due to massive growths of adhesions that have occured 2x’s within 3 years and have required surgery my Doctor has suggested a hysterectomy. Do you agree ???????
I have also had the following: double hernia in 1968, ovarian cyst surgicialy removed on left ovary 1980, c-section 1987, c-section 1988,
ectopic pregnanacy laproscopy failed due to adhesions surgery needed right tube and ovary removed 1996 and my last June 1999, laproscopy to removed cysts left ovary and masssive adhesions found.

Dear Laura-We do not believe in treating adhesions with a hysterectomy. We have special techniques with our FAS procedure that specifically address adhesions, and have had much success with many patients. This does require an open procedure but it has been successful.

WHat happens to the material that you wrap around the uterus and all?… Does it eventually dissolve or what?

Dear Leslie-
This material dissolves over several months; if any adhesions have attached to it they fall away and do not adhere to the organ. It has been very successful in reducing post operative pain from adhesions.

Dear Dr.Del Junco jr. I have endometriosis and my doctor is sending me to an Urologist. What procedurs does Urologist do to see if the bladder is infected with the endo.And why should I take medication if he dose’nt know how bad the endo is I have had a lap before that’s how I was diagnosed with the endo,by my gyn doctor but the specialist that i’m seeing now don’t think that my brick in the stomach feeling,one day period ,two month in pain,painful bowel movements,painful sex and not too metion the nasty attitude that comes along with this terrible emotional not being able to walk hve of the time when I get my period dieases.What should I do?Do you have any suggestions ? Please help me.

Dear Anonymous-
A urologist can perform a cystoscopy-that looks inside the bladder with a small scope. Most endometriosis implants on the surface of the organs within the abdominal cavity-not inside the organs. If endometriosis had implanted on the outside of your bladder it could be visualized on a laparoscopy.
I am not sure what medication you are referring to.
The best way to treat endo is with a laser to the disease with repeat treatments within 3-4 months. FAS does treat endometriosis but the longer it is left the harder it is to eradicate.

Have you ever heard of a fibroid growing on any thing other that the uterus, this person has had a hysterectomy. Recently had a cscan for colon perforation and the scan showed a fibroid in the area of the uterus. Or where it would have been. She still has both ovaries. Could it be a cyst on her ovaries. She will be going in for ultrasound this week.

Dear Concerned-
Fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus -they are not found on or within any other organs. The mass you mentioned could be an ovarian cyst or tumor. This should be addressed as soon as possible.

How do you deal with severe adhesions? Can you use your procedure if they are on the large intestine?

Dear Curious-
FAS does address adhesions while treating benign conditions of the female pelvis. If you have no other problems, any general surgeon should be able to lyse the adhesions. Keep in mind, if your adhesions are extensive, they may require an open surgical procedure, which will just start the adhesion process all over again. The severity of your diagnosis will determine if a laparotomy is beneficial or not. Good Luck.

I am 34 years old and have been trying to get pregnant for the last 11 years. I have been pregnant 6 times and have miscarried 5 times and had on ectopic pregnancy. My doctors at the Emory Clinic in Atlanta have diagnosed me with Adenomyosis and have given me three options: 1) Birth control pills 2) Lupron 3.75 and 3) Hysterectomy. I chose the Lupron protacal, however I am very interested in your procedure. Is there anywhere in the Atlanta area or the southeast that are able to perform this procedure. I don’t know that I would be able to make it out to LA for this.

Dear LeAndra-
This is the only location in the US performing this type of surgery. Most of our patients come from out of the state of California.
Adenomyosis is the worst diagnosis to have for fertiity hopes. If left untreated it can render the uterus infertile. I do not advocate BCPs or Lupron as they only treat the symptoms not the disease. Hysterectomies also have their own subset of post operative complications (see website). We advise a laser excision of the diseased uterus, however this procedure, although effective for symptom relief, usually produces infertility. The sooner you can receive treatment the better the chances of a positive outcome. Good Luck

I have read about your wonderful surgery alternative for woman like me who have suffered with fibroids for years. Is it not possible that this surgery be taught to other physicians so that even more woman all over the country can benefit? According to your partient map 40% are near/in the east and mid-west area. What about opening a clinic say in New York? I know you would get clients right away–like me.

Dear Antoinette-
Thank you for your interest in the program. Eventually it is our goal to have alternative sites available for patients. Currently, there is no interest from other physicians to learn this technique-it is still considered “alternative.” Unfortunate, as this might be. It takes a long time to train this type of procedure and physicians must also acquire a laser skill, which is not standard in medicine. Hopefully some day your vision will be a reality.

Are there any medico’s/surgeons, etc that perform FAS in Australia? I had a myomectomy 13 yrs ago and have had 8 fibroids develop in the last 4 years. Three of these have now grown to about 5cm each. My gyn recommended the wait and see approach!!! I have had continuous bleeding for the past 3 months and am absolutely exhausted. My gyn has recommended that I take Danazol to reduce bleeding. He has suggested ablation – I am not keen on either recommendations. I have sought the opinion of a second gyn who is also suggesting a microwave ablation. I am 41 yo and have not had children and do not want to limit my options any further, notwithstanding my age.

Dear Amalia-
FAS is only performed here in Los Angeles, California.
The options you have been given will only treat your symptoms, not your disease. You need to have ALL your fibroids removed. Most likely, the deeper tumors were not removed during your first myomectomy, and they are now the tumors producing your extensive bleeding problems. Ablation will reduce the bleeding but the tumors will continue to grow eventually producing problems associated with large tumors: urinary frequency, constipation, indigestion, back pain etc.
Good Luck

About a week ago I had and ultra-sound and a hysteroscope. My Dr. said that the lining of my uterus was thick but my uterus was of normal size. She said that it was probably a polyp. She then did a biopsy of the tissue lining of the uterus. She said that it was difficult to get out because something in my uterus was hard. What could have been “hard” inside of my uterus???
I am 34 years old and my complaints have been heavy bleeding, big blood clots, pain in my pelvic region that feels as if a bowling ball was sitting on my pelvic bones, constant bloating, my stomache is so bloated that I look about 4 months pregnant, (my tubes are tied), chronic constapation, lower back pain for sometimes brief moments or sometimes days.
I have read so much on uterine fibroids, polyps, and nothing refers to anything being hard.
Thanks so much for any information that you might have.

Dear Wondergirl-
Your symptoms are classic for Adenomyosis. Tissue biopsy is the only way to confirm the diagnosis, however, not all biopsies are successful.
This disease is associated with a hard, painful uterus, heavy bleeding and clots.
Most gyns will recommend hysterectomy…we recommend our FAS procedure that will laser remove the disease. We reconstruct the uterus to prevent the major side effects that can occur after hysterectomy.
You may want to have an MRI done to check for changes in the uterine muscle..however you will need a good radiologist to diagnose the disease.
Good Luck

Okay, finally my doctor scheduled me for a D&C on July 9th. I asked for a MRI to see if maybe there would be something there that would indicate that I suspect that I have adenmyosis. I was told that the MRIs are not very good in the pelvic region for finding anything that the ultrasound was the best. (Everything that I have read has said otherwise.) I was given 3 choices by my doctor. 1 was to do nothing, the 2nd was to do a D&C, and the 3rd was a hysterectomy. The only reasonable thing to do was the D&C. Everything has been the same for the last 6 months or longer, heavy bleeding, large blood clots, swollen stomache, the feeling of a bowling ball sitting on my pelvic bones, constipation, but now I have hemorroids. Could this be related? Also I have found a protrusion (like a lump) above my pubic bone and a larger one on my left side of my stomache, could this be related?
Thanks again,
Wondergirl

Dear wondergirl-
These other problems are probably not related. You should have them looked at by a physician. Hemorrhoids will occur with straining, if you are constipated.
Your D&C may temporarily stop your heavy bleeding and clots, but once the endometrial lining builds up again, the symptoms will reoccur. It is a wasted procedure that buys time. You need to have the adeno removed. Your symptoms will only continue to worsen the longer you delay.
Dr. DJ

Dear Doctor,
I have irregular periods, bleeding heavy and other time not at all. My periods come every 2months. I have alot of pain, to the point, that I have to Lay down. Had a ultrasound and transvaginal one. Results: the Uterus measures 10.1×5.5×2.3cm I also have a fundal fibroid posteriorly measuring about 24mm. Also, I have to simple cysts measuring 8mm and 10mm. They have suggested I have a hysterectomy. What do you think?
Thank-you
Justybugs

Dear Justybugs-
Your symptoms are classic for adenomyosis-which is endometriosis of the uterine muscle. This can be very painful and produce heavy bleeding with clots. You are a perfect candidate for FAS-we would remove your fibroid(s), both cysts and remove and treat the possible adenomyosis. I do not recommend removing your uterus-there are too many potential post hysterectomy complications. Please call my office if we can help you. Good Luck

I am 32 yrs old, and I have 1 child. My 2nd child died in accident. I am desperately trying to conceive another. I have been diagnoised with adenmyosis and I have been trying to get pregant for almost a year. My dr has told me little about this disease. I have found most of my info from the internet. I’ve been told just to keep trying, but the more research I have done, I can see the odds are not in my favor. I don’t know what to do.

Dear Brokenhearted-
Doing nothing will only make the situation worse…this is a progressive disease. As a form of endometriosis…it spreads with every cycle. The longer you wait to treat the condition the more it will invade the uterine muscle….not only will pregnancy be difficult or near impossible, your cycles may become very painful with heavy bleeding, clots and abdominal bloating. Any of my patients with a diagnosis of Adenomyosis are encouraged to get pregnant asap, as chances decrease the longer you have the condition. You may wish to consult a fertility expert.
Traditional medicine will recommend hysterectomy…we recommend our FAS procedure that will remove the disease and laser treat the remaining muscle tissue. Although pregnancy is not possible after the procedure, the spread of the disease is limited and symptoms are minimal, if any.

Dear Dr DelJuno JR.
I had my sonogram today. They say my uterus is now 22cm with quite a few tumors the size of a grapefruit 9cm. My last sonogram was last June so this growth has been in the last 8mos, rapid.They want to do the hysterectomy. I wrote last week that I have kaiser ins., isn’t there anything I can do????

Dear Lola-
You do have an option but unfortunately Kaiser will not pay for it. Our FAS procedure would remove your fibroids and allow you to keep your uterus….however Kaiser, and all HMOs, will not allow anyone to go outside of their network…hence it is not available to many women. We recommend trying to get different insurance…because surgically an option is available.

I have noticed more severe backache before I get my period. I am 47 yrs old and have extreme heavy bleeding (2nd, 3rd and 4th day tampon and night pad changed between every hour to two. With my last pelvic exam I was told that my uterus that was always at 10 wk went to 12. I am scheduled for a sonagram next week, what could this be? I was also told that I have fybroids.

Dear Carol-
Thank you for your posting.
Your symptoms are classic for Adenomyosis..this is uterine endometriosis(see website section). Most gyns will recommend a hysterectomy…we advise against that due to the multitude of post hyst complications, ie:depression, hormone imbalance, sexual dysfunctioning and bowel/bladder prolapse.
Our FAS procedure is a one of kind laser debulking treatment that allows the women the freedom to keep her uterus, but be virtually symptom free.
We have had great success with this…and have had many women choose FAS as an option.