From our patients...
Uterine fibroid embolization
"I am a 44 year old woman and I had a 7cm diameter uterine fibroid that was causing increasing pelvic pain that was there all the time. I have experienced increasing pelvic pain over the last 10 years with excruciating period pain that would incapacitate me on the first day of my period. I would bleed heavily with flooding, making it really tricky to work or be out and about living life normally on that day of the month. My gynaecologist suggested that I consider having my fibroid removed surgically, involving an open myomectomy due to the size of the fibroid (7 cm approx.). Having managed to avoid caesarean birth with both my children, I was adamant that I would like to try something else if possible. I was nervous of scarring and the recovery time was not really an option.
After researching, and meeting with Dr Bydawell to discuss how the fibroid embolization works, I decided that this was the option for me. I was aware of the possibility of pain before the procedure, and felt that the underlying chronic pain I was experiencing was worth the short-lived pain associated with the embolization procedure. The actual procedure was done under sedation, and I can honestly say that it was not uncomfortable at all, I remember very little of what was going on during that time. As soon as the procedure was complete, I did experience acute pain, but with medication I got through that, staying in hospital that night. The next day I was able to get up and go home.
I rested at home for a few days, but within a week I was up and about and the pain subsided quickly within the first few days. Because I had had the underlying chronic pain caused by the fibroid, after a week, I was feeling so much better because that pain had gone!
I have continued to feel better, my pain has completely gone and the best thing of all is that when I got my first period after having this done, I had no period pain at all. My bleeding was much lighter, and I can continue my life as normal on that day instead of losing a day each month.
It was the best thing I could have done for me, and has improved my quality of life. I don’t have any scars from the procedure and I did not have to go through a 6 week recovery period."
Urological interventions
"A year before I was diagnosed with kidney problems I had been able to be with my wife when Dr Bydawell performed the same procedure on her that I was facing. I was surprised that only sedation and not a general anaesthetic was required. The plastic stent was inserted painlessly between her kidney and bladder through a small incision in her back. The only evidence, at the end of the operation, was a small dressing without any stitches. I greatly appreciated Dr Bydawell’s willingness to answer questions and explain the procedure even during the time in theatre. My procedure was identical without any distress or emotional trauma."