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Uterine Fibroid Embolization vs. Myomectomy

What Are the Causes of Uterine Fibroids

UFE vs. Myomectomy: Which Option is Best for You?

Uterine fibroids generally do not cause symptoms, but if you have symptomatic uterine fibroids, you may experience abnormal or heavy bleeding, frequent urination, or severe menstrual cramps. If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, you need to find the right fibroid treatment to get relief from your symptoms. There are several uterine fibroid treatment options, including a myomectomy. A myomectomy is a more invasive surgical procedure that removes only certain types of fibroids. In addition, a myomectomy has a higher recurrence rate than a uterine fibroid embolization.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is another treatment option for fibroids. UFE is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that effectively reduces the size and symptoms of fibroids. Due to its minimally invasive nature, UFE is often preferred over a myomectomy. It targets all fibroids, regardless of amount and size. UFE has a lower risk of complications, shorter recovery times, and does not require a hospital stay. At American Fibroid Centers, our affiliated fibroid specialists have decades of experience performing UFE procedures, using cutting-edge technology and minimally invasive techniques. Learn more about UFE vs. myomectomy to help decide on the right treatment option for you.

Uterine Fibroid Embolization

UFE is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that deprives the fibroids of their blood supply, causing them to stop bleeding and shrink. Unlike a myomectomy, where there is a greater risk of potential complications after surgery, UFE has fewer reported risks or complications. Other benefits of UFE include:

  • Less invasive than surgery
  • Light or moderate sedation
  • No hospital stay (outpatient procedure)
  • Lower risk of complications
  • No stitches or scarring 
  • Full recovery in 10 days
  • Lower incidence of regrowth of fibroids

Myomectomy

Myomectomy differs from the UFE procedure in several ways. A myomectomy can be a major surgery that causes larger complications, such as excessive blood loss, development of blood clots, infection, and complications with pregnancy after the procedure. Other differences include:

  • Major surgery
  • Requires general anesthesia
  • Requires a hospital stay
  • Higher risk of complications
  • Stitches and scarring 
  • Full recovery in 2-6 weeks
  • Higher incidence of regrowth of fibroids
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Fibroid Health Assessment Questionnaire

Fill out our questionnaire to find out if you are suffering from fibroids.

UFE vs. Myomectomy Procedure

Myomectomy surgically removes fibroids while preserving the uterus. It can be done through one incision or in some cases multiple incisions, in the vagina, cervix, or lower abdomen. There are three types of myomectomy procedures: abdominal, laparoscopic, or hysteroscopic surgery. The type of surgery depends on the size, location, and number of fibroids present. You can expect a myomectomy to take between 2-3 hours.

Uterine fibroid embolization, on the other hand, inserts a thin catheter through the upper thigh into the femoral artery. Then, small gel particles are injected into the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroids. These particles block the blood supply to the fibroid, causing it to shrink. UFE is performed as a same-day procedure and usually takes around an hour to complete.

Woman Dr with Patient
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UFE vs. Myomectomy Recovery Time

Recovery time for a myomectomy may look different for everyone, depending on which type of surgery a patient receives to treat their fibroids. An abdominal myomectomy involves an overnight hospital stay and about 4-6 weeks of recovery time before you can resume normal activities. A laparoscopic myomectomy involves a 2-4 week recovery period, and a hysteroscopic myomectomy involves a 1-2 week recovery. Since UFE is generally less invasive than a myomectomy, the majority of patients are fully recovered within 10 days and go back to work and resume daily activities. 

Which Fibroid Treatment is Right For You?

Although a myomectomy is an effective treatment for removing fibroids, there is a chance your fibroids will re-grow and cause the same symptoms again in the future. Regrowth is possible in UFE as well, just at lower rates. Either omit or change wording. A myomectomy may also cause health complications after your procedure, such as blood clots, infection, scarring, and fertility complications from infections or scarring. 

At American Fibroid Centers, we recommend uterine fibroid embolization for any woman considering fibroid treatment. Not only does the uterus remain intact but, since it’s a minimally invasive procedure, there is also no scarring or extensive recovery period. UFE offers a success rate of about 85%, with most women seeing remarkable improvement in their symptoms.

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Why Choose American Fibroid Centers for UFE?

The American Fibroid Centers’ affiliated physicians are among the nation’s most respected providers of endovascular procedures, including UFE. Our high-quality fibroid treatment centers in NY and NJ feature individual patient rooms, state-of-the-art operating rooms, and separate recovery areas to ensure the most comprehensive care from start to finish. 

Most of our outpatient centers are accredited by the Joint Commission and adhere to the utmost standards. If you’re considering UFE, look no further than American Fibroid Centers. Our team is committed to helping you find relief for your fibroid pain and other debilitating symptoms so you can live more comfortably.

Our Fibroid Specialists

At American Fibroid Centers, our caring team of specialists can determine the contributing factors of your fibroids so you can get the treatment you need. Our affiliated physicians are experts in uterine fibroid embolization, helping you get relief from painful and uncomfortable fibroid symptoms.

Our Fibroid Centers in NY & NJ

American Fibroid Centers has outpatient centers in New York and New Jersey that provide UFE to help shrink your fibroids. Visit your closest location to get specialized uterine fibroid treatment near you.

Brooklyn, NY
71 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
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Queens, NY
28-18 31st Street
2nd Floor
Queens, NY 11102
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Harlem, NY
505 East 116th Street
Suite 400
Harlem, NY 10029
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West Orange, NJ
347 Mount Pleasant Avenue
Suite 100
West Orange, NJ 07052
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What Our Patients Are Saying

Learn more about our patients’ experiences at American Fibroid Centers.

Love this Dr and staff. They are all kind courteous and professional with excellent medical care. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need.
Sybil Wilkins
Sybil Wilkins
13:05 05 Sep 24
Professional and friendly from my phone call to make an appointment to my visit I felt I was is safe hands not just a number. Everyone was knowledgeable and explained the procedures.
James Mullen
James Mullen
19:47 17 Aug 24
Dr David Mobley was kind right to the point. Explained & solved my issue. The whole staff is professional.
Lizette
Lizette
17:52 03 Aug 24
It’s personal
Ricot Charlot
Ricot Charlot
10:57 03 Jul 24
Sheer perfection. The care and expertise and teamwork are the best I have ever experienced. I’m a former nurse and I recognize and give a shout out to the best!!!!
Barbara Murray
Barbara Murray
16:22 02 May 24
First Impressions are lasting impressions! First, the staff are phenomenal! How is it possible that each and every one of them are incredibly kind, caring, professional, personable and treat you like you are THE most important person in the world!? Well, meet this team for an experience that will make you feel valued as a person, not just as a patient. In walks this amazing Doctor and now you understand why his team are the way they are! They regard each other with the utmost respect, and kindness, and they communicate with each other like family. And as a new patient, I had the honor and pleasure to experience excellence in patient care and concern. I am so very grateful to have found a Doctor who is in my opinion perfect with a team who are exceptional! I’m excited for my next visit, honestly! I write this with a great big Smile on my face!
CC
CC
14:57 24 Apr 24
EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT ALL AROUND!!! THANK YOU!!!
Marion Moore
Marion Moore
13:44 17 Apr 24
Excellent, professional, organized and efficient all best describes the service here.
Delsi Cunningham
Delsi Cunningham
17:28 05 Apr 24
Very nice and friendly staff.I was so nervous, they all made me feel relaxed and comfortable.They explained everything to me step by step.
Keith Dickens
Keith Dickens
13:10 02 Apr 24
Excelente servicio es lo mejor que me a pasado gracias a sus buenos tratamiento ya no tengo dolor
The staff are the best. Very elated,with the exceptional care,professionalism, and genuine concern, displayed by all the staff.
Constance Sidberry
Constance Sidberry
03:50 17 Mar 24
I felt very comfortable with him. Excellent bedside manner, proper teaching , and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him!
Jamel Jackson
Jamel Jackson
14:07 27 Feb 24
Yes it was a good place
Carmen Diaz
Carmen Diaz
14:22 20 Feb 24
The absolute BEST Dr!! Detailed, caring & kind! The best medical procedure I’ve ever had from consultation to post procedure, perfect! 10s all around 👏🏽👍🏽👍🏽 many thank yous🙏🏾
Josi W
Josi W
22:04 12 Jan 24
Is good to be with friendly and professional staff at doctor’s offices like this one.
Dr. Joseph Sham and the entire Team were very professional, knowledgeable, informative and had incredible patience with me by answering all my questions and concerns. Great Team…Thank you all! 👍
Marion
Marion
22:17 27 Dec 23
I was treated very well. The staff was very professional and made me feel comfortable. Looking forward to my next visit.
Stephen Lapinsky
Stephen Lapinsky
20:17 20 Dec 23
This experience was great I’m so happy with everything
stephanie suazo
stephanie suazo
22:53 13 Dec 23
I love this place stuff is helpful an they all were nice. I had a wonderful experience Dr Shams was great.
Victoria Pacheco
Victoria Pacheco
22:07 17 Nov 23
Professional services
Ricky Mo
Ricky Mo
22:14 15 Nov 23
I like the doctor they were kind of pretty thorough he says that he could help me he found out the filter in my abdomen from the surgery I had in 1996 has been clogging my blood flow for 25 years and that’s causing the swelling at every other doctor told me was lymphedema it was not lymphedema it caused the lymphedema because no other doctor took the time or care enough to find out the reason for my leg swelling this doctor was the only one who finally found out and he’s going to see if you could put a stent inside the filter to open it up and and stop my legs from swelling hopefully this will all go good it hasn’t happened yet but I’ll keep you posted thankful for this docto I just pray and hope that it works otherwise I like the doctor very much
Mitchell Dedios
Mitchell Dedios
21:01 27 Oct 23
Excellent service , good customer service and friendly staff. Thanks
Raysa Polanco
Raysa Polanco
20:54 27 Oct 23
You may likely have to wait. Avoid anxiety and frustration. Schedule extra time for the visit. Allow for personal attention to your care needs once in the examination room. Friendly, nice staff and doctor puts you at ease. Bottom line: worth the wait!
Sisle
Sisle
21:49 26 Oct 23
Excellent service and staff i’ll let you feel relaxing and comfortable
kadine campbell
kadine campbell
21:01 23 Oct 23
I was given good advice about my blood circulation
Emma Bb
Emma Bb
17:04 08 Oct 23
Dr. Shams office is amazing. Whitney and Angela were AMAZING. Great sense of humor. Staff is WONDERFUL.
Sara Correa
Sara Correa
21:13 18 Sep 23
Nice office, personnel friendly, & caring, good informative information concerning my care.
Loretta Johnson
Loretta Johnson
21:26 22 Aug 23
Really like this doctor, talks in your language, just over all regular nice person.
Linda Thoomey
Linda Thoomey
22:03 21 Jul 23
I’m very satisfied of my visit for the first time, everyone was concerned about me, and Dr David was very patient to listen to my long health stories, after that He gave me good explanation for my problem, that was great 👍
Claude Jean Pierre
Claude Jean Pierre
22:38 18 Jul 23
Follow up to a procedure. Dr Mobley and his staff are great and always helpful
DanLiza Diehl
DanLiza Diehl
21:25 10 Jul 23
David monkey,MD and the grupo are excellent very kind and helpful.i will return to them.the attention.its very satisfied.thank u ..
Luis Sarria
Luis Sarria
12:16 29 Jun 23
I had a good experience with my procedure and Dr. Mobley’s follow-up calls are great. I’ve never had a doctor who has been so concerned about following up after a procedure to see how I’m doing and if there are any post-procedure problems I may have experienced (which there aren’t). I’d highly recommend Dr. Mobley.
Hey Beej
Hey Beej
16:42 23 Jun 23
Dr Mobley was so helpful, informative and made me feel secure in making my future medical plan. Supportive and kind. Highly recommended.
Amanda L Browder
Amanda L Browder
15:57 23 Jun 23
Doctor was very thorough. Explaining what the procedure is all about. Tell me what I could realistically expect. Couldn’t have asked for a better consultation. Highly recommended if you have a prostate issue
John Buric
John Buric
16:26 15 Jun 23
I was very pleased and satisfied on how Dr. David Mobley examined me and explained everything on what I need to know regarding my condition. He’s very professional and knowledgeable in all aspects of his profession. I would highly recommend him to my other friends!
Celine Parcon
Celine Parcon
23:16 07 Jun 23
Dr Shams was very attentive and explained everything in detail. The staff was very nice, the staff/nurse were all so very helpful, It was a Monday morning and I didn’t expect such happy staff.
Stacy Lebeau
Stacy Lebeau
21:22 06 Jun 23
He puts his patients before himself, returning calls and e-mails quickly. Not only is he kind and considerate, he is an excellent physician. I had to have a procedure that requires me to be awake, and he talked me through it and kept me at ease. If I could give him more stars, I would.
Super friendly, tentative, once in the procedure rm the sx staff made you feel comfortable, easy,+ answered all questions. David mobley, MD answered all my questions, very informative, caring. I felt confident in his care
Thais Bini
Thais Bini
21:22 30 May 23
Great doctor. Everyone is so kind and caring. Great place to go
Joan Jurica
Joan Jurica
14:46 30 May 23
Good service!
Veronika Shopina
Veronika Shopina
21:09 24 May 23
There is a friendly atmosphere, fast medical attention and an advanced medical equipment !!!The Staff is very knowledgeable and the best care possibly !!!100 % Satisfied !!!
Cruz Figueroa
Cruz Figueroa
03:06 08 May 23
Whole staff was very friendly and professional. I feel confident that I came to the right place for treatment.
Rudy Padilla
Rudy Padilla
02:08 13 Apr 23
The best in Astoria I recommend Dr mobley and staff 100 percent
michaela1951
michaela1951
21:25 30 Mar 23
Knowledgeable , experienced, great bed side manners
mohamed hamed
mohamed hamed
10:09 30 Mar 23
I am pleased w/my experience @ endovascular. I hope they can save my foot.
Margo A Williams
Margo A Williams
19:19 29 Mar 23
This has been the best medical experience I’ve had in over thirty years. I was nervous to have a procedure after only knowing about my condition a year ago. They made this process so easy for me that I’m in shock that I had no pain, no discomfort thanks to an excellent doctor and professional staff! Thank you all and best of luck to your practice.
Stacey Marius
Stacey Marius
14:16 29 Mar 23
The doctor was very nice and professional. He explained the tests that I need and why I need them.
Judith AndersonNeal
Judith AndersonNeal
22:12 27 Mar 23
This was the best experience I have had in such a long time and I have had quite a few procedures in the past both in patient and out including the procedure I was currently present for. No other surgeon has been so kind, transparent, and gentle. Not only did he personally come out beforehand to provide me with education on my procedure, but he talked me through every step of the way and made me feel so comfortable and relaxed. Not to mention his amazing staff! Despite being extremely nervous they kept me smiling and laughing throughout the whole process. 10/10 would recommend. Thank you so much guys!!
Riah L.
Riah L.
13:49 22 Mar 23
Excellent bedside manners and the procedure was a breeze.
sen-pei hsia
sen-pei hsia
18:26 20 Mar 23
Los mejores/ the best💖🙏
Ruthy Ochoa
Ruthy Ochoa
04:17 03 Mar 23
Excellent, Patience, don’t Rush you to be finished. The Doctor explains everything and answers your questions. I would Recommend Dr.Sham service anytime, they are. Great!
Debra Farmer
Debra Farmer
00:16 01 Mar 23
I went with my mom who just had a hip surgery. The whole team was very caring, nice and very professional. I did appreciate that the surgeon took the time to explain to me what was wrong with my mom’s arm and what he did to fix it.
mouna khalyat
mouna khalyat
14:37 24 Feb 23
Very good and very responsive.
James Young
James Young
19:33 22 Feb 23
Although I didn’t meet with the doctor, the receptionist, assistant and nurse were great.
Theresa Gaines
Theresa Gaines
13:25 13 Feb 23
Every thing and the process are being done properly ..Terissa you are very Carey ..thank you so much every body are very polite and very professional.. Thank you so much to Dr.Mobley..God blessed you all .🙏🙏🙏👍
Remigio Ruda
Remigio Ruda
03:28 31 Jan 23
Very knowledgeable, personable and professional. I came to Dr. Mobley to correct another surgeons work and I was pleased with the outcome. There is a Hispanic woman that runs things in the O.R.She is great! The whole staff is wonderful and caring.Highly recommend
Lakesha Kingdom
Lakesha Kingdom
15:57 17 Jan 23
I had a wonderful PA take care of me, & the nurses were very sweet. I was happy with my visit
Aurora Anello
Aurora Anello
19:20 10 Jan 23
Everything always goes well.staff are very caring.
Lillian Rodriguez
Lillian Rodriguez
19:00 11 Dec 22
Excellent Doctor he explains the procedure process so that it is understandable and comfortable for the patient!
T. J.
T. J.
14:48 06 Dec 21
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