Is the UAE procedure covered by most health insurance companies? - Harrisburg, PA 

Most insurance carriers do cover UAE on a routine basis.  (Refer to "Notes On Insurance") - Robert Worthington-Kirsch, M.D.

If my gynecologist seems opposed to my considering UAE, what can I do about it?  Why would my gynecologist be against the UAE procedure when the success rate is 90%?   - Carlisle, PA

Many gynecologists are unfamiliar with UAE because it is a treatment  that they do not provide. Some are concerned about losing patients to other physicians.  Some may even be concerned about losing income if they don’t get the opportunity to perform fibroid-related surgeries. 

If a woman’s gynecologist is not willing to work with her in her desire to at least explore UAE, then a second opinion may well be helpful.

Interventional Radiologists who perform UAE are often able to recommend other gynecologists with whom they have a good working relationship for that second opinion.  - Robert Worthington-Kirsch, M.D.

Will my stomach go back to being flat after the UAE procedure?  Is it possible I will lose weight after having the UAE procedure done? 

The amount of volume reduction after UAE varies from woman to woman.  Some will lose weight; some will have their abdomen return to ‘flat’. Others will not have as great a volume reduction. Almost all will have significant improvement in symptoms, regardless of the degree of volume reduction they experience.  - Robert Worthington-Kirsch, M.D.

Does gaining weight cause uterine fibroids to grow or do the uterine fibroids cause a woman to gain weight? 

The fibroids certainly have some weight to them, which decreases after UAE.  However, I think that many women with problems from fibroids also have poor self-image and are unable to get a lot of exercise.  These factors change after successful UAE, so many women lose more weight than just the fibroids can account for.  - Robert Worthington-Kirsch, M.D.  (Refer to Case #1.)

What is the recovery period of a UAE patient versus the other uterine fibroid procedures (hysterectomy, myomectomy, and endometrial ablation)?  What are the restrictions during the recovery process between the different uterine fibroid procedures?  What are the risks and/or side effects?

Typical recovery after UAE is 1-3 weeks.  After a major surgery such as hysterectomy or myomectomy recovery is typically 4-8 weeks.  Significant complications (such as infection) are seen in about 1-2% of UAEs, compared to 5-8% of major abdominal surgeries. - Robert Worthington-Kirsch, M.D.

Refer to: Methods for Management of Uterine Fibroids Treatment Guide