Choosing to treat your uterine fibroids with uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) at Fresno Fibroid Center is a big decision. For many women, an equally important question comes afterward: “How long will it take me to recover?”
UFE is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. Most women go home the same day, return to light activities within a few days, and are back to work in about a week. Still, recovery is a process, and knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared.
Below, Dr. Ashkan Behzadi, Dr. Benjamin Pruett, Dr. Sean Tower, and Dr. Brian Ng share a closer look at the typical UFE recovery timeline and what many women experience after treatment.
During the procedure, your Fresno Fibroid Center provider inserts a thin catheter through the radial artery in your left wrist. From there, we guide the catheter to the arteries that supply blood to your fibroids. We then insert tiny embolic particles to block blood flow to your fibroids. When the beads block blood flow, they cause your fibroids to gradually shrink.
Afterward, you spend time in recovery while our team monitors you and manages any discomfort before you go home later that day.
The first few days are usually the most uncomfortable. Pain tends to pick up 2-3 hours after your UFE and remains constant for about 12 hours.
Many women experience:
These symptoms are a normal part of the healing process and can usually be managed with the medications prescribed by your provider. Post-embolization syndrome peaks after 2-3 days.
Plan to rest, stay well hydrated, and avoid strenuous activity while your body begins to recover.
By the end of the first week, many women notice that the cramping has improved considerably.
You may still feel more tired than usual, but many women are able to return to light daily activities within a few days and are back to work in about one week, depending on the type of work they do and how they’re feeling.
Our team provides specific instructions regarding your activity restrictions, medications, and follow-up appointments.
Although you’ll probably be feeling much better at this point, your fibroids are still shrinking.
During this time, it’s common to notice gradual improvements in fibroid-related symptoms, such as:
Not everyone notices improvement at the same pace. Larger fibroids may take longer to shrink, and so your symptom relief may continue over the next several months.
Symptom improvement continues for three to six months after treatment for many women. This is when you may experience significant relief from heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and bulk-related symptoms.
It’s normal to have a lot of questions when you’re preparing for a procedure. We hear these three questions a lot, but feel free to bring your own list of recovery-related questions when you come for your consultation.
Most women return to work in about one week. This can vary depending on the physical demands of your job. Our team discusses your job (and its physical demands) during your consultation.
Fibroids begin losing their blood supply immediately after UFE, but they shrink gradually. Most women notice symptom improvement within weeks, with continued improvement over the next three to six months.
Every woman’s recovery timeline is unique, but there are certain strategies you can implement to make your recovery even smoother.
Help your body heal by:
As with any medical procedure, continue to support your body with nourishing meals and get plenty of good-quality sleep each night.
If you're considering uterine fibroid embolization, schedule a consultation today to learn whether it’s the right treatment for you.
You can also call us at 559-216-0746.
