First period post endometrial resection/ablation - what was it like?

[TrionicLettuce]

I had an endometrial resection last Monday to treat horrendously heavy periods. My recovery has been a breeze, hardly any cramping and only a tiny bit of spotting for the first couple of days.

For the past couple of days I've had some slightly stronger cramps, I presumed it was still part of the recovering but it turned out to be my usual pre-period cramps. My period itself arrived in a flood earlier today, thankfully I was at home as it was bad enough that I had to hop into the bath to clean myself up

The bleeding has settled down now and it is lighter than my periods were before (plus the pain is substantially less which is great!) but it's still not the dramatic reduction I was hoping for. I was told that the benefits should be pretty immediate but I'm desperately clinging to the hope that this is just a blip because it's so soon after the surgery.

I know if it hasn't worked well enough they can just do it again and in all likelihood that will sort things but I had to fight for years just to get this far and I'm so bloody gutted that this still might not be the end of it all.

I know there's plenty of MNers that have had ablations or resections, what were your first periods like? Has anyone had something similar and had them settle down or stop altogether after the first one?

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

I never had a period after my ablation and it's been a couple of years. I did have a fair bit of post op watery stuff though. I can totally understand how frustrating this must be for you right now. Hopefully it's just everything clearing out properly after surgery.

[mumof2kiddos]

I had a resection on 24th March 2016 due to horrendously heavy and long periods arising from a submucosal fibroid. I had a not-too-bad recovery and was told that my periods will get better and better ( but may not be immediately).
My 1st period was very heavy but thankfully no clots that time. Went for 2 weeks including spotting and discharge at the final few days. Cramps were bad though!
Then 2 weeks of total bliss...no periods no discharge no cramps....I was feeling absolutely fantastic.
Then my 2nd period started! And it was THE PERIOD FROM HELL! With fist size clots and horrendous bleed and cramping for 10 days I was just wiped out. Then went on bleeding lightly for another 2 weeks.
Went to the consultant (paid privately) who ordered a scan and a 2nd fibroid was discovered. I have now been put on Norethisterone to stop the bleed and give my body some respite. I am mostly ok now, however I still have cramps occassionally and I seem to have a lot of yellowish vaginal discharge (TMI sorry).
So all in all my 1st resection was either a failure or incomplete. Not sure where to go from now!

[TrionicLettuce]

Thank you both for posting, it's interesting to hear your experiences though I'm sorry things have gone so badly for you mum

I've got a follow up appointment in August which feels like a very long time away right now but I'll stick to unless things get substantially worse.

[fitflopqueen]

Didn't work for me, was offered same op again but went for hysterectomy instead. So wish I had done this 10 yrs earlier!

[ArabellaRockerfella]

My experience was the same as Giddy. No periods or very light spotting. I'm coming up for 1yr post op.

[TrionicLettuce]

Thanks fitflop and Arabella.

I've decided to give it until early July (I should have had two periods by then) and if things haven't improved drastically I'll see if I can just pay and see the consultant sooner.

[tobee]

Same as fitflop for me, I'm afraid. But on the plus side I have to stop myself from telling randoms how good life is post hysterectomy!!