What are the pros and cons of an endometrial ablation?
Hi everyone, So my doctor suggested I get an ablation and I am TERRIFIED.
Has anyone else gotten one or opted to not get one? I am looking for any and all related feedback. Please! I haven't made a decision yet but need to pretty soon. Please and thank you <3
Hi there
I had an endometrial ablation and a laparoscopy at the beginning of 2018. I had a endometrium on the outside of my uterus, an endometrial cyst on one ovary and different type of cyst on the other ovary. One of the cysts was larger than a golf ball; to put in perspective an ovary is about the size of a grape tomato. After the surgery I was diagnosed with stage 2 endometriosis. I returned to work two weeks later; which I regretted. It took about 8 weeks for the bloating from the surgery to go away and three months to feel completely healed. Recovery was rough for me but it is different for everyone. I think part of my problem was having two large cysts removed at the same time the ablation was done. It was nearly impossible to wear pants after the surgery and it was winter time so wearing a dress wasn't ideal. One of my incisions ripped open and I was unaware because it was too soon to remove the bandages.
My symptoms have definitely improved since having the surgery but I still have problems. My doctor does not want the endometrium to grow back so I have been on a form of birth control since having the surgery that is supposed to stop my periods entirely. I am now on a 3rd type of birth control and if it doesn't work the way my doctor would like it to then the next option he wants me to try is Orilissa. An ablation won't cure endometriosis but it can improve the way you feel. If you decide to have the surgery do it before the weather gets cold because wearing pants, even leggings, is painful. Take it easy and don't push too hard to return to normal activities.
It sounds like you have been on such a journey dear
. Thank you for sharing it with us. Glad to hear your symptoms have improved a bit. Hopefully you can find something to help find full relief soon though <3 Thinking of you. -Kimberli (Team Member)
Hi there! I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis at age 23 and my first surgery was ablation. Without scaring you too much, if you want long lasting effects from the surgery and care about fertility, you need to have the excision surgery, not ablation. My endometriosis came back after ablation within 8 months. I tracked down an Endo specialist surgeon and it has been 4 years of pain free periods! Incredible and highly recommend. Always ask the surgeon if they do excision, my Endo specialist explained ablation does not get rid of Endo from the root. Just burns it. Hope this is helpful
Thanks for sharing this helpful info
!! I am so thrilled to hear that you have had pain free periods! You sure deserve it...may the good results only continue! Thanks for being part of our community & being such an engaged member. Thank you so much for sharing your experience dear
! So happy to hear you did end up finding relief from excision! My first surgery was ablation as well and within 2 months, I started horrible symptoms again. I was just so desperate for an answer that I agreed to having it! Excision surgery with a specialist was definitely way more helpful! Hope you are still feeling well and that you have a great week ahead. -Kimberli (Team Member)
Hi there
. My very first surgery, so I could receive my diagnosis, was ablation. While I don't regret it because it did allow me to get my diagnosis, I would make sure to never do that again. It actually made me feel so much worse and is something I would never do again. Excision is the Gold Standard surgery for endometriosis! If you haven't yet, I would definitely try to look for an endometriosis specialist, you can do a surgery like that. The comments above definitely provided some great info. If you have any more questions, do reach out. We are here for you! -Kimberli (Team Member)
