Hysteroscopic endometrial resection/ablation - anyone have any reassuring words please?!

[regularbutpanickingabit]

I have had horrendous periods for years and I am finally having what I thought was a NovaSure ablation next week. The nurse at the pre-opentioned a fibroid reaction (have fibroids, wasn’t expecting hen to be part of this because previously told they couldn’t be) and ablation. I confirmed it was the ablation I was expecting. Yes she said.

Except I have now reread the admission letter and it actually says ‘therapeutic hysteroscopic operations on uterus (excluding microwave or radiofrequency ablation.’) I’m not having the NovaSure after all, am I???

This has been a catalogue of nightmares to get to this point and I really don’t want to lose the operation date by complaining. No-one is available to speak this weekend, of course. This is taking place as an NHS patient but at a local private hospital because they have taken over the local gynae referrral system.

I guess my questions are.... is it going to work? Is there any masssive disadvantage to going ahead if the letter is right? What does the NovaSure do that the above technique doesn’t? Have you had it done and been happy with the results? What would you do?

Thanks for any help or reassurance. I’m ridiculously stressed about it now and wish I’d checked earlier. It’s first thing Monday so time is not on my side.

So sorry about the spelling mistakes. Should have previewed. Nurse mentioned a fibroid resection...

what is the difference between the Novasure procedure and the radiofrequency ablation?

I don't know what a NovaSure ablation is (although I know what an ablation entails). I had a fibroid resection / hysteroscopic resection though when I was 29. The fibroid was causing constant bleeding for several months and caused my womb lining to thicken substantially.

Can I ask how old you are? I thought ablation was done when when you no longer wanted children as it removes all the womb lining? My Gynae wanted to preserve my fertility as I hadn't had children at that point so advised a resection which just uses a hot loop to shave the fibroid away. I only had to stay in hospital overnight and was signed off work for a week. Turns out my fibroid root went deeper than they were expecting so they had to shave away into the womb itself. 3 months later I fell pregnant unexpectedly!

The resection was done under general.

Hope they helps a little and sorry I couldn't answer your question fully but i didn't want to read and run. Hopefully, at the least I've bumped your post for you! Hope all goes well

Have you looked up (online) what Novasure it- it sounds like a patent name to me for probably the same thing you are having done.

Thanks for answering so quickly. I am mod 40s and have no plans to have any more children. In fact, I’m not sure my uterus could cope anyway - too many complications over the years.
Totally happy to move past that fertility window now.

NovaSure uses a net and having looked it up again today, it does use a radiofrequency technique which is what has sent me in to a spin.

I had a polyp removed recently as part of the same journey and with the same surgeon. He shaved a lot of lining off as he removed the polyp but the periods since have been just as horrendous so that obviously didn’t work.

I just feel so stupid not knowing!

Don't feel stupid! The surgeon should have made sure you were informed. They are well meaning but I think they sometimes forget we don't deal with medical terminology everyday as they do.

Will you see your surgeon before the op? Someone will have to go through the consent form with you so you should be able to confirm everything then. They will understand, especially is the paperwork is vague or wrong.

Good luck!

Thanks Rusty. Yes, I should see the surgeon beforehand but I need to be prepared to know how to react if they e booked a different version of the op. All the stuff I’ve seen on NovaSure is pretty positive so this has thrown me!

I don't think the Novasure procedure will work properly if you still have fibroids?

You need to ring and speak to the hospital.

Hi regular. I had a fibroid resection and endometrial ablation in March. I had the roller blade ablation (not sure if this is novasure)

I have endometriosis and several fibroids the largest being around 10cm and as a result horrendous periods.

For me the procedure doesn’t seem to have worked I still have heavy periods. This could be as they did nothing to the largest fibroid due to its position and size. I had heavy bleeding during the op and had to have a catheter balloon inserted to stem this (removed a few hours later)

I’m early 40’s and have been trying to bide my time for the last 9 years and delay having a hysterectomy (completed my family just attached to my womb!)however sometimes feels as if I won’t be able to avoid the inevitable for much longer.

At the hospital now and it’s only today that I will be able to ask the questions.
Curly - the fibroids are not in the uterine cavity or they would have been removed at the same time as the polyps.the consultant knows this and still said NovaSure. If that is the case then it makes more sense that he will use a different technique.
Dyna - what you had is what I think is the procedure I am now down for. NovaSure uses a net and radiofrequency for a much more accurate, quick and effective treatment.

Sorry, meant to say thank you for your messages.

I've had Novasure under a GA.
Changed my life completely

Thanks babycham. I’m so glad it worked well for you and most reports I’ve read have said similar. I think that’s what’s made me so nervous about an alternative. Still waiting to see the consultant and so still waiting to find out.

Seen the consultant and it is definitely novasure. Feel very relieved! I know there’s no guarantee of results but this seems to be the most hopeful in my circumstances. Thanks for all the replies.

How did you get on?

HI babycham. It was ok. Lots of cramping pain for the first few hours so lots of pain killers which meant I was pretty out of it! Home in the evening, not much bleeding so far and already feeling better. Fingers crossed.

Actually can I ask you a question? I am due on later this week. Should I expect a big bleed for the first time or two? Seeems to be the case with the rollerball resection I’ve read about but not seen much for NovaSure. Consultant didn’t come back for a post op debrief which is frustrating. Thank you.

I think you should definitely see a difference.
My first period after Novasure was practically nothing.
2 years on, I still have a crampy day before it starts, but it's a tiny bleed for maybe 2 days

As soon as you feel the cramps get some ibuprofen in you.

Oh that would be a complete revelation. Thank you!