Novasure

[silver]

Zen mentioned this procedure in the hysterectomy thread and I'm looking into it now.

I'd love to get more info and others' personal experiences. What was your bike and "personal" downtime?

Wow. After reading all this I realize how lucky I was to get everything taken care of with the NovaSure procedure.

[Zen]

taking into account the fact you're in good physical condition you should be walking around right away. Not without pain, mind you. Even though the incision is small it still goes through muscle wall. I do recall having difficulty sitting down for a few days. i don't think I was cycling at the time but I do remember climbing out on the roof to clean gutters about four days post-surgery.

Considering your health going in, I don't think it will keep you off the bike for much more than a week

[btchance]

Actually, the novasure shouldn't require an incision - are you thinking of Laprascopic hys, Zen? With the novasure your uterus remains, but the lining is "burnt" where you should either not have periods anymore (the more common outcome) or very light ones. You usually can't get pregnant afterwards, but has rarely been known to happen. I'm not sure about down time, but I would estimate less than one week. For some people, they are done in the office without going to the hospital, but not all docs are doing this and not all patients can have it done in the office. Hopefully some other people will chime in here with their own experiences.

[Zen]

I've had the NovaSure, it's an endometrial cauterization.
Any laproscopic procedure still requires entry through the muscle wall for the optical instruments.
They didn't give me Darvon just for kicks

Mine was right around the belly button if I recall correctly. I can't even see it any more.

[btchance]

Yours was done a little differently from the ones I've seen where they do it blindly - just through the cervix (no incision at the belly button to put a camera in, although I can see why they would do it). Makes sense now.

[silver]

The way that I will have it done is WITHOUT any incision. I was confused by Zen's comment too.

I guess I'm going ahead with it. I can't seem to get any more info. Just want to get it done!!

[blueskies]

Hi Silver,

I had the Novasure uterine ablation done last spring, after years of heavy frequent periods, & have been very happy with the results.

Here's what I remember... before the procedure, my doctor did a uterine biopsy. Basically, it was like having a pap smear done, but he just nicked off a little bit of the uterus or lining. He did it right in his office, no drugs needed, during the appointment where we discussed the procedure. I can't remember what he said that he was checking for, but he said it was an important precaution.

Secondly, I do remember him saying that there are different causes of heavy periods, and that the uterine ablation worked better for some than for others. I think (and this is just my memory), that he said that it doesn't work as well if fibroids are the cause of the bleeding problems. I didn't have fibroids. He said that I was a good candidate for a good result. I just had heavy, long (7 day) unpredictable periods, often every 3 weeks. I was basically having heavy bleeding one-third of my days. Blech!

I had the procedure done in the out patient unit of a hospital, and was sedated while it was done. There was no incision. The recovery was quite easy, I think that I took one pain pill the night that it was done & that was all. I was told to stay off my bike & no vigorous exercise for 2 weeks. I was able to walk & do my regular activities the next day.

There was some discharge for several weeks, gradually lessening. Since then, I haven't had a period at all. Some months, I have a tiny bit of spotting for an hour or two. Not enough to even call a period.

It was so wonderful to be able to plan rides, trips, and now skiing, with no worries about managing an unexpected heavy period. The feeling of freedom and ease is wonderful.

OTOH, I did learn, after the fact, that the ablation placed me at risk of later developing something called "Post-ablation tubal sterilization syndrome," because I'd previously had a tubal ligation (sterilization). If you've had your tubes tied, this is something to know about. Learning about this did give me some moments of "What have I done to my poor old uterus?"

On balance, I am happy that I had it done. It improved my quality of life. Time will tell if I have to pay the piper...

[silver]

Oh, thanks for the reply. I'm trying to get all the loose ends together today to get it tomorrow. Admittedly I'm rushing, but enough already!

The only loose end now is the biopsy result which should be done by now. the nurse is trying to track it down.

I haven't had my tubes tied so hopefully that means I've escaped the syndrome.

I'm so hopeful

[silver]

Had the procedure today. no problme really except that I've teken the entire day to ge the drugs out of my system. I've slept all day and sstill feel groggy and loopy. I have had some cramping. Only thing that I've taken since I got home is some advil.

the procedure itself wasn't bad, some discomfort but not too bad.

I really hope this works.

[Blueberry]

Glad to know you made it through safely!!! Here's hoping that it works, and that you have a speedy recovery

[Zen]

It will work! I proclaim it so!
and you will think of it as one of the best medical procedures you ever had.

[IFjane]

Hi Silver,

I think (and this is just my memory), that he said that it doesn't work as well if fibroids are the cause of the bleeding problems.

It was so wonderful to be able to plan rides, trips, and now skiing, with no worries about managing an unexpected heavy period. The feeling of freedom and ease is wonderful.

Exactly! I had a deeply embedded fibroid in the wall of my uterus and that is why the procedure was probably not going to work for me. I opted for a vaginal hysterectomy. No incisions. Very, very little pain.

[TriMom217]

I'm posting this before reading all the replies, so I apologize if I'm a day late, a dollar short, or just not very helpful.

I did Nova Sure on a Wednesday last June. I did a Half Ironman the Sunday before, and a Sprint tri the Saturday after. There was no down time.

And I have not had a period since. No cramps, no monthly ANYTHING. The only regret is that I didn't do it years ago.

[Zen]

I sometimes get very minor cramps and other things associated with a monthly hormonal cycle but no periods YAY NOVASURE!

[Nokomis]

A few more questions...

It sounds like many of you don't have period related symptoms any more. Does this help reduce PMS?

The website mentioned 2 week recovery time - is that the case? If that's two weeks off the bike, it'd have to be in the off season.

What (if any) difference is there when menopause hits?

I'm looking for a solution to spotting. Periods are moderately heavy when off the pill, however even on the pill I have a mid cycle bleed; sometimes lasts half the cycle. My gyn is having me take extra estrogen to see if that helps, but isn't overly hopeful that it will resolve these issues.