Last month I saw my WLS Nurse Practitioner Megan Vulcan for some reflux and heart burn I have been having. While I was there she asked me how I was feeling otherwise and I mentioned my fatigue. She asked me about my menstrual cycles. So I told her that in the past 6-8 months my bleeding periods were getting longer and heavier. She thought that the bleeding I was experiencing might be connected to my anemia. She suggested I see a Gynecologist to see what they suggested. Megan also mentioned having a uterine ablation done to stop the bleeding. We also talked about some other less invasive treatment options and how they would work or not work for me.
As most women know there are few options we have to control bleeding. We can take Birth Control Pills, get birth control injected into us, get IUDs, have ablations or have partial or complete hysterectomies. Some of these options are not great for me because I don't have a normal stomach. Birth Control pills for instance are dissolved and absorbed in the stomach in a normal person. But with my tiny stomach and small amounts of stomach acid and the basic malabsorption effects that come with gastric bypass surgery... well birth control pills won't work. Inject able birth control drugs are known to cause weight gain. And clearly that is not an option since I had WLS and a recent tummy tuck. IUDs might work. Some women are very successful in having little to no periods while on an IUD. However other women may bleed for weeks on end while their bodies adjust to the artificial hormone levels before the bleeding subsides. So clearly that is not a good risk to take considering my anemia. A partial or full hysterectomy is very invasive and effects my hormone levels putting me at risk to need artificial hormones which come with their own side effects.
So I went to see the gynecologist to discuss my options. She did a full exam and pap smear. Everything appeared to be normal. She indicated that my bleeding might be related to my age. Basically as women age their hormones get wacky and that can result in an excess of estrogen (makes a rich thick lining in your uterus) and lower progesterone (which makes you bleed more). Also a side note.... women that carry extra fat like I did for 30+ years are typically estrogen dominate as fat cells hold extra estrogen. But that clearly due to my anemia issues and the blood transfusions that followed, we needed to figure out a way to control my bleeding periods, She spoke to me about a uterine ablation as an option. But we needed to make sure I was a good candidate for the procedure. For instance if my uterus is full of fibroids or some other issue then that could be causing the bleeding then an ablation would not work. She ordered an ultrasound of my uterus and then referred me to a specialist to talk about the ablation.
The ultrasound came back fine. I have an extra thick lining as they suspected but no fibroids, tumors or other anomalies in my uterus or on my ovaries. Off to see the specialist I went!
Dr. Schade is the specialist I saw. He looked at all my test results and records. He agreed that getting my bleeding under control would aid in my fight against anemia. He said the average women with a normal stomach can sometimes fight anemia with a normal period every month. He stated that with my tiny stomach that does not absorb iron very easily, with my already low iron levels and bleeding like I have been, it is only a matter of time before I will need another blood transfusion. There is just no way for me to keep up with my body's iron demands when I bleed out like that monthly. Even with the high levels of iron I take daily. Controlling or ending the bleeding is the best option.
He talked to me about the uterine ablation. I won't dumb it down for you.... if you are interested in learning about the procedure then click this link: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/endometrial-ablation/basics/definition/prc-20014190
Risks of ablation:
- A puncture injury (perforation) of the uterine wall from surgical instruments
- Heat damage to nearby organs
- Pain, bleeding or infection
After the Ablation, the good news:
- No incisions to heal from. Very short recovery period
- No more periods. Or very very light ones.
- Does not effect my hormone levels.
- I keep all my parts, uterus cervix and ovaries.
- I will go into menopause (in like 15-18 years) at my normal time.
- I should be able to get my iron levels back up to normal with supplements
- Reduces my risk drastically of needing a blood transfusion
So it seems like a no brainer.... I go to the office, they sedate me, they heat up/Ablate my endometrial lining, they burn it down by 7mm to get all the endometrial cells, they suck it all out, they wake me up, give me some pain meds, I go home, have some discharge for a few days, and then I am back to normal! Only no periods. Ever. Again! Yes please!!!!
So my procedure is this Friday! Wish me luck!!!!
Wow! Good luck, I will be thinking of you!
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