What to expect after the Novasure Ablation

[GeorgieRob]

Hi, I noticed there aren’t a great deal of success stories posted with having the Novasure procedure, and I guess that is partly due to people being happy and not looking for further answers. I had the Novasure procedure and tubal ligation done on the 25th of March 2011, (9wks ago). I have to say, it was the BEST THING I EVER DID… prior to my operation, I had extremely heavy periods to point of being anemic, I found it hard to get out of bed for those few days, I bloated up and just looked and felt terrible… The procedure its self was fine, I hardly had any pain after the surgery, which was a relief…I didn’t even need any painkillers.. However; I was very tired and dizzy for about 10 days after, but I’m pretty certain that had to do with the anesthetic, plus the gas to blow my tummy up gave me slight chest and shoulder aches the following days…but it passed and I recovered well. The bleeding only lasted about 2 weeks, it was light with a fair amount of discharge (discharge was about 4wks).. Then it changed to a water discharge which is still there, but is getting less each week (one panty shield a day, but could get away with none)… I found that this discharge is due to the uterus being burnt and like normal burns, they weep for a while..  I have had two cycles since the operation, the first one was like a normal period, lasted 5 days and went through 2 pads on day two, I was a little disappointed, but happy it wasn’t ridiculously heavy.. but like the Dr’s keep saying, BE PATIENT.. my 2nd period was a spot, literally.. I went through all the normal symptoms like sore breasts, bloating and bitchy mood the day before, then one spot, no period pain and that was it…. Awesome! So fingers crossed my slight watery discharge disappears soon, that’s it…

It’s amazing to read how different everyone’s stories are, and must admit, I was reading these blogs all over the internet before my procedure, it created a lot of fear going in for the operation… I spoke to my Doctor about all that was being said and decided to trust my gyno… I’m really glad I did, my life has completely changed, and I no longer have to worry each month and am no longer anemic…. Good luck ladies, it’s a really tough decision with so much information out there with mostly the bad and not so much the good, but reading these posts have been a blessing…

[MzMIllionDolla]

I just had the novasure done on August 11 and I only took medicine to soften my cervix the night before. Nauseous pills 2 hour before produce Painpill and Valium 1 hour before. Dr did 4 shots to numb I don't think worked lol and then the worst labor pain ever for about 90 seconds and then just cramping. I camped about 3 hours after procedures and it stopped. Next day no pain no need for pain pill no nausea light pantie liner spotting. . It was done on a Thursday so Friday I rest and Saturday went out with my husband and son. Mostly riding. My body did ache I figure a fever so I drank a coco cola and was good. Went to work Monday had to walk a ways from parking lot to the building really think I may have over did it a bit cause I hurt  during the night and I was really sore in my pelvic area so I took 800 mg ibuprofen and took it easy at work today had a heavier brownish discharge that stinks. So I am using feminine wiipes every bathroom break. Hopefully this will end soon and I can be free. The body has to heal inside so still take it easy for a least a week to make sure you are letting it heal from the inside out. The soreness is real so I learned my lesson and I will not be lifting or doing a lot walking for a least a week. Hope I'm one that don't ever have another period. Please keep posting they are very helpful. Hope I helped someone. Best of luck and God Bless

[Variola13]

I had my nova sure ablation done December 2015 (now May 2016), I came to this site (and others) after my ablation for advice, so now I will include as much info as I can.

I had a laparotomy (key hole surgery) done at the same time as the nova sure to look for cysts and adhesions left over from previous surgery to remove ovarian cyst. I had 3 small incisions (less than 1 inch) plus a sore belly button where they put the air in. The first few days you can expect cramping, so rest up, and take some strong painkillers. To be honest, the cramping wasn't as bad as when I had had my periods before, if you have had laparotomy there will be soreness from the wounds, keep them covered for 2 days, then if you want a shower etc put a fresh dressing on each.
Bleeding wise, I had light to medium bleeding (don't use Tampons) for week, then more heavy bleeding 7 days after for a few days. After that it was light bleeding for until I was due my period, my first period was still quite heavy and painful, and I was worried it hadn't  worked. My second period was lighter and not as much pain, and since then they have been light, panty liner or regular tampon at the most, and barely any pain. It's a far cry from being practically bedridden for 3-4 days, spaced out on the strongest co-codamol possible, having to use super plus tampons and a towel at the same time, being scared to leave the house in case I flooded through.
I cannot tell you the difference it has made to my life, despite all the statistics giving failure rates etc I think it is well worth trying before a full hysterectomy as the recovery time is so much shorter. Even though I had keyhole surgery, I was back to work after 10
Days of rest.

I hope this helps anyone searching for answers as I was.

[Chima7]

Heather I'm sorry you had such a bad reaction to the anesthesia. I just had a surgery the other day and when I met with the anesthesiologist I told him that everyone in my family gets violently ill from anesthesia plus I have a severe phobia of vomiting so I said that he needs to give me his strongest anti nausea meds before, during and after surgery. Because I said that if I woke up throwing up that I'd find him wherever he was and I'd be sure to throw up all over him until he couldn't take it anymore. Ha ha. But seriously, in the future if you need anesthesia make sure to tell every nurse and every doctor who you see that day that you get violently ill from it and therefore they need to be very vigilant with the anti nausea meds for you. I've done that before every surgery and ended up not getting sick. Everyone else in my family always forgets to tell them so they get sick every time.

But I digress. I almost got the Novasure but decided against it. The long term data, like 5 plus years out from the surgery doesn't look good in terms of preserving the uterus. A far greater number of women end up having to get a hysterectomy after ablation than those who didn't get an ablation. Some women are ok with that and that's fine. But for me, I'm trying to keep mine, even though it's being more trouble than it should be for the last 10 years.

[Mossyhide]

Hello

I had the procedure today. I had recently finished my monthly period.

Which consisted of four days of heavy bleeding, one orange tampon and tena night time adhesive full pad which lasted for only one hour. So. Night time I was suited with enough wadding to stuff a small sofa.

I had no anaesthetic just a tablet consisting of co codamol anti sickness pill and diazapam.

I take gabapentin anyhow for motor sensory neuropathy.
So I was awake procedure takes 5 minutes.

I had  needle in my cervix like a dentist numbs a gun. I had the instruments inserted.

I have a high pain threshold but it hurt. I had three waves of pain

like a strong cramp along the whole of your stomach

Then after breathing techniques for controlling the pain he zapped me. Two minutes of discomfort machine beeps and when everything is removed you are left feeling light headed and sickly.

Wear a sanitary pad for leaks try not to go in the feotal position try straightening out. Have a heat pad for your stomach and just lay down of get comfy because you ache.

I was advised no driving for 24 hours no tampons and given antibiotic s to help prevent any infections to be taken for three days.

Nurses and doctor were great.

I will keep you posted with results of monthly flow.

I was told 40% of patients have said they have a light to no bleed

50% have a lighter bleed

And 10% said no change and may go onto have a hysterectomy.

Personally I am wishing it works for me x fingers crossed x

Avis 44

Two kids ( 5 if you count the two dogs and husband)

[Has21471]

I forgot to say I just had surgery July 23, 2015 and also had tubes tied and DNC.  They didn't inject air.  My doctor uses a type of fluid if he can.  He said he would not use air if he did not have to so I had none of the after affects from air.  I did feel bloated and I guess it was possible swelling afterwards.  I had a tiny incision in my belly button and one right at the top of where your hoo hoo starts and glue was used to close on outside.  Any questions feel free to email me.  Or I'm on Facebook which is where I'm easier to catch.  Heather Brown

[Has21471]

I had a horrible time with anesthesia.  I came out of surgery and I had a migraine which made my blood pressure go up and I threw up constantly.  The more I threw up, the more my head hurt, that more my blood pressure went up and over and over.  I also ended up with a ton of fluid in my lungs and was on 4liters oh oxygen.  I was in recovery from 1:45 pm until 11 pm.  The nurse kept saying I needed to be admitted but the doctore kept trying to medicate me with blood pressure Meds and oxygen along with lasix to send me home.  Finally I said in between throwing up, I'm not going home like this.  I did stay the night and even tho I finally stopped throwing up after I could keep down a dose of imitrex (migraine pill), my blood pressure was up and down.  I did get discharged that night and was sent home on 2 blood pressure Meds.  I'm telling you the Meds made me feel like I could not lift my head.  I have never felt bad in all my life.  This went on for three weeks.  Days after I went off the bp Meds I still felt these affects. My family doctor changed the Meds but I honestly had such a bad time I haven't taken 1 Bp pill.  It's been just a little over 3 weeks since surgery.......really it was not the issue but I was getting worried about the brownish (I wear tampons) discharge on tampons and the fluid that flowed right out past  tampons into panties.  Since I'm seeing this is normal, it makes me feel better but is still very aggravating.  I'm going to try the inner health tablets that was suggested on here myself.  I want to continue with my partner also.  I've not had a period but still have the post period issues.  The surgery was nothing.  Some pain in lower stomach while in hospital but that was all.  The reaction to I guess the anesthesia was horrible.  I'm hoping for the best because I too am anemic.  Good luck ladies.  My suggestion and I WILL do this if I have to have anesthesia again, is I will take a migraine pill the morning of.  I'm not telling you to, but I will myself.  Thanks for all your posts.

[gggwatson]

Had my surgery in January and I have a heavy period today..I am very discouraged!!  Reading this gave me some hope!  Fingers crossed for next month!

[GeorgieRob]

Hi tksmiles,
I just wanted to say thanks for saying thanks :) Well, it’s been a few years since I had the procedure... it’s still the best thing I ever did. I haven't had a period since those two tiny little ones years ago. I also don't get any period symptoms either... no more sore boobs, bloating or bitchy days, lol.. even though the dr. said everything else would be normal (maybe different for others)... so I’m pretty happy about that too. The only thing that was a little problem... was the watery fluid wouldn’t stop for ages... it might have been a few months... it wasn’t bad... but it did worry me a little, I was looking forward to relaxing with my partner after so long, so I went back to my gyno and she carried out tests... everything came back normal... she also said everything should have completely healed as well and to be patient... so I went back onto the internet and googled around to see if anyone else had this same problem... I found one lady had taken inner health plus tablets... not in the mouth.. but inserted them in the vagina... I did this for about a week or so and everything settled down, the watery fluid stopped and I was back to perfect... so if that happens..  try it! Sometimes dr's say off google... but these sites can be so helpful and supportive. Apparently (I’m no doctor) with all that was going on down there with the procedure and being run down etc.. my flora may have been out of whack... so there’s a little trick for you later if you need.

Good luck with the operation... you'll feel like a new woman once everything settles... It’s great not having periods!

I'll keep an eye out for any future posts if you have any questions…

Kind Regards
Georgie

[Mommatwogirls]

Where did you get the inner health plus tablets and can you tell me the name brand you used? I am desperate to find something to stop this discharge. I am now 4 weeks post surgery and its not a lot but enough to be annoying.

[tksmiles38]

Just wanted to say Thank you to both of you, especially GeorgieRob!  I am scheduled to have Novasure Ablation next week and have only been reading negative stories.  I put the utmost trust in my doctor, afterall she is the one with the medical degree right?? I am limited to treatments/surgeries for abnormal bleeding, etc with other health issues and we both feel this is the best option for me.  My husband is getting a vasectomy as we are already very blessed with three children, two boys and a girl so future pregnancies are not in the plan.  I am looking foward to getting this done and beginning to feel good again and enjoying my life!!

[DaniGirl35]

Thank you so much for posting this! I know it was posted long long ago but I still wanted to say Thank you.  I am scheduled for Nova Sure next week and I am nervous. Reading your post helped relieve some of that nervousness. :) You make a good point, most women who are taking the time to write about it are looking for answers. The many women who don't need answers since they had a good outcome are busy enjoying their new life, and not spending it online.  Thank you again.