04 Aug The LAAM Advantage: Chantell’s Journey to Overcoming Fibroids
As we continue our Fibroid Awareness campaign, we are sharing the story of Chantell, a patient who recently underwent the LAAM (Laparoscopic Assisted Abdominal Myomectomy) procedure to address fibroids that have caused her significant physical and emotional discomfort for years. Although Chantell did not opt for LAAM specifically for fertility preservation, it’s crucial to note how beneficial this procedure can be for women who wish to maintain their fertility. In this article, we will delve into Chantell’s experiences and explain why LAAM is a more suitable option than Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), particularly for all women, and especially those considering future pregnancies
Early Years with Fibroids
Chantell, a lively mother of two and a professional balancing her engineering career with her roles as a podcast host and cooking show presenter, first discovered she had fibroids after the birth of her second child, now 18 years old. Initially, her doctor reassured her that the fibroids were small and not a serious issue, so Chantell did not seek treatment. She wasn’t experiencing severe symptoms and had no plans for more children at the time. However, the fibroids didn’t stay the same; they grew larger over time, affecting Chantell’s life more and more. A few years before her decision for surgery, she noticed a significant bulge in her abdomen that made her look as if she were five months pregnant.
“I couldn’t sleep on my left side because of the pain from the bulge,” Chantell explained. “It also started to change the way I dressed because I felt self-conscious about the noticeable bulge.”
Seeking Remedies and Real Solutions
At first, Chantell tried natural remedies she found online, like castor oil and dandelion root supplements, even though there’s no scientific proof they work. Natural remedies are often popular due to their accessibility and the appeal of avoiding surgery. However, these remedies lack scientific evidence and rigorous testing to prove they can effectively shrink fibroids. Many of these treatments are based on anecdotal evidence rather than clinical studies. Without proper scientific validation, their safety and efficacy remain uncertain.
She used these methods for almost three years while keeping an eye on her fibroids with ultrasounds. In 2024, Chantell insisted on another ultrasound, even though her gynecologist said it wasn’t necessary. This ultrasound revealed that her fibroids had grown a lot, and she had a cyst on her ovary.
The Bottom Line: Estrogen produced by the ovaries makes fibroids grow. To stop fibroids from growing, estrogen produced by the ovaries has to be stopped, which means going into menopause, which no patient wants. Natural remedies do NOT stop estrogen production.
The scary ultrasound results and her OBGYN’s reaction made Chantell seek a second opinion. Her OBGYN seemed very worried and suggested invasive open procedures, including possibly removing her ovaries, which scared Chantell even more. Not satisfied with this approach, she decided to find a specialist.
The Turning Point: Finding a Specialist
Chantell researched and found The Center for Innovative GYN Care (CIGC). She looked at CIGC’s resources, patient stories, and reviews before her consultation. She wanted a confident and specialized surgeon, not just any doctor.
Reflecting on her first consultation with the CIGC surgeon, Chantell said the surgeon was super confident and took the time to explain everything, including her diagnosis and possible treatment options, based on what was important to her, which was keeping her ovaries. He explained everything in simple terms, making sure she understood everything clearly.
This approach empowered Chantell and made her feel she was in good hands.
The CIGC Experience
The surgeon gave Chantell two options: the DualportGYN functional partial hysterectomy, which involved removing the top of the uterus, while preserving the cervix and the ovaries. The CIGC doctor explained to her that that this procedure will keep all her hormones intact as well as the pelvic floor, which will prevent “drop down” of any organs, and will stop her bleeding and many other symptoms. Because the top of the uterus is removed with the fibroids, Chantell will no longer have periods and cannot have babies, BUT the fibroids cannot come back. Recovery with the functional partial hysterectomy procedure is 7 days back to work.
A second option discussed with Chantell was the LAAM procedure. DualportGYN LAAM™ is a hybrid procedure that combines laparoscopy and a small incision to remove fibroids with only two small cuts. LAAM removes all the fibroids and keeps the uterus and the ovaries intact. LAAM still allows fertility.
Since Chantell wanted to keep her uterus, she chose the LAAM procedure.
The DualportGYN LAAM™ Procedure
Developed by CIGC specialists, the DualportGYN LAAM™ procedure is a minimally invasive technique that can remove fibroids of almost any size from all parts of the uterus. In 60 – 90 minutes, all the fibroids are removed, and all the symptoms of fibroids are resolved. This outpatient surgery allows patients to go home the same day and usually only needs about 7 – 14 days for recovery depending on the number of fibroids removed.
LAAM is a great option for women who want to keep their fertility or who just want the fibroids removed and preserve the uterus.
A New Beginning
Chantell had the LAAM procedure a few weeks ago. Right after surgery, she stated that she lost over 11 pounds of fibroids and felt her confidence return. She was amazed by the quick recovery and was able to get back to her normal life just 3-4 days after surgery.
Chantell: “I look forward to shorter periods, wearing my favorite clothes, and feeling good about my body again!”
The Importance of Educated Choices and Specialist Care
Chantell’s journey highlights the necessity of informed decisions and the value of seeking specialized care. While procedures like Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) are available, UFE should never be the choice of women wishing to preserve their fertility. UFE can increase the risk of miscarriage since the fibroids are NOT removed, and can affect ovarian function by blocking ovarian blood supply and causing problems with fertility. Further, UFE does NOT remove fibroids, and will not alleviate symptoms quickly, often taking months or years for the fibroids to reduce in size.
LAAM completely removes the fibroids in a one hour procedure, thereby stopping all the symptoms that fibroids cause: Bleeding, Pain, Bloating and Distension, Pelvic Pressure and Back Pain, Frequency of Urination, and many others. And LAAM has a faster recovery and less pain than embolization, with a recovery of 7 – 14 days back to work, while still preserving fertility.
Advice for Women
By choosing LAAM, Chantell not only addressed her fibroids effectively but also ensured her reproductive organs remained intact. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that women should explore all available treatment options and seek specialists who can offer the most advanced and appropriate care for their unique needs. Chantell advises women not to wait and see but to take action and find advanced, minimally invasive options like the DualportGYN LAAM™ procedure available at specialized centers like CIGC. She encourages women to do thorough research, get second opinions, and advocate for their health to live their best fibroid-free life.
“Don’t wait and see because it does not work. The goal is to live your best fibroid-free life, especially when you have surgical options that are advanced like the LAAM procedure available to you! I encourage women to do your research, get second opinions, and advocate for your own health.”
If you’re interested in hearing Chantell’s full story, we encourage you to listen to the complete interview. If you’re considering scheduling a consultation with us, you can do so by clicking the link below.
Link to full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVQRy33ZwDc