Comments from Linda, who underwent UFE procedure.

" I noticed an immediate improvement the day after the procedure...
I want to make sure that people know this procedure is available and
that hysterectomy/myomectomy is not their only option "

I would like to thank [Dr. Stephen Baer and Dr. Ducksoo Kim] and to ask them to pass my thanks to the rest of the team involved in performing the embolization procedure for me. I noticed an immediate improvement the day after the procedure - my abdomen is much flatter and I feel much more comfortable, no longer a heavy feeling. My trips to the bathroom have reduced dramatically and I have lost 5 lbs in weight! I am hoping that the lighter periods will continue too. I am looking forward to the next MRI to see how much the fibroids have shrunk and although I hope they will continue to reduce in size, I will be quite happy if things stay as they are now. I want to make sure that people know [this] procedure is available and that hysterectomy/myomectomy is not their only option.

–Linda

 Comments from Diane, who underwent UFE procedure.

" For the past year and a half, I was experiencing anemia, very heavy
periods and bad cramping... [After the Procedure]. I have had three
periods in which I felt like I was 18 again. They only lasted 3-4 days
and are very light.  "

I'm a 41 year old woman. For the past year and a half, I was experiencing anemia, very heavy periods, and bad cramping.
After speaking to my physician about this, we agreed that maybe birth control pills would be the answer to this problem. After the first 2 months, there was little to no change.
I was then put on another kind of pill. This made matters even worse. One Sunday, I was hemorrhaging so badly, that my nails and lips turned white. I called the physician on duty. She advised me to double up on the pills and to see what would happen. Of course, I became only worse. I spoke to my doctor the following Monday. She advised me to come in to have some blood work done. My blood count level was 19, the danger zone according to my doctor. I was put on iron and rest, in fear that I could have a stroke or heart attack. I suggested seeing a gynecologist. I saw one immediately. He did an internal ultrasound and noticed that I had fibroids on and in my uterus. He immediately suggested I have a hysterectomy. I did not feel comfortable with this. I was seeing my doctor for some more blood work that week and spoke to her about this. She agreed it was a little extreme and she would talk to him. She later told me of his findings and she was in agreement of having this hysterectomy. I pondered this for a few days, when a co-worker and a good friend saw an article in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. It was about Dr. Ducksoo Kim. I immediately read the article and faxed a copy to my doctor. She said, "Go for it". Within two days I had an appointment with him. He was the most understanding and knowledgeable person that I had dealt with in over a year of this problem. He explained the procedure to me and what to expect. I would have to stay over night in the hospital, and as long as everything was OK, I would be able to leave the next day. I had my embolization on April 15, 1999. He phoned my several times after my procedure to ask how I was. I have since then had a follow up visit to him and another MRI, making sure everything was OK. I have had 3 periods, in which I felt like I was 18 again. They only last 3-4 days and are very light I would recommend this procedure to any person who has these problems. Dr. Kim has the most wonderful bedside manner any person could want, especially for such a delicate matter as this.

-Diane