About Myomectomy and Alternatives
What Is a Myomectomy? Is It the Right Fibroid Surgery for Me?
A myomectomy is a fibroid surgery where the goal is to remove uterine fibroids, and thus, the complications that arise from them. Approximately 30,000 myomectomy surgeries are performed annually. Many patients say they no longer experience fibroid symptoms. Typical recovery after abdominal myomectomy takes 4-6 weeks as compared to 6 weeks needed for a hysterectomy.
Though myomectomy and hysterectomy surgeries are similar, a myomectomy is meant to remove only the symptom-causing fibroids to preserve the uterus. Depending on how many fibroids need to be removed, your doctor will surgically reconstruct the uterus to ensure its viability long term.
When you opt for a myomectomy, your doctor will take into account the number of uterine fibroids you have, the size of each fibroid, and their location. There are three types of myomectomies.
Hysteroscopic Myomectomy — This procedure is less invasive and can be performed on an outpatient basis. But it is only appropriate for patients whose fibroids are located in the uterine cavity. Fibroids within the uterine wall cannot be removed with a hysteroscopic myomectomy. Your surgeon will use a thin, telescopic tube to access the uterine cavity before lifting the walls of the uterus to shave off the fibroids.
Laparoscopic Myomectomy — Only four tiny incisions to the abdominal area are needed to access the uterus, and recovery time is roughly four weeks with minimal scarring. A laparoscopic myomectomy is also limited in that it can only remove certain types of fibroids. Patients who have large fibroids or multiple fibroids that are embedded deep in the uterine wall will not benefit from this procedure.
Abdominal Myomectomy — This is by far the most invasive of the three myomectomy procedural options and the most common. It requires a long incision in the lower abdominal region and in the area of the uterus where the fibroids are located. Your doctor won’t be as limited with abdominal myomectomies, as they can safely remove deeply embedded fibroids as well as those that are excessively large or in large quantities. Keep in mind that removing these complicated fibroids increases a patient’s recovery time, four to six weeks, though the benefit of keeping the intact uterus remains.
Good News: Myomectomy Isn’t Your Only Option
Many women don’t realize that there are less invasive options for fibroid removal outside of a hysterectomy or myomectomy. One such option is uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), which is safer, non-surgical, and offers a faster recovery time than fibroid surgery. UFE causes fibroid tumors to shrink and allows a woman to keep her uterus.
A Non-Surgical Fibroid Treatment
This state-of-the-art procedure requires no surgery, no incision, and no vaginal access. Unlike some fibroid treatments, UFE targets all fibroids in the uterus. See why UFE is the right choice for you to become Fibroid Free and take your life back:
Patient Preferred
Uterine fibroid embolization stops blood supply to the fibroids so it is unnecessary to remove the uterus.
Minimally Invasive
While the patient given medication to feel sleepy and comfortable, UFE is done through a puncture the size of a grain of rice. It heals with almost no scarring.
Quick Recovery
The recovery time is just 7-10 days, shorter than fibroid surgery, so you can get back to work and life quickly and with less pain.
Covered by most major insurances and Medicare.
Advantages of UFE at Fibroid Institute:
• Fibroid symptoms improve dramatically, over 90% success rate.
• No hospital stay. Can be performed under local anesthesia.
• Needs no incision, making it less invasive than other treatments.
• No vaginal access. No scarring.
• Shorter recovery period, only 1 week in most cases.
• Avoids side effects of hormone therapies typically used to treat fibroids.
Are you a candidate for treating your fibroids without fibroid surgery?
A 10-minute free phone screening is all it takes to find out.
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Your Fibroid Experts
Dr. Suzann Slonim and Dr. Danny Chan are board-certified interventional radiologists, trained to perform minimally invasive procedures with x-ray guidance.
The doctors have completed more than 40,000 interventional radiology cases over the course of 30+ years, making them extremely qualified to serve patients with concierge-level care at Fibroid Institute Dallas. They are highly experienced UFE specialists at a practice that is 100% focused on fibroid issues.
Find out why so many women turn to Drs. Slonim, Chan, and the Fibroid Institute Dallas team, for non-surgical uterine fibroid treatment in Dallas/Fort Worth and all of North Texas.
“When you need treatment for your fibroids, you want a doctor you can talk to. You want someone who understands you. You want someone you can trust. We are going to take the time to explain everything, tell you all the alternatives, and answer all your questions. We’ve helped thousands of women bothered by fibroids. We are on your side.”
Esther is a board-certified nurse practitioner with specialization in vascular interventional radiology. She has been a critical care and interventional radiology nurse for most of her career.
With more than 20 years of experience as a nurse, Esther has a passion for interventions that provide relief to patients and help them regain their health. Her experience and advanced level of training make her an essential part of our UFE treatment team.
“Giving the best possible care for your fibroids is our goal. That’s why we recommend a minimally-invasive treatment, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). This entire procedure is performed through a tiny puncture. There is no vaginal access. Since normal recovery time is only 7-10 days, you can get back to your life quickly and with less pain!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few questions that come up regularly about fibroid treatment:
Do All Cases of Fibroids Require Treatment?
No. Treatment is only required in 10% to 20% of fibroid cases. Most fibroid cases don’t cause any symptoms.
How Do I Prepare for the UFE Procedure?
We will carefully explain what the instructions are before the procedure, and we’ll provide you with written instructions too.
Can This Prevent a Hysterectomy?
Yes. The UFE procedure may reduce the need for hysterectomy substantially. 1/3 of all hysterectomies in the U.S. are linked to fibroids.
What If I Feel Anxiety Before the Procedure?
A mild sedative is given an hour before the procedure to help you relax. This helps ease nerves considerably.
Can I Have UFE If I Still Want to Get Pregnant?
It is possible to have a normal pregnancy, normal delivery, and normal baby after having the procedure. However, there is a small amount of evidence that suggests a slightly higher miscarriage rate if you have a UFE. If given the option to have another treatment for your fibroids, that may be safer until further data is available about pregnancy after UFE. If a woman has been told that hysterectomy is her only treatment option, we would be happy to discuss the possibility of UFE with her.
Patient Testimonials
See and hear how UFE has improved the lives of our patients: