We May Be Different, But We Can All Be Fibroid Free!
At Fibroid Institute Texas, we love the diversity of our patients. Some are tall; some are short. Some are single; some are in relationships. Some have no children; some are mothers and grandmothers. They come from all different ethnicities and backgrounds. But the one thing all our patients have in common is that they suffered from life-altering uterine fibroid symptoms. They then learned about options for non-surgical fibroid treatment from friends, doctors, and online research. Our patients rely on Fibroid Institute to perform the uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) procedure and become #FibroidFree.
For July’s Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month, an important initiative to focus on this highly underfunded and under-discussed condition, three patients have come forward to share their experience. Who do you relate to most?
Nancy’s Story: Heavy Bleeding, a Common Fibroid Symptom
Nancy experienced fibroid symptoms for over 5 years before learning about Fibroid Institute. Her cycles were very painful. She suffered from painful cramps, headaches, back pain and heavy bleeding. Plus, she had urinary frequency and felt drained during her periods. Over time, the symptoms got worse and worse.
Nancy’s Fibroid Symptoms
Nancy was ready to find fibroid treatment without having to get a hysterectomy. She learned about uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) and Fibroid Institute by searching online. She decided to have UFE performed by one of our experienced fibroid doctors.
About Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
UFE (uterine fibroid embolization) is a revolutionary fibroid treatment that relieves fibroid symptoms without having to go through an invasive surgery and lengthy recovery time. Performed by an interventional radiologist, small particles are injected through a tiny catheter at the wrist using image-guided interventional radiology. The particles are introduced through the uterine arteries into the fibroid vessels, blocking the blood flow to the fibroids. By cutting off blood flow to all fibroids, the fibroids shrink and die. The procedure will last about one hour, and you will be asleep for the procedure. You can resume light activities as soon as you feel up to it.
Advantages of UFE at Fibroid Institute include:
- >90% improvement in fibroid symptoms
- No hospital stay
- Recovery time only 7-10 days
- No abdominal (belly) incision
- Tiny wrist puncture
- No blood loss or scarring
- Treat multiple fibroids at once
- Uterus is spared
- Covered by most medical insurance
A little less than 6 months after her UFE, Nancy is doing great. “It’s gone, all my symptoms are gone. It is a significant improvement from before, a very amazing difference.” Plus, she raved about the care she received from Fibroid Institute. The team was professional, quick to respond to questions and appointment requests, and she always felt welcome.
Nancy has concise advice for other women wondering what to do about fibroid treatment, “Book your appointment, come get checked, and do it.”
Robbie’s Story: She Did Not Want Fibroid Surgery
Robbie recently turned 50. But over the past few years, Robbie’s fibroids continued to grow, and her symptoms got worse. She suffered from pelvic pain and pressure both during and between cycles, long and heavy periods, and urinary frequency and urgency. She was also passing blood clots during her cycle.
Robbie’s Fibroid Symptoms
However, Robbie didn’t want fibroid surgery because she didn’t want a hysterectomy and she didn’t want to lose her uterus. Her gynecologist referred her to Fibroid Institute Dallas. Robbie’s doctor only refers patients to Fibroid Institute for UFE because of the patient care and pain management developed by the practice.
Robbie read online that recovery can be painful while the fibroids shrink and die and was a little nervous about post procedure pain. She is a self-professed “wuss” when it comes to pain. But she trusted the doctors at Fibroid Institute and decided to have the UFE procedure.
Benefits of Fibroid Treatment Recovery at Fibroid Institute
When compared to the recovery associated with invasive fibroid surgery such as myomectomy and hysterectomy, patients report an easier, faster experience after UFE. There is no hospital stay, and your ovaries and uterus remain untouched. As a result, patients go home the same day and typically recover within five to seven days. During recovery, patients may experience some cramping, nausea, low grade fever, and/or vaginal spotting or discharge. These are normal side effects, and prescribed medications should help manage the symptoms. Menstrual cycles may be heavier than normal at first but will get lighter and lighter over time.
From a pain standpoint, Dr. Suzanne Slonim, founder and medical director of Fibroid Institute, developed a highly specific pain management protocol that is used in the practice by all doctors and medical staff. As a result, patients report little to no pain when they follow our fibroid experts’ directions. Patients enjoy a high-touch concierge experience during their recovery, including their doctor’s personal cell phone number. Because of this focus on patient care, some patients travel from out of state just to get fibroid treatment at Fibroid Institute.
After her procedure, Robbie went home and slept for almost the entire day. The pain protocol worked well for her, adding that Fibroid Institute “did an amazing job with the pain management regimen!” After only one week, Robbie was back at the practice for a follow up visit. She was starting to feel much better.
When asked if she would do it again, she replied with a resounding “YES!” Robbie is hopeful for her fibroids to continue to shrink, and her fibroid symptoms to continue to improve over time.
Val’s Story: Her Fibroid Symptoms Were Normalized
Lastly, we introduce Val, who normalized her fibroid symptoms for many years. Like many women, Val believed that she had to live with debilitating fibroid symptoms, that it was a regular part of having her menstrual cycle. And, unfortunately, Val lived with some extreme fibroid symptoms. Not only did she experience painful cramping and fatigue, but her bleeding got so heavy that it caused profound anemia. She would get dizzy, have minimal energy, and have to go to the hospital or medical center for blood transfusions and iron transfusions. Her doctor prescribed a daily low dose hormone pill to help control the bleeding, which Val took first thing every morning.
Val’s Fibroid Symptoms
After years of suffering, Val learned that her fibroid symptoms were not normal, and it was time to pursue fibroid treatment. At first, she opted for a myomectomy, but the fibroid surgery could not be completed due to previous scar tissue. Val was determined not to have a hysterectomy, and she kept asking her doctors for other fibroid treatment options.
Black Women Have a Higher Risk of Fibroids
Black women have a higher risk of developing uterine fibroids and they develop fibroids at a younger age than other women. They also experience more severe symptoms, like the heavy bleeding and anemia Val experienced.
According to the Black Women’s Health Imperative, the rate of hospitalization for fibroids is three times higher for Black women than white women. They are also two to three times more likely to undergo a hysterectomy and seven times more likely to have a myomectomy. In these surgeries, complications and blood transfusions are more common than in white women.
Finally, Val was referred to Fibroid Institute. She learned about UFE and was amazed by the technology of the procedure. “It was hard to believe something could actually go through your wrist and go to your vagina area and take care of something in the uterus. It was shocking. Kind of like self-parking and driving cars.” Once she decided to have the procedure, Val was also blown away by the care she received from Fibroid Institute. “The care was wonderful. It was like doctors back in the 60s when they made house calls. I had a personal cell number of my doctor. Someone cares about my health.”
Once the procedure was completed, Val went home and followed the chart for pain medications. On the first day she felt ready to cook for her son and go back to work, but she followed the doctor’s orders to rest. After recovery, she feels she has a new lease on life. She has more energy than she has had in years. There are no more pills, no more transfusions, and her uterus is intact.
Val wants to tell every woman suffering from fibroid symptoms to consider UFE. “It was easy and it wasn’t surgery, but rather, a procedure. Do your research and get a second opinion if your doctor is trying to push you to get a hysterectomy.” She also highly recommends Fibroid Institute, saying “Don’t settle for second best! They truly care. They are passionate about their jobs and what they do.”
Three Women with Fibroid Symptoms. Three Stories of Fibroid Treatment.
Nancy, Robbie, and Val are unique individuals with their own stories. They lived with different fibroid symptoms and learned their treatment options through different means. However, the commonality is that they suffered from fibroids and sought out a fibroid treatment without surgery. They advocated for their health. They chose UFE, depending on the fibroid specialists and experienced team at Fibroid Institute. All three women, and thousands of women with their own stories, have become Fibroid Free! We’d love to hear your story, too.
Are you looking for an effective fibroid treatment without surgery? Do you want to stop suffering from debilitating fibroid symptoms? Knowing everything you possibly can about fibroids and treatment will go a long way in helping guide you down the best path for you.
Medical Director and Founder of Fibroid Institute, Dr. Suzanne Slonim, endorses uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment. Our fibroid specialists in North Texas at Fibroid Institute Dallas and South Texas at Fibroid Institute Houston have helped thousands of women treat fibroids symptoms with UFE.
State-of-the-art equipment at our Fibroid Institute Dallas North office offers availability of onsite ultrasound and MRI imaging, allowing for a much more efficient evaluation of each patient’s candidacy for UFE. A patient can have her MRI and be seen immediately afterward, even possibly get scheduled during the same visit for her UFE, depending on insurance. Most major medical insurance providers cover the cost of UFE.
Need more information? Have questions? At Fibroid Institute, our team is dedicated to helping women become #FibroidFree. Schedule a consultation by completing the form below or by calling our Dallas fibroid clinics at 214-838-6441 or Houston fibroid clinics at 713-903-3733. In-office and telehealth appointments are available.
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This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
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