for the surgery Barb.
My hyster was not by choice, but certain parts of life have been much easier without it!

[ajrsmom]

I'm missing you here with us, Barb!!