Here’s your warning: Boys this blog is about lady parts and it’s not a boob job.
So you may wanna bow out now; hand it to the lady in your life; or read it to better understand when and if she ever brings up the words: ablation and tubal.
After trying the pill and an IUD and still not having control over my period (excessive bleeding), my Doctor (who is great: Dr Sandra Khan) recommended I look into an ablation.
Basically it is a procedure where the doctor burns the lining of your uterus to control/reduce and hopefully stop bleeding during menstruation. Up to 50% of women do not get a period after the procedure. To learn more about the whole procedure read here –> ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION PROCESS
The biggest decision for me was, “Am I finished having children?” Once my husband ASSURED me we don’t need ANY more kids, I agreed.
I met with Dr Peter Maskens and he too agreed it was the best solution to my period woes. He also suggested I get a tubal (tie my tubes) to ensure I do not get pregnant again. Getting pregnant after an ablation can be catastrophic. I figured while you’re there, get er’ dun.
I have never had surgery. I’m a bit of a granola when it comes to medicine. I like the holistic, take a vitamin, exercise and eat well approach. My mom had a full hysterectomy when she was 29 due to fibroids. I didn’t have any underlying medical conditions like this, just heavy periods that often prevented me from leaving the house. (TMI, I know.)
My logic is, when something interferes with your life, it’s a problem.
I agree menstruation is natural for women, however, I really don’t think it should be painful and stop you from living your life. Despite what the tampon commercials say, I was not able to horseback ride and do gymnastics while on my period.
I tried acupuncture. It didn’t work. I took herbal teas. It didn’t work. I tried the pill. It didn’t work. I tried an IUD. It didn’t work.
It was time to call in the big boys. Surgery, here I come.
Dear medical clothing people: we can do better can’t we? These shoes are NOT gonna make my fashion vlog.
I had my surgery at PRHC and it was a terrific experience. Nurses truly deserve a medal. They are amazing. I mean it. They are like a caring nurturing Mom. I just can’t say enough about the nurses and anesthesiologist. They were great.
The operating room. Pretty sure I am the only patient whose ever brought their phone in.
So how did it go? Well I think I’m bit sensitive to anesthetic. It was quite the high for me! I felt the burn go into my vein, everything got heavy, spiny and weird. I slurred, “WHOA what did you give me?” and that was it. Lights out!
When I woke up I was pretty animated with my vocabulary. In a non angry way, more in a stoner way. I think the first thing I said was “WHERE’S MASKENS?” Apparently I was worried about him?? Or maybe I was worried someone else did the surgery? Dr. Peter Maskens is a great doctor. I trust him wholeheartedly and if you decide this procedure is right for you, I highly recommend him. In fact tell him I sent you, he’ll give you 20% off 😉
I took this pic right after surgery. It’s why I look so happy. I think Dr Maskens looks so happy because his craziest patient is leaving 😉
Recovery is going well. Don’t plan anything for the rest of the day of surgery. I threw up from the anesthetic, but other than that and some tummy tenderness it was a smooth procedure. Thanks again to the staff and to my Mom for chauffeuring my drugged up butt and hanging on to my purse.
One of my very sweet nurses, Kim. She said an Ablation is an excellent procedure and life choice! I’m starting to feel a little less high here, can you tell? Where’s the bucket?
UPDATE: ONE YEAR LATER AND I HAVE NEVER, YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT, NEVER HAD A PERIOD. THIS SURGERY WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID!!
MF
Well you not only chose the greatest Dr, you lucked out with that Kim as a nurse! This all made me laugh, glad you are feeling well and goodbye horrible periods!
And really…no sense having any more babies now that I don’t work there anymore!
I am a nurse at PRHC…it warms my heart to hear you praise PRHC because we’ve not always had the best reputation. I know Kim, you’re right, she’s GREAT! I don’t know Dr. Maskens but know of him. Yes well recommended. I am glad you’re open to share personal things like this, I’m sure there are multiple women who needed to read your story. Good for you. I remember you from high school and it’s great that you’ve become an icon in Ptbo. Congrats to all your success. Wishing you well during your recovery.
Hey Michelle! Glad your surgery went well. I had surgery there on the 9th because of woman issues too! I had a hysteroscopy and D&C. All of the staff there were excellent. From pre op to recovery. Even when I was in emerg a couple of times the care was excellent. We are very lucky. Good luck with your recovery! Mine was relatively easy.
I had an ablation as well, Michelle. It did the trick with little to no pain and the problem is GONE! I highly recommend this procedure.
Not the only person to take phone in during surgery. I taped mine to my side. During the surgery they had to frisk me to fine my phone. ‘It was playing if u like pinacolda during the surgery
I had this done as well in my 40’s as I just started heavy bleeding all the time. First my doctor told me I was anemic and then gave me birth control pills again. I asked if this was safe as I heard you should not take them in your 40’s and I had not taken them since I was 33 and started trying for our first child. She said no problem. Oh yeah? Well thank goodness I read the packaging and knew that as soon as I had pain in my foot – after 2 days – I should STOP them. I phoned her and went to her office and she measured my calf. She sent me to Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto and said I probably had a clot. So the hospital was supposed to take a CAT scan but did they? No, they did a ultrasound, could not find a clot and sent me home. 2 am the next morning I went to lay down and suddenly I was in SO MUCH PAIN, as the clot moved to my lung. A pulmonary embolism now (clot to the lung) and I yelled at my husband to call an ambulance. I was swearing and thought this is it, I am going to die. The guys got me into the ambulance (my husband stayed with our sleeping kids) and gave me drugs – oh happy day! I had to sit upright as if I tried to lie down the pain returned. I told them why I probably had the embolism and North York General here we come. I phoned my doctor the next day to tell her what happened and she said the first hospital should have taken a CAT scan – so here I am because of them not doing their job and her telling me I should take birth control pills. A nurse friend told me I could have died. Then I started crying. – not until she said that – as I was so pissed off at everyone before that. Even the nurse at the second hospital who wanted me to lie down to do a CAT scan there yelled at me because I could not lie down without that huge pain crushing my chest. I yelled right back at her and told her I had two children without drugs so I did know pain – and this pain was much worse. Then after the CAT scan she said “Yes, you have a clot” No kidding woman! Lots of pain meds and needles in my stomach for blood thinners later and I lived to tell the tale. I got this surgery – ablation after about a year – as doctors were afraid to touch me in case I got another clot during surgery. I was also on blood thinners so they had to wait until that was finished as well. Best thing ever getting the surgery as no more periods. Long story so sorry about that but if your doctor (I had her for 20 years at that point) tells you to take the pill in your 40’s watch out!!! Read the package and if you get any pain somewhere stop!!