Uterine Fibroid Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, Benefits and Side Effects

Uterine fibroid surgery is, in the simplest terms, a surgical procedure which is performed to remove uterine fibroids from the uterus. These fibroids are usually benign or non-cancerous tumors of the uterus. They're like little cushions or wads of tissue that can simply exist on the wall of the uterus.

Some women don't even know or realize that they have them. On the other hand, fibroids can also be troublesome for a lot of women, which is why it is often deemed a good idea to have them operated on and removed.

It must be noted that you may not require any treatment or, for that matter, surgery if your fibroids don't cause any harm or damage to your overall health. However, surgery becomes indispensable if your fibroids tend to cause:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Pain or pressure in the lower belly
• Bleeding between periods
• Trouble emptying the bladder
• Abnormally frequent urination

This surgery, which is also known as uterine fibroid embolization, is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to remove uterine fibroids. It is essentially performed in a way that the uterus is not affected and can still be used for childbirth. Apart from that, you should also know that myomectomy is one of the most common gynecological surgeries performed in the world.

To understand it better, you must keep in mind that myomectomy can be an option for you if you like to have children in the future or in case you want to keep your uterus for other reasons. When a woman undergoes a myomectomy, the fibroids do not usually grow back after the surgery.

However, according to the most recent research and studies, at least 33% of women who have had this surgery will require a repeat procedure within the next five years due to the development of new fibroids.

It is a medical procedure that basically destroys fibroids with the help of either an electric current, cold therapy, a laser, or ultrasound. It usually requires a very small incision. When you're in a lot of pain and nothing else is working, your doctor may suggest this treatment to relieve you.

Radiofrequency ablation can also help prevent heavy bleeding from fibroids or even make bleeding less likely. You may have this treatment for a single fibroid or for several. Either way, you can be in and out of the surgery in just a few hours.

In other words, radiofrequency ablation is a kind of non-surgical procedure to destroy uterine fibroids. The procedure has recently become a popular option among women who need to treat fibroids with a minimally invasive procedure.

However, it is not deemed a good option for women who are by any chance planning to get pregnant in the future. This is because the waves used to destroy fibroids in this procedure can also cause scarring and infection in the uterus, which can make it difficult or even dangerous for a woman to conceive in the future.

An endometrial ablation is a medical procedure that is carried out by a medical professional to shrink the lining of the uterus, also known as the endometrium. This lining of the uterus sheds during menstruation, and if it is too thick, it can lead to heavy bleeding and cramps.

This procedure can basically help reduce the thickness of the lining of the uterus, so a woman will experience less bleeding. It is a minimally invasive procedure that does not eliminate fibroids, but it can predominantly help relieve heavy bleeding.

During an endometrial ablation, the healthcare provider may use a number of techniques—which usually include heat, freezing, electric current, lasers, or wire—to destroy the lining of the uterus. Furthermore, just like radiofrequency ablation, this option may also not be ideal for women who are looking forward to getting pregnant.

It is a medical procedure performed on patients suffering from chronic uterine fibroids. This procedure involves getting access to the uterine artery for the purpose of inserting material that gets lodged in the artery to prevent the blood flow of the fibroid, thereby causing the fibroid to shrink.

The procedure of fibroid or artery embolization is often performed as an outpatient, and the recovery is usually straightforward and instant. You should also note that your uterine fibroids do not usually grow back after this procedure.

MRgFUS is a relatively new procedure that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and focused ultrasound (FUS) to treat uterine fibroids. This non-invasive procedure basically involves a doctor using an ultrasound in order to heat and destroy your fibroids. MRgFUS is usually done in an outpatient setting, does not require any incisions, and is thought to cause fewer side effects than other traditional treatments.

A magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, scan will be carried out by your doctor to determine whether MRgFUS is suitable for MRgFUS. It may not be recommended for you if you have fibroids that are too large in size or if they are in close proximity to any bones or the bowel.

Furthermore, the best thing about MRgFUS is that this non-invasive procedure does not cause any kind of damage to the uterus like other surgical procedures. In fact, it keeps the uterus intact and is deemed a great option for women who are planning future pregnancies.

A hysterectomy is usually performed to remove the fibroids of the uterus, the enlarged womb, and to stop excessive bleeding. In most cases, a hysterectomy is considered a treatment of last resort. It is usually carried out on a patient when their fibroids are large, causing heavy and long-lasting bleeding and interfering with their quality of life.

In other words, a hysterectomy is a surgery that is basically performed to remove the uterus and, at times, even the ovaries. This surgery eliminates uterine fibroids on a permanent basis.

For certain medical reasons, this surgery may become necessary for some patients. However, a hysterectomy is not an advisable option for women who want to have kids in the future, as it is a permanent removal of the womb.

It refers to a surgical procedure that is used to remove uterine fibroids with the help of surgical tools. This traditional procedure requires the surgeon to make an incision, remove the fibroid, and then stitch the uterus back together. It is believed that morcellation can potentially lead to complications because of scarring and adhesion, and it might also require a hysterectomy.

This invasive procedure involves the cutting of uterine fibroids into small pieces by inserting a specific surgical device into the uterus and applying a vibration to the blade to break the fibroids into smaller pieces. However, the use of morcellation during myomectomy may increase the risk of spreading cancer to other parts of the body.

Fortunately, there are several ways through which the mentioned risk can be mitigated. These ways include evaluating all risk factors prior to the surgery, expanding the incision, or morcellating the fibroid in a bag.

Moreover, if you are planning to go for this surgical procedure, you must keep in mind to opt for a gynecologist or surgeon who is highly skilled and experienced, like the doctors at Pristyn Care.

• Fibroid uterine surgery can relieve bothersome symptoms such as heavy bleeding and abdominal cramps
• This surgery can be a permanent solution to uterine fibroids and the symptoms pertaining to them
• It may prevent uterine fibroids from returning or growing back
• It can improve your quality of life by doing away with painful symptoms

Fibroids are usually benign or non-malignant growths, somewhat like tumors, in the uterus, often called the womb. Fibroids commonly occur in between childbearing years. They are essentially caused when the muscle wall in the uterus thickens.

When the occurrence of fibroids is beyond normal and clumps together, it is then known as uterine leiomyomas or fibroids. The uterine fibroid symptoms are not always very apparent. Therefore, it may be hard to detect them at the onset.

In other words, uterine fibroids are usually non-cancerous tumors that can live inside the uterine wall or grow on or within it. Giant fibroids or submucosal fibroids are often seen as the most dangerous of all uterine fibroids since they grow deep inside the wall of the uterus. They are commonly seen as the causes of heavy menstruation and anemia, and can affect fertility as well.

If these fibroids are big enough and they press on the bladder, they can cause a number of symptoms, including frequent urination, blood in the urine, pain, and discomfort. Moreover, uterine fibroid surgery becomes indispensable or essential in cases where these symptoms are not mitigated by any nonsurgical treatments or remedies.

Uterine fibroid surgery does have a degree of risk involved since it is not a minor procedure. One of the risks associated with this surgery is excessive blood loss.

It must be noted that women suffering from uterine leiomyomas already have low blood counts, or anemia. This is owing to incessant and heavy menstrual bleeding. So, they are generally at a higher risk of facing serious issues due to excessive blood loss.

Moreover, some other risks linked with uterine fibroid surgery are as follows:

• Pain
• Infections
• Regrowth of fibroids
• Unsuccessful surgery
• The need to repeat the procedure
• Damage to other surrounding organs (such as the bowel or bladder)
• Urinary issues
• Fertility issues
• Pregnancy complications
• A rare chance of spreading cancer
• There is a slim chance that the patient will require a hysterectomy

• Keep in mind to ask your doctor whether you can take any vitamins or herbal sports drinks, especially if you are already consuming any of them. This is actually because there are certain vitamins, herbs, etc. that can potentially cause excessive bleeding during the procedure.
• Some other dos and don'ts that you must keep in mind prior to undergoing uterine fibroid surgery are as follows:
• You should get a sports bottle for yourself, which must have a flexible straw to hold fluids and ice
• Vacuum and/or clean the floors of your house before the procedure is carried out, as you may have certain (temporary) post-surgery restrictions
• Try purchasing a couple of magazines, some playing cards, or anything that you like to spend your post-surgery time with.
• Your clothes and bed linens should be clean before you go for the surgery
• Get some new (inexpensive) oversized underwear for yourself as your regular size can cause discomfort around your incision area
• Take off all your jewelry before you leave your house for the hospital
• Avoid wearing contact lenses, and instead wear glasses (if you have to)

The uterine fibroid surgery procedure involves a surgeon inserting a small, lighted instrument through the patient's vagina and cervix into the uterus. This instrument, called a hysteroscope , has a camera attached to it. This camera sends an image of your uterus to a video monitor.

Then the surgeon guides the hysteroscope and other instruments through the patient's cervix into the uterus. Once the instrument gets inside the uterus, the surgeon removes the uterine fibroids and closes the uterus.The doctor usually aims to remove the fibroids without having to make a large incision in the patient's body or cause other damage. Moreover, you must keep in mind to have the procedure carried out by a skilled and experienced doctor or surgeon, such as those available at Pristyn Care.

• If you are planning to undergo uterine fibroid treatment surgery, it is important that you make a list of any symptoms that you're experiencing. This is because it might be necessary for your doctor to know it or they might ask about the same.
• Apart from this, some other things that you must keep in mind before the surgery include:
• Make a list of any medications, herbs, or vitamin supplements that you consume and show it to your doctor
• If possible, ask a close friend or family member to come with you to the hospital
• Prepare a list of questions that you may have for your doctor
• Be calm, confident, and positive

• Uterine fibroid surgery is an invasive procedure to remove the abnormal growth, or fibroids. During the procedure, doctors will try to prevent excessive bleeding as much as possible.
• However, the patient may still experience some bleeding, which is usually not something to be worried about or a cause for concern. Make sure that you are relaxed and positive and have faith that the surgery will be a success, which it usually is.

• Each day following the uterine fibroid surgery, the patient can expect to feel better and stronger. However, they may feel easily fatigued and need pain medicine for a week or two after the surgery.
• It must be noted that a woman who has undergone uterine fibroid surgery may need at least four to six weeks to fully recover. The doctor will also advise the treated woman not to lift anything heavy while she is still recovering.

The cost of this surgery (in India) depends largely on the treatment method. See the list given below:

The cost of uterine fibroid embolization ranges between Rs. 2,10,000 and Rs. 2,60,000

The cost of radiofrequency ablation ranges between Rs. 1,26,000 and Rs. 2,60,000

The cost of laparoscopic myomectomy ranges between Rs. 1,85,000 and Rs. 2,97,000

The cost of laparoscopic hysterectomy ranges between Rs. 1,00,000 and Rs. 1,50,000

The cost of hysteroscopic myomectomy ranges between Rs. 55,750 and Rs. 2,60,000

The cost of endometrial ablation ranges between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 5,00,000

The cost of abdominal myomectomy ranges between Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 2,10,000

The cost of hysterectomy ranges between Rs. 1,00,000 and Rs. 2,50,000

• Keep away from lifting, pushing, or pulling any kind of heavy object for a few weeks after the surgery
• Keep in mind that you should not resume sexual intercourse without consulting with your doctor
• Complete recovery or internal healing can take around four to six weeks, so be patient
• Take good care of yourself
• Eat only healthy and nutritious foods as recommended by your doctor
• Sleeping aids in the healing process, so get adequate sleep
• Do not stress or exhaust yourself for a few weeks after the surgery
• Wear loose and comfortable clothes
• Try spending most of your time doing fun or entertaining things
• Be positive and find reasons to smile more often

After undergoing uterine fibroid surgery, most doctors recommend that you take it to a normal diet and eat bland or low-fat foods. However, if your stomach remains upset, it is recommended that you start out slowly with lighter and smaller meals that are easy on the stomach.

You can eat low-fat foods such as plain rice, toast, yogurt, broiled chicken, etc. Apart from that, it is important to keep your body hydrated for a speedy recovery from uterine fibroid surgery. So, drink plenty of water or other healthy fluids.

Like any other operation or surgical procedure, uterine fibroid surgery also has some risks associated with it, though they are rare. You should also keep in mind that the chances of these risks can be greatly reduced by choosing expert doctors and surgeons. You can certainly find such skilled and expert doctors at Pristyn Care.You must take into consideration the following risks before you decide to undergo this invasive surgical procedure:

• Damage to internal organs
• Excessive bleeding
• Pregnancy issues
• Infertility
• Need for another surgery (rare)
• Risk of spreading cancer (very rare)

When you undergo uterine fibroid surgery, the surgeon makes a cut, or incision, in the lower part of your belly in order to remove the fibroids. As the procedure is successfully carried out, you can expect to get better and stronger with each passing day.

However, you may feel tired quickly or easily and need pain-relieving medicines for the next few weeks.

You may start to feel better and stronger with each passing day after the surgery. However, the recovery time may vary in different patients. What you must not fail to do is to take good care of your overall health and be positive as well as patient.

Furthermore, as already mentioned, you may need around four to six weeks to fully recover from this surgical procedure.

• Pain and discomfort
• Excessive bleeding
• Infection
• The need to repeat the surgical procedure
• Damage to surrounding organs
• Urinary or bowel issues
• Infertility
• Pregnancy complications
• Need for a hysterectomy (rare)

Most women start to feel better within the very first week following their uterine fibroid surgery. However, you need to take good care of your overall health. The following are some points that you must keep in mind for the next few weeks after undergoing uterine fibroids surgery:

• Do not lift, pull, or push any heavy objects
• Do not have sex until your doctor allows it
• Keep away from any kind of exertion
• Take no stress
• Eat nutritious and healthy foods
• Sleep well
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Try being happy and positive
• Have patience and give time to the recovery process

You must know that uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are the most common benign or non-malignant tumors in women over 35. They are also one of the most common causes of painful or heavy periods, pelvic pain, and infertility.

These tumors are usually non-cancerous, but they can still cause a great deal of distress, pain, and discomfort. If you are experiencing these symptoms and are looking for relief, uterine fibroid surgery may be a good option.

Furthermore, if you would like to learn more about uterine fibroid surgery or are interested in scheduling a consultation, please feel free to contact us at any time!