Best endometrial ablation procedure: Gynecare thermachoice (balloon) versus Novasure

Was this procedure covered by your insurance?

Most of these posts are old so it probably doesn't apply anymore. I had Novasure today. I had Essure done in 2010. My OB prefers Novasure because it's more effective, takes less time, etc. He explained that thermachoice is good for women who have a large uterus or fibroids to work around since Novasure uses a mesh. I had it done under general anesthesia. I woke up in severe pain. I was given pain medication through my IV every 10 minutes with little relief. I was given a shot of morphine that made me itch but worked a little. I was taken from one recovery room to another and my husband was allowed in the room. It was a private room. I started screaming out in pain, in tears because it had gone from a 5 to a 9. The nurse came in and gave me a larger shot of morphine and an 800mg of Ibuprofin. I was kept at the hospital because my pain was not considered managed. At about 11:30am, my pain went down to a 1 or 2. So I was discharged with a prescription for vicodin. It's now 13 hours later and I have not had any pain at all. No discomfort. I'm on pelvic rest for 2 weeks, but that's ok. I go in for a follow up in 2 weeks and if I'm cleared for sex great if not it can wait. I have a little pink discharge/spotting. I don't know if it will get worse, I hope not. When I was out of it after the procedure my OB told my husband I can have spotting/discharge for 2 weeks. So we'll see. Other than the initial pain when waking up I'm happy but who knows what the future will hold.

I am 2 1/2 years s/p Thermachoice and I would not change it for the world. I still do have periods but now they are every 25-29 days and last about 3 days and I can get by with just a thin pad and I have absolutely no cramping. Prior to Thermachoice I had very painful cramps and clots and I went through super tampons in 30-45 minutes. They would come every 18-20 days and last 10. I also had under general but I was outpatient and I had done on a Thursday and went back to work on a Monday. I did have some pinkish liquid for about 2 weeks or so and the cramping was annoying but I do not take pain pills so I handled with a hot pad and naproxen/ibuprofen.

I had the novasure just over 10 days ago, under local anaesetic . They gave me per med tabs for relaxing , hour before .when they called me into the room and got ready, the meds had worn off and the local didn't work, so I felt everything ! It was excruciating intact I had to get them to stop and they had to give me gas and air to get through it , for 2 dad after I had very painful cramps after, it's now wearing off with the odd twinge, I still have pale red discharge but a foul odour, did anyone else ? I'm hoping it goes away.. I initially wanted a hysterectomy but they said I had to have this first.. I feel tired and not myself.. I'm hoping things will get better .. I had this because of heavy periods that were making me anaemic .

I had thermachoice 10 days ago.  My understanding is they decide which method to use once they get in and see the size/shape of your uterus.  My Dr. was planning Novasure but because my uterus was so tiny ended up doing themachoice.  I opted for general anesthesia and so was asleep.  I woke up in severe pain in recovery and had intense cramping/labor like pains and pressure for about 12 hours after.  It was not a great day.  The next day was better but i am still continuing with cramping and watery bursts of pink tinged discharge.  I did go for a post op appt. 7 days after.  I too was having a foul smell and my dr. said i shouldnt still be cramping and so put me on antibiotics for 10 days.  "in case".  ( i think i had an infection ) I have been on antibiotics for a week now and i am just starting to feel better.  I am not all better but its more tolerable and at least i can function during the day. The smell is finally hardly noticeable but still some cramping and pressure and bloat.  I was expecting a much shorter recovery and way less pain.  Hoping it will all go back to normal soon. Stay tuned.....

I had the Thermachoice done two days ago.  I have had no pain, no cramping, no nothing!  If I wouldn't have seen the images on the screen, I would totally wonder if the procedure had been completed!  The only side-effect I experienced was dizziness from the Percocet I had to take before the procedure.  I took one dose (despite directions saying maintain for 24 hours) I was back at work the next day.  I am still waiting for discharge of any color, though I do think clear is coming out on occasion.  From what I've read in previous posts, I know I am not the norm, or maybe from reading the posts I was expecting the worst.  Good Luck!  best advice I can share - know your body, know your pain tolerance, know how you react to medication. 

I had thermochoice in January 2013 it has been 10 months since my surgery. I have has a period every month since. My periods have gotten heavier and longer. Now my periods are coming less than 2 weeks apart. There is no warning the heavy bleeding just starts. My doctor put me on a prescription to take during my period that would help with the bleeding. At first I thought it was working great. Then during sex it poured out. Prior to that my doctor suggested a hysterectomy. After all the research I seem to be one of the few that had the opposite effects. I so disappointed. I paid 1700 for the surgery and the results were more than disappointing.

I had the thermo choice ablation on 9th November 2013, had no side affects just a little discharge and started my period 2 weeks later. I had bad cramps for 1 day but that is a small price to pay as my bleeding was minor and last eat just 3 days. I feel I have got my life back and am benefiting from not losing as much blood as my blood levels were very low and I was tired constantly. Best thing I have done xx

I had the same thing and actually had to go back in because there was a blood clot blocking the drainage, after I had the second surgery (2 weeks after the ablation) I went for my follow up 1 week later and my uterus was filling with fluid again I am now going in for a hysterectomy and am very scared I had NovaSure and have had 3 c-sections

My friend from work had the balloon and it took 20 min. I like not being put to sleep as that dangerous. It was fast and painless and she's glad she did it and she was one of the first to have it done years ago.

Any updates about how you are doing now?

I just had Thermachoice done yesterday morning. My doctor performed the procedure at the hospital and I was put under IV sedation. So far I'm happy with it. I've had some cramping and discharge but the doctor told me up front that these were possible. She said the discharge could last a few weeks. Right after the surgery the cramping was the worst but today it wasn't so bad and I was able to get up and resume some normal activity. I know everyone reacts to certain procedures differently but I would reccommend this to my other friends if they needed it. Hoping for a complete stop to my bleeding but if I can get it down to less than what it was before I will say it was a success.

Yes, you are not supposed to get pregnant after this procedure..harmful to baby if it does happen.

I had the thermachoice procedure almost 11 years ago.  Other women I know had great success with it.  The first few months were great however over time the fibroids grew back and the periods became heavier.  The cramps and heavy flow the first two days (which I never had before) are painful.  My period last a good week with the heaviest flow occuring the first 2 or three days.  Obviously it did not work for me.  My GYN wanted me to get a hysterectomy but I was opposed if not medically necessary. When she couldn't talk me into that she tried to suggest another procedure that included zapping the fibroids with electricity.  I said no thanks and now live with it.  My uterus is the size of a 13 - 14 week fetus but I am hopeful now at 52 that as I enter menopause the fibroids will shrink and nature will take its course.  Had I known it wouldn't work for me I would not had subjected myself to the procedure. 

I had an endometrial ablation on Friday, thermochoice. I woke up in recovery with the most awful pain. I was given an oxycodone and an injection of fetinol. I went home, vomitting in the car and one I got home, the pain was so awful. I have never experienced such contractions in my life. I was screaming, called my dr. she said I needed to go to the ER to get the pain under control. I got to the ER, BP super high, vomitting from the pain, was given fetinol, didn't work, then dilaudid, that worked. One more shot at 8 PM, then home.

Woke up next morning, and had no cramping. I'm day 4 post op.

I have little to no discharge, no cramping at all. It was just 8 hours of pure torture after the procedure.  Not sure why that happened to me but, just be aware, this is a PAINFUL procedure.