Most women experience some degree of abdominal pain or cramping (similar to menstrual cramps) shortly after the procedure. Your doctor will decide what medications you will need to keep you comfortable. Generally patients receive medications for pain management. Occasionally a patient experiences fever, which is usually treated with medication. Some patients experience nausea related to medications and can be changed accordingly. You will remain in the recovery area from four to 23 hours, depending upon the decision of your physician.
Some patients may experience "post-embolization syndrome" which is described
as having flu-like symptoms, such as a low grade fever, malaise, and mild nausea.
Post-embolization syndrome can occur within a few hours or up to a few days
after embolization.
Once your IR has evaluated you and has decided you are ready for discharge,
you will receive discharge instructions from your doctor. These instructions
include information regarding medications you will need to take to keep you
comfortable based on you how you are feeling. They may also include information
on when you can expect to begin returning to normal activities, as well as all
phone numbers for who to call if you have questions. You may continue to
experience some cramping, similar to menstrual period cramping, that lasts a
few days after the procedure. Most women are able to return to light activity
within a few days and are usually back to work and normal activity on average,
within 11 days.
Finally, your IR will schedule your post-procedure appointments to check your recovery. Typical timeframes for these appointments are one week post-procedure, and three months post-procedure. Since follow up appointments do vary, be sure to ask when these appointments should be scheduled.
