How to Recover from Uterine Fibroid Embolization Procedure

Uterine fibroid embolization is a nonsurgical procedure to shrink fibroids in the uterus. It is an alternative to having them surgically removed. With UFE, the blood supply is cut off to the fibroids from in an artery in the groin. This procedure will cause them to shrink in three to six months. The recovery time is about five to seven days, instead of up to eight weeks for surgery. Recover from your UFE procedure by resting and taking it easy.

Things You'll Need

• Prescription medicine
• Lots of liquids
• comfortable nightgowns
• boy-shorts or boxers
• crackers
• broth or soups

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Instructions

• 1

  Make your bed rest complete. Prepare everything you will need on your nightstand in the hospital and at home before the procedure. You will need your prescription medicine, bottled water, crackers, emergency numbers, a telephone and the remote control. You only need to leave the bed to go to the bathroom.

• 2

  Eat light foods such as crackers, gelatin dessert, water, electrolyte beverages and soups. The day before the procedure make sure you have all of these items available. Make homemade chicken soup ahead of time if possible.

• 3

  Take your prescription medications for pain killing and any other purpose exactly as explained. Don't let too much time lapse between taking them or they will not work.

• 4

  Do not lift anything, exercise, walk up and down the stairs or do any housework for at least a week. You may think you are not in the pain because of the medicine, but you will only make it worse. Stay in the bed or on the couch and just relax.

• 5

  Wear loose-fitting nightgowns. After you remove the band aid covering the incision. Wear boy-shorts, or better yet, boxer shorts, instead of bikini briefs because the elastic band could irritate the wound and cause it to become infected or begin bleeding.