What To Expect

One patient's day-by-day account of her embolization and recovery

ALESIA R.

Morning of the procedure.

"I was thinking I truly hope this resolves my issue.  I was nervous because I was having a procedure, not because I didn't trust Dr. McLucas and his recommendation.
"

Just after embolization.

"I felt a little groggy immediately after.  Other than this I didn't feel a thing.  I had to ask if it was over."

24 hours later.

"After being picked up from the clinic, I got home, ate a little and pretty much slept my first 24 hours.  Which was a nice change. "

The first few days.

"After a few days I began to feel cramping in my buttocks (which I was informed could happen). The cramps lasted approximately 2 weeks.  I called Dr. McLucas and he wanted to see me the next day in office.  He said everything was fine and I should take some calcium pills.  I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. I only took the prescribed Ibupofen when it was absolutely necessary."

The incision site.

"During the first few days, after showering, my band aid came off.  I looked for the incision and I placed the band aid back onto the incision (so I thought)  I went in for my check up and the nurse (Mary) asked me if I had hurt myself and I told her no, I lost the band aid in the shower and put it back on myself.  She sort of laughed and said ‘you are way off’. The incision was so small that I replaced the band aid in the wrong place."

Recovery.

"I could do almost anything I thought about doing except lifting any heavy objects (I took full advantage of this with my family!) I didn't know what normal was after suffering for so long with the fibroids.  So I would say that I was feeling great within 7-8 days and was at complete satisfaction within a month from the procedure date."

Menstruation

"My period retuned week 7 from the procedure. When my cycle started it was extremely light and lasted for about 4-5 days.  I was ecstatic. I saw an immediate change in my energy level and my confidence increased. Just knowing that I wasn't going to have a gush every time I stood up or bent over."

Sex

"I didn't have sex until after my first cycle.  Probably week 9 or 10."

Body changes

"I noticed a change almost immediately.  My stomach went down tremendously within a week. I can't really describe the feeling, but my attitude had changed and I became my old self again.  Family and friends noticed immediately also.  We went to an event and a family member pulled me to the side and asked how much weight had I lost.  Talk about an ego booster."

Best and Worst.

"The best thing about emobilization is that it is safer and less invasive than surgery.  The worst thing about emobilization is that I didn't know of Dr. McLucas sooner."