Perhaps you or a loved one are considering uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) to treat your fibroids. You probably want to know what your recovery will look like and when you will feel well again. It is normal to feel nervous about experiencing pain after uterine fibroid embolization. However, you can feel at ease with Fibroid Institute Dallas where we use a special pain management protocol that is second to none. You will feel minimal pain and discomfort while your recovery time will span days instead of months.
UFE Recovery Timeline
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure that Dr. Suzanne Slonim, an interventional radiologist and fibroid specialist, performs to block blood flow to the fibroids to cause them to shrink. After a UFE procedure, you will start to feel better with each passing day. Let’s look at what your recovery may look like, both short- and long-term.
Right After
After a uterine fibroid embolization procedure, you will wake up with only a small bandage over the nick on your wrist.
You may feel pressure in your pelvis during the first few hours after UFE. You may also feel as if you need to have a bowel movement right after the procedure although most women simply need to empty their bladder soon after the procedure is done. These symptoms are all a normal part of your immediate UFE recovery. If you have any cramping pain in your uterus, our team will give you medication to help control it and make sure that you are as comfortable as possible.
Since you will receive sedating medications during UFE, you will need someone to drive you home the same day as the procedure. Once at home, you can manage any pain with medicines our doctors will prescribe to you before you leave our office.
First 7 to 10 Days
We recommend you take at least a week off work to allow yourself to rest and recover.
Most women who decide to undergo uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) get back to work and their normal activities between 7 to 10 days after the procedure, which is a much shorter recovery time compared to a hysterectomy and other surgical options.
As you’re recovering from UFE, you’ll continue to feel your uterus cramp for about 5 days after the procedure. You may also feel very tired, have a low-grade fever and vaginal spotting. All of these symptoms should lessen each day.
Unless you’re not feeling well, you can get back to your normal work, exercise and daily routine after a week or two.
Long-Term
As the months go by and you’re recovering from UFE, you’ll notice that many of your uterine fibroid symptoms are disappearing or drastically getting better. After uterine fibroid embolization, more than 90% of women notice an improvement in their symptoms, such as less pelvic pain and lighter cycles.
Your first menstrual cycle may be heavier than normal. However, it will get much lighter and your menstrual symptoms will improve over time. Most importantly after a UFE, our patients report an improvement in their quality of life—a life where they have less bleeding, less back and pelvic pain, and more time to spend on the things that bring them joy.
Make an Appointment with Fibroid Institute Dallas
Dr. Suzanne Slonim at Fibroid Institute Dallas is an expert at diagnosing and treating fibroids without surgery. Our number one patient-preferred treatment option is uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment. You can read how other women have benefited from UFE here.
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 been seen by a fibroid specialist 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.
At Fibroid Institute Dallas, we are dedicated to helping you become #FibroidFree. Call us at 214-838-6440 for questions about fibroids and UFE. Get started now by completing the form below.
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Fibroid Institute Dallas serves the DFW area including Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Dallas, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Cockrell Hill, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Grand Prairie, Arlington, HEB, Fort Worth, Hutchins, Irving, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Addison, Carrollton, and all of North Texas.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.