Fibroid Treatment Follow-Up Instructions

What a relief to finally have the UFE procedure behind you! For the first several days following the procedure, many women describe feeling like they have the flu, achy and tired. For the first week, you are encouraged to take it easy and avoid the following:

  • Heavy lifting
  • Vigorous exercise
  • Sexual intercourse

You should wear only sanitary pads during menstruation for the first month after UFE. You should feel a little better each day and will likely return to your usual activities in 7-10 days, if not sooner.

Don’t drive a motor vehicle within 24 hours of your procedure. After that driving is okay as long as you are not taking Percocet (narcotic). The groin bandage may be removed in 24 hours.

Ask your healthcare provider how long you need to wait before having sexual activity. It may be 1-2 months.

Ongoing Care Page Doctor Sharing Post UFE Instructions USA Fibroid Centers 1 1

Self Care

  • Use a warm compress for pelvic pain.
  • Keep a stock of sanitary pads at home.
  • Try to drink between 8 to 10 cups of water.
  • You can resume a normal, healthy diet at home. Try adding iron-rich foods to your diet like spinach, turkey, lentils, fish, cashews, dark chocolate, and eggs.
  • Eat high-fiber foods like pears, avocados, beets, and carrots to avoid getting constipated. Pain medication and being inactive can cause constipation.
  • It’s best to avoid strenuous activity for the first 2-3 days. Strenuous activities include housework, working in the yard, lifting children, lifting heavy packages, etc. You should be able to perform light activities in 1 week.
  • Do not soak in a bath tub, or hot tub. Taking showers are fine when you get home.

What to Expect After Your UFE Procedure

Remember, it is normal and expected to experience intense cramping pain, which represents the process of fibroid degeneration (which is good as it means the fibroids are dying), and may be accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting, for the first few days after the procedure, and pales in comparison to the pain after myomectomy or hysterectomy. Your medications will help you get through this short phase.

For the first several days following the procedure, many women describe feeling like they have the flu, achy and tired.

When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

CALL IF you have a temperature greater than 100.5° or pain that is not being relieved by the medication.
It is not unusual to develop a vaginal discharge, sometimes even a mini-period, and you may pass small fragments of tissue. Call if you develop a green or yellow vaginal discharge.

The groin puncture site may bruise and be sore for a few days, but it should not be extremely painful or develop a large knot. Call if you develop calf pain, swelling, or shortness of breath.

If, for whatever reason, you find yourself in distress, go to the nearest Emergency Room and inform us as soon as possible.

Medications

Our doctors would have prescribed a over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen to help manage your pain. We advise that you follow all medication instructions as provided upon discharge.

Follow-Up Appointment

If not already arranged following your UFE, please call to schedule a two week UFE follow-up appointment.

At your follow up appointment, you may be scheduled for a three-month brief follow-up visit, followed by a second follow-up visit with a pelvis ultrasound exam to see how your uterus and fibroid(s) have responded to the procedure.